622 - What's in the box?

[TalonDancer]

I'm getting DishHD Bronze with a ViP 622 installed on Tuesday. I want to be prepared with good quality cables etc. What cables come with the ViP622?

I'll be hooking the 622 up to a new DELL 2407WFP LCD Monitor with a native resolution of 1920x1200. In addition to the VGA input (that I'll be using for a computer monitor hookup), the DELL has DVi-D, Component, and Composite video inputs. Which of these video inputs will give me the best all round quality for both HD and SD Dish channels?

Lastly, are any of the current Dish HD channels encoded to _require_ the HDCP support of the DVI-D input port?

Thanks in advance,
Talon Dancer

 

[bhelms]

Get yourself a digital cable (HDMI/DVI) as required by your TV (the 622 is HDMI on its end) AND a set of component cables (RGB) as "back-up" in case you have the "no HDMI output" problem commonly reported. You might need to use something other than the digital connections at least through the initial set-up process.

The digital connection should give you best results under all circumstances. Most folks prefer it, some prefer the component connections, check both for your preference on your particular monitor. Which is best could vary by programming type and b'cast resolution. For SD the composite connections (S-video?) might be acceptable, but certainly NOT for HD programming.

The 622 comes with composite cables but nothing for component or digital (duuhhh!). Don't buy the overpriced cables at the big box stores - check online. Most folks have been able to find the digital cables in short lengths for around $10.

Sorry, I can't answer your last question for sure. I believe the answer is no, but I'm not positive.

Welcome, BTW.

 

[TalonDancer]

Get yourself a digital cable (HDMI/DVI) as required by your TV (the 622 is HDMI on its end) AND a set of component cables (RGB) as "back-up" in case you have the "no HDMI output" problem commonly reported. .....
The 622 comes with composite cables but nothing for component or digital (duuhhh!). Don't buy the overpriced cables at the big box stores - check online. ...

Thanks for the quick reply.

I know it is difficult to include the exact cable(s) for everyone's setup, but really now... an HD receiver without ANY HD capable cables? Maybe Dish expects installers to provide them.

Unfortunately there isn't time to get a set of cables online. So I guess I'll buy an HDMI<->DVI adapter and set of short Component cables at a Big Box store and just return them if the installer provides what I need. At least that way I'll be able to test the HD capabilities I'm paying for

Thanks again,
Talon Dancer

 

[griz_fan]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I know it is difficult to include the exact cable(s) for everyone's setup, but really now... an HD receiver without ANY HD capable cables? Maybe Dish expects installers to provide them.

Unfortunately there isn't time to get a set of cables online. So I guess I'll buy an HDMI<->DVI adapter and set of short Component cables at a Big Box store and just return them if the installer provides what I need. At least that way I'll be able to test the HD capabilities I'm paying for

Thanks again,
Talon Dancer

Try Target, they have these GE brand cables that aren't too outrageously overpriced (just a little bit). Keep the receipt, then order up the cables from online, such as monoprice.com. When the reasonably priced cables arrive, use those and take the other cables back to Target.

 

[Andyman33]

Stupid question for you guys. . .the installer f'd us over and he was SUPPOSED to use the component cables. Is there a problem using 2 Yellow, White, Red sets of cables (1 to RGB other r/w to r/w audio with nothing in the 2nd set of yellow cables). Like, will the cables start a fire or anything?

 

[stone phillips420]

my buddy upgraded to 622 last friday, no cables no component no hdmi just rca cables came with it

 

[John Kotches]

Be wary of HDCP issues anyway.

If memory serves, the 2405FPW does not have HDCP on the DVI input, I know that my 2005FPW does not.

Dish could turn on HDCP at any time, which would then block the HDMI path to your display.

Cheers,

 

[bhelms]

Stupid question for you guys. . .the installer f'd us over and he was SUPPOSED to use the component cables. Is there a problem using 2 Yellow, White, Red sets of cables (1 to RGB other r/w to r/w audio with nothing in the 2nd set of yellow cables). Like, will the cables start a fire or anything?

The only stupid question is the one unasked!

Shouldn't be a problem. In the case of the component cables, since that is an analog connection, there could be some difference in PQ due to cable quality, e.g., better cables might have better shielding and thus less sensitivity to induced noise, etc., and at longer lengths the dielectric quality might also come into play. But for short runs you should be OK. Certainly nothing will "blow-up"! Nevertheless, I'd pick-up/install some better cables intended for component connections when possible. They're reasonably priced, especially on-line. (I got a set of Philips cables at Wal*Mart for about $15.)

PS - I wouldn't necessarily blame the installer. IIRC, my 811 came with decent component cables so I would have been a bit torqued if they weren't installed, but since the 622 did not come with any digital or component cables, I wouldn't expect the installer to supply them unless they were on the workorder (and presumably the installer would then have been reimbursed for them).

Note: For the digital connections, PQ is essentially unaffected by cable "quality". As long as it makes solid connection and is not intermittent or shorted, etc., you'll get the best possible PQ except in very rare situations.

 

[TalonDancer]

Try Target, they have these GE brand cables that aren't too outrageously overpriced (just a little bit). ...

Thanks for the tip! You were right. I picked up a set of the GE "Ultra" component cables for under $20 at Target as a backup in case the HDMI is DOA. I also got a DVI(female) to HDMI (male) at Best Buy to convert my existing DVI cable in case the installer doesn't provide that cable.

Thanks again
Talon Dancer

 

[TalonDancer]

Be wary of HDCP issues anyway.

If memory serves, the 2405FPW does not have HDCP on the DVI input, I know that my 2005FPW does not.

Dish could turn on HDCP at any time, which would then block the HDMI path to your display.

Cheers,

Indeed! That's why I waited for the fabled (and much delayed) 2407FWP which is reported to support HDCP

The 2407FWP has other problems (banding and blurry type) but Dell seems to be on the ball with a firmware update to fix these.

Talon Dancer

 

[xion29]

Had 622VIP install yesterday. No HDMI cable in the box. Used the one I had and the installer was kind enough to provide DVD -> HDMI connector. Had to readjust the TV contrast / brightness (swapped out a 811). The HD content looks better though SD seems degraded. Still have to try the Component output

 

[TalonDancer]

So I finally got to see what was in a ViP622 box when we installed it today. It contained lots of really useless cables including a pretty chintzy composite audio/video cable. We did not use a single one. And the installer did not ave any useful cables either(eg Component video, HDMI etc.).

But thanks to the advice on this forum I was prepared with own cables (component video, audio and an DVI -> HDMI cable/adapter). So the install went very well

My ViP622'd HDMi port was not DOA Cross fingers and knock on wood.

The Dell 2407WFP works pretty well as an HDTV monitor although it does NOT support the 1080i output of the 622.

There seems to be some "stutter" on some HD channels But overall the image quality is pretty good. Note I did not mention HD channel _content_ which (in MHO) is nearly useless. But others my find very useful/compelling.

Thanks to all who provided feedback,
Talon Dancer