721 Tuner 2 gone bad - options?

[frabman]

I can get a 522 off ebay for $349. A 721 will cost me a bit more - $400-$475.

I kinda like the idea of replacing the 721 with a 522, but I'm worried. I hear that:

1) Dish might not activate 522s for existing subs
2) My 721 remotes (I've got 3) might not work with the 522
3) My 500 quad lnb may not work with the 522

I have the everything pack, so I dont worry about the VOD fee.

With all these issues, you think I'd just get the 721, but the extra cost of the 721 and the extra output of the 522 make me want to give it a try. Can anyone copnfirm/deny any of the above issues?

Thanks,
Mark
(still waiting for my 921 too - I'm about 17th on the Dish Depot list)

[Bob Haller]

Ahh has your tuner 2 failed? If so RMA it with dish, heck tell them you post here it might get a discounted repair price. If you had previously purchased the $2 a month warranty this repair would only cost shipping $15

I THINK your repair cost will be under $75 but am not sure of that

[jerryyyyy]

You might try to sign up for the $2 insurance and say nothing until a little later and see if that works.....

[greylar]

You might try to sign up for the $2 insurance and say nothing until a little later and see if that works.....
Pretty sure they dumped the $2 ins at the end of January. If your not signed up for it now you can't get it.

G

[frabman]

Dish must be smarting from the Viacom thing, becasue they bent over backwards to help me.

I figured what the heck - call Dish and see what my official options are. After blowing through the first line tech and talking to one of the advanced techs, here is what happened:

Me: Since I'm out of warranty, what are my options? I understand there's this 522...
Advanced Tech: Oh, sorry, can't let you buy one of those. But I could add the DHP plan to your account and you can call back tomorrow to arrange for a swap.
Me: Really?!?
AT: Sure! I'd do it for you now, but my RA system is down, which is why you'll have to call back. But I've added the protection plan to your account and I've put a note in your file about all this, so just tell them to look at the notes when you call back.

When I called today, the RA system was still down but they went ahead and sent out a replacement anyway and said I'd have to call next week to get an RA number before I could send the other one back.

You know, with the delays for the 921 and the Viacom thing and the VOOM HD service with their upcoming HD PVR hardware solution (which really looks great, BTW) - I was really thinking about switching. But this kind of customer service needs to be rewarded, so I'll stick around.

Regards,
Mark

[BobMurdoch]

Pretty sure they dumped the $2 ins at the end of January. If your not signed up for it now you can't get it.

G

Yup it will cost you $5.99 a month now......

And ANYONE with a PVR should have that insurance due to the high rate of problems due to heat buildup, tuner 2 rot, and hard drive "issues".

I would say rough it out for a month after signing up for the extended insurance and then send it in. It will be a lot cheaper than paying for the repair (I'm assuming you've had it for more than a year... if less than a year than it is covered under warranty)....

[Jacob S]

They could have marked your account now, putting notes in that you have problems with your 721, so now you may have no choice but to pay for the repair, even if you have the warranty, unless he did not note the account of what you told him.

[TomCat]

...this repair would only cost shipping $15...
If you use credit card autopay they will even waive the shipping.

[Presence]

The 522 won't work with a dishpro quad lnbf?

[Jacob S]

I had a second tuner failure with my 721 last year but this new one I got as a replacement has given me no hardware problems, although they shipped me a refurbished 301 as a replacement and I had to get them ship me the right receiver.