721 vs 522 - which to get?

[Danny R]

My father wants to upgrade to a dual tuner receiver. He doesn't have an HDTV so high-definition isn't a worry and thus the 921 is out.

What are the big differences between these two tuners other than that that 522 can output to two different TV sets with different programming? Other than that, they seem to have simular specs. How is the stability of both?

Thanks for any feedback.

[garypen]

From what I understand, the 522 has more bugs than a crack whore. I have a 721, and it's relatively bug-free, especially for a Dish product.

The main functional difference between the two is that the 522 has 2 discrete outputs, so you can watch 2 different programs, recorded or live, on 2 different monitors. The 721 only has a single output signal that goes to all of its outputs simultaneously.

[Danny R]

The main functional difference between the two is that the 522 has 2 discrete outputs, so you can watch 2 different programs, recorded or live, on 2 different monitors.

Other than stability, are there any functions that would justify the higher price tag of the 721?

Also Dish Depot and Dishnetwork state that the 522 is not available for sale, but is only for lease. Would that mean that if I bought one on ebay Dish wouldn't activate it?

[Pils]

The main functional difference between the two is that the 522 has 2 discrete outputs, so you can watch 2 different programs, recorded or live, on 2 different monitors.

Other than stability, are there any functions that would justify the higher price tag of the 721?

Also Dish Depot and Dishnetwork state that the 522 is not available for sale, but is only for lease. Would that mean that if I bought one on ebay Dish wouldn't activate it?

I would not even try buying off ebay because odds are you can't activate it due to the box being under some account as a lease. You may ask the person for the receiver number and call dish to see if it is feasible but do not bid until you hear. But I wouldn't even consider it because Dish has been known to have some customer reps who say it is possible right away but as soon as you call in to activate, it is a no go.

[Cholly]

[QUOTE=Danny R
Also Dish Depot and Dishnetwork state that the 522 is not available for sale, but is only for lease. Would that mean that if I bought one on ebay Dish wouldn't activate it?[/QUOTE]
If you check Dish's website product listings, you'll see that the 522 is available ONLY TO NEW CUSTOMERS, and ONLY on a lease basis. Stay away from eBay offerings of the 522.
As Gary says, the 721 is a relatively bugfree product. The 721 is no longer in production, and any new or refurbrished units are available only through dealers. If you really want one, bite the bullet and buy one through Dish Depot or Dishstore, or another authorized dealer. IMHO, Too many people have gotten burned by buying them on eBay and then not being able to activate them, or having major hardware problems with them.

[BuckeyeChris]

Go with the 522, it's not as bad as some would portray it to be. I've had mine since March and it gets the job done. Also, since the 721 is out of production, you are taking a risk buying an obsolescent product.