DBSTALK FIRST LOOK: In-Home Dish DVR-921 Review

[HoosierDaddy]

Thanks jgoggan, I will brush up on my arguing ;-)

[comet48]

Talked to DishKing today and they said they had a video conference with Charlie Ergen and the 921's are "in the pipeline." I guess that means back in production. They're supposed to arrive on the West Coast at the end of the month.

I suspect Charlie doesn't have a clue. He was saying 2 weeks a month aga on Charlie Chat. Either that or he is misrepresenting the truth.

[Ken_F]

Mark,
http://www.dbstalk.com/images/921/921_remote_small.jpg (http://www.dbstalk.com/images/921/921_remote.jpg)

Is there any chance you could post or link a high resolution closeup of the 921 remote?

[Mark Lamutt]

Ken - yeah I could do that. Please send me an email to remind me.

[knealy]

It looks pretty much exactly like the 721's remote.

[Mike D-CO5]

What is the green button on the left for?

[Cheezmo]

It is a "recover" button. In the event that you can't get any video, it is supposed to put the video output into a state that is most compatible with a variety of displays (480i?).

I accidentally pressed it once and it took me 10 minutes to get a picture back.

[Cheezmo]

Here is part of the documentation, which explains my problems!

"Note: RECOVER will first try to tune your TV to channel 3, then to channel 4, and then other video inputs with each press of the RECOVER button. You may need to press the RECOVER button up to 30 times to recover your satellite TV video."

That is not a typo, it really says 30 times! Mine wasn't even set up to control my TV so it was probably changing video output options of the 921 itself too (how else to explain the 30 permutations).

[knealy]

Great! a button that you press to recover that instead fouls everything up. So it's just sitting there waiting for some curious fingers to press it? I hope there's a way to de-program it.

[Barefoot]

Firstly, thanks for the great review! I'm interested in this DVR and a lot of questions have already been answered. I'm sorry if my questions have already been addressed, but I didn't take the time to read through this whole giant thread. My main concerns are:
1) still have to switch from 480p to 1080i through the menu?
2) any ir codes out yet?...I own a ProntoPro
Thank you....looks like a great forum!

[Mark Lamutt]

1. Yes, unless you define a macro to do it, like I did in my pronto file.

2. Discrete ON and OFF are the only discrete codes at the moment. We've asked for more that may come in the future.

[Barefoot]

Thank you! How about the other commands for ir? In order to program a macro, you must have them. Are they available to the public? More discreet codes would be nice, but the regular ir commands are a must for me. The Pronto has enabled my young kids to run my system, but they are not the problem. It's that other adult lady that lives here! :rolleyes:

[Mark Lamutt]

The 921 accepts all standard Dish IR remote commands, but the 921 remote does not send IR commands to the 921. I've posted my pronto file that has all of the IR commands for address 9, but if you want another address, you'd need other Dish remotes to learn those commands.

[Barefoot]

Thanks again Mark! I've downloaded your ccf and am currently viewing it on prontoedit. There is a 4900, 2800, and a 501 device. Which will work with the 921? All? While I'm at it, the 1394 is still not enabled? Any new news on that if it isn't? Thanks again in advance!

[Barefoot]

Sorry, one more.....I'm completely new to DISH. Is address 9 a locals code, or something else?

[Mark Lamutt]

Ah...don't use the one that is on remotecentral. Use the one that is posted in this forum - it's in one of the stickied threads at the top of the page. The one on RC is about 3 years old now.

Dish remotes use one of I think it's 19 addresses so that you can easily avoid remote conflicts. I have my 921 set to remote address 9. If you don't know how to change the remote address of a receiver, do a search for "remote address" in one of the dish forums here.

[JoeQ]

Thanks again Mark! I've downloaded your ccf and am currently viewing it on prontoedit. There is a 4900, 2800, and a 501 device. Which will work with the 921? All? While I'm at it, the 1394 is still not enabled? Any new news on that if it isn't? Thanks again in advance!

Not to butt in - but I guess I just did:)

I have a 721 remote that I bought since it is identical to the 921 remote but it sends out IR commands so I could program my MX700.

Stupid me did not realize that my MX700 already had a predefined set of IR codes for the 721 so I never used the 721 remote.

PM me if you are interesting in buying it to teach your pronto. It is just gathering dust.



Your other question:
"While I'm at it, the 1394 is still not enabled? Any new news on that if it isn't?"
I guess you do not frequent these boards much as that is bigger news than the release of the 921 itself.

The 1394 will NEVER be enabled. That is the bad news verified by many of the high ups in DISH.

Mark knows it also but has been under NDA so can not say. Still can't figure out why HE got so much s** in the forums, though.

Joe

[Mark Lamutt]

I need to get the review updated to take that out. It's pretty far out of date these days anyway.

I took the heat because I did know about it, and couldn't say anything. But I knew situations like that could happen when I signed up for this.

[Barefoot]

Thanks a bunch guys....again, excellent forum! I have been researching the net today as I was interested in the 921. I saw some petty negative comments on another forum, mostly in regard to the 1394 issue. I think I'm going to wait for the release of the "922", even if that takes a while. The thing that bothers me the most about the 921 is not the firewire issue, but the 480p/1080i issue. Seems like it will be somewhat of a pain to switch back and forth with SD/HD signals. Not to open a new can of worms, but what is the big deal with 1394....mainly just a quick method to transfer programs to an external hard drive?

[JoeQ]

I need to get the review updated to take that out. It's pretty far out of date these days anyway.

I took the heat because I did know about it, and couldn't say anything. But I knew situations like that could happen when I signed up for this.

You sure got beat up in this and other sites and this the reason ?

That is really stupid. Don't people understand what NDA stands for.

In my line of work, we have NDA's with other companies and our lawyers watch us like a hawk. Break a NDA and you can get sued big time.

[JoeQ]

The thing that bothers me the most about the 921 is not the firewire issue, but the 480p/1080i issue. Seems like it will be somewhat of a pain to switch back and forth with SD/HD signals.

Not sure why this is such a big deal.
You just use the component outputs (DVI also, I think) and set the receiver to 1080i and be done with it. It will upconvert everything to 1080i.

The latest SW download did fix the various zoom/stretch modes so there is no reason to use S-Video anymore for SD material. My TV does not allow it's built in zoom/stretch modes on the High Def component input.

[David_Levin]

but the 480p/1080i issue. Seems like it will be somewhat of a pain to switch back and forth with SD/HD signals.

In general, you don't need to switch this very often (if at all). The 921 will scale whatever it gets to whatever you asked for. So if your tv is 1080i and you select 1080i you'll always get out 1080i.

I do perfer the scaler in my TV, so will switch the 921 output to match the source (so when I watch ABC I switch to 720). But, most people are not bothering to do this.

The only other switching is if you have any SD components hooked up (2nd TV or DVD recorder). You'll have to switch to 480i to get a signal to these devices (and kill the HD signals). There is a ir sequence you can program (as a macro) to switch to SD or HD. Or use the toggle key.

but what is the big deal with 1394....mainly just a quick method to transfer programs to an external hard drive?

It's a bit more then that. First problem is that the hard drive fills up way too quickly. Second issue is that there is boud to be some HD content that you just want to keep (it's not like we can purchase any HD DVDs - yet). Firewire is the ONLY way to get HD to an HD recorder (be it D-VHS or future HD-DVDR). Without this port you'll NEVER get the opportunity.

This was a promised feature which was a deciding factor for some people to choose the 921 over the HD-Tivo.

[Barefoot]

I thought I read somewhere that 480p on SD sources looked the best, even better than 1080i (for SD sources).

[Unclejeff]

Okay, I have been following so many reviews/opinions on the 921 that I have come full circle: I don't know if I can depend on a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. This is very frustrating. I currently have Dish and I like how easy the programming features are to work with and I don't so much like DirectTV.

Okay, the 921 is way too much like a Fiat car and I am not so anxious to keep 'dealing' with all of the problems. So, assuming I am not at this moment so interested in recording, what should I get? I have two dish antennas on my roof so that I could, in an earlier life, get local stations and the usual dish stuff. Right now I have an antenna on the side of my house that picks up excellant local HD signals. It would be nice to get HDTV and discovery and HD-HBO and I am tired of waiting.

So, what should I do?

I don't want to go back to cable and I kinda like Dish more than DirectTV, but I have outgrown Junior High School dances and I want things to work. Sometime before next year's Superbowl.

So, should I get the 721 and call it quits for the forseeable?

What does a fellow, who wants to watch a show beginning at 8PM to do when it is one minute before 8PM and just wants to watch his show without re-booting, etc?

[tahoerob]

Okay, I have been following so many reviews/opinions on the 921 that I have come full circle: I don't know if I can depend on a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g. This is very frustrating. I currently have Dish and I like how easy the programming features are to work with and I don't so much like DirectTV.

Okay, the 921 is way too much like a Fiat car and I am not so anxious to keep 'dealing' with all of the problems. So, assuming I am not at this moment so interested in recording, what should I get? I have two dish antennas on my roof so that I could, in an earlier life, get local stations and the usual dish stuff. Right now I have an antenna on the side of my house that picks up excellant local HD signals. It would be nice to get HDTV and discovery and HD-HBO and I am tired of waiting.

So, what should I do?

I don't want to go back to cable and I kinda like Dish more than DirectTV, but I have outgrown Junior High School dances and I want things to work. Sometime before next year's Superbowl.

So, should I get the 721 and call it quits for the forseeable?

What does a fellow, who wants to watch a show beginning at 8PM to do when it is one minute before 8PM and just wants to watch his show without re-booting, etc?

Well, I have had the 921 since Jan. (first batch!!).
I would NOT go back to the 501 or 6000! :)

I am very pleased with the 921 as a dual tuner HD DVR. The OTA tuner is better than the 6000 and now stable.
Remember, you will read a lot of posts from the few complainers & not from the majority of owners who are pleased. It is quite unreasonable for this new, first of a kind product to be perfect from the beginning. They seem to be taking the bug reports seriously & fixing as fast as possible. THIS IS A COMPLEX PRODUCT. I believe it works fairly well.
The last L180 update made mine very stable!! :D

I find that I watch almost only HD content now. I have ~10 hours now available to watch. It is great to record any of programs on HDNet, HDMovies, or Discovery HD. ESPN is so so now. But last NFL season was great to watch Sunday night football in HD. This season will be better with ABC, ESPN, CBS, & FOX with MORE HD football!!!!!!!!!!!
OTA recording is a little tricky now but quite doable. This will be fixed over the next coming months. My only gripe here is lack of guide data for now, but I do have access to a variety of online sources to plan a head for HD programs!! Ironically, after spending time & money getting a great OTA setup, I use it seldom. I watch Discovery HD & HDNet mostly. The HDNet World Report news in HD is great. Also Bikini Destinations is good too :sure:

I have also CBS-HD (with guide data), HBO-HD, & Showtime-HD. Deadwood on HBO has been fun in HD. Between HBO, SHO & HD Movies, I get to watch a lot of HD movies now. Occasionally the HD PPV is worth looking at.

On my TV, the SD content is BETTER than with previous 501. On SD PPV or letterboxed SD movies, I can use zoom aspect on 921 to fill 16*9 well. The SD PPV ends up being close to DVD quality. The zoom works well to expand SD letterboxed shows like Enterprise (UPN OTA HD weak here).
I am also looking forward to Sirius radio soon too.

As far as I can tell, there is no real advantage to changing to DirecTV. They apparently use a lesser MPEG 1 instead of MPEG 2 for compression. This would account for the majority reports of Dish having better PQ.
From what I can read about the HD TIVO coming out, the only advantage is the TIVO software & OTA guide already there. However, Dish just bought TVGuide channel & I bet by years end the Dish guides will get a lot better.

[knealy]

I don't know what happened to my post of a couple of days ago, but here I go again.

Once I get a 921 and connect the component video to my HDTV will I need to connect any other video cables, like S-Video? Will programs that are not HD be sent to my TV over component outs, or do I need to use the S-Video for these SD programs coming from the 921?

[Slordak]

When the 921 is operating in HD mode, all signals are upconverted (if necessary) and sent out over the component or DVI outputs. When the 921 is operating in SD mode, all signals are downconverted (if necessary) and sent out over the composite and S-Video outputs.

The SD/HD mode can be controlled from the remote and is independent of the programming being watched. If the 921 is set to HD mode, all programming will be viewed over the "HD Outputs". Thus, to answer the question, no additional cabling is needed. It suffices to hook up a single video output and use this for all purposes, and leave the 921 running in the given SD/HD mode at all times.

The only caveat is that if one wants to send a 480i signal to the television so that certain features of the television can be used (de-interlacer, TV zoom/stretch modes instead of 921 zoom/stretch modes, etc.), then one would of course have to switch to SD mode. In this case, one would need another (S-Video or composite) video cable hooked up as well.

[ibglowin]

Mine works well also. Yea it has some quirks and things they have to fix but I know they will be ironed out. The ability to record HD makes it all worthwhile for me. I have a 6000 as well. It works great but is slooooow compared to the 921. If you have the disposable income I would still go with the 921 especially if your partial to E*

Just my $0.02

[bytre]

My 921 works pretty well too, although I don't use OTA on it. I would not, could not, go back to a non-DVR HD receiver.

Mine rarely crashes and records well. I don't believe I've missed any recordings with 180.

[tahoerob]

When the 921 is operating in HD mode, all signals are upconverted (if necessary) and sent out over the component or DVI outputs. When the 921 is operating in SD mode, all signals are downconverted (if necessary) and sent out over the composite and S-Video outputs.

The SD/HD mode can be controlled from the remote and is independent of the programming being watched. If the 921 is set to HD mode, all programming will be viewed over the "HD Outputs". Thus, to answer the question, no additional cabling is needed. It suffices to hook up a single video output and use this for all purposes, and leave the 921 running in the given SD/HD mode at all times.

The only caveat is that if one wants to send a 480i signal to the television so that certain features of the television can be used (de-interlacer, TV zoom/stretch modes instead of 921 zoom/stretch modes, etc.), then one would of course have to switch to SD mode. In this case, one would need another (S-Video or composite) video cable hooked up as well.

What he means in English!!:
Plug in with component or DVI, set to HD mode, & forget about it! :D

[Unclejeff]

Whew(!); It is not that I don't mind futzing with controls; it is just that I would rather be the one to decide when to re-adjust/re-set or otherwise 'fix' things. The 921 has been taking so much abuse that I am really afraid of jumping into the 'deep end'. I get great OTA reception and I want High Definition from my Satellite. Your recent responses are encouraging.

[knealy]

When the 921 is operating in HD mode, all signals are upconverted (if necessary) and sent out over the component or DVI outputs. When the 921 is operating in SD mode, all signals are downconverted (if necessary) and sent out over the composite and S-Video outputs.

The SD/HD mode can be controlled from the remote and is independent of the programming being watched. If the 921 is set to HD mode, all programming will be viewed over the "HD Outputs". Thus, to answer the question, no additional cabling is needed. It suffices to hook up a single video output and use this for all purposes, and leave the 921 running in the given SD/HD mode at all times.

The only caveat is that if one wants to send a 480i signal to the television so that certain features of the television can be used (de-interlacer, TV zoom/stretch modes instead of 921 zoom/stretch modes, etc.), then one would of course have to switch to SD mode. In this case, one would need another (S-Video or composite) video cable hooked up as well.

Thanks. That's very helpful. Exactly what I wanted to know. The only other questions I'd have then would be, does the 921 do a good job of up/down converting signals? Are there TV's that would do the job better if the raw signal were sent to it? Can you notice?

When HD signals are sent via component video is it automatically scaled to 16:9 to fill the HDTV screen? Would you ever need to fiddle with zooming etc. on the TV if the signal is coming in through the component video?

[knealy]

What he means in English!!:
Plug in with component or DVI, set to HD mode, & forget about it! :D

Thanks, Rob. That's what I figured out.

[SimpleSimon]

Thanks. That's very helpful. Exactly what I wanted to know. The only other questions I'd have then would be, does the 921 do a good job of up/down converting signals? Are there TV's that would do the job better if the raw signal were sent to it? Can you notice?
It's rather subjective - some folks like what the 921 does, others don't, and still others have external scalers that are probably an extreme solution. Some TVs might do better with bth an SD & HD hookup - I have that myself (via my VCR). I like what the 921 does better than using the SD output. Sometimes it depends on the specific unit you get - some of them seem to be flaky in certain output modes, but those problems are probably ironed out with the recent hardware fixes.

When HD signals are sent via component video is it automatically scaled to 16:9 to fill the HDTV screen? Would you ever need to fiddle with zooming etc. on the TV if the signal is coming in through the component video?
The 921 has several aspect ratios and stretch/zoom modes available. L180 improved them considerably, and the next set of changes should make those even better. Some shows are better if you use a different "format" - it's just a button on the remote, so it's trivial to try them. Some TVs let you stretch/zoom an incoming HD signal, others (like mine) don't.

Bottom line is, if you don't have HD now, you'll be happy.

[knealy]

The 921 has several aspect ratios and stretch/zoom modes available. L180 improved them considerably, and the next set of changes should make those even better. Some shows are better if you use a different "format" - it's just a button on the remote, so it's trivial to try them. Some TVs let you stretch/zoom an incoming HD signal, others (like mine) don't.

So you can stretch and zoom an HD source?

[Slordak]

The 921 does not allow you to stretch and zoom an HD channel. It did have some bizarre "unstretch" business it could do as a result of a bug in a previous software version, but this has been removed. Since an HD channel is supposed to already have a 16:9 signal (even if it is still 4:3 content with black or gray bars), there is really no further processing to perform (in theory at least). For the same reason, very few televisions would allow one to apply the HDTV's stretch/zoom modes to a 720p or 1080i input signal.

The 921 does a credible job of upconversion, although there are a number of television sets which do a better job. The 921 has gotten better with regards to stretch and zoom quality in the most recent software, but still does not have what would be considered ideal handling in these areas.

[SimpleSimon]

The 921 does not allow you to stretch and zoom an HD channel.
Unh. Sorry, I must disagree. See the Excel spreadsheet (http://www.dbstalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1722) which is part of Aspect Ratio comparison: L149 vs. L180 (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=26456)

As regards this, it shows 3 HD modes - Normal, Stretch & Zoom. Stretch does left/right only. Zoom does both directions. Stretch would be used to 'kill' side bars of 4:3 content that's inside a 16:9 feed, and Zoom handles letterboxed content. they don't quite have the numbers right yet, but it's getting there.

[Slordak]

My apologies; if the 921 is in fact allowing stretch and zoom modes to be applied to high definition content, then I stand corrected. I remember the bizarre gray bars "unstretch" mode useful for ESPN-HD, but I don't recall the other modes being effective on older software versions. I haven't tried these for some time, though, so if this has changed, that would explain the discrepency.

[SimpleSimon]

Stretch & Zoom also existed in L149. As regards this, only Zoom mode has changed. It used to only change up/down size. Now it changes both horizontal & vertical. Details in the spreadsheet.

[Dish 500]

Assign ABC/CBS/NBC to local Digital channel like on 6000?[/b]

This hasn't been implemented on the 921 like it was on the 6000, so there's no way to assign a major network to the local digital channels.



There is a software version update in September that all local channels on the 7000s-8000s will return to the actual local channel numbers (2-99). Thanks.

Dish Network 500

[SimpleSimon]

There is a software version update in September that all local channels on the 7000s-8000s will return to the actual local channel numbers (2-99). Thanks.

Dish Network 500Please state your source.

Also, I see trouble with this as it will cause conflicts with OTA channels.

[knealy]

Please state your source.

Also, I see trouble with this as it will cause conflicts with OTA channels.

This update was mentioned on the last TechTalk. I'd like to be able to customize the channel order channel by channel. This would have been especially useful as a favorites list for the Olympics where they have been scattered all over the guide.

I'm not sure there will be any problem with OTA conflict for channel numbers since my OTA channels show up as 002,004, 045, etc. These should sort first before 2,4, and 45.

[knealy]

Anybody understand why you can't extend a recording beyond 29 minutes without manually editing the event after you've set it up?

L186 refused to accept >29 minutes and just wiped out whatever you put in. L187 now puts up a warning telling you you can't extend it beyond 29 minutes. This was an issue on the 721 until they fixed it. What's the deal with 29 minutes, and why haven't they corrected it for the 921 when it was fixed month's ago on the 721?

[n0qcu]

I am sure they will set it up like the 811. you will have a choice of Satellite locals remapped to the ota number OR you can have the analog OTA channels but not both.

[knealy]

I am sure they will set it up like the 811. you will have a choice of Satellite locals remapped to the ota number OR you can have the analog OTA channels but not both.

So if I get analog locals by satellite and digital locals OTA, I can't map the satellite locals to their actual channel numbers? That sucks.

[n0qcu]

Let me try this again. If you get your analog locals OTA then you cannot remap the satellite version of your analog locals to the ota number. Digital OTA locals are ok.
I'll use Denver channel 2 as an example.
if you add the analog channel it will be 00200
or
you can have the satellite channel 8204 map as 00200
but not both.

the digital OTA channel should map as 00201

[knealy]

Let me try this again. If you get your analog locals OTA then you cannot remap the satellite version of your analog locals to the ota number. Digital OTA locals are ok.
I'll use Denver channel 2 as an example.
if you add the analog channel it will be 00200
or
you can have the satellite channel 8204 map as 00200
but not both.

the digital OTA channel should map as 00201

Got it. Makes sense.

Right now I get local digital OTA as 004 in the guide. When I select it I get a second screen asking me to choose 004-1 or 004-2. Would these then just show up on the 811 on a single screen as:

00400 local analog from satellite
00401 local digital OTA
00402 local digital OTA

or would I still have sub-screens for sub-channels?

[SimpleSimon]

Good stuff! Thanks guys!

[Dish 500]

Please state your source.

Also, I see trouble with this as it will cause conflicts with OTA channels.

Source: DISH Network - August Tech Forum
Software Version: L1.87

Dish Network 500

[Dish 500]

This update was mentioned on the last TechTalk. I'd like to be able to customize the channel order channel by channel. This would have been especially useful as a favorites list for the Olympics where they have been scattered all over the guide.

I'm not sure there will be any problem with OTA conflict for channel numbers since my OTA channels show up as 002,004, 045, etc. These should sort first before 2,4, and 45.

Good idea.

Dish Network 500

[mb1]

Most projectors need all five signals RGBHV but that DVI connector only appears to provide RGB.

Where would the 15 pin VGA connector get its HV sync signals ?

REPLY: On the VGA HD15 connector, Pin 13 is H Sync and Pin 14 is V Sync.
Pin 10 is Sync Ground. This assumes that the DVI connector is a -I which includes both Digital and Analog (RGBHV) signals. Hope this helps.

[Equus911]

Hello all. I have diligently read all 23 pages of this forum and would like to pose a few questions and request some clarification. Looks like I'm the first poster for 2005! I only hope the moderator is still reading this thread.

The main reason I'm interested in the 921 instead of the 942 is the RGB output. I have a Sony VPH-1272 which is a great projector. It has the 5 BNC RGB inputs. It will scan whatever resolution you can get into it. Am I correct in gathering that all I need is a breakout cable to go from DVI to the 5 BNC's and I'll be set for HD content?

I'm building my new home from the ground up, so what's better, to run two cables from the dish or to use that new switch? I can go either way.

How is the distance on the UHF remote? If I had the 921 in the basement theater room and another TV in a bedroom two floors up, that I wanted to connect to the component outs, would the UHF remote be able to reach it from that distance? I'd guess we'd be talking about 30 feet through a couple wood floors.

Is there a PROFOUND difference between 480i being upscaled in the 921 to 1080i, vs. 480i changed to 480p and changing the output to 480p? Or would most people not notice much of a difference and be happier just leaving it on 1080i?

That's it. I'm off to read everything about the 942 now!

[Mark Lamutt]

Welcome Equus911 - you actually posted your questions in the 921 review thread, which is why there hasn't been any activity for some time.

To briefly answer, though: DVI breakout cable would probably work I would guess. Don't know for sure, though.

Two cables are always better than one, even of you only use one - that way you have a spare.

You wouldn't have any problem from 30 feet most likely, but keep in mind that the component and DVR outputs are not active at the same time, so if you have DVI plugged in, the component outputs get shut off. The 942 doesn't have this limitation.

I see a difference between 480i scaled to 1080i vs 480i scaled to 480p in my setup. Others may or may not.

[Equus911]

Hello Mark, thank you for such a quick reply. From what I've seen so far of the 942 it looks fantastic, but I don't think I'll be able to use it because it does not appear to have the RGB output that the 921 has. Which leaves me trying to convert 1080i from component to RGB, (and I haven't found a box that can do that), or buying a component video input board for the projector, which by all accounts is substandard to the RGB. Any further thoughts on this? Thanks again!

[knealy]

Hello Mark, thank you for such a quick reply. From what I've seen so far of the 942 it looks fantastic, but I don't think I'll be able to use it because it does not appear to have the RGB output that the 921 has. Which leaves me trying to convert 1080i from component to RGB, (and I haven't found a box that can do that), or buying a component video input board for the projector, which by all accounts is substandard to the RGB. Any further thoughts on this? Thanks again!

I thought DVI was a digital out. You wouldn't be able to just break out the DVI cables for RGB which is analog, -n'est pas?

Keith Nealy

[KKlare]

The 921 has DVI-I, which is DVI-D + analog RGB. Look at the extra bins by the cross.
BTW, HDMI adds sound.
-Ken

[DonLandis]

I use a DVI to RGBHV (VGA 15 pin HD connector) from the 921 as it was convenient to keep my most used DBS probiders, Voom and DirecTV on the highest quality DVI and use the RGBHV inputs to my projector on the lessor quality from the 921. All you need is a low cost adapter cable. You can find them below $30 with either a VGA DB15 HD connector or with 5 BNC's for the RGBHV depending on your monitor's input design. The best place to find this adapter cable is on the internet at places like cables to go. Just do a search on the internet for " DVI to RGBHV adapter cable" Google will get you to several web sites that will offer the right cable at a reasonable price.
HDMI is a nice touch, especially if you are using one of the latest receivers that switch video sources via HDMI such as the latest Denon. With this you can switch your sources with HDMI and the receiver will pull the audio off and output HDMI video only for your monitor. Otherwise, HDMI has no real advantage over DVI as few people here will use the soundsystem built into their monitor. No, they use a separate receiver and speakers so the switching on all these except these latest receivers that just came out are switching only analog video / audio.

[DonLandis]

I use a DVI to RGBHV (VGA 15 pin HD connector) from the 921 as it was convenient to keep my most used DBS providers, Voom and DirecTV on the highest quality DVI and use the RGBHV inputs to my projector on the lessor quality from the 921. All you need is a low cost adapter cable. You can find them below $30 with either a VGA DB15 HD connector or with 5 BNC's for the RGBHV depending on your monitor's input design. The best place to find this adapter cable is on the internet at places like cables to go. Just do a search on the internet for " DVI to RGBHV adapter cable" Google will get you to several web sites that will offer the right cable at a reasonable price.
HDMI is a nice touch, especially if you are using one of the latest receivers that switch video sources via HDMI such as the latest Denon. With this you can switch your sources with HDMI and the receiver will pull the audio off and output HDMI video only for your monitor. Otherwise, HDMI has no real advantage over DVI as few people here will use the soundsystem built into their monitor. No, they use a separate receiver and speakers so the switching on all these except these latest receivers that just came out are switching only analog video / audio.

[Mark Lamutt]

Equus - you can purchase a component to RGB transcoder (about $150) that will do what you want.

[Equus911]

OK, thanks! Actually, within about 10 minutes of my last post I finally came across a component-->RGB converter by Key Digital that would go as high as 1080i (previously all the Audio Authority ones only went to 480p). And then I found a friend who uses one and loves it. So, pending Mark's review of the 942, that's probably what I'll go with in my new house, now that the output problem has been solved. Thanks again!

[Curmudgeon]

What makes DVI better than component? What's the point of DVI?

Not one person in a 1000 can tell the difference between a dvi and component hook up...and the purpose is to keep Hollywood happy by not allowing a copyable (analog)signal outside the tv set.

[jgoggan]

Not one person in a 1000 can tell the difference between a dvi and component hook up...and the purpose is to keep Hollywood happy by not allowing a copyable (analog)signal outside the tv set.

That's simply not true. There are lots of TVs out there that do poor digital to analog conversion -- and lots of sources that are bad at it too. Depending on which you have, you can often easily tell the difference.

For example, my (rear projection) TV appears to be not very good at the conversion. Therefore, if I use DVI, then 1080i input doesn't look as good as when I use component (where my VOOM source box is doing the conversion).

So, sorry, but you are incorrect about being able to tell the difference. Lots of people should be able to tell depending on their source and destination equipment.

- John...

[trupillo]

I have a dishpvr 921 that is giving me a "System Failure" at bott up. This occurs with or without the HD installed. With the HD it then says "disk Failure". It seems like I need a new boot image ???? Any ideas ?
Thank you

[DHall]

I have a dishpvr 921 that is giving me a "System Failure" at bott up. This occurs with or without the HD installed. With the HD it then says "disk Failure". It seems like I need a new boot image ???? Any ideas ?
Thank you

The same thing happened to mine. I called E* and they're sending me a new (refurbished I'm sure) one. I rebooted a couple more times and got it to work. Good thing since it will be a few days before the new unit arrives. This is the second time this has happened to me. When it happened the first time, I had gotten it working again by the time advanced tech support got back to me, so they wouldn't replace the unit. This time I got advanced tech support right away and they had the other time it happened on record, so they didn't hesitate to send a new one. I also noticed that the time remaining to record on the hard drive was approximately the same both times.

Also, if you do get it going again. You'll have to re-enter all of your preferences and scan for off-air locals again. It loses everything.

Dave