Upgrade from 508 to 721 - good move? Where to buy?

[jrbdmb]

After a long time debating on whether to switch from E* to D*, I've finally decided to stay with E* for at least another year.

So, next on my agenda is a possible upgrade of my primary receiver from a 508 to a 721. With the most recent SW upgrade, the 508 has been surprisingly stable; the only issue I can think of is the occasional loss of EPG info, which is fixed by turning the unit off/on. And I have not had to do a reboot on either of my 508's in a few months (I used to have to reboot weekly). So, two questions for the group:

(1) Do 721 owners think it is a stable, relatively bug-free unit - or will I soon be wishing I stayed with my 508? Any major outstanding bugs to look for?

(2) Any suggested sources of 721s? It appears that Dish Network, dishstore.net, and other retailers are out of 721s. One pops up in the Classifieds forum from time to time, and there are always a bunch on EBay. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[nuts4scuba]

I have had a 721 for about 3 years. My first one went out 14 months ago when one of the tuners failed. This is my second one. I keep mine on 24/7 since my wife likes to sleep with the tv on. The only problems I have with mine is every few weeks I have to reboot the machine to get the caller id to work. My wife pointed out a few weeks ago that even though you have a recording protected you can still erase it without unprotecting or putting in the password for the 721. My wife loves our 721. You can have the remote once I pry it out of her cold dead hands. . http://www.dishdepot.com has some remanufactured ones for $299.00. Kinda steep, but they have a 1 year warranty.

 

[jrbdmb]

I have had a 721 for about 3 years. My first one went out 14 months ago when one of the tuners failed. This is my second one. I keep mine on 24/7 since my wife likes to sleep with the tv on. The only problems I have with mine is every few weeks I have to reboot the machine to get the caller id to work. My wife pointed out a few weeks ago that even though you have a recording protected you can still erase it without unprotecting or putting in the password for the 721. My wife loves our 721. You can have the remote once I pry it out of her cold dead hands. . http://www.dishdepot.com has some remanufactured ones for $299.00. Kinda steep, but they have a 1 year warranty.

Thanks for the Dish Depot source, I'll check that out. I have a grandfathered $1.99 extended warranty, so the 1 year warranty isn't needed, but this would be a more reliable seller than some of the stuff on EBay.

BTW, I do have a question #3:

(3) I currently have a Dish 500 with DP twin with two feeds running to my two 508s. With this upgrade I will need to feed the 721 and one 508. What's the best way to get the three feeds I need? I'm leaning towards a DP34 switch and running a new second line for my 721 (ground level, should be easy). I understand I could also use a DPP44 switch and separator and avoid running the extra line, but then I'd have to figure out to to power the thing (this will be an outside install). And from what I've read the 721 will *not* work with the DPP Twin LNB (rats). Any other suggestions appreciated.

 

[nuts4scuba]

I'm not the best person to help on installs, but I have a SW64 switch that has a power inserter. The switch is outside and the power inserter is inside just before the line goes into the 721. I believe the DP44 could be set up the same way. Hope this helps.

 

[kavula]

Yes, the power inserter goes inside, close to one of the receivers.

 

[jssat]

The only problems I have with mine is every few weeks I have to reboot the machine to get the caller id to work. My wife pointed out a few weeks ago that even though you have a recording protected you can still erase it without unprotecting or putting in the password for the 721.

I haven't had any problems with my 721, accept having to re-boot from time to time. Caller ID has never ben an issue here. When you protect a recording, all you are protecting is when the hard drive gets full , the oldest program will delete so you have room for the new one. If you have the protect option on the oldest program it will skip it and delete the next oldest program that is not protected.

 

[nuts4scuba]

I haven't had any problems with my 721, accept having to re-boot from time to time. Caller ID has never ben an issue here. When you protect a recording, all you are protecting is when the hard drive gets full , the oldest program will delete so you have room for the new one. If you have the protect option on the oldest program it will skip it and delete the next oldest program that is not protected.

It used to be when I had the protect set on mine I would have to either unprotect it or put in my password to erase it. Now when I hit erase with it protected it goes ahead and erases it.

 

[Charise]

Very few, always minor, issues in my 14 months of owning a 721, and I'm seeing no issues at the present time. I do soft boot mine once a week , and since I have no problems, I'll probably continue to do that. I do "turn it off" with the remote every night.

Good luck with your install. I can't help at all with that!

 

[cclement]

(3) I currently have a Dish 500 with DP twin with two feeds running to my two 508s. With this upgrade I will need to feed the 721 and one 508. What's the best way to get the three feeds I need? I'm leaning towards a DP34 switch and running a new second line for my 721 (ground level, should be easy). I understand I could also use a DPP44 switch and separator and avoid running the extra line, but then I'd have to figure out to to power the thing (this will be an outside install). And from what I've read the 721 will *not* work with the DPP Twin LNB (rats). Any other suggestions appreciated.

My 721 runs like a champ. I can't even remember the last time I've done a reboot.

As for adding the 721, you'll need two lines for the 721. I haven't seen anyone with the DPP separator work on a 721. Plus, a DP34 switch is pretty cheap (much cheaper than a DPP44) and it's very easy to install. There is no power to worry about. Just plug the two lines into the Satellite In on run the 3 lines to the 2 receivers.