A couple quick 721 questions

[handler]

I've had Dish Network for nearly two years now, and now that the merger's dead, I'm going to take the plunge and move up to a 721. Before I lay out the $500 (ouch), I have a couple questions...

1) I'm currently using a DishPlayer 7200, and I have a two SW21 switches, Dish500, and a quad legacy LNB. (I think. I'm using whatever came with the DP 7200, back in the day. It's got two paired RG6 runs coming down off the roof, so I have two F-connectors providing 110 and two F-connectors providing 119.) Can I use the runs I already have with the SW21 switches to connect up to the 721, or am I going to need to buy new switches? I understand that I won't be able to connect more than just the 721 without upgrading; that's fine.

2) Any ETA on the wireless keyboard for the 721?

3) What's the ETA for software version L1.05?

4) Do I need to use RG6 from the switches to the 721, or just from the LNB to the switches?

Thanks in advance!

[Jacob S]

(1) Yes you can. You must have two dual legacy lnbf's in which each lnbf is for each satellite slot, one for 110, one for 119. The two wires that come from each lnbf (2 for each for a total of four) goes into the two sw-21 switches. Those four wires turn into two wires once they go through the switch. Those two wires will go into the 721 since it will need each one for each tuner.

(2) The wireless keyboard that you have for your dishplayer will NOT work on the 721. You will need to buy the new wireless keyboard that they are coming out with on the 721 in the future. It has not been announced when the new keyboard will be out, it may not be until the internet access comes on the receiver(.

(3) L1.05 will be coming before Christmas. The beta is already out. There is another post in the Dish PVR forum on this.

(4) You will need RG-6 wire for the entire wire run from the dish to the receiver. This is how it should be done for ANY satellite installation, no matter what the receiver. You can use RG-59 from the receiver to the television if you do not use RCA or S cables.

[handler]

Oop, one thing I forgot: I'm currently paying $10/mo for the privilege of "DishPlayer Personal TV". When I switch receivers to the 721, am I going to be able to ditch this cost, or is it going to stick with me?

[Scott Greczkowski]

The fees go away if you stop using the Dishplayer. My advice is sell it on ebay you will get about $200 for it. This also makes the cost of the 721 more easy to digest.

[Jacob S]

Look at it this way, by the time you do sell your dishplayer receiver for $200 on ebay and save $10 a month ($120 a year) it would only take you 2 1/2 years to make up for the cost of the brand new 721 receiver with new remote. I ditched my dishplayer a few years and upgraded.

[handler]

Excellent news re: no $10/month charge. That extra money always grated on me somewhat, especially when Dish introduced other PVRs that didn't charge the extra fee.

You guys don't have to worry about selling me on the 721, I ordered mine tonight. I'm hoping it'll ship tomorrow for receipt early next week. :D

And yes, I'm planning to sell the DishPlayer on eBay, and using that to offset the cost of the 721. With the $10/month reduction, it becomes even easier to justify to myself.

[Jacob S]

Congradulations a little early. You will have some new software too, the latest 1.07 to enjoy along with this without the wait of others. I hope you enjoy.