Got my Dish!! - Observations and Questions

[mitchfx]

So, my Dish install went pretty painlessly yesterday. The installation guy was super friendly and knowledgeable. We have a 622 and a 211 with the 1000 antenna (sats 119,110,129). The picture quality on the HD channels seems to be VERY good...way better than what we were getting with Charter, and the SD cannels are much better as well. Even my wife who is not very techie at all immediately exclaimed "wow, this looks SO much better than Charter!". She LOVES the UltraHD channel and I'm digging Monsters, so good thing we have 2 HDTVs The local HD channels (Los Angeles - CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox) seem to be of acceptable quality without using OTA, so doubt I'll be going that route.

1. Some channels I miss...

-Sundance. Was really surprised to not find this. Anyone know the deal?
-PBS in HD. Charter had our local PBS (KCET) in HD, but I'd settle for just a national feed. This is the only reason I *might* add OTA later on.

2. About the 622 DVR...can you only record 2 programs at once, or record 1 and watch a 2nd? The dvr from Charter allowed recording/watching of 3 (three tuners I assume). Is there any way to tap into the extra tuner capacity for the 2nd tv when you have it hooked to only one set?

3. On the 211 I notice that the picture format info pops up when you change channels (i.e. "HD Normal/SD Partial Zoom"), but on the 622 it doesn't unless you start to browse forward. Is this some kind of preference that I'm overlooking or a difference between the boxes? I really like having that info automatically displayed.

4. Our bedroom set is 720p (Sony Wega E42A10 42" rear lcd proj). Does anyone know if the better conversion of 1080i signal would be by letting the Dish Receiver do it (output 720p to TV), or let the TV do it (output 1080i to TV)?

5. What is the deal with so many channels repeated in different number ranges? For example we have the local ABC I think 3 times, and some national networks twice.


Overall we are very happy so far about the switch. Finger crossed that my DSL install goes well next weekend so I can be rid of Charter forever!

-Mitch

 

[psumattDE]

Mitch-
What package do you have? Sundance is in the 300's with Showtime. You might have to get Showtime (or have HD Platinum) to get it.

 

[mitchfx]

Ah! That would explain it. I have the Gold package plus HBO. With Charter it wasn't a premium. Oh well

-m

 

[noremac]

2. About the 622 DVR...can you only record 2 programs at once, or record 1 and watch a 2nd? The dvr from Charter allowed recording/watching of 3 (three tuners I assume). Is there any way to tap into the extra tuner capacity for the 2nd tv when you have it hooked to only one set?

You can record up to three programs at once, providing two of the three are satellite channels (either SD or HD), and the third is a local OTA DTV channel. This is possible regardless of whether you're in dual or single mode.

You can simultaneously watch pre-recorded material independently. If your 622 is in dual mode, you can watch two pre-recorded programs while three others are recording. In single mode, you can only watch one, of course.

 

[gbjbany]

Mitch,

On 2, if you got the OTA hooked up you could record 3. But as you say you are limited by the no of tuners (2 sat and 1 OTA).
On 5, the channels are repeated because dish transmits in sd and hd mode all channels you subscribe to, so that's why you see it twice in the 4 digit number ranges, then you have the option to get those numbers mapped to your normal channel's e.g 3, 6 10, 13 etc. I just use these lower numbers and ignore the others by creating my own favourites.

 

[mitchfx]

Thanks everyone for the replies...

Still wondering about #3&4

3. On the 211 I notice that the picture format info pops up when you change channels (i.e. "HD Normal/SD Partial Zoom"), but on the 622 it doesn't unless you start to browse forward. Is this some kind of preference that I'm overlooking or a difference between the boxes? I really like having that info automatically displayed.

4. Our bedroom set is 720p (Sony Wega E42A10 42" rear lcd proj). Does anyone know if the better conversion of 1080i signal would be by letting the Dish Receiver do it (output 720p to TV), or let the TV do it (output 1080i to TV)?

 

[retorq]

#3 I have a 211 and I get that box up there when I switch. I've changed lots of the preferences/setup options but that has never gone away. I don;t think that is changable unless we're both overlooking something.

#4 if your TV can only display 1080i why feed it 1080i, on the broadcast 720p channels it'll go thru 2 conversions, one to 1080i and then one at the TV to 720p. If I were you I'ld set the stb to 720p and leave it, one conversion for the 1080i channels, none for the 720p channels.

 

[mitchfx]

Retorq,

#3 I have a 211 and I get that box up there when I switch. I've changed lots of the preferences/setup options but that has never gone away. I don;t think that is changable unless we're both overlooking something.

Yes, this is the way my 211 behaves and I'd like to get the same on my 622 since I actually like seeing that info. Can anyone here with a 622 confirm that the pic format does not display when changing channels?

#4 if your TV can only display 1080i why feed it 1080i, on the broadcast 720p channels it'll go thru 2 conversions, one to 1080i and then one at the TV to 720p. If I were you I'ld set the stb to 720p and leave it, one conversion for the 1080i channels, none for the 720p channels.

True, but seeing how the majority of channels I watch are 1080i, I would like to go with whatever is doing the better conversion (TV vs Box). Guess I'll do some tests to see what looks better.

Thanks,
m

 

[SmityWhity]

On #3, I don't believe there is a way to change it. I've been thru setup and could not find anything. My 622 seems to be doing like yours.

Also, I believe if you are watching a channel, you could hit select and see the info, but not up & down channel surfing.