Considering switch; advice/answers please!

[ctjr]

You guys helped me out a few days back with my Dad's install. Thanks much! I haven't had alot of time over at his place, but so far am impressed with what I have seen.

I have D* with the HDTivo and I like it quite a lot, esp. the Tivo. What I DON'T like is the lack of HD content! My Dad sure seems to have a lot more HD content than I do, that's for sure!

Anyway, I was just wondering if any of you were in the same boat and switched? If so, your thoughts?

Also, that whole one-box-for2-rooms thing is odd to me, but that would be what I would do (I think). My Dad's isn't working correctly, so I have yet to se it in action. Is that a good/easy to use thing?

One thing that looks a bit crazy to me is the 622's remote--man, that's one busy unit! I use a Harmony, but still, sometimes it's easier to grab the one from the DVR for some functions. I imagine I could adjust.

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks a lot!

 

[Chinatown]

From "E" to "D"

I switched 5 years ago. At the time it was because "D" had my locals, & "E", after 2 years, just kept making excuses for not having them. As far as the HD content..........."D" will be adding more content in 2007. In addition, with "E", I believe you need 2 dishes to get all of their content VS 1 with "D".

Lastly, and with all due respect to our foreign neighbors........it is nice to know that when you call "D" the CSR's are linguistic.

I understand that is not always the case with "E".

 

[bhelms]

I have never been a D customer, cable and E* only. You will need 2 dishes for all the "standard" E* content including all the HD channels only if you live in one of the few geographic areas that don't have LOS to the 129 satellite. Otherwise the Dish 1000 will pick up all 3 satellites you need. In many cases however, users have reported better results with a second dish dedicated to 129 or pointed to 61.5 instead.

Most E* CSRs are indeed located off-shore, an increasing trend that no provider is immune to. But the E* technicians are all on-shore I believe, at least at this time. Anytime I need help (rare) I punch the number for technical assistance in the options menu. They seem glad to help with any issue.

There are some in this forum that are using the Harmony remotes to control their 622s to good avail. I just use the remotes that came with the 622. And I do use the 622 to provide program content to TVs in 2 different rooms quite successfully. The 622 is designed to provide both "Single" and "Dual" modes and the features available vary with the mode setting. I leave mine in Single since I am generally the only one watching regardless from which room, which means that both TVs are showing the same program (SD or HD on the "nearby" TV and SD or down-converted HD on the remote TV). That way both remotes function identically and I have the PIP function available on both TVs.

I never owned a TiVo. From reading others' posts it seems that there is a learning curve if you are used to the TiVo format, but most report they are more impressed with the 622's functionality after they got over the learning, YMMV...

 

[Pepper]

The ViP622 6.3 remote control is nothing less than a work of art.

 

[Friend]

The ViP622 6.3 remote control is nothing less than a work of art.

I second that, I do use harmony with 622 but still dish remotes are most user friendly remotes I have ever seen.

 

[daboogas94e]

I'm a tech w/ Dish and its true for most areas that a 2nd dish for 129 or 61.5 is better than a D1000 for 110,119, and 129. but u will need a DPP44 if u want all 4

 

[ctjr]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful.

One issue that could be a deal-breaker is when they might start broadcasting HD locals in my area since (as I understand it) the 622 can only record 1 OTA HD signal at a time.

Is there a time-table that shows when certain areas will get their HD locals?

 

[RuralSatGuy]

My solution to single OTA record on 622 was to put a Cat's Eye HDTV tuner card in my PC and buy BeyondTV software (no monthly fees). You get all the DVR functions you need and a 14-day EPG, with sub-channel programming listed. On my Samsung 22-inch 225BW 16x9 5 ms LCD screen on the PC, HDTV looks beautiful. And you can make DVDs on your computer of your stored OTA shows. Limiting factor. How long are you willing to sit in a computer chair and watch HD?

You do not need WinXP Media Center software for this solution. I use XP Home. Vista Home Premium will support an HDTV tuner card. Some new motherboards have HDMI outputs. So, I plan on a "real" media center in the living room before 2007 is out.

 

[ctjr]

Yeah, that's a bit more than I would be willing to undertake!

Does Dish plan to roll out HD locals across the country this year? Do they have a timetable a person can see? That would be very helpful, as I think it's the last obstacle in the path of my "switch"

 

[bderouen]

You guys helped me out a few days back with my Dad's install. Thanks much! I haven't had alot of time over at his place, but so far am impressed with what I have seen.

I have D* with the HDTivo and I like it quite a lot, esp. the Tivo. What I DON'T like is the lack of HD content! My Dad sure seems to have a lot more HD content than I do, that's for sure!

Anyway, I was just wondering if any of you were in the same boat and switched? If so, your thoughts?

Also, that whole one-box-for2-rooms thing is odd to me, but that would be what I would do (I think). My Dad's isn't working correctly, so I have yet to se it in action. Is that a good/easy to use thing?

One thing that looks a bit crazy to me is the 622's remote--man, that's one busy unit! I use a Harmony, but still, sometimes it's easier to grab the one from the DVR for some functions. I imagine I could adjust.

Anyway, I would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks a lot!

I can tell you I switched from Direct about 3 months ago, due to LOUSEY customer service and a BOTCHED install attempt at my new home. I won't go into the long-gorey details on what happened, but needless to say, I'm so very much happier with Dish now. I have the 622 feeding my HD set in my living room AND my SD set in my bedroom (on the 2nd floor...mind you). I hear you when you say it seems strange. I puzzled over taht too. But it works very nicely!

My best friend got on Direct when I was with them, because of what he saw at my house. Now that I switched to Dish, he's really drooling! I'd suggest to anyone to switch to Dish!

Bruce

 

[rich88]

I'm a tech w/ Dish and its true for most areas that a 2nd dish for 129 or 61.5 is better than a D1000 for 110,119, and 129. but u will need a DPP44 if u want all 4

At our last ATM meeting, we went over the Dish 1000.2.

DP Plus switch built in. YYYeeessssss!!!

Works up to 6 rooms (no more nightmare 3 receiver HD installs where you don't have a DP Plus 44 switch and you to have to use a FREAKING regular 34 switch!!!)

And slightly bigger to help increase signal strength off the 129 sat.

 

[taclearo@earthlink.net]

I was with D for almost eight years and went with E about three months ago. The Hd content is better with E, but the equipment has been terrible. Half the time the remote will not work correctly and I constantly get check switch screens on my TV. When i check the switch, there is nothing wrong. I hit the recall button today and a totally different last channel appears. If you scroll through the channels too quickly, the remote locks up. I NEVER had these issues with D.
The positives are the great DVR and the amount of HD channels. Overall, I would have to say it simply depends on what you feel strongly about-HD content amount or reliable equipment.