Danbo
02-03-03, 05:12 PM
I'm really to the point of considering switching back to DirecTV instead of Dish Network.
Okay, as a brief rundown of the situation, let me explain. I just called tech support about an hour ago (spent 45 minutes on the phone) to discuss a problem with the picture from my 721 coming up in black and white (no color). Menus, recorded events, all were black and white. During the call I also talked about other issues, including the sound not synching up with the video when using skip ahead or back, pixelation, acquiring satellite, and a few others.
The black and white issue was due to the Mrs. getting into a fit of cleaning and pulling the receiver a bit too much, making the S-video cable a bit loose. Did Tech Support think of checking that first? Honestly, I should have. I tried my DVD and that was fine, so just assumed it was a dish issue. But no, instead I must have rebooted and reset my 721 20 ways from Sunday. Also was told that all my timers would be gone (funny, they weren't when I just checked).
When I mentioned the sound sync issue, I was told no one has reported this since L109 came out. Actually, they wouldn't even admit to me that there was a fix in L109 to resolve this (which I thought I read here, and even experienced it for a day or two before it was back).
On the acquiring satellite signal problem, again nothing was reported. I was TOLD that there must be some electrical type interference in my house or outside causing the problem. Oddly enough, this didn't happen until L109. Oh, and part of their resolution was to have me plug the receiver in a completely different outlet in my house, on a completely different circuit. For what? So I can still see it happen and them to tell me to try yet another circuit? And why is it that NOTHING in my house, wiring or otherwise, has changed since I got the receiver?
I've experienced pixelation on both live events (where those were the only I might see it from time to time) and recently, since L109, on recorded events. Just this past Saturday, at roughly 9:15 PM Central time, the screen pixelated briefly, the completely froze. After about 5 minutes the system decided to reboot itself. Of course that meant I missed about 15 minutes of the program I was trying to watch.
Besides these problems, all which seem not to have been reported until just now, is the overall attitude of their 721 techs. I get VERY ticked off when someone assumes I've got the mentality of a 2 year old when talking about trying this or checking that. It's one thing to ask me to check this or try that. It's another for it to be said in such a way as "you don't know your rear from a hole in the ground".
I'm still looking for options on who to talk to at Dish about this, and the attitude of some of their tech reps. It seems those of us that have a 721 are seriously, in that respect, getting the short end of the stick. We get the unit and become beta testers, even now. Regardless, when problems are reported, we're told there are no problems, it MUST be something on our end. Yes, like I'm going to believe the pixelation is a result of me jumping up and down while watching Barney. On a previous call to them once, I literally felt as if the next step to resolve the issue (when the M-F timers were messed up) was to jump on one foot, pat my head, and rub my stomach at the same time.
Their resolutions leave a lot to be desired. Their attitude and treatment of their customers leaves a lot to be desired. Their commitment to fixing the existing issues BEFORE adding new features DEFINITELY leaves a lot to be desired.
I "was" looking forward to the 921. I'd have preferred going to HDTV in place of the 721. But I wanted something that could record events in place of setting up the satellite AND the VCR, without having to buy a separate PVR unit. I'm no longer looking forward to that. What I am looking forward to is knowing I'm not in the same boat here, that there are those of you who have also experienced some or all of these issues since L109 and reported them. From what I've read in some posts, it appears some of you have called, and reported, and been give the same lame answers.
Okay, as a brief rundown of the situation, let me explain. I just called tech support about an hour ago (spent 45 minutes on the phone) to discuss a problem with the picture from my 721 coming up in black and white (no color). Menus, recorded events, all were black and white. During the call I also talked about other issues, including the sound not synching up with the video when using skip ahead or back, pixelation, acquiring satellite, and a few others.
The black and white issue was due to the Mrs. getting into a fit of cleaning and pulling the receiver a bit too much, making the S-video cable a bit loose. Did Tech Support think of checking that first? Honestly, I should have. I tried my DVD and that was fine, so just assumed it was a dish issue. But no, instead I must have rebooted and reset my 721 20 ways from Sunday. Also was told that all my timers would be gone (funny, they weren't when I just checked).
When I mentioned the sound sync issue, I was told no one has reported this since L109 came out. Actually, they wouldn't even admit to me that there was a fix in L109 to resolve this (which I thought I read here, and even experienced it for a day or two before it was back).
On the acquiring satellite signal problem, again nothing was reported. I was TOLD that there must be some electrical type interference in my house or outside causing the problem. Oddly enough, this didn't happen until L109. Oh, and part of their resolution was to have me plug the receiver in a completely different outlet in my house, on a completely different circuit. For what? So I can still see it happen and them to tell me to try yet another circuit? And why is it that NOTHING in my house, wiring or otherwise, has changed since I got the receiver?
I've experienced pixelation on both live events (where those were the only I might see it from time to time) and recently, since L109, on recorded events. Just this past Saturday, at roughly 9:15 PM Central time, the screen pixelated briefly, the completely froze. After about 5 minutes the system decided to reboot itself. Of course that meant I missed about 15 minutes of the program I was trying to watch.
Besides these problems, all which seem not to have been reported until just now, is the overall attitude of their 721 techs. I get VERY ticked off when someone assumes I've got the mentality of a 2 year old when talking about trying this or checking that. It's one thing to ask me to check this or try that. It's another for it to be said in such a way as "you don't know your rear from a hole in the ground".
I'm still looking for options on who to talk to at Dish about this, and the attitude of some of their tech reps. It seems those of us that have a 721 are seriously, in that respect, getting the short end of the stick. We get the unit and become beta testers, even now. Regardless, when problems are reported, we're told there are no problems, it MUST be something on our end. Yes, like I'm going to believe the pixelation is a result of me jumping up and down while watching Barney. On a previous call to them once, I literally felt as if the next step to resolve the issue (when the M-F timers were messed up) was to jump on one foot, pat my head, and rub my stomach at the same time.
Their resolutions leave a lot to be desired. Their attitude and treatment of their customers leaves a lot to be desired. Their commitment to fixing the existing issues BEFORE adding new features DEFINITELY leaves a lot to be desired.
I "was" looking forward to the 921. I'd have preferred going to HDTV in place of the 721. But I wanted something that could record events in place of setting up the satellite AND the VCR, without having to buy a separate PVR unit. I'm no longer looking forward to that. What I am looking forward to is knowing I'm not in the same boat here, that there are those of you who have also experienced some or all of these issues since L109 and reported them. From what I've read in some posts, it appears some of you have called, and reported, and been give the same lame answers.