Convince me to upgrade....

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RichManitoba

RichManitoba

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Mar 5, 2010
199
25
Madison, WI
Current products:

  • VIP 222K with TV2 connected (mirrored?) to 2 TV's
  • VIP 722 with TV2 same as above.

I'd like to upgrade, but from what I've read it would cost me $200.00 to upgrade, but the monthly charge would only go up about $7 to $14 dollars. I've done a live chat and made 2 different phone calls; quotes have been all over hell.
In addition, from reading posts here, there seems to be some problems. This isn't something I need, but would really like to have.

I know nobody can make the decision for me, but try!!
 
If you need convincing, then i say don't do the upgrade. Bugs will get fixed at some point and promotions usually get better.

Waiting can be a good thing.....
 
Last edited:
I agree with sparc. If YOU can't think of a single, compelling reason to upgrade; then don't.

For me, it was HD in every room with centralized DVR management. The only bug I have encountered (knock on wood) is with DLNA, but that wasn't even a consideration in my purchase.
 
So you are running 6 TVs from 4 tuners today and have a single DVR that has access to 2 tuners (not counting OTA). If you duplicate that using 2 Hoppers and 2 Joeys, you gain 2 tuners, HD on 4 TVs, can record from all 6, a second DVR and your bill goes up $11. You'll have to buy an RF modulator for each Joey to mirror to TV3 and TV6 ($10 each), or use a couple of old VCRs. You'll have to rework some of your connections because you can't diplex TV2 RF with MOCA. There are some problems, but overall it's an awesome system that beats the heck out of my old 722/211 system.
 
RichManitoba said:
Current products:

  • VIP 222K with TV2 connected (mirrored?) to 2 TV's
  • VIP 722 with TV2 same as above.

I'd like to upgrade, but from what I've read it would cost me $200.00 to upgrade, but the monthly charge would only go up about $7 to $14 dollars. I've done a live chat and made 2 different phone calls; quotes have been all over hell.
In addition, from reading posts here, there seems to be some problems. This isn't something I need, but would really like to have.

I know nobody can make the decision for me, but try!!
Click to expand...


This isn't something I need, but would really like to have. Pretty much sums it up for me too.

I contacted the great folks on the DIRT and found out that a 2 Hopper (only) arrangement is not available at this time and I would have to get a Joey that I do not need or want.

Soooo... I am going to hold off for a while. Note also there seems to be some stability issues, EHD issues (we love our EHD - used heavily), two-Hopper integration is not available yet and the upgrade pricing is a bit hefty. Things could look very different in just a few months. I will just wait a while and see what happens.
 
The EHD setup in the Hoppers is a plus! The EHD runs smoothly and quickly through an icon menu as easily as if it were another internal drive. It appears to cache the content information on the Hopper, so you don't have to wait when first opening. Occasionally, when you run the first program from the menu it will return an error, just reselect and it's off and running. The first program occasional glitch may EHD brand specific for spin-up.
 
RichManitoba said:
Current products:
  • VIP 222K with TV2 connected (mirrored?) to 2 TV's
  • VIP 722 with TV2 same as above.
Click to expand...
You are currently paying $6/mo DVR fee plus something for the second receiver (I forget what that costs). You can get the exact costs from your bill. Up-front costs are $100/Hopper. Up to 4 Joeys should be free. Monthly fees: $6 DVR fee (same as you currently pay) + $4 whole home DVR fee + $7 additional outlet fee for each Joey and a second Hopper. Do the math but I doubt cost alone would make the decision for you.

You currently have 4 satellite tuners and up to 4 off-air tuners (with optional modules). The 222K has on DVR and no option for an external drive. TV2 output is SD only.

Hopper/Joey provides an HD signal to all TVs and allows any to access DVR recordings. No off-air tuners (yet).

2 Hoppers plus 4 Joeys allows independent viewing on all TVs and 6 satellite tuners. $200 in up-front costs plus $45 in monthly fees: 6 DVR + 4 whole home + 7*5 additional outlet (each Joey plus 2nd Hopper).

If you can get by with 3 satellite tuners and continue to mirror signals to two pairs of TVs consider a 1H+2J system. $100 up-front plus $24/mo.

When deciding on the number of satellite tuners, factor in PTAT and how much live TV you watch. (Most all of my viewing is from the DVR, not live so the number of satellite tuners I need is to cover DVR recordings.) If you watch a lot of network television, PTAT helps make 3 tuners do more during prime time hours.

What helps me decide on such issues is to make a table of features vs systems and highlight the ones that are important to you.
 
I suggest you wait until it has been out 3 to 6 months. Then decide which particular configuration you want, and see if it is supported at that time.
 
First, go out and buy new HDTVs to replace every SDTV you have. At that point it will certainly make sense to upgrade to two Hoppers and four Joeys, because you will not want to waste those HDTVs by only having SD signals! This logic worked for me. And, yes, it sure is a nice improvement having all six HDTVs with independent control.
 
J

Is Dish supposed to supply the HIC?

  • jahost
  • Replies: 5
W

Joey interface vs Hopper Interface

  • WaxDonuts
  • Replies: 10

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