Should I make any changes?

[jmfolcik]

To introduce myself, I've been following this forum for quite some time never posted a question and finally registered I've been with dish since quite a while back, when we had it as a part of an AT&T bundle. Its been a number of years since that went on its own, and we've gone through one iteration of hardware (started with the black SD DVR), and our current hardware will be here for 3 years in March.
There are only two of us now, my Wife and myself. We have 3 bedrooms, a living room and a basement rec-room. All 5 TVs are connected to dish using 3 devices. Two VIP622's (one as of last night just added 1TB USB for archiving), and one VIP211K

A while back our primary (our bedroom/livingroom) VIP622 hard drive started failing requiring unplugging the unit and restarting and it'd work for a couple weeks and then happen again. After a couple of those instances of the error I swapped it with the one that runs the two "now guestrooms". We dropped the insurance before that when I learned you can add it when needed. The Rec-room has the VIP211K

We have absolutely no need for DVR in the guest rooms, that unit has the hard drive disconnected now so that it doesn't explode or complain about a hard drive failure. I'd actually rather it be a nonDVR as it currently acts for power usage and no future hardware problems if we were to replace it. But I think I might still be paying extra money due to having it on the account than if it was a simple non-DVR duo receiver.

Can someone explain if I am paying extra for that receiver being a DVR with us not using the functionality? My equipment has always been leased. Here is my bill:
64.99 Top 200 (have to have this or the misses would not get her crime solving networks and lifetime movie network)
17.00 HD/SD 2TV DVR Receiver
7.00 DVR Service
7.00 HD Receiver
Total 95.99 before taxes, 100.83 after taxes.

If I am, is there a worthwhile way to swap the unit, by buying a duo non-dvr on ebay or something? We aren't attached to having HD in one of the guest rooms anyway like we have today, they could both be SD even though they have 40something inch HD TVs, they are very low useage TVs. I love being not under contract, piece of mind for me worth more than getting something for free.
Side question: Is the 622 still locked to the same original shipping hard drive models, or is the sw/fw upgraded to allow better replacement? I don't recall if that was IDE or IDE and SATA connectors internal. Just thinking for our current primary use one if its drive were to blow in the future.

 

[KAB]

It would help to know which rooms have HD TVs, and which have SD sets.

 

[TheKrell]

It would be even more helpful if he told us which receiver had an external drive.

We have absolutely no need for DVR in the guest rooms, that unit has the hard drive disconnected now so that it doesn't explode or complain about a hard drive failure. I'd actually rather it be a nonDVR as it currently acts for power usage and no future hardware problems if we were to replace it. But I think I might still be paying extra money due to having it on the account than if it was a simple non-DVR duo receiver.

Your $17 line item is for your 2nd 622. Your $7 line item is for your 211. If you paid the $40 one time fee to turn the 211 into a DVR, then unplugging the drive doesn't save you a nickel. You might trade your 2nd 622 for a 222 and lower that part from $17 to $14. Note that a 222 is like a 622; TV2 output is SD only.

 

[jmfolcik]

The USB drive is on the 622 that isn't broken, in the living room. I never paid for the 211 upgrade fee for dvr, using the free archiving only on 622. All my TVs are HD but the only ones that need to be with dish are already with the two receivers that don't need any changes.

So basically I'm only to save $3 with a swap to duo-nondvr on the broken 622 dvr?

 

[Teehar]

The USB drive is on the 622 that isn't broken, in the living room. I never paid for the 211 upgrade fee for dvr, using the free archiving only on 622. All my TVs are HD but the only ones that need to be with dish are already with the two receivers that don't need any changes.

So basically I'm only to save $3 with a swap to duo-nondvr on the broken 622 dvr?

Yes,that is correct.The need for dual tv tuners is whats costing so much,if it wasn't for that you could lower your bill by $10 a month.

 

[boba]

If you are leasing the VIP622 DISH will replace it for a $15 shipping charge

 

[KAB]

I get the feeling you are nickel and diming yourself to death. Stick with what you have. Changing out equipment will cost you up front, negating any monthly savings.

 

[jmfolcik]

$3 savings isn't enough, just wanted to make sure I wasn't paying a $7 or more premium with that dvr that's not a dvr anymore. Because a couple years added up would add up to enough worth swapping out now.

 

[dangue]

I would suggest returning the 622 to Dish and then buying either a 622 or a 222. Plug that in where your 622 is, but don't activate it until you need it. Once you're guests leave, you can deactivate it again. That way you avoid paying any monthly fee on the receiver when it's not needed, but you can easily turn it on when needed. Avoiding the ongoing monthly fee should quickly cover the up front cost of the purchase. I've never done this myself, but my understanding is that Dish allows customers to activate and deactivate owned equipment without a minimum period. Guys, please correct me if I'm wrong; I don't want to give the OP bad information.

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[KAB]

Well, you are surely aware that you are behind the times regarding current technology, and eventually you will jump on board the Hopper, or Genie whole house systems. So again, just stay put. Save the up front costs...and use it when you are ready to join the fun.

 

[Deadlocked]

How much would the hopper system cost him?


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[jmfolcik]

Ive got an idea... how about call in the broken HDD vip622 and pay shipping to get a 311 or 211 and uhf remote addon from dish for it? Even saw 211s on eBay for $30 and should be safe if check the units # with dish for a balance before buying right? Should save 10 or so a month. I don't need dual tuners for the craft room and guest room, they could share one tuner/one remote. My dish is a DPP 1k.4 and existing 622s both of them use dp plus triplexors with Holland DPD2 to carry the channel 60 output to the other TV using single wire to each receiver location.
Tried my basement recroom 211k in that 622 location but it didn't work, two sat wires off triplexor and only one input on 211k. What splitter do I need to replace the triplexor with that feeds the ch 60 back is usable with a 211k or a 311 and works with the Holland DPD2?

Yeah I'm cheap but if I get this, I'm happy for another couple years for when hopper to be only option.

 

[dangue]

Ive got an idea... how about call in the broken HDD vip622 and pay shipping to get a 311 or 211 and uhf remote addon from dish for it? Should save 10 or so a month. I don't need dual tuners for the craft room and guest room, they could share one tuner/one remote. My dish is a DPP 1k.4 and existing 622s both of them use dp plus triplexors with Holland DPD2 to carry the channel 60 output to the other TV using single wire to each receiver location. Tried my basement recroom 211k in that 622 location but it didn't work, two sat wires off triplexor and only one input on 211k. What splitter do I need to replace the triplexor with that feeds the ch 60 back is usable with a 211k or a 311 and works with the Holland DPD2? Yeah I'm cheap but if I get this, I'm happy for another couple years for when hopper to be only option.

If you get a new receiver from Dish (instead of a swap out for another 622) it's very likely to trigger a new 24 month commitment. Just mentioning it because that seemed like something you wanted to avoid.

 

[KAB]

If you get a new receiver from Dish (instead of a swap out for another 622) it's very likely to trigger a new 24 month commitment. Just mentioning it because that seemed like something you wanted to avoid.

Agreed. If you're going to get into a commitment, make it worthwhile by going to the Hopper.

 

[Scherrman]

If he went to the Hopper system I'm assuming he would either go with 2 Hoppers and 3 Joeys or 1 Hopper with 4 Joeys. If he went with 4 Joeys one of them would have to be purchased though. Here are the monthly fees:

2 Hopper 3 Joey setup
Whole-Home DVR fee - $12
Secondary Hopper fee - $12
Joey fee - $7
Joey fee - $7
Joey fee - $7
Total - $45

1 Hopper 4 Joeys
Whole-Home DVR fee - $12
Joey fee - $7
Joey fee - $7
Joey fee - $7
Joey fee - $7
Total - $40
Cost to purchase fourth Joey - $70 to $99

 

[Deadlocked]

So $14 MORE but he'll have upgraded technology. Then again it will also trigger a new 2 year contract.

With the new hopper with more tuners would that cut out his need for a second hopper to save that fee?


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[KAB]

So $14 MORE but he'll have upgraded technology. Then again it will also trigger a new 2 year contract.

With the new hopper with more tuners would that cut out his need for a second hopper to save that fee?


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That would be new Super Joey, not Hopper.

 

[david_jr]

If I were the OP I would go 1 Hopper & 2 Joeys. He could either purchase an extra Joey later or move one of his joeys to the other guest rooms if/when needed. Fees would be $5 less than what he pays now, but he would only have 3 tuners instead of his current 5. If 3 tuners are not enough, 2 Hopper and 1 Joey would keep his fees right where they are now and give him 6 tuners. He could possibly modulate a signal (cheap modulator required) to the 2 guest rooms or move the joey if/when needed. Of course the wiring would have to be done right, but I don't see that as much of a problem.

 

[Scherrman]

If I were the OP I would go 1 Hopper & 2 Joeys. He could either purchase an extra Joey later or move one of his joeys to the other guest rooms if/when needed. Fees would be $5 less than what he pays now, but he would only have 3 tuners instead of his current 5. If 3 tuners are not enough, 2 Hopper and 1 Joey would keep his fees right where they are now and give him 6 tuners. He could possibly modulate a signal (cheap modulator required) to the 2 guest rooms or move the joey if/when needed. Of course the wiring would have to be done right, but I don't see that as much of a problem.

I guess we need to know how many rooms the OP wants separate. The sample I gave was to compare to what he has now, 5 separate TVs.

 

[Deadlocked]

That would be new Super Joey, not Hopper.

Ah yes my bad the SUPAH Joey


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