The AM21 works off a database based on zip code. You can enter 2 zips if you are near 2 markets
All markets are loaded into the database so even if your locals arent carried by D* you can still get them OTA
What local market? I've got a spreadsheet that shows which locals are in the database
Maybe.
If I do a comparison of what I have now and subtract out the MRV fee since Dish doesn't have that right now, and use the same number of DVRs with similar but not exactly, the same features, it is very close.
Direct = $65.99 (Choice Xtra) + $7 DVR + $12 (lease for 2 DVRS) = $84.99
Dish = $59.99 (T200) + $6 DVR + $20 (lease for 2 612s) = $85.99
As of right now, with D* the benefit is MRV which is not offered by E*, and with E* I have the benefit of having 3 OTA tuners that D* doesn't have. And with D*, even if I add an OTA module, it doesn't get me any more recording capabilities.
So 6 of one, half-dozen of the other.
I wonder what the cost breakdown will be with a pair of Hoppers?
I will bet you that Dish adds a MRV fee. Probably it will make the DVR fee $10 with MRV, and I bet that additional Hoppers will be $17 lease fee just like a Duo DVR is. Of course it remains to be seen, but I can't imagine them lowering the lease fees. It would not surprise me for them to make Joey's have a $10 lease fee, but maybe they will go with $6 or $7.
Actually, the HR34 scans now with the AM21/21N. I tell it that my local market is Birmingham, and it went in and added some of the locals from Tupelo/Columbus, MS that I can pick up here. The AM21 that I have on my HR24 does not do this. Maybe they are adding this feature to the 2X series in the future.
I agree, I do think they will add a MRV fee and I think it will be in line with D*'s current.
Now as to lease fees, well the 612, which is a dual-tuner DVR with all the features sans MRV of the D* HR series is a $10 lease fee. And the Vip211 is a $7 fee and it has one tuner. So I think that the Hopper will come in somewhere between $10 & $17 and actually think it will be closer to the $10, and the Joey will come in at $5 since it has no tuner at all.
Of course, as usual, the first Hopper won't have a lease fee.
If the HR-34 has a fee structure similar to having two Hoppers then what would the advantage of the HR-34 be then?
But, don't you think that since an additional 622/722/722K/922 is $17 because it is a "DuoDVR" and outputs to two TV's that they will do this for an additional Hopper? I would'nt doubt that they might even give you a free Joey, so the first Hopper/Joey is "fee free." Then probably at least $5-$7 for a Joey and since the Hopper is 3 tuners and can output to multiple TV sets, I can't see them being any cheaper than the X22 Vip series fee structure.
You could have two HR34 receivers if you wanted and have 10 REAL tuners at your disposal, and the lease fee is still only $6 per month. What would the advantage to two Hoppers with 6 REAL tuners be then?
lparsons21 said:I can tell you one advantage, unified todo list. With the Hopper/Joey system, all are the same as any one from the perspective of using it. That isn't true with the D* method. There is a unified recording list, but you have to go to each box on the system to set the recordings. That isn't an issue in a single HR34 system, but it is in a multiple unit setup as it is for those of us that have multiple DVRs (like me).
Another issue with all Dish DVR's is if you record back to back shows there is no overlap recorded. Its a hard cut at the end time
so if you record back to back shows of say Pawn Stars or Storage Wars you usually miss the last little bit due to the hard cut at say 9:30:00 when it runs until 9:30:05
Directv at least records the overlap
Another thing that is funny is these same people who gloat that their 722k can record 2 sat & 2 OTA at the same time (with optional adapter) are turning their nose up at the Hopper because there is no OTA tuner option so they're "limited" to only prime time recording of more than one network
Charlottesville locals in the database
WVAWLD 16_1
WCAVDT 19_1
WCAVDT2 19_2
WCAVDT3 19_3
WAHULD 27_1
WVIRDT 29_1
WVIRDT2 29_2
WVIRDT3 29_3
WHTJDT 41_1
WHTJDT2 41_2
WHTJDT3 41_3
All I see missing is 27-2 (MyTV)
Just so that I'm clear, that means I will have a guide that will show what programs on on those stations. Thanks.
yes
Now the HR34 from a previous report you can scan all channels (the HR21-24 you can't) so any added channel may not have guide info but hopefully someone with a HR34/AM21 setup can confirm that
The HR34 "kind of" scans. You really don't go in and have an option to scan, you just put your zip code in, and then it looks like it is doing the same thing that the HR2x series does. However, when you go into the edit channel function, you will see a list of what ever you can pick up where you live, not just the channels in the data base for your zip code. I will try to think and reset mine, and go through it again, and find out if the guide data propogates. I think that it will for most stations, could not be for all though.