New HR34 or wait for Hopper???

[Aliens]

Back and forth I go.

I currently have the E* 622 and I’m confident I can get them to give me another 622 without an additional charge, I just need to get back to them since our last negotiation a few days ago.

Reading about some of the glitches (every new receiver goes through this process) with the new HR34 makes me hesitant to go that route. I’m thinking more like the time tested HR24 as my main, and two additional HD receivers to finish off the whole-home feature. I’ll need to add the AN21. Going with D* will save me $264 the first year versus staying with E*. If I can get D* to throw in the AN21 for free, and I like my chances, my only cost will be for the $21 install. I left D* in ’05 and have been with E* since. My 622 has been very reliable and I’m familiar with the system - I find it about as simple as it can get. Test-driving the HR34 the other day was like going into another universe - lots to learn.


Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

 

[DetFan]

When is the HR34 available?

 

[Mr Tony]

Feb 9th for current subs through D*
You can buy them now at solidsignal for $399 which is the base price. DOnt know if D* will give current subs any discount on it

new subs its available now

 

[DetFan]

Of course...LOL new subs get everything.

 

[lparsons21]

I'm patiently waiting to see what existing customer offers are on the HR34. It would make a great replacement for the 2 HR24s I use now in my preferred viewing location, and it would reduce the bill by $6/month as I would send back 2 HR24s. A single HR34 would be much easier to manage than the two HR24s I control now.

At $399 it isn't a consideration, at something much less it might be.

 

[Mr Tony]

I agree
I have 2 R22's in the same viewing spot (hooked to same TV) and like last night I had all 4 tuners maxed out for an hour or so.....5 tuners would be nice

 

[lparsons21]

Not just because of 5 tuners, although that would be nice now and then, but because Series Management and To-do list could be done on one box instead of trying figure out what is set where. I've got about 40 series links on each now, some with shows scheduled, others not. Managing 80 links means that sometimes I end up recording the same thing on 2 HRs.

Of course, if we could get unified management across MRV the problem wouldn't exist! Are you listening D*?

 

[rd76]

I'm a DTV customer and am seriously looking to switch to the hopper. The reasons are many. As a DTV customer is it almost impossible to upgrade without paying out the nose for everything. As a new customer they almost give you everything for free. Second the hopper guide is extremely fast compared to all the DTV DVR tuners I've had including their new hd guide. I've had Dish prior and it's basically the same quality. DTV has their sports packages but I cann't afford them. I hope the hopper is cheap for new customers cann't wait.

 

[Phil T]

Unfortunately both providers treat new customers better then existing. I had the same issues with Dish several years ago. It seems to be a game of CSR roulette to get a good deal as an existing customer.

 

[MJL Atlanta]

Thanks to everyone who posted all the great info on this thread. As an update, I decided to wait to see what E* is going to offer with the new Hopper/Joey system before I make my final decision. I still like the idea of the HR34 and its 5 tuners, but it sounds like there will be more info of the Hopper as early as this week and I am not in a great hurry. If I like the functionality of the hopper and the price for an existing customer is reasonable, I will probably avoid the hassle of a new installation and stay with E*. But if E* does not offer the new equipment to current customers or the price is ridiculous, I will be giving D* a call. Thanks again.

 

[scottydsntknow]

The way the Hopper is setup is just silly. Example:

I have 4 TVs on Dish with 1 Hopper and 3 Joeys but as everything is run off the Hopper I only get 3 tuners as that is all the Hopper has. This means not only can I only watch 1 live channel if I have more than 1 thing recording or heaven forbid I have 3 things recording and I can't watch anything but what is recording. Jump up to two Hoppers, I still only have 6 tuners and then they can't talk to each other.

Now onto DTV and the HR34 HMC:

I have the same 4 TVs but one is hooked to the HMC and the other 3 are to H25 receivers. I have 8 total tuners for 4 TVs instead of 3 tuners, I can record all on one box for ease of organization and I will never get kicked off a TV since they all have independent tuners. Also 8 tuners does not put me over the limit of tuners for the base DTV wiring setup either. I would go so far as to say that the older 2 tuner whole home DVR is better than the Hopper simply because each TV has its own tuner.

 

[JohnL]

Dish really blew it with the Hopper and Joey systems. I would much rather have a HR34 and a HR24 with maybe one or two H24 or H25's or even a remote Samsung TV to use with the HR34. A Standard Swim installation will still work, and you can use all the rest of DirecTV current hardware. A Three tuner system as a whole home installation is a TOTAL JOKE.

Like I said a HR34, HR24 would could serve an entire home and have 7 tuners to record content, and you can share all the content from both DVR's

John

 

[patmurphey]

The Hopper/Joey whole home system is designed for 6 tuners (plus USB OTA tuners), using the same boxes as its modest 1 Hopper/x Joey(s) 3 tuner setup - just replace a Joey with a Hopper (same monthly 7$ fee as a Joey). And, not just share recordings and tuners, but set recordings from any box.

 

[digiblur]

The Hopper/Joey whole home system is designed for 6 tuners (plus USB OTA tuners), using the same boxes as its modest 1 Hopper/x Joey(s) 3 tuner setup - just replace a Joey with a Hopper (same monthly 7$ fee as a Joey). And, not just share recordings and tuners, but set recordings from any box.

It only has 3 tuners.

 

[isaacmorseMI]

It only has 3 tuners.

But you can add a 2nd Hopper which gives you 6.

Sent from my iPad 2 using Forum Runner

 

[patmurphey]

It only has 3 tuners.

2 Hoppers are designed to work together - 6 tuners. Dish saves money by stacking Hoppers rather than a bigger box for customers who need more. Get it?

 

[digiblur]

2 Hoppers are designed to work together - 6 tuners. Dish saves money by stacking Hoppers rather than a bigger box for customers who need more. Get it?

I thought the Joey can't talk to more than one Hopper at a time. So no I don't get it.

 

[fr8flyr]

Maybe someday they will be able to work together but currently if you have 2 Hoppers they are completely separate systems. In my house I have 3 TV's and my H/T projector hooked to an HR34, HR24 and 2 H25's. With this setup I have 9 available tuners and 7 tuners that can record, all of which works from any receiver in the house. I also think Dish missed the boat with the Hopper, Joey setup. I am extremely happy I made the switch to DTV.


Earl

 

[digiblur]

Maybe someday they will be able to work together but currently if you have 2 Hoppers they are completely separate systems. In my house I have 3 TV's and my H/T projector hooked to an HR34, HR24 and 2 H25's. With this setup I have 9 available tuners and 7 tuners that can record, all of which works from any receiver in the house. I also think Dish missed the boat with the Hopper, Joey setup. I am extremely happy I made the switch to DTV.


Earl

Exactly. I have the same setup and love how easy everything integrates together. Plus the swm technology makes it scalable for easy future receiver adds or changes. I hooked up cable runs to the swm splitter so I could move receivers around when needed. I bring a 32 inch out to the patio for some football games.

 

[lparsons21]

I thought the Joey can't talk to more than one Hopper at a time. So no I don't get it.

That's is correct today. But this summer that will change.