JVC 6000 vs. Dish 6000 IRDs?

[jgoggan]

So -- can anyone tell me (or direct me to) a rundown of the differences between the JVC 6000 and Dish 6000 (or 6000U, I guess?) HDTV receivers? I'm fairly new to HDTV and would like to get a Dish Network HDTV receiver for CBS-HD and Discovery-HD -- as well as possibly for some OTA HD broadcasts if I can pick them up.

I gather that the 8VSB is the tuner card that can be added for OTA signals, right? Is it the same card for either of those receivers?

I also see mention at DishNetwork.com that the Dish 6000(U) must have an "Enhanced HD Adapter" for certain broadcasts such as Discovery-HD. This is the 8PSK decoder, right? Does the JVC unit also need one of these? Is it the same card for both again?

Is there any reason to go with one over the other?

Are there currently any other options for HDTV via Dish Network? Or are those the only two worth looking at right now? (Note that the 921 will be way out of my price range, so no need to mention it. :) )

Thanks!

- John...

[jgoggan]

Also -- can someone tell me a quick and easy way to tell on a JVC unit if the 8VSB is installed? A shop has a used one for sale that they took in on a trade-in -- and they don't know if it has the 8VSB installed or not. I'd like to be able to see how to tell (preferrably without powering it up if possible). Thanks!

- John...

[Scott Greczkowski]

Press the SYSINFO button on the remote and if you see 8VSB listed next to the model number it has the 8VSB tuner cartridge. :)

Both the JVC and Dish Network units are the same, most units in the field now are the newer 6000u units which have the 8PSK cartridge included.

[Steve Mehs]

Dish 6000 and the JVC 6000 are the exact same unit, only difference is the JVC logo on the front instead of the Echostar logo. The JVC branding is a marketing tool used to get Dish into national retailers, such as Sears and CompUSA. The U was added to the model# to indicate the unit comes OEM with an 8PSK module which will be needed for Discovery HD, the NBA HD games and all future HD additions. In both situations you'll have to get the 8VSB for off air HD, some places include everything needed for HD in on simple hardware package. www.dishdepot.com used to have everything in one package, but I haven't checked in a while. Good luck and enjoy HD! :)

[jgoggan]

Ok -- thanks for the info!

As for the hardware besides the 6000, I already have a Dish500 going to a PVR501 -- so I'll likely just pick up a cheap Dish300 dish and add it in (via a switch) to add the HDTV for the 6000. So, I don't need a whole package.

I'll keep hunting for a good-priced 6000 w/ 8VSB... I just don't have the cash to go above $400 or so -- and can't seem to find one in that range...

- John...

[Steve Mehs]

What kind of LNBs does your Dish500 have, 2 duals or the twin? If 2 duals, you can get the SW64. If you have the twin, you can cascade them to the second dish with 2 SW21's. No matter what, the twin LNB can only support up to two tuners. You could also go the Dish Pro way and get all DishPro LNBs, the DP34 switch and the DP adapter, but that would not be an economical solution, for you.

I tried doing a search on Dish's website, but the customer service area is down at the moment. What tv market are you in? I'm not sure where Weidman is, but if your locals are on Dish, there is a possibility some smaller-less viewed locals are on one of the side slots which you entitle you to a free dish for 61.5/148, whatever switches needed and the installation.

[jgoggan]

I've got a legacy quad. I should be able to SW21 in the Dish300 for the connection to the 6000 from what I understand... And still have 3 other receivers on the Dish500! :)

- John...

[jgoggan]

Oh -- and I don't qualify for any locals. I pay to get Fox, NBC, and ABC out of New York. CBS won't give me the waiver... yet.

- John...

[Steve Mehs]

Ahhh quad, for some reason I always forget about those, yes your set up will work fine. When I make the jump to the 721, that might be the set up of my choice, probably works out the cheapset too. :)

[jgoggan]

Indeed -- even without the 6000, I just plain wanted to go to 3 IRDs -- and the Quad seemed the best/cheapest choice -- by far in many cases...

- John...