322/522 distribution system

[SteveC]

I currently have 4 TVs (and 4 VCRs) wired for cable. There's only my wife and I. I'm fascinated with the idea of a DVR, and I'm thinking about going with Dish. I can get the Top 120 package with a 522 and a 322 receiver for about the same price I'm paying for cable.

Can I hook the remote output of both receivers to my existing cable distribution system?

TV1 would have the 522 connected directly, and TV2 would have the 322 connected directly. On can TV3 and TV4 receive the output the remote tuner of either the 522 or 322? For that matter, can TV1 watch the remote tuner from the 322 and TV2 watch the remote tuner on the 522?

I'm hoping to retain the flexibility of watching a pre-recorded program on any of the 4 TVs, and being able to watch a live program on any TV even if I'm recording 2 programs.

Any installation gotcha's?

SteveC

[SimpleSimon]

You say "cable distribution system". If you mean the existing in-house wiring, IF it's being disconnected from the cable system, you have a lot of flexibility.

The TV2 RF outputs of both receivers are in the UHF band, and are stereo. :)
The TV1 RF outputs are channel 3 or 4, and are mono. :(

Three of the four outputs are easy to put onto the same cable - the problem with the fourth (a TV1) is that it will likely interfere with the other boxes TV1 because they are on adjacent channels. This problem can be solved if necessary.

If you upgrade your TV1 remotes to UHF, then consider installing your receivers all in the same place - say next to your primary TV. Use the 522's TV1 output for just that, while sending the other 3 outputs throughout your house.

This can minimize the satellite cable installation hassle. I'll post details if needed.

[SteveC]

You say "cable distribution system". If you mean the existing in-house wiring, IF it's being disconnected from the cable system, you have a lot of flexibility.


Yes, I'll be disconnecting from my cable service and using the existing wiring for dish distribution.


If you upgrade your TV1 remotes to UHF, then consider installing your receivers all in the same place - say next to your primary TV. Use the 522's TV1 output for just that, while sending the other 3 outputs throughout your house.

This can minimize the satellite cable installation hassle. I'll post details if needed.

A fascinating idea I hadn't considered. I don't really understand how it would be easier, except maybe that the RG6 only goes to one room. Any details would be appreciated.

SteveC

[SimpleSimon]

Yes, the satellite feeds would be concentrated in one place. Downside is that your 'second' TV would be fed by RF instead of a higher quality connection. This may not matter to you.

A 3-way splitter MAY be sufficient to combine the two TV2 and one TV1 output - with the "in" side of the splitter going to the house wiring. You may or may not find it working well depending on several factors - but almost all of them are easy to correct.

You would end up with your own "cable" network consisting of 3 channels - one for each receiver. Tune a given TV to the appropriate channel, then use the appropriate remote to select your show. It's similar to how a VCR works for channel selection.

Note that I did NOT use the terms TV1 & TV2 for your TV locations - that can cause confusion with the receiver outputs which have the same names.

[JerryR]

I currently have 4 TVs (and 4 VCRs) wired for cable. There's only my wife and I. I'm fascinated with the idea of a DVR, and I'm thinking about going with Dish. I can get the Top 120 package with a 522 and a 322 receiver for about the same price I'm paying for cable.

Can I hook the remote output of both receivers to my existing cable distribution system?

TV1 would have the 522 connected directly, and TV2 would have the 322 connected directly. On can TV3 and TV4 receive the output the remote tuner of either the 522 or 322? For that matter, can TV1 watch the remote tuner from the 322 and TV2 watch the remote tuner on the 522?

I'm hoping to retain the flexibility of watching a pre-recorded program on any of the 4 TVs, and being able to watch a live program on any TV even if I'm recording 2 programs.

Any installation gotcha's?

SteveC
I'm a newbie to Dish. Just got installed last week and I have a 522 and a 311 receiver. What you are asking is pretty much what I have done. I have the TV1 and TV2 "regular" connections going to specific TV's. I have four other TV's in various locations all connected via RG-6 cable, a four way splitter and connected to the 522's TV2 RF output. Since this output is UHF remote controlled, it works great. This dandy little feature on the 522 allowed me to do away with a Channel Plus channel modulator and an A/V distribution system box. Got rid of an awful lot of spaghetti near the receiver connection points! Makes me happy.

[Link]

Will Dish activate 322s if you buy them yourself? I know they wouldn't do 522's anymore I don't think.

[dnsc_installer]

Will Dish activate 322s if you buy them yourself? I know they wouldn't do 522's anymore I don't think.

50/50. The 322 and 522 follow under the same rules. New DHA customers only. There was a loop hole in E*'s system when they first became available where their system did not recognize them right. Although I have heard rumors of special circumstances granted by those in the executive office allowing them to be activated. You could email ceo@dishnetwork.com to state your case, and you might get lucky. Good Luck.