Reconnect Dish 722 after U-verse install

[GlennT]

Short version: Is a Sat diplexer from somewhere like Radio Shack compatible with E* equipment concerning home distribution (i.e. modulated TV2)?

We recently had AT&T U-Verse installed. We had DSL and really wanted a better (i.e. faster) solution. We decided to give the whole bundle a shot.

At any rate, we're not happy with the DVR at all. Sure, like many things, it's livable, but why give up a good thing? We have one HD TV and one SD, so the 722 is perfect. There's only a couple things the U-Verse DVR does better, and there are FAR more it does substantially worse - not to mention the lower image quality. But that's not why I'm here

I just peaked in the basement, thinking I'd throw the 722 back in upstairs. It's been hooked up in the basement so we wouldn't miss out on anything if we switched back. Well... it seems something is missing. A diplexer?

Our 722 modulates to UHF 60 for TV2. Attached to the 722, which remains unchanged since prior to U-Verse, outward coming into the box, has a diplexer with one lead going to TV2 Out and the other going to a Separator. The Separator is then connected to the two Sat inputs.

In the basement, the U-Verse tech apparently replaced my E* provided diplexer with some VDSL diplexer of their own. Finding this out just adds to my frustration. I can't begin to describe how frustrating their DVR is compared to the DVR-625 that we had or the 722.

[boba]

800-333-3474 should get a tech out to reconnect the 722.

[Justgrooven]

In the basement, the U-Verse tech apparently replaced my E* provided diplexer with some VDSL diplexer of their own. Finding this out just adds to my frustration. I can't begin to describe how frustrating their DVR is compared to the DVR-625 that we had or the 722.

I would be livid if a tech from any company took equipment from my home or business without my permission. You should demand they return your property.

[Paul Secic]

Short version: Is a Sat diplexer from somewhere like Radio Shack compatible with E* equipment concerning home distribution (i.e. modulated TV2)?

We recently had AT&T U-Verse installed. We had DSL and really wanted a better (i.e. faster) solution. We decided to give the whole bundle a shot.

At any rate, we're not happy with the DVR at all. Sure, like many things, it's livable, but why give up a good thing? We have one HD TV and one SD, so the 722 is perfect. There's only a couple things the U-Verse DVR does better, and there are FAR more it does substantially worse - not to mention the lower image quality. But that's not why I'm here

I just peaked in the basement, thinking I'd throw the 722 back in upstairs. It's been hooked up in the basement so we wouldn't miss out on anything if we switched back. Well... it seems something is missing. A diplexer?

Our 722 modulates to UHF 60 for TV2. Attached to the 722, which remains unchanged since prior to U-Verse, outward coming into the box, has a diplexer with one lead going to TV2 Out and the other going to a Separator. The Separator is then connected to the two Sat inputs.

In the basement, the U-Verse tech apparently replaced my E* provided diplexer with some VDSL diplexer of their own. Finding this out just adds to my frustration. I can't begin to describe how frustrating their DVR is compared to the DVR-625 that we had or the 722.

I had U-verse twice & quit. Their DVRS are JUNK!! I have learned my lesson!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

[paja]

I had U-verse twice & quit. Their DVRS are JUNK!! I have learned my lesson!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

I can't let that go unchallenged. I had DISH and now have U-verse. I like the THDVR much better than the 622 I had from DISH. I've had it now since Oct.2008 and have had no problems with it. My wife thinks it is easier for her to program than the 622. I'm not saying the 622 is garbage. It's not. I just like the THDVR better.

[BattleZone]

I would be livid if a tech from any company took equipment from my home or business without my permission. You should demand they return your property.

Techs routinely remove splitters, diplexers, barrel connectors, etc. They are considered consumables, and 99.9% of customers have no use for any of that stuff you remove. The tech would happily leave it there for you if you wanted it, but can get in trouble for leaving "junk" behind if you don't.

Anyway, while a Radio Shack diplexer will probably work, I really recommend Holland DPD2 diplexers, which are rated to handle up to 2 amps of power. Dish's receivers pump out a lot of DC power, and most diplexers are only rated for 750mA, which is right around what the receiver normally outputs, leaving no headroom. They typically work okay for a little while, but will overheat and cook themselves before too long.

http://installeroasis.com/images/P/dpd2.gif

[GlennT]

Thanks a lot everybody. I'll see if I can find a better diplexer, like that Holland, otherwise I might just give Dish a call. I put off getting the new dish - or at least a new alignment - for the new HD satellite since we were getting U-Verse anyway. Perhaps I can get them to provide, or even install, a new diplexer while they're out. Hopefully it won't require a new 2 year commitment though. The AT&T tech left his card, so I may give him a call as well.

This isn't really the place to get into the DVRs, but there is virtually nothing redeeming about the U-Verse DVR IMO. There's some nifty things like the PiP, and it does browse (i.e. old school surfing) channels faster, but the guide and menus are slower. The only thing it does better (again, IMO) is the multi-room playback, only as far as resuming playback. Of course, you can get HD in every room (vs. SD on TV2 on the 722), but I have no current need for that and doubt I'd care in the future since the plan is for a 26" LCD in the bedroom.

Things that sour the deal for me:
- No pause/FF/RWD on slave boxes
- No zoom on 4:3 analog TVs (i.e. forced to watch SD Widescreen frame in HD frame if so broadcasted)
- Zoom (when available) is a menu, a slow one at that (vs. fast toggle on ViP-722)
- Time shifting inferior (i.e. Hybrid FF vs 30 sec skip on 722)
- Remote ergonomics inferior (e.g. constantly bumping buttons, plus shuffling and straining to use buttons)
- No manual schedule prioritization
- No centralized listing of daily schedule, showing *most importantly* what is going to be (or was) skipped and WHY!
- Recording menu always defaults to listing by date w/ no skipping by key (e.g. Press 6 "MNO" to get to Modern Marvals)
- No personalizing the guide (this is HUGE for me.)
- On-Demand weather shows today's weather only.
- Searching capability is inferior (IMO) and is only usable thanks to the suggestions feature (i.e. do not have to completely spell out keywords) No search history to fall back on either.
- Picture is noticeably inferior on our 50" plasma, mostly concerning motion induced compression artifacts.
- No discrete on or off remote control code (i.e. only on/off toggle)

Then there are the little things. With Dish, if you are at the foremost position (e.g. Top), you could get to the opposing position quickly (e.g. to the bottom from the top by pressing up.) And who decided that the "power button" should be ringed with a huge green light?

[Paul Secic]

Thanks a lot everybody. I'll see if I can find a better diplexer, like that Holland, otherwise I might just give Dish a call. I put off getting the new dish - or at least a new alignment - for the new HD satellite since we were getting U-Verse anyway. Perhaps I can get them to provide, or even install, a new diplexer while they're out. Hopefully it won't require a new 2 year commitment though. The AT&T tech left his card, so I may give him a call as well.

This isn't really the place to get into the DVRs, but there is virtually nothing redeeming about the U-Verse DVR IMO. There's some nifty things like the PiP, and it does browse (i.e. old school surfing) channels faster, but the guide and menus are slower. The only thing it does better (again, IMO) is the multi-room playback, only as far as resuming playback. Of course, you can get HD in every room (vs. SD on TV2 on the 722), but I have no current need for that and doubt I'd care in the future since the plan is for a 26" LCD in the bedroom.

Things that sour the deal for me:
- No pause/FF/RWD on slave boxes
- No zoom on 4:3 analog TVs (i.e. forced to watch SD Widescreen frame in HD frame if so broadcasted)
- Zoom (when available) is a menu, a slow one at that (vs. fast toggle on ViP-722)
- Time shifting inferior (i.e. Hybrid FF vs 30 sec skip on 722)
- Remote ergonomics inferior (e.g. constantly bumping buttons, plus shuffling and straining to use buttons)
- No manual schedule prioritization
- No centralized listing of daily schedule, showing *most importantly* what is going to be (or was) skipped and WHY!
- Recording menu always defaults to listing by date w/ no skipping by key (e.g. Press 6 "MNO" to get to Modern Marvals)
- No personalizing the guide (this is HUGE for me.)
- On-Demand weather shows today's weather only.
- Searching capability is inferior (IMO) and is only usable thanks to the suggestions feature (i.e. do not have to completely spell out keywords) No search history to fall back on either.
- Picture is noticeably inferior on our 50" plasma, mostly concerning motion induced compression artifacts.
- No discrete on or off remote control code (i.e. only on/off toggle)

Then there are the little things. With Dish, if you are at the foremost position (e.g. Top), you could get to the opposing position quickly (e.g. to the bottom from the top by pressing up.) And who decided that the "power button" should be ringed with a huge green light?

You better pray U-verse doesn't go off for 14 hours like it did with us! It's seriously flawed using DSL. I'll keep Dish. Good luck!