Help: Want to switch from Dish, but unsure about HD DVR Plus functionality

[U235]

I'm month to month with Dish Network who I've been extremely satisfied with for 5 years, however, it appears they will not offer NBA League Pass so I am going to switch to DirecTV.

The reason I love Dish is because of the VIP 622 receiver I have. I am able to pump video through the COAX in my house and use RF remotes in my other rooms. I have it configured so all rooms see the same display, not in the dual tuner mode. Since it's just me and my g/f, we generally watch the same things in whatever room. I don't need to multi-playback in each room.

I noticed the DirecTV HD DVR Plus offers RF remotes. Can I emulate what I have with my Dish DVR where I can output the video from the DVR box into the Coax network of my house and use the RF remotes from the other two rooms?

Does anyone have experience with both the VIP622/722/942 and the newest DirecTV box? Anything else I should know. Any particular deals I should be aware of? Unfortunately, I need to get this ordered ASAP, but I don't want to pull the wrong trigger.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[U235]

Also, how many tuners are there in this box? The VIP had 2 sat tuners and 1 ATSC. I could essentially record 3 things simultaneously (as long as one was from my off-air antenna). How does DTV compare? It looks like local channel HD (Austin, TX) isn't available with DirecTV where as it is with Dish so ATSC is going to be important to me.

 

[Zynergi]

Yes with a RF Modulator (D*HDDVR doesnt have RF output) you can diplex or split "channel 3" back through out your house. However this will also depend on how your wiring is set up to the DVR if its a normal install with 1 line and a separator in the back then it will work just fine with a D* SWM setup.

Chances are very low you would get a HR20 (only one with a atsc tuner) but the HR22 and HR21 are norm now. However they do work with a ATSC Tuner called a AM21 which can be had at no cost if you get it noted at the time of the order. This is a customer installed device. D* DVR's have 2 tuners but will not "tune" on other TV sets like Dish does.

As far as Deals go.. there are numerous threads on Deals, but generally as a new customer you would get 1 HDDVR free along with 3 other standard receivers if you choose. Also a Premium Chanel service is generally free for 3+ months.

 

[U235]

Yes with a RF Modulator (D*HDDVR doesnt have RF output) you can diplex or split "channel 3" back through out your house. However this will also depend on how your wiring is set up to the DVR if its a normal install with 1 line and a separator in the back then it will work just fine with a D* SWM setup.

Chances are very low you would get a HR20 (only one with a atsc tuner) but the HR22 and HR21 are norm now. However they do work with a ATSC Tuner called a AM21 which can be had at no cost if you get it noted at the time of the order. This is a customer installed device. D* DVR's have 2 tuners but will not "tune" on other TV sets like Dish does.

As far as Deals go.. there are numerous threads on Deals, but generally as a new customer you would get 1 HDDVR free along with 3 other standard receivers if you choose. Also a Premium Chanel service is generally free for 3+ months.

Thanks, I figured with my own modulator I could do it. I don't need the other TVs to access separate tuners like Dish has, I just want the same image displayed on all TVs simultaneously. I have an On-Q system in the house and it is already configured to take the living room and distribute it to the master and the office. I imagine I can use a modulator and convert composite to coax and have basically no additional labor.

Is there a preferred brand of modulator that works well? I looked online, and it appears Dish charges $50 for AM21, but I'll see if I can get a package deal of some sort since I only want the 1 receiver.

Thanks for your help, I plan on ordering tomorrow after a bit of research.

One last question, I read somewhere that you can record 2 channels and watch a 3rd (but it was unclear whether the 3rd was previously recorded or live)? How exactly do the tuners work? With the AM21 how does that interface with the existing 2 tuners? For example, can I record 2 off-air simultaneously, 1 off-air 1 sat simultaneously, 2 sats simultaneously, etc. With my Dish I can do 1 off air, 2 sats, and watch a previously recorded show at the same time, I don't think DTV is quite that flexible.

Thanks for your help.

 

[harshness]

Anything else I should know.

The D* models lack PIP and side-by-side (I assume this is why you're running in Single Mode).

Any particular deals I should be aware of?

Look into the referral program and if you have AAA, there are additional deals available. You may also be able to work a deal with your phone service provider or your credit card company.

Be aware that D* installs are currently backed up and you may have to wait weeks for an install.

 

[U235]

The D* models lack PIP and side-by-side (I assume this is why you're running in Single Mode).Look into the referral program and if you have AAA, there are additional deals available. You may also be able to work a deal with your phone service provider or your credit card company.

Be aware that D* installs are currently backed up and you may have to wait weeks for an install.

Bummer on the install time wait. One of the guys that works at my office's assembly line installs stuff on the side for Dish Network (side business). Maybe a 6 pack of beer would get him to be able to help.

Anyways, I don't use PIP or side-by-side. The reason I run single mode is because it allows me to control all three tuners from any remote control/room. In dual-mode you need to set things to record on each tuner via its respective remote control. It's a pain in the you know what to deal with if you have 2-3 things you want to record in the same timeslot. Also, the advantages of it aren't very big since we rarely have more than 1 TV on at a time. Maybe 3-4 times per year I switched it to dual mode so my girlfriend could watch her crap in the bedroom and I could watch sports in the living room. However, we could totally live without that.

I am still curious about if I can record ATSC + 2 sat tuners if I get that AM21.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[rad]

I am still curious about if I can record ATSC + 2 sat tuners if I get that AM21.

You can record a total of two channels, be it either satellite, ATSC or a combination. The exception is that if you are connected to the internet you can also record a VoD program making it a max of 3 concurrent recordings.

 

[Ronnie-]

You can record a total of two channels, be it either satellite, ATSC or a combination. The exception is that if you are connected to the internet you can also record a VoD program making it a max of 3 concurrent recordings.

This is correct. It is two max (3 with VOD). The main difference is with E* you can only record one OTA thing at a time, with D* you can do 2. Both allow you to watch a previous recording while recording the maximum amount.

 

[dfergie]

I have the ViP 622 and a HR20-700... Directv has much better VoD selections and media share where you can access programming recorded from other sources from your pc...

 

[uncrules]

Bummer on the install time wait. One of the guys that works at my office's assembly line installs stuff on the side for Dish Network (side business). Maybe a 6 pack of beer would get him to be able to help.

I would check with D* yourself on the install wait time as it does vary depending on your location. It really depends on the inventory stock of your local installer. Some areas may have long install waits. But some areas may be able to install right away. I've seen examples of that before.

 

[harshness]

...and media share where you can access programming recorded from other sources from your pc...

As long as you take the extraordinary step of recording in or converting to MPEG2. Not a problem with ATSC sourced programming, but most everything else will need to be converted.

 

[Jimbo]

I would check with D* yourself on the install wait time as it does vary depending on your location. It really depends on the inventory stock of your local installer. Some areas may have long install waits. But some areas may be able to install right away. I've seen examples of that before.

I agree, every area is different. :up

 

[panard]

What disappointed me when going from the 622 to the HR-21 is the slow response time of the HR-21 compared to the Vip 622. I think the 622 is a much better DVR but what's ya gonna do, DTV is a better service and overall less expensive so it's a slight trade off IMO.

 

[U235]

Do I need to buy the Internet Connection kit if I already have Ethernet available where my receiver is installed?

 

[Ronnie-]

No, if you can connect a cable easily from where it will be installed there is no need

 

[U235]

Thanks!

 

[ryeryehere]

install time and dish

I know that currently dish is trying to make it next day if not same day for installs and service calls. Hasnt taken affect yet but that is the goal that they are working on. Some areas have already been staffed enough to do so, and on special occasions like elections and the superbowl they really try for that same day fix. I personally have dish and love the services that I have. We had a hurricane in the area, Im sure you all heard of hurricane Ike, well, after the storm and of course when power was restored, I checked and my signal was as good as ever. That is a good service if you ask me. It took cable weeks to get my neighbor back up and running.

 

[moghedien14]

It looks like local channel HD (Austin, TX) isn't available with DirecTV where as it is with Dish so ATSC is going to be important to me.

I'm in the Austin DMA and Directv has FO7), ABC(24), NBC(36), and CBS(42) in HD. PBS(18) and CW(54) are in SD only...