Equipment Planning - Help Needed

[bnesti]

I currently have Comcast, and am looking to get Dish Network (again). I am a previous Dish Network customer (2001-2004; previous home).

I have the following receivers (owned; currently in closet; from previous setup): 501 (1 each), 301 (2 each).

Current TV inventory:
- 42" HDTV (basement; want HD DVR 622)
- 26" HDTV (bedroom; 2nd floor; HD not needed on this TV; want SD DVR 625)
- 15" SDTV (bedroom; 1st floor; SD only is fine)

There is only 1 cable outlet available at each of these TV's. All coax goes common point (outside; where cable currently connects).

1. With all the people that appear to be using dual tuner receivers to service two TV's... I am a little confused on how the signal gets from TV1 to TV2 (remote). I think I understand that coax needs to run from TV1 to TV2... but, I guess I am surprised that people would have the necessary coax connections for this. And, running new coax seems like a significant effort.

2. Would Dish Network provide & install: 622 (basement 42") and 625 (2nd floor 26"), and install my owned 301 (1st floor 15"), for $0 upfront costs? So, in this scenario, I wouldn't use the TV2 option.

3. If I re-used a 301, would I need a new access card? Thought I saw something about a card swap, or something like that. If so, would there be a cost.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Bryan

 

[Jim5506]

1. The dual tuner DVR's have an RF modulator thet sends the TV2 signal to remote TV's via coaxal cable. The 622 has an agile modulator that has adjustable output channels for both TV1 and TV2. All is SD of course.

2. You'll have to contact Dish on this one.

3. As long as the 301 has a yellow card it is OK, blue cards need to be replaced - they are obsolete.

 

[bnesti]

1. The dual tuner DVR's have an RF modulator thet sends the TV2 signal to remote TV's via coaxal cable. The 622 has an agile modulator that has adjustable output channels for both TV1 and TV2. All is SD of course.

2. You'll have to contact Dish on this one.

3. As long as the 301 has a yellow card it is OK, blue cards need to be replaced - they are obsolete.

Thanks for the comments!

Just to make sure I understand the first point... so, if I only have one coax connection currently at the 42" TV (basement)... that outlet will be used to connect the dish signal to the 622 receiver. Then, to use the TV2 (remote) functionality at one of the other TV's, I would need to have an additional coax cable run installed (from 42" TV, to the TV2 (remote) location)?

Bryan

 

[Jim5506]

Correct.

 

[ndyclrk]

Actually, you don't even need to have a second cable installed. Diplexers can be used to backfeed the TV2 output over the existing cable (assuming it's RG6).

 

[bnesti]

Just a quick update -

Put the order in through Dishstore. Another thumbs up for DishStore! :up Order process was quick and painless. Ordered a 622 HD DVR, and a 625 SD DVR. I selected an install window of Friday (noon-5 PM).

Installer called Friday at 11:30 AM, saying that he is on his way. Wow, very prompt! Arrived at about Noon, and asked where I wanted the dish. After a thorough discussion about pro's and con's of various places, I picked a place. Installer checks the LOS, and said the location would be fine.

1000.2 dish was installed. Installer then placed the 622 in the basement, and 625 (actually a 522) in the upstairs bedroom. I didn't notice it wasn't a 625 until after the installer left. I was a little concerned at first... didn't know what a 522 was... well, after some research, it looks like the 522 and 625 are basically the same, except the 625 has more VOD storage space. Any concerns with getting a 522, instead of a 625?

Installer set both boxes up, and setup my third TV as TV2 from the 522. He then activated, and verified operation. Demonstrated to me that both receivers worked... signed off, and he was on his way. Very pleased with the installer, and his work.

After he left, I noticed that I appeared to have Top 200, instead of 250, that I ordered. Not a big deal, called Dish, and they updated it within a matter of a few minutes.

Bryan