I keep reading that it has 3 tuners, 2 Sat 1 OTA, which I've seen & used. I've seen & played with Single/Dual modes. If I'm in Dual, how do I record and watch something live?
If you are watching a program and decide to record it, just hit the record button on the remote and it will ask you if you would like to record to the end of the program. I would recommend that while in dual mode, you program your 622 - go to Menu, 8-Prefrences, 6-Record Plus, and then enable it with a default TV (TV-2).
Can I record 2 things and watch a 3rd live?
You should be able to record a sat program on TV2, and while on TV1 you could watch either OTA or a Sat program while recording either a Sat or OTA. In fact, you should be able to record 3 programs at once, i.e., one from each tuner; and then while recording those 3 programs, you can still watch 2 previously recorded programs. This Dish Network Forum has 2 sub-forums which I'm sure you'll find interesting. Under the sub-forum "Technical Forum" there are two (sticky) threads at the top that you should look at; "How to's for 622" (and others), and "Remote Guide". Also, here is just one thread on recording:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=81563 - see the post by NAVYCHOP.
Probably need a seperate thread for this question. Can older uhf dish remotes be programmed to run TV2? Like I have a JVC Dish S-Vhs remote with IR/Uhf.
The first RF remotes that came out were UHF, which may be what your "JVC Dish" remote is; if so, it will not work as an RF remote on the newer systems that require UHF PRO.
Maybe someone has more info on JVC models and will comment.
The Ir seems to run TV1 as is, how do I address it for UHF, of can it?
Dish Network uses 2 types of UHF remotes; (older) UHF, and (newer) UHF PRO.
On the 622, it comes with an IR (Green 1 IR) remote which will only control TV1 via infra-red light signals; and a second IR/UHF PRO (Blue 2 UHF PRO) remote which will control TV2 via UHF PRO radio frequencies. The AUX button on this "Blue 2 UHF PRO" remote can be programmed to send IR and UHF PRO signals to a second Dish receiver (but not TV1; see the list in Chapter 10, bottom of Page 81 in the 622 manual).
Although the IR remote (Green 1 IR) can not be used to control the 622 TV1 via RF signals (UHF PRO),
you can purchase a second remote, such as the "6.2 IR/UHF PRO" or "
6.3 IR/UHF PRO"
to control TV1 from a second room. It will require the correct tab on the bottom which says "1 UHF PRO" and is green. This remote is only available from Dish Technical Support (I believe $39 plus shipping). Here's a link with plenty of info on "Remote Controls" from a thread under the Technical sub-forum:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=7758&d=1142022830
Finding the info to program the ViP 622 TV1 for IR/UHF PRO operation is a challenge, but actual setup is real easy. Just ask the question if you get another remote and need help.
BTW My installer, when asked about HDMI issues replied with" Yea, Dish is aware there's some problems, but because it's the weight of the cable causing the plug to come loose, or cause other problems, they're not doing anything about it now."
I have seen threads about the HDMI connector being less than perfect, but this may be an industry design flaw. There are some threads on this and someone else may comment further on this. Besides the flaw, there have been reports of compatibility issues with various TV's depending on the software version on the 622. Here's a link from one thread on HDMI:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=13041&d=1163219504
Oh and does it have to be powered off nightly to get updates like the 4Dtv? Or is that what the 3am schedule does?
Yes, you should turn off TV1 and TV2, but leave the 622 plugged into power, so that it will take a download. If you happen to be watching TV, I've heard you will get a message to either accept an update (which includes a software and/or program guide) or to skip it, and heard that if you take no action, it will do the update.
Comments anyone?