to the 722? I presently have the 625 and will be upgrading to the 722 this summer. My worry is that since the launch problem, that Dish will not be able to keep up with DirectTv in HD. Direct already has my locals in HD. But if Direct's equipment is inferior, I would never switch.
Does DirectTV have any receivers that compare
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Your driving a Chevrolet now and questioning about trading up to a BMW. It isn't an apples to apples comparison. The 722 and the HR2X are both dual tuner HDTV DVR receivers that is about the only common points. The Chevrolet is a family car and the BMW is more sports car so they don't compare directly. DISH is "el cheapo" selling concept Directv is more a luxury ride. For DISH you use the poorest quality out put "coax" for the second TV but save $5/mo. For Directv you use a second receiver for the additional TV it is $5 per month more but offers composite/"S" video and even HDTV depending on model chosen. Directv charges 1 DVR fee per account DISH charges for each DVR on the account.
They are different companies with different concepts about watching TV neither is perfect but if your used to DISH don't Expect Directv to be the same company they aren't.
Bnewt & Skyhi, I would think the main reason for switching from Dish to DirecTV is the huge gap in HD programming offered. Dish will be stuck in the area of 70 HD channels because of the problems with their last satellite attempt. With DirecTV's successful launch, they will leap from 90 HD channels to approximately 150 HD channels! I think the choice is pretty clear.
Ahh, buy the "El Cheapo" Chevy allows you to set up recordings on one DVR and watch it on 2 TV's and avoids me the hassle of setting up recordings on 2 DVRs as I dont know where i may watch the show... and then i have to remeber to delete it off of both DVRs after i watch it... so if saving time and ease of use in 2 locations makes it "el cheapo", then sign me up!
I think there are features and benefits for both companies/DVRs and yes there are price differences. so its definately YMMV, depending on what you like and need.
I think there are features and benefits for both companies/DVRs and yes there are price differences. so its definately YMMV, depending on what you like and need.
Your driving a Chevrolet now and questioning about trading up to a BMW. It isn't an apples to apples comparison. The 722 and the HR2X are both dual tuner HDTV DVR receivers that is about the only common points. The Chevrolet is a family car and the BMW is more sports car so they don't compare directly. DISH is "el cheapo" selling concept Directv is more a luxury ride. For DISH you use the poorest quality out put "coax" for the second TV but save $5/mo. For Directv you use a second receiver for the additional TV it is $5 per month more but offers composite/"S" video and even HDTV depending on model chosen. Directv charges 1 DVR fee per account DISH charges for each DVR on the account.
They are different companies with different concepts about watching TV neither is perfect but if your used to DISH don't Expect Directv to be the same company they aren't.
Does that BMW allow you to add external hard drives for unlimited archiving? BMW my ass. If we're using car analogies then Dish's current receivers are Lamborghinis compared to directv's Ford Pintos.
I have an HR20-100 and don't have a negative thing to say about it. I also have Tivo so I know what a DVR should be. I've never been an E* customer, so I can't speak about their receivers. What I will say is all the HD on D* is great!
I have used both. I prefer the 722 for these reasons:
1. Can record 3 HD channels at once (2 Sat, 1 OTA)
2. Dual Live Buffers (in Single mode)
3. USB expandability
If you can live without those features, the HR20 is just fine in my book, and it has some advantages over the 722, like the ability to record 2 OTA channels at once.
Tec
1. Can record 3 HD channels at once (2 Sat, 1 OTA)
2. Dual Live Buffers (in Single mode)
3. USB expandability
If you can live without those features, the HR20 is just fine in my book, and it has some advantages over the 722, like the ability to record 2 OTA channels at once.
Tec
The Dish DVRs are superior to the DirecTV DVRs (now that you can't get the TIVO based DVRs anymore which is what I used to have on DirecTV before switching to Dish). The DirecTV DVRs don't allow you to record OTA which is a big negative for me. You have to have one DVR per TV is the other. Also, I believe you can add external hard drives to the DirecTV DVR, but if you do, you can't use the internal HD so that is wasted space.
And finally, the new icing on the cake, DirecTV just sent out letters to all of its subscribers that they will be crippling the Pay Per View record option on all of their DVRs to only allow you to keep a recording for 24 hours.
And finally, the new icing on the cake, DirecTV just sent out letters to all of its subscribers that they will be crippling the Pay Per View record option on all of their DVRs to only allow you to keep a recording for 24 hours.
Are you sure about the OTA item? I didn't see any OTA tuners when I researched today on the HR20. If that is true, that is one less thing preventing me from switching back to DirecTV.
Wrong on both counts. All current DIRECTV DVRs have RF remote capability as does their HD receiver. UHF control is something that isn't "standard" for TV1 on the ViPx22 receivers.
As for IR being insufficient for anyone's use, I can't imagine how one could make such a statement.
The HR20 will always have two OTA tuners. It is the current HR21 that does not have them and DIRECTV decidedly screwed the pooch on releasing it when they did. There is an external USB module (AR21) that adds OTA capability (and reportedly a much better set of tuners) exclusively to the HR21, but like many things exciting at DIRECTV, they aren't available to the general public.
A note for the do it yourself installer. If my info is correct, the Direct Hd product requires 2 cables to be routed from the dish to the receiver. This may pose a problem where cable was supplied by the builder and only 1 cable was routed. I have talked to a lot of prospective satellite tv customers that don't have the option of adding a second coax because of construction barriers. If this isn't a problem then both Dish & Direct blow the socks off of most cable company product.
Go to Best Buy and try a D* receiver. I did, and thought it sucked. It was slow, and the channel list was disorganized.
Dish says there will be many new HD channels added in the next few months, and the failed launch won't interfere with their plans.
And, as others have said, you can't get OTA right now. The old HR20 models are hard to find, and the AM21 bolt-on for the HR21 isn't out yet.
