VIP722 Dual Mode Operation

[PopcornNMore]

Is it possible for either TV1 or TV2 to watch a program while recording another using the VIP722 HD DVR receiver in dual mode?

Currently we only have TV2 setup using the home connection on the TV in the living room since the receiver resides downstairs. Once the HDMI cable I ordered arrives we will also be using TV2 within our home theater.

Currently we can only record or watch 1 program at a time. We have tried setting TV1 as the default for recordings, but we still can't watch another channel on TV2 while the recording is going on.

Does TV1 = tuner 1 and TV2 = tuner 2 or are they both different things? Meaning could TV1 and TV2 possibly see both tuners?

I might just buy the upgrade kit to make remote for TV1 UHF. Has anyone done this and can both UHF remotes for Tv1 and TV2 be used at the same time?

 

[HobbyTalk]

Yes you can. Use the channel guide (EPG) to change to another channel.

 

[jwfgeol]

It is definitely possible for you to watch one channel while recording another in dual mode. My wife watches our SD TV downstairs during the day (TV2) so I have all recordings set to TV1.

In fact, if you have recordings set to TV1, you should not even see a change in TV2 when the recording starts. The TV2 tuner is separate. Is it possible that two shows are recording at once, and hence taking up both tuners?

 

[haertig]

On the 722 you can actually record three and watch a previously recorded fourth. To get the third recording capability you need to hook up an external OTA antenna (assuming you can pull in your locals with an OTA antenna in the first place).

 

[PopcornNMore]

Thank you guys. I will look into this more tonight when I arrive home and try your suggestions.

 

[GNASH]

Is it possible for either TV1 or TV2 to watch a program while recording another using the VIP722 HD DVR receiver in dual mode?

Currently we only have TV2 setup using the home connection on the TV in the living room since the receiver resides downstairs. Once the HDMI cable I ordered arrives we will also be using TV2 within our home theater.

Currently we can only record or watch 1 program at a time. We have tried setting TV1 as the default for recordings, but we still can't watch another channel on TV2 while the recording is going on.

Does TV1 = tuner 1 and TV2 = tuner 2 or are they both different things? Meaning could TV1 and TV2 possibly see both tuners?

I might just buy the upgrade kit to make remote for TV1 UHF. Has anyone done this and can both UHF remotes for Tv1 and TV2 be used at the same time?

Popcorn,

I am assuming that you have the coax going out from the "Home Distribution" Port on the back of the 722. If so, when you go into the setup menus, one of the options will be "Modulator Setup"

To get there (at least on the 625) here are the procedures:
Press Menu
Go to System Setup (Option 6)
Then Installation (Option 1)
Next Modulation Setup (Option 5)
Then you will need to turn the modulator on for Tuner 1 (set it a couple channels away from Tuner 2 on a channel not used by OTA).

This will allow TV2 (the one upstairs) to see both Tuners. It may help to have the upgrade kit for Tuner 1 so it will be UHF, but the above procedures will turn on the modulator so you can see Tuner1 through the Coax. It is set for Default Off.

Geoff

 

[PopcornNMore]

Popcorn,

I am assuming that you have the coax going out from the "Home Distribution" Port on the back of the 722. If so, when you go into the setup menus, one of the options will be "Modulator Setup"

To get there (at least on the 625) here are the procedures:
Press Menu
Go to System Setup (Option 6)
Then Installation (Option 1)
Next Modulation Setup (Option 5)
Then you will need to turn the modulator on for Tuner 1 (set it a couple channels away from Tuner 2 on a channel not used by OTA).

This will allow TV2 (the one upstairs) to see both Tuners. It may help to have the upgrade kit for Tuner 1 so it will be UHF, but the above procedures will turn on the modulator so you can see Tuner1 through the Coax. It is set for Default Off.

Geoff

Thank you very much! I will turn on the modulator for Tuner 1 tonight. I have also been able to record a program while watching another by selecting TV1 within the options when setting up a recording. I am still learning how to use the Record Plus feature.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Well, we are still having problems trying to watch one program while watching another while in dual mode.

GNASH I tried your suggestion and setup TV1 as a modulated output channel, but I discovered that I would need the TV1 IR remote to do anything.

Jwfgeol, I setup Record Plus to enable and TV1. However, when we setup a DVR timer within the guide it records using TV2 and we are unable to watch another channel. Only if we select a current program (example: it is 6:05 and you select a 6:00 program from the guide) does it give us the option to record using TV1 or TV2. We then select TV1 and we can watch another on TV2.

I know this shouldn't be this complicated since we have used DVR recorders for the past 8 - 9 years and never had any problems.

 

[GNASH]

Well, we are still having problems trying to watch one program while watching another while in dual mode.

GNASH I tried your suggestion and setup TV1 as a modulated output channel, but I discovered that I would need the TV1 IR remote to do anything.

Correct. You would need the TV1 IR Remote to change the channels or anything. However, it has been reported that you can purchase a 6.3 IR/UHF Remote that has a Green #1 UHF Pro Key (a little tab that plugs into the bottom of the remote). Then you set the 722 Tuner 1 to use UHF rather than IR. Only catch to this is that I don't think it would be possible to have one remote control both tuners (I don't think you can set up one Tuner as Sat and one as Aux).

Here is a link to the 63 Remote from Dishstore.net: The Dish Store - Powered by Metro25

Geoff

 

[jwfgeol]

Jwfgeol, I setup Record Plus to enable and TV1. However, when we setup a DVR timer within the guide it records using TV2 and we are unable to watch another channel. Only if we select a current program (example: it is 6:05 and you select a 6:00 program from the guide) does it give us the option to record using TV1 or TV2. We then select TV1 and we can watch another on TV2.

This is odd. I have the same settings and we set recordings all the time, even using TV2 and the TV2 remote, and they record to TV1. You are correct about the current program, it does allow you to choose the tuner.

 

[Primus]

Could he have an incorrect installation? Perhaps the LNB's are not properly routed to the tv1 and tv2 inputs?

 

[PopcornNMore]

Setting RecordPlus to TV1 or TV2 does not make a difference the timer ALWAYS defaults to TV2. This is getting frustrating, especially for my wife. However, if you select a current program that is already in progress I can set the recording to TV1 with no problems.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Could he have an incorrect installation? Perhaps the LNB's are not properly routed to the tv1 and tv2 inputs?

The half ass way my equipment was installed I would not be surprised. In fact, at some point I am going to redo the entire installation myself.

 

[GravelChan]

Setting RecordPlus to TV1 or TV2 does not make a difference the timer ALWAYS defaults to TV2. This is getting frustrating, especially for my wife. However, if you select a current program that is already in progress I can set the recording to TV1 with no problems.

Popcorn, I'm not completely sure what you want to do but....

In dual mode with RecordPlus "Off" if you start or set a timer recording at
TV1 with the TV1 remote it will always record on Tuner 1. Start or set up a
recording at TV2 using TV2 remote will always record on Tuner 2.

So, If I want to watch something on TV2 I set up or start the recording at
TV1 then I can watch anything I want on TV2 with the exception of OTA.

 

[PopcornNMore]

Popcorn, I'm not completely sure what you want to do but....

In dual mode with RecordPlus "Off" if you start or set a timer recording at
TV1 with the TV1 remote it will always record on Tuner 1. Start or set up a
recording at TV2 using TV2 remote will always record on Tuner 2.

So, If I want to watch something on TV2 I set up or start the recording at
TV1 then I can watch anything I want on TV2 with the exception of OTA.

I currently the the receiver downstairs and TV1 will not be used until my HDMI cable arrives for our projector. TV2 is being used upstairs using the TV2 UHF PRO remote control. We have RecordPlus enabled and TV1 setup as the default. Whenever we select a program from the guide TV2 defaults and we are unable to watch something else while recording. Even if a program is currently on TV2 is setup as the default and TV1 always needs to be selected.

Could it possibly be because Record Plus needs to be setup to use TV1 using the TV1 remote control?

 

[GravelChan]

Could it possibly be because Record Plus needs to be setup to use TV1 using the TV1 remote control?

You wouldn't think so but I don't really know. I have always had mine set
up with Record Plus off and dual mode. That is what works best for me so
I have not really experimented with other settings.