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View Full Version : Yet another "hardware setup" question

msbmsb
10-06-10, 12:31 PM
Hey guys,

I'm getting ready to switch from DirecTV to DISH. But before I sign up, I'd like to know what hardware to request so that I can closely match my current setup. (I don't know much about Dish hardware, so I may ask a few dumb questions. Please forgive me)

Currently I have two, dual-tuner, SD DirecTiVos (no HD in my house yet :()

I also have a modulator that distributes the signals from each of them to the rest of my house so that each TiVo can be watched and controlled from any room. I use the dual-tuners quite a bit, both for simultaneous live streams (e.g. footballs games) and for multiple recording capability.

I understand that the Duo receivers allow independent control of a single DVR. My assumption is that it effectively splits the dual-tuner DVR into two single-tuner DVRs that share a common recording list? Also, I'm guessing that it uses some sort of modulator over coax to send the second signal to the other room? Do you need a receiver in that room or do you just tune the TV to channel 3 or something?

Right now, one TiVo is essentially *mine* and the other is shared between my wife and kids. So, I'm intrigued with the duo-mode for the second DVR... basically allowing them to use the same DVR in different rooms without having to watch the same thing. I don't need to the duo feature for *my* DVR, I just want to be able to swap between tuners and be able to record two things at once.

Does the "duo" DVR share the "subscription list", too? In other words, can either my wife or kids schedule two shows to record at the same time or would they be restricted to a single tuner each?

Can you recommend which hardware I should request from Dish (if that's even possible) that would do what I want? Also, are there software/hardware differences between boxes that also affect my choice?

Thanks everyone!
BattleZone
10-06-10, 01:08 PM
I understand that the Duo receivers allow independent control of a single DVR. My assumption is that it effectively splits the dual-tuner DVR into two single-tuner DVRs that share a common recording list?

That's exactly how the DVR works when in Dual Mode. In Single Mode, it is a dual-tuner DVR with dual outputs, which allows Picture-In-Picture.


Also, I'm guessing that it uses some sort of modulator over coax to send the second signal to the other room? Do you need a receiver in that room or do you just tune the TV to channel 3 or something?

Correct. The TV2 remote is RF, and there is a small antenna on the receiver to receive the TV2 remote signals. Typically, the TV2 is set to CH60 (UHF/Air) or CH73 (Cable), though the modulator can be adjusted within a certain range of channels.

Does the "duo" DVR share the "subscription list", too? In other words, can either my wife or kids schedule two shows to record at the same time or would they be restricted to a single tuner each?

They can schedule two recordings, but of course that takes over both tuners, meaning that neither TV can watch a different LIVE show than one of the two that are recording. From either TV, you could watch one of the channels being recorded, or something already recorded, so you could be recording 2 sat channels and watching 2 different programs from the DVR, one on each TV, at the same time.

Can you recommend which hardware I should request from Dish (if that's even possible) that would do what I want? Also, are there software/hardware differences between boxes that also affect my choice?

Like DirecTV, you can really only ask for a type or "class" of receiver, with no real choice on what you'll get. BUT, new customers only get either a 722 or 722k for an HD Duo DVR, and only a 612 for an HD Solo DVR (it's the only model ever made).

The 722 has 2 sat tuners and one built-in OTA tuner that can only be viewed LIVE on the TV1 output. The 612 works the same way. Both can record 3 shows at once, assuming OTA is set up.

The 722k has 2 sat tuners and NO built-in OTA tuner, BUT accepts an OPTIONAL ($) dual-OTA tuner module, allowing one OTA tuner to be viewed live from TV1 and from TV2 independently. With OTA, the 722k could record FOUR channels at once.

The 612 is an HD Solo DVR, so it only has one set of outputs, and thus lacks the second video output processor, so no PiP. It also has a smaller hard drive than the 722. Keep in mind that PiP only works in Single Mode on Duo receivers, BTW.
msbmsb
10-06-10, 01:40 PM
Thanks for the quick response!

Since I'll be Standard Def only, do you know anything about those models?

I played with the Dish package "setup" program - where you say how many TVs you have and what you want on each TV... but can i just ask for "one Duo and one Solo DVR"?

And the Solo DVR is a dual-tuner DVR?
jerry downing
10-06-10, 04:28 PM
The 625 is standard def. It can record two shows simultaneously from one TV (Single Mode) or from two TVs. (Dual Mode)
boba
10-06-10, 07:14 PM
Thanks for the quick response!

Since I'll be Standard Def only, do you know anything about those models?

I played with the Dish package "setup" program - where you say how many TVs you have and what you want on each TV... but can i just ask for "one Duo and one Solo DVR"?

And the Solo DVR is a dual-tuner DVR?

Very very very strongly suggest that you get a HD DVR even if you don't have HD TVs now. If you want a duo get a 722K and a 612 as a solo DVR.

You can use a HD DVR on a SD TV and any future TVs will be HD. You will never get better pricing than as a "NEW" customer.
msbmsb
10-07-10, 06:59 AM
Very very very strongly suggest that you get a HD DVR even if you don't have HD TVs now. If you want a duo get a 722K and a 612 as a solo DVR.

You can use a HD DVR on a SD TV and any future TVs will be HD. You will never get better pricing than as a "NEW" customer.

Ahh... didn't think about. Great advice, thanks!

Will the "duo" mode still work fine for the HD receiver if the remote TV is only SD? Also, if I get the box that receives HD OTA signals, will it down-convert to SD?

Thanks again!
boba
10-07-10, 08:37 AM
Ahh... didn't think about. Great advice, thanks!

Will the "duo" mode still work fine for the HD receiver if the remote TV is only SD? Also, if I get the box that receives HD OTA signals, will it down-convert to SD?

Thanks again!YES & YES:)
msbmsb
10-07-10, 08:44 AM
Awesome! Thanks for all the help!