Joey 4 with Hopper3 (without Hopper+) - real experience

[sklunk]

I know we have numerous threads about Hopper+ with Joey4, but I thought this deserved a new one since it specifically does NOT include the Hopper+. If the mods think it should be in one of the other threads feel free to move it.


I just upgraded my (3) Joey 3's to Joey 4's. I retained my original Hopper3 and did NOT add the Hopper+. Just FYI -- Dish requires a Tech visit since there is some new ATV files that need to be downloaded to the H3. If you are a customer in good standing you can probably get the charge for the visit waived (I did), other than that there are no upgrade fees. Here are my quick thoughts so far (Tech just left about an hour ago).

PROS:

• J4s are MUCH faster than the J3s, especially in the Guide.
• Text/image resolution in the menus is MUCH sharper.
• Picture quality seems to be slightly better as well.
• They have an option for PiP (but I haven't gotten it to work yet).

CONS:

• J4s only give you the Android menu as a start/home screen. There is no way to go the old start screen that had all the settings. There is also no way to change what the box does on startup (like Go To Last Channel or Go To Home Screen). So if you like the Android tiles you are fine, but without the H+ your H3 will still have the "old" menu (which my family likes better) while the J4s will have the Android menu. So could be some confusion within the household.
• There is no way to jump quickly to the old Settings menu. You need to scroll to the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then scroll through the dropdown on the right, then find the Device Preferences, then go to the correct dropdown to get to the full Settings screen.
• While the J4s have native bluetooth, you MUST turn it on and off. On the J3s I could have my BT speakers paired but turn the volume down/off at a switch on them, then use the TV volume. If I wanted to use the speakers I just turn their volume up and the TV volume down. With the J4 you must enter the BT menu (which takes more clicks than the old Settings menu due to point above), then Pair the BT accessory. When you are done you need to remember to Unpair or you won't get any volume out of the TV speakers.
• Some other settings are not even available anymore. You can't see/manage Caller ID history, you can't change screen format to add/remove borders on SD broadcasts, and some other minor settings are missing.
• The 40.0 remotes are NOT compatible!! This may not matter to some but may be a deal-breaker for others. You can get some of the functions to work, but major ones like the Menu button, Format button, and Cancel key do not work at all (and there are others like Page Up/Down in the Guide, misc). The Cancel one makes it impossible to back out of menus or DVR listings, and without PU/PD you can only scroll one line at a time in the Guide. So if you are okay with the 5x-series remotes you are good, but for those of us that love the 40-series it will be impossible to navigate some of the major menus.

Overall the upgrade is nice for the speed improvement, but I'm not sure I can recommend it because of the removal of some of the old features, as well as incompatibility with the 40.0 remotes. We'll see how my family likes them over the next few weeks and I'll report back.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

I like the Joey 4s. The Wiress Joey 4 may just be my favorite DISH receiver of all time.

But all your cons are spot on. And you forgot that HDR is always on if you have it hooked to a 4K TV for some folks it drives them nut. Its not an issue for me thankfully.

 

[sklunk]

Didn't know about the HDR since the TVs that have the J4s are not 4K. But good to know for when I replace them!

And at least most of the Cons seem to be software related. Hopefully Dish listens and addresses them in future releases

 

[charlesrshell]

I know we have numerous threads about Hopper+ with Joey4, but I thought this deserved a new one since it specifically does NOT include the Hopper+. If the mods think it should be in one of the other threads feel free to move it.


I just upgraded my (3) Joey 3's to Joey 4's. I retained my original Hopper3 and did NOT add the Hopper+. Just FYI -- Dish requires a Tech visit since there is some new ATV files that need to be downloaded to the H3. If you are a customer in good standing you can probably get the charge for the visit waived (I did), other than that there are no upgrade fees. Here are my quick thoughts so far (Tech just left about an hour ago).

PROS:

• J4s are MUCH faster than the J3s, especially in the Guide.
• Text/image resolution in the menus is MUCH sharper.
• Picture quality seems to be slightly better as well.
• They have an option for PiP (but I haven't gotten it to work yet).

CONS:

• J4s only give you the Android menu as a start/home screen. There is no way to go the old start screen that had all the settings. There is also no way to change what the box does on startup (like Go To Last Channel or Go To Home Screen). So if you like the Android tiles you are fine, but without the H+ your H3 will still have the "old" menu (which my family likes better) while the J4s will have the Android menu. So could be some confusion within the household.
• There is no way to jump quickly to the old Settings menu. You need to scroll to the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then scroll through the dropdown on the right, then find the Device Preferences, then go to the correct dropdown to get to the full Settings screen.
• While the J4s have native bluetooth, you MUST turn it on and off. On the J3s I could have my BT speakers paired but turn the volume down/off at a switch on them, then use the TV volume. If I wanted to use the speakers I just turn their volume up and the TV volume down. With the J4 you must enter the BT menu (which takes more clicks than the old Settings menu due to point above), then Pair the BT accessory. When you are done you need to remember to Unpair or you won't get any volume out of the TV speakers.
• Some other settings are not even available anymore. You can't see/manage Caller ID history, you can't change screen format to add/remove borders on SD broadcasts, and some other minor settings are missing.
• The 40.0 remotes are NOT compatible!! This may not matter to some but may be a deal-breaker for others. You can get some of the functions to work, but major ones like the Menu button, Format button, and Cancel key do not work at all (and there are others like Page Up/Down in the Guide, misc). The Cancel one makes it impossible to back out of menus or DVR listings, and without PU/PD you can only scroll one line at a time in the Guide. So if you are okay with the 5x-series remotes you are good, but for those of us that love the 40-series it will be impossible to navigate some of the major menus.

Overall the upgrade is nice for the speed improvement, but I'm not sure I can recommend it because of the removal of some of the old features, as well as incompatibility with the 40.0 remotes. We'll see how my family likes them over the next few weeks and I'll report back.

Hold the Joey 4 remote control home button down for a couple of seconds is a short cut that will take you straight to the Diagnostics screen. The 40.0 remote controls have gotten better with the H+ and J4s. Attached is my latest chart for how the 40.0 remote behaves.

 

[sklunk]

Hold the Joey 4 remote control home button down for a couple of seconds is a short cut that will take you straight to the Diagnostics screen. The 40.0 remote controls have gotten better with the H+ and J4s. Attached is my latest chart for how the 40.0 remote behaves.

Your chart pretty much confirms what I have seen, but also need to add the "Menu" button to not working (unless you found a way to get it to work).

Thanks!

 

[charlesrshell]

Your chart pretty much confirms what I have seen, but also need to add the "Menu" button to not working (unless you found a way to get it to work).

Thanks!

The 40.0 menu button works for all my J4s, WJ4s, and Hopper Plus. But the hold down short cut doesn't work.

 

[bnewt]

I like the Joey 4s. The Wiress Joey 4 may just be my favorite DISH receiver of all time.

But all your cons are spot on. And you forgot that HDR is always on if you have it hooked to a 4K TV for some folks it drives them nut. Its not an issue for me thankfully.

what does that do to the picture?
I am wanting to add the wireless joey 4 to a 4K tv & HWS. What would happen in that situation?

 

[sklunk]

The 40.0 menu button works for all my J4s, WJ4s, and Hopper Plus. But the hold down short cut doesn't work.

The black one near the upper left with the 3 lines on it? That's the one that I can't get to do anything.
The Tech paired the remotes. Maybe I'll unpair then pair it again and see if that makes any difference. I used that button all the time on my J3s to get to the Settings menu!

 

[charlesrshell]

The black one near the upper left with the 3 lines on it? That's the one that I can't get to do anything.
The Tech paired the remotes. Maybe I'll unpair then pair it again and see if that makes any difference. I used that button all the time on my J3s to get to the Settings menu!

That is the 40.0 remote menu button. It works for me. Maybe the re-pairing will work. Good luck.

 

[BLC1962]

I know we have numerous threads about Hopper+ with Joey4, but I thought this deserved a new one since it specifically does NOT include the Hopper+. If the mods think it should be in one of the other threads feel free to move it.


I just upgraded my (3) Joey 3's to Joey 4's. I retained my original Hopper3 and did NOT add the Hopper+. Just FYI -- Dish requires a Tech visit since there is some new ATV files that need to be downloaded to the H3. If you are a customer in good standing you can probably get the charge for the visit waived (I did), other than that there are no upgrade fees. Here are my quick thoughts so far (Tech just left about an hour ago).

PROS:

• J4s are MUCH faster than the J3s, especially in the Guide.
• Text/image resolution in the menus is MUCH sharper.
• Picture quality seems to be slightly better as well.
• They have an option for PiP (but I haven't gotten it to work yet).

CONS:

• J4s only give you the Android menu as a start/home screen. There is no way to go the old start screen that had all the settings. There is also no way to change what the box does on startup (like Go To Last Channel or Go To Home Screen). So if you like the Android tiles you are fine, but without the H+ your H3 will still have the "old" menu (which my family likes better) while the J4s will have the Android menu. So could be some confusion within the household.
• There is no way to jump quickly to the old Settings menu. You need to scroll to the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then scroll through the dropdown on the right, then find the Device Preferences, then go to the correct dropdown to get to the full Settings screen.
• While the J4s have native bluetooth, you MUST turn it on and off. On the J3s I could have my BT speakers paired but turn the volume down/off at a switch on them, then use the TV volume. If I wanted to use the speakers I just turn their volume up and the TV volume down. With the J4 you must enter the BT menu (which takes more clicks than the old Settings menu due to point above), then Pair the BT accessory. When you are done you need to remember to Unpair or you won't get any volume out of the TV speakers.
• Some other settings are not even available anymore. You can't see/manage Caller ID history, you can't change screen format to add/remove borders on SD broadcasts, and some other minor settings are missing.
• The 40.0 remotes are NOT compatible!! This may not matter to some but may be a deal-breaker for others. You can get some of the functions to work, but major ones like the Menu button, Format button, and Cancel key do not work at all (and there are others like Page Up/Down in the Guide, misc). The Cancel one makes it impossible to back out of menus or DVR listings, and without PU/PD you can only scroll one line at a time in the Guide. So if you are okay with the 5x-series remotes you are good, but for those of us that love the 40-series it will be impossible to navigate some of the major menus.

Overall the upgrade is nice for the speed improvement, but I'm not sure I can recommend it because of the removal of some of the old features, as well as incompatibility with the 40.0 remotes. We'll see how my family likes them over the next few weeks and I'll report back.

For your CONS bullet point #2 if you press and hold the Home button on the Joey remote for 3 seconds and then scroll down to settings and press the #5 key on the remote I find this a quicker way to get to the native Dish settings menu. Hopefully that helps.

 

[HipKat]

• There is no way to jump quickly to the old Settings menu. You need to scroll to the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then scroll through the dropdown on the right, then find the Device Preferences, then go to the correct dropdown to get to the full Settings screen.

Save a few clicks and choose Dish Settings

 

[bookworm370]

Not really reading this entire thread. I assume you still can't order Joey 4's without having a Hopper + other than buying one on eBay? If I bought one, will Dish still charge a receiver fee for the Joey 4 I own?

While I'm at it, can Joey 3's and 4's be mixed on a Hopper 3 system without a - (oups, I meant + )

 

[navychop]

The black one near the upper left with the 3 lines on it?

Generally referred to as the Hamburger.

 

[HipKat]

Not really reading this entire thread. I assume you still can't order Joey 4's without having a Hopper + other than buying one on eBay? If I bought one, will Dish still charge a receiver fee for the Joey 4 I own?

While I'm at it, can Joey 3's and 4's be mixed on a Hopper 3 system without a - (oups, I meant + )

Yes, I've installed plenty of J4's without a Plus

 

[dweber]

I am thinking about getting a Joey 4 client for my basement TV. I currently have two Hopper3 receivers and a Joey3 in my bedroom. I have no interest in getting the Hopper +. For those who have two Hopper3 receivers and a Joey 4 I have the following questions

1) Will the Joey4 work ok with the Joey3 clients?
2) My Joey3 can see both Hopper3 receivers. When I select DVR and select “Other Devices”. I can select either Hopper3 Recorded programs or I can select “Whole Home” under Dish diagnostics and select which Hopper3 is linked. Will the Joey 4 act the same way?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[charlesrshell]

I am thinking about getting a Joey 4 client for my basement TV. I currently have two Hopper3 receivers and a Joey3 in my bedroom. I have no interest in getting the Hopper +. For those who have two Hopper3 receivers and a Joey 4 I have the following questions

1) Will the Joey4 work ok with the Joey3 clients?
2) My Joey3 can see both Hopper3 receivers. When I select DVR and select “Other Devices”. I can select either Hopper3 Recorded programs or I can select “Whole Home” under Dish diagnostics and select which Hopper3 is linked. Will the Joey 4 act the same way?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Joey 4s act the same way. I have one Hopper 3 and another Hopper 3 with Plus. My two J4s and one WJ4 are linked to the Hopper 3. My 2nd WJ4 is linked to the Hopper Plus. All my J4s and WJ4s can see both Hoppers in the Recordings folder "Other Devices" down menu and everything work great.

 

[nyrfan1]

I know we have numerous threads about Hopper+ with Joey4, but I thought this deserved a new one since it specifically does NOT include the Hopper+. If the mods think it should be in one of the other threads feel free to move it.


I just upgraded my (3) Joey 3's to Joey 4's. I retained my original Hopper3 and did NOT add the Hopper+. Just FYI -- Dish requires a Tech visit since there is some new ATV files that need to be downloaded to the H3. If you are a customer in good standing you can probably get the charge for the visit waived (I did), other than that there are no upgrade fees. Here are my quick thoughts so far (Tech just left about an hour ago).

PROS:

• J4s are MUCH faster than the J3s, especially in the Guide.
• Text/image resolution in the menus is MUCH sharper.
• Picture quality seems to be slightly better as well.
• They have an option for PiP (but I haven't gotten it to work yet).

CONS:

• J4s only give you the Android menu as a start/home screen. There is no way to go the old start screen that had all the settings. There is also no way to change what the box does on startup (like Go To Last Channel or Go To Home Screen). So if you like the Android tiles you are fine, but without the H+ your H3 will still have the "old" menu (which my family likes better) while the J4s will have the Android menu. So could be some confusion within the household.
• There is no way to jump quickly to the old Settings menu. You need to scroll to the gear icon in the upper-right corner, then scroll through the dropdown on the right, then find the Device Preferences, then go to the correct dropdown to get to the full Settings screen.
• While the J4s have native bluetooth, you MUST turn it on and off. On the J3s I could have my BT speakers paired but turn the volume down/off at a switch on them, then use the TV volume. If I wanted to use the speakers I just turn their volume up and the TV volume down. With the J4 you must enter the BT menu (which takes more clicks than the old Settings menu due to point above), then Pair the BT accessory. When you are done you need to remember to Unpair or you won't get any volume out of the TV speakers.
• Some other settings are not even available anymore. You can't see/manage Caller ID history, you can't change screen format to add/remove borders on SD broadcasts, and some other minor settings are missing.
• The 40.0 remotes are NOT compatible!! This may not matter to some but may be a deal-breaker for others. You can get some of the functions to work, but major ones like the Menu button, Format button, and Cancel key do not work at all (and there are others like Page Up/Down in the Guide, misc). The Cancel one makes it impossible to back out of menus or DVR listings, and without PU/PD you can only scroll one line at a time in the Guide. So if you are okay with the 5x-series remotes you are good, but for those of us that love the 40-series it will be impossible to navigate some of the major menus.

Overall the upgrade is nice for the speed improvement, but I'm not sure I can recommend it because of the removal of some of the old features, as well as incompatibility with the 40.0 remotes. We'll see how my family likes them over the next few weeks and I'll report back.

All of your concerns have stopped me from the upgrade. As far as I know the "PIP" has not been turned on yey. (It was promised and never came to the 4K Joey)

 

[sklunk]

The 40.0 menu button works for all my J4s, WJ4s, and Hopper Plus. But the hold down short cut doesn't work.

Sorry - was off the grid for a few days and just got back.

I guess I wasn't clear. The menu button on my 40's does work, but it takes you to the new "android" home page. What I want it to do is take you to the old "settings" page (which you can still get to by going to the gear icon in the upper right, then dish settings, but with the old UI you could set that page to be your home page every time the Joey came on).

Hope that makes more sense ...

 

[sklunk]

For your CONS bullet point #2 if you press and hold the Home button on the Joey remote for 3 seconds and then scroll down to settings and press the #5 key on the remote I find this a quicker way to get to the native Dish settings menu. Hopefully that helps.

Thanks that helps for the 5x-series remotes.
I still would like to see something similar work with the 40's though.

 

[sklunk]

So an update -- just the other day the red button on my 40.0 started working similar to the Back button on the 54 remote. But it does not function as the traditional red button (for example on the DVR Trash screen, if you press the red button you used to get the Delete option, now it works like Back and exits you out of the Trash screen).

Not sure what changed but at least it's a step in the right direction!