OFFICIAL PVR-721 REVIEW THREAD

[DRJDAN]

I have a SW44 with four receivers connected now. What would I have to do to replace one of my 301's with a 721 from a switch stand point?

[Scott Greczkowski]

im no expert in switches, so someone who knows switches help DRJDAN out :)

[Jacob S]

> Is the wireless keyboard going to be UHF or just IR ?

> Does it download a video into PVR events showing a demonstration for the 721? This would be great for the dealers for the PVR products.

> Does it have 2 hours of buffer in the PIP and main window or just two hours of buffer total? I guess this question would be irrelevant since you cannot pause the PIP screen.

> If you would pause the main picture though and then swap it to the pip picture would it remain paused? If so then could you pause the main window and then have both paused at the same time?

[Richard King]

I have a SW44 with four receivers connected now. What would I have to do to replace one of my 301's with a 721 from a switch stand point?
It depends. The SW44 will work fine with a 721 if you have 3 or fewer receivers. Having 4 receivers creates a dilemma. Your best bet would be to switch over to DishPro if you want to continue to use 4 receivers (or up to 12 receivers). The SW44 is a 4 in 4 out switch, meaning it will receive from 2 dual lnb's and distribute to up to 4 tuners. If you have a 721, it eats up 2 of the 4 outputs, leaving 2 outputs for other tuners. The best thing to do now is think in terms of tuners, not receivers. If you want to have 4 receivers with one being the 721 you have 5 tuners that need to be fed with a signal. You will need a DishPro LNB replacing your current LNB and 2 DishPro 34 switches to feed your 5 tuners. Drop one single tuner receiver from the mix and you can keep the SW44.

[Scott Greczkowski]

> Is the wireless keyboard going to be UHF or just IR ? I believe it is just IR. (I could be wrong the keyboard has not been released as of yet)

> Does it download a video into PVR events showing a demonstration for the 721? This would be great for the dealers for the PVR products. By my estimates, there is over 20 hours of recording time on the 721 reserved for use by Echostar.

Training videos or Video on Demand movies could be downloaded to the 721 at any time.

> Does it have 2 hours of buffer in the PIP and main window or just two hours of buffer total? I guess this question would be irrelevant since you cannot pause the PIP screen. It appears that the 2 hour buffer is per window. You can pause the PIP window but first you must make the pip window you want to pause full screen pause it then make it your pip window again (it will not be paused)

> If you would pause the main picture though and then swap it to the pip picture would it remain paused? If so then could you pause the main window and then have both paused at the same time? Yes and Yes

[Mark Lamutt]

Originally posted by DRJDAN
I have a SW44 with four receivers connected now. What would I have to do to replace one of my 301's with a 721 from a switch stand point?

I think that you could also cascade 2 SW44s together to get the additional outputs. I know that I've seen pictures of cascading 2 SW64s together, so I would assume that you could do it with the SW44s as well. If I remember right, there are a couple of other parts that you have to install on the lines as well to make this work. If you want, I could do some research and see if I can dig up the setup for you.

I agree with Rking - going to the dishpro switches would probably be easier (but not cheaper most likely).

[Scott Greczkowski]

The only problem with DishPro switches is that your old receivers will not work with them.

There will be adapters available soon however the price of these "Legacy" adaptors will be around $60 each (and one will be needed on each old stile receiver.

[Danny R]

one of the first thing the 721 does at bootup is is validates the hard drive.

Seems to me then that the best bet would be to upgrade the hard drive before bootup. However you'd have to have a method of properly cloning the old one to the new first.

Do you have enough of a view to see if their room in the 721 to add a second drive?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Danny I don't know if you can add a new drive, there is a possibility that there is some software on the drive loaded from the Factory which helps the 721 first boot.

[Danny R]

Yeah, I'm sure there is. It would have to be hacked. But is there even room to do so is my question.

[Scott Greczkowski]

No room that I see through the vents.

[Richard King]

The only problem with DishPro switches is that your old receivers will not work with them.You are correct, but since he referred to "one of his 301's" I assumed he has four 301's, which will work with DishPro.

[Randy_B]

Originally posted by Rking401

The best thing to do now is think in terms of tuners, not receivers.

Great point! This new point of view will become more important as technology advances. A lot of "tricks" can be done inside the equipment, but for the foreseeable future it will continue to take one feed for one tuner, regardless of the eventual output.

[SParker]

If 90 hours isn't enough recording time for you guys you watch too much TV! :)

[EvanS]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
[B]Craig the only way you will get this 721 out of my hands is to pry the remote from my dead hands. :D

Scott,
I dunno about Craig but I am in NO WAY above coming over there and taking possession!!! :eek2:
But you have another few months I guess, cuz I will save the trip until the leaves turn back there!! :D

[Jacob S]

QUOTE: It appears that the 2 hour buffer is per window. You can pause the PIP window but first you must make the pip window you want to pause full screen pause it then make it your pip window again (it will not be paused)

I am curious how you can pause both the PIP and the main window by switching them if it will not be paused if you put the PIP to the main window, Pause it, then put it back to the PIP window not pausing the show that was in the main window in the first place?

If there is not enough room in the 721 for the hard drive then one could have a hard drive outside of the receiver and disconnect it from the receiver whlie u r out on the road putting it in a very cushioned box which would be a lot easier than cushioning the whole receiver.

- Do they even make a bigger hard drive than what's in the 721?

- Has anybody ever tried putting a hard drive to a 301 or even a legacy receiver? Is this possible?

- Isnt a 501 just a 301 with a hard drive? Can someone make their own PVR receiver? One where you would not have anything to do with the receiver.

- If they can make two tuners play off of one smart card then could someone connect two receivers in a home together and do the same thing with that as they do with a 721 to make both play off of one smart card?

- Do they have to activate both tuners or do they activate the receiver as one with only one receiver number and one smart card number?

- Will the 921 have two smart cards or just one for both tuners?

One could make it record off air, on air, vcr tapes even, anything played over the tv set. That would be a new way of copying vcr tapes too by recording it to PVR unit's hard drive then playing it back recording that back to a blank tape in a vcr to record it.

[SParker]

anyone that has a 721 and has their LIL package does the 721 have local channel mapping yet or is that later?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Sparker,

No locals in Connecticut yet, but I would be that local channel mapping will come later once OpenTV is available on the 721.

Jacob,

Don't do drugs. :D

[Mark S.]

Scott - thanks for providing this outlet - it is the best source of info I have found on the 721.

Okay - excuse the question if somewhat redundant (and ignorant), but I have looked through the thread and have yet to see this exact situation. I have a dish 500 with one of the LNB's going to my gameroom dishplayer upstairs and the other going to the living room PVR501 downstairs. I want to ditch the dishplayer, move the 501 upstairs and put the 721 downstairs (bear in mind I have only one cable coming out of the wall downstairs). Can I get the two tuner support by "splitting" this cable or do I need another entire cable run? If possible I would like to avoid this run.

Also - how is the future "free" internet scenario supposed to work? Will I still need an ISP?

Thank you in advance for your patience and response.

Mark S.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Mark, you will need to run another cable. You can't split the cable.

No idea on the Internet as of yet. You will need an ISP, you will have to supply the broadband and Dish supplies the web browser. :D

[formerxtian]

Scott, Many thanks for your exhaustive review of the PVR-721! (Your wife must be a very patient woman)
You've got a lot of folks trying to come up with the funds for this new set-top. Keep exploring!!

[Scott Greczkowski]

Thanks formerxtian and welcome to DBStalk.COM! :wave:

Hope you enjoy yourself here and visit us often.

[BobaBird]

Originally posted by Mark Lamutt

I think that you could also cascade 2 SW44s together to get the additional outputs. I know that I've seen pictures of cascading 2 SW64s together, so I would assume that you could do it with the SW44s as well. If I remember right, there are a couple of other parts that you have to install on the lines as well to make this work. Both parallel switch solutions require adding a satellite grade splitter to each LNBF output, with load isolators needed for the SW64s.

Dual SW64 diagram and photo
http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads/pdf/technology/installation/install-5.pdf
http://www.dishretailer.com/ts2000/tradeshow/00000315.JPG
http://www.dishretailer.com/ts2000/charles/P0000727.jpg (Large photo with Twin and Quad on the right side)

The SW44 hookup is the same minus the load isolators and of course the inputs from the 3rd satellite.I agree with Rking - going to the dishpro switches would probably be easier (but not cheaper most likely).
DishPro DP34
Switch: http://www.dishretailer.com/ts2002/Disk3/MVC-019S.JPG
Diagram: http://www.dishretailer.com/ts2002/Disk3/MVC-021S.JPG
24-tuner diagram (limit 6 receivers - 12 tuners if all are 721s - per account): http://www.dishretailer.com/ts2002/Disk3/MVC-020S.JPG

[Mark Lamutt]

Thanks for providing those links, Bobabird. Saved me the time of looking them up!

[thomasmaly]

Originally posted by thomasmaly
I currently have an echostar model 3700 hooked up to my WEBTV plus unit and a VCR. I have ordered a dish model 721. Will I be able to hook up the 721 in the same manner as my current setup? I am totally non technical. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom


I have not seen any replies to my post, but it appears the 721
may be way to heavy technically for me to use. Any comments?
Thanks,
Tom

[Scott Greczkowski]

Tom,

You will need another line run from your Dish (or switch) to your 721, as it needs two feeds.

Once you have that done, the 721 is a breeze to operate.

[Mark S.]

Scott,

Thanks for the response. I feared the answer was such!

Keep up the good work - you are doing everyone a great service.

Mark S.

[thomasmaly]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski
Tom,

You will need another line run from your Dish (or switch) to your 721, as it needs two feeds.

Once you have that done, the 721 is a breeze to operate.

Scott, can I just use a splitter from my existing dish line to generate the 2nd feed?
Thanks for your patience.
Tom

[Scott Greczkowski]

No you can NOT use a splitter. It must be a direct line from the LNB or from your switch.

[Jacob S]

When you are using the browse feature can you search more than the next show ahead like two or three shows ahead and if you can how far ahead can you browse?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Just to the next show ahead

[Hoosier]

Sorry I am confused about hooking the PVR 721 up to SW64 switch? I presently have four recievers hook up to this switch...If I take off one reciever and add the 721 will that switch still work..because with this switch I have two open inputs left even with the present 4 recievers? I have Dish 500 with the standard dual LNB...Can anyone help sort this out for me?? Thanks in advance...:p

[kck]

The SW64 will only feed 4 receivers, if you want to hook up a 721 (it has 2 receivers) then you only have room for 2 additional standard receivers (1 input each).

[Kagato]

You can support up to 8. BUT, you'll need more hardware. Six DC Blocked Spliters, a second SW-64, and three feed through loads.

Here's the installation Diagram from Dish: http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads/pdf/technology/installation/install-5.pdf

[Greg Haynes]

WooHoo!!!!!!!!! I just received this email from DishDepot about the status of the 721s. I got the email at 9:42pm so I'm sure others will be getting this email.

Can everyone post your preorder date? Mine is 06-27-02. Just trying to get a feel on when I should be getting mine.



721s Steady and 508s available


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Dish Depot Members,

We will begin shipping a large amount of 721s beginning Friday and continue through next week with hopes of having all Preorders and current orders filled within 2 weeks. We are contacting individuals via email to verify orders, which in some cases have moved individuals up in queue due to cancellations. Thanks for your patience.

A non-preorder item, The Model 508 (Same as the 501 but with the 80GB Hard Drive = 70hrs of record time) will be available for shipping Monday from The Dish Depot Store. Limited Time Sale Price of $299 with Free Shipping!

DISHPro Twin LNBFs are also in stock and will make for easy multiple receiver installations once the DISHPro 34 Switches begin to ship in a couple weeks.


508s ONLY $299!


Fast, Friendly Sales and Service Since 1997.

[SParker]

I ordered mine 7-3

[Craig Fogus]

I ordered mine on 6/16/02. No email as of yet.

[Thinker]

The diagram for the two SW64 installation above shows Feed-Through Loads. What are Feed-Through Loads and what do they do?

[Kagato]

I assume the feed through loads trick the SW64 into thinking it's directly hooked up to the LNB. Although according to the news release the Dish Pro stuff will allow up to 8 without all the extra junk you need for the dual SW64 rig. Although it might cost just as much.

I ordered the 721 on 5/31 for DD. Haven't heard a Peep.

[toddjb]

Scott,

In your updated review you comment that there is a FIVE SECOND lag between channel changes. You also comment that this is something PVR owners should accept. Please elaborate.

First off, ANY pause between channel changes has always been a big pet peeve of mine when shopping for TVs, VCRs & cable boxes. I would always try them out first. I found that my RCA tuners would change fast, any Toshiba TVs would always be annoyingly slow. Basically, its nice to have the video appear the INSTANT you hit the button...a feature all sporting channel surfers appreciate. :)

So, back to PVRs. I see no reason for the delay. The hardware should be able to switch over to the channel immediately and then begin buffering the live program. If they do it in any other order, they're not putting channel surfing in a high enough priority.

(I know....the browse feature is quick, but that's just a band-aid fix since you don't get the video with it.)

Thanks again for the detailed & unbiased review,
-Todd

[Neil Derryberry]

My UTV does the same thing. My guess is that the box closes the file that it was using to buffer, deletes it, and starts another....

My channel change delay is about 3.8 seconds. I live with it.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Todd the delay is like that on ALL PVR's, remember that the satellite signal is saved to the hard drive and then played from the Hard Drive, this is how you can pause live TV.

It needs the buffer in order to have the PVR features.

[formerxtian]

OK, so DishDepot will be able to ship the units, and it looks like a great box. But no one has come up with a good hair-brain, Homer-esque scheme which will PAY for this thing! Any ideas are welcome. (I want one BADDDD!) :grin:

[Mark Lamutt]

Regarding the delay between changing channels - I experience almost no delay (less than a second) changing channels on my 501. Changing channels on my 501 is faster than on my 4900, and a bunch faster than on my 6000. Maybe mine's a fluke, but that's my experience.

[formerxtian]

Mark: Ditto, regarding my 501. I count about 2 seconds between pressing "CHAN UP" and seeing a picture on the new channel. (It's 1 - 1.5 seconds on my 5000, but then again, there's no hard drive to buffer to)

[EvanS]

Originally posted by Mark Lamutt
Regarding the delay between changing channels - I experience almost no delay (less than a second) changing channels on my 501. Changing channels on my 501 is faster than on my 4900, and a bunch faster than on my 6000. Maybe mine's a fluke, but that's my experience.

yeah, my 501 is not THAT fast, but 2 seconds max...no complaints here

[Scott Greczkowski]

When I say 5 seconds that is a general time. If I change to a channel which is on the same satellite the speed is much faster, but if the 721 must change the switch to switch to another satellite then it takes a little longer.

[formerxtian]

Scott: Yeah, that explains why I was getting longer and shorter times, depending on channels.

[Bill D]

Scott, just got my 721 yesterday, here is one thing that bothers me(minor thing). If you pause a channel, call up the PIP, and do a swap, the only way to keep that first channel paused is to keep the PIP up, if you close PIP and later go back, it stopped buffering the pause and is back to live. If you set up a record on the first channel, then bury it, it does let you obviously go back and pick up where you left off (rewinding to that spot)
I think it should keep that pause going, should be no reason why it can't???
Besides the problems I described under the 721 Glitch thread, it is very cool, and extremely fast, especially after waiting 30 seconds for the video in the guide to pop up on a 4900.
Also love the 9 day guide.
Bill

[Scott Greczkowski]

I I think that when you shut the PIP off it also shuts off the second tuner completely. The seond tuner is only on when recording or is in PIP mode. (Which is why I think it takes a few seconds for the PIP to appear when you turn it on)

[Bill D]

I was thinking about the getting to the 2nd tuner thing.. Scott when I read your original review about how you said it would be great if they could make a way to get to the other tuner with 1 button (like recall works)
Maybe Dish could make it so swap when the PIP isn't on switches to the other tuner, this would be a little faster, although the PIP wasy isn't terrible, just a little slow, like changing channels, as the hardrive starts buffering...

[Scott Greczkowski]

Bill, I have heard from Dish Network and they are working on the changing between tuners.

They ARE listening :D

This is what will make the 721 a GREAT product!

[makurof]

Bill D,

Where did you buy your 721 from? Did you get it in the kit? If so, what switch comes with the kit and what type of LNB does the dish have?

Thanks,
Jason

[DRJDAN]

Scott what do you know about the 721 keyboard? I saw the attached on Satellite One web site,

[waxdonuts]

Scott,

Can you confirm for me that the 721 supports simultanious output on all the output connections? I.E. S-video and RCA at the same time, both Audio connections at the same time as the DD output.

I want to connect the 721 to drive more than one TV at the same time.

Thanks!

[Bill D]

Originally posted by makurof
Bill D,

Where did you buy your 721 from? Did you get it in the kit? If so, what switch comes with the kit and what type of LNB does the dish have?

Thanks,
Jason

Makurof, I pre-ordered it last Sept from Dish Depot, and got mine July 3rd (just hooked it up since I was on vacation)
All I got was the receiver. I made my Dish 500 upgrade back in March and then soon after I got my Free 61.5 Dish for locals. I was trying to get a SW64 free from it but they wanted to give me a twin since I only had two receivers but the installer cut me a deal and I paid him $50 to get the SW 64, and he put it down as a Twin for Dish's reimbursement to him. I know the box did have a dish in it that was taken out I assume by Dish Depot, not sure what it would be (dish pro maybe)

[Bill D]

Originally posted by waxdonuts
Scott,

Can you confirm for me that the 721 supports simultanious output on all the output connections? I.E. S-video and RCA at the same time, both Audio connections at the same time as the DD output.

I want to connect the 721 to drive more than one TV at the same time.

Thanks!

I'll give Scott a break on this one..
Just like the 4700 (which has the same set of AV outs, everything is active at all times.
I just checked it out today when I watched the 721 upstairs for a little while. I feed the composite video and analog audio to my marantz receiver which has a multi room output that I modulate to RF and send back into my bedroom receiver's cable/antenna in.
So more info then you asked but Yes everything is always active. Now if we just would have gotten some component outputs that would have been gold..
Bill

[Craig Fogus]

I am excited! I have not received an email from Dish Depot yet, but I just checked my credit card online, and I have a charge on there for the amount of the 721! It wasn't on there yesterday! I'm thinking that they are going to ship mine tomorrow! :)

[Bill D]

If they charged it then yes I think they are shipping it, did you get a tracking # via email..
Good luck, I love it after 1 day..despite the few problems I had

[Jacob S]

Is the Tivo faster or slower at changing channels than the 501?

How come can Dish not make their receivers change channels fast like the DirecTv receivers do on the non pvr products?

[Swampthing]

I currently have a Quad 500 with four receivers installed. If I only want to take two of those receivers, and turn them into outlets for a 721, could this be done with additional switches on the lines drawn from the Quad 500? It was mentioned here earlier that the Quad 500 has the capability of handling five or more receivers with the right combination of switches, so I apologize if I sound confused! If this is the case, what combination of switches would make it work right?

[Scott Greczkowski]

DRJDAN, The keyboard will be avilable once Internet access is ready. I would kind of hope that they package the keyboard and USB ethernet adapter together when they decide to sell it.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Swampthing you would be better off asking that question in our tech area. I am a dummy when it comes to switches. :D

[SParker]

this is probably a LOL question but will E* give us 721 owners a free keyboard and USB stuff? Okay LOL :D

[Scott Greczkowski]

I have heard that indeed that Keyboard and USB Ethernet Adapter will be free... when pigs fly! :rolling:

[Craig Fogus]

If you sign up for CC autopay. <vbeg> ;) I couldn't resist.

[marshalk]

With apprpriate genetic engieering we very well could make a pig fly...well before we get free usb keyboards and ethernet adapters.

[DRJDAN]

Scott,

I thought the 721 had an Ethernet Adapter. If so, why would a USB Ethernet Adapter be needed with the keyboard? Is the keyboard USB?

[RonPrx]

I understand that the 721 is "time based" not exactly sure what that means, but I am new to the PVR game and had a question. I hear great things about TiVo and how you can search for shows under various conditions, actors, genre, etc. I also understand that you can select certain shows for the system to search out and record automatically for you, as well as setting season passes, and such.

Does the 721 have any of these features, and if so are they comparable? If the 721 does not have these features, is this something that will be added, or in your collective opinions not necessary?

Thanks

Ron

[Nick]

The KB should be IR, like the DP.

[Greg Haynes]

This thread is going to get awful long next week once everybody starts receiving their 721's :)

[Danny R]

I understand that the 721 is "time based" not exactly sure what that means

Time based means that you tell it to record a show, and it records from the start time to the finish time according to the guide. If the show changes its schedule and the guide is updated, the 721 isn't smart enough to adjust in the same manner as a Tivo. (Note that no PVRs are smart enough to adjust to time changes that are not reflected in the guide.)

TiVo and how you can search for shows under various conditions, actors, genre, etc.

The 721 has a search feature that will search for what you want within the 9 day guide. Do a search for an actor, and it will find shows the that guide says have that actor in them. However you can't make it automatically record all shows that feature that actor as the Tivo does.

I also understand that you can select certain shows for the system to search out and record automatically for you, as well as setting season passes, and such.

The 721 doesn't have this feature. You can look up a show and tell it to always record that same timeslot. However if the show changes time, you might end up with an episode of Baywatch instead.

If the 721 does not have these features, is this something that will be added, or in your collective opinions not necessary?

I would guess that they would NOT be added. The season pass is a pretty advanced feature of the Tivo, and given the skills of Echostar programmers I hope they never attempt this, or we are in for a long few years of constant crashes and updates.

[Nick]

"...given the skills of Echostar programmers I hope they never attempt this, or we are in for a long few years of constant crashes and updates."

Ouch! :eek:

[Craig Fogus]

Hmmmm....I'm thinking that this probably wasn't a good way to encourage the Echostar programmers to listen to us.

[John Corn]

I agree with Greg Hayne's post regarding this thread, it's starting to get hard to look through. There will be several of us getting 721's with the next couple of weeks and we maybe should start another thread regarding " Tip's and Features".....something like that anyways. Any suggestions?

[Bill D]

John sounds good to me, we already have the 721 glitch thread, which thankfully is very short and hasn't been touched for a while.

[RonPrx]

Thank you for the feedback on the 721 features. I'm thinking that the best way to go is with a seperate TiVo and Sat box. ANy suggestions?


Ron

[Jacob S]

Now you know why I started up a website based on just the PVR and the features people want especially with all of the possibilities of the 721. Maybe they will make a module with more memory to add to the unit and more advanced features if that module would be bought. I also want to have a place on my site that lists all of the bugs. Mary D. said that she would like to see the contents of the site and give that info to the tech people. I want to find out what can and cannot be done and what is being considered and being worked on. I want to have my ideas rated so that they know which ones are in the most demand to be added.

[Danny R]

I'm thinking that this probably wasn't a good way to encourage the Echostar programmers to listen to us.

Sorry, just being realistic. It seems overly optimistic to expect such an advanced feature to be added on to a product that doesn't support it out the door. The 501 has enough timer troubles as it is, which I'm betting the 721 also has hidden away. If you start playing around with changing timers and suggestions, etc, then you are bound to introduce bugs.

Now don't get me wrong, I'd love for the 721 to gain the features of a Tivo. But I've also had my 501 since month 1 and have suffered numerous program losses with various upgrades. And I've not got an axe to grind against Echostar. I love my 501. It finally has emerged as a relatively stable platform. However it took a year to get it that way.

While I like Tivo's features, I don't own one. I like Echostar's programming much better (Superstations, more movie stations, more HDTV, ability to PVR music channels, etc). Tivo's main advantage is that they have been doing this much longer. Early adopters of it also suffered through numerous upgrade headaches.

[jasonf]

Originally posted by Jacob S
Is the Tivo faster or slower at changing channels than the 501?

How come can Dish not make their receivers change channels fast like the DirecTv receivers do on the non pvr products?

I've heard people here say that "all PVR's" take along time to change channels, this is untrue. The UTV and DTivo change channels consistantly around 2 seconds, (just as fast as my regular non PVR D* receiver) and I have channel surfed 20+ channels many times without a glitch.

[Jacob S]

Why not have a forum dedicated to just additional features people would like to see on pvr units?

Am I the only one that has come up with a website that lists features that people would like to see on PVR's or had any others created such a site as well?

[FrankD1]

Just got my 721 today! I haven't noticed this bug mentioned here, but there are a lot of posts to wade thru, so I might have missed it... anyway, my locals are in the 8000s, and when using the 721's search function, it doesn't seem to look thru the "thousands" channels. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it a known bug? TIA!

Frank

[Dmitriy]

Jacob, I have a new idea for your website. It's for both, 501 and 721. I don't know if it's possible or not, but it would be a great feature. How about getting PIP for recorded and live shows? I mean something like 721's PIP but to watch recorded show and live show at the same time. What do you people think? Is it possible? Is this a good idea?

[gsusser]

The tech came to install my 721 yesterday, yippee. Unfortunately though, he had no idea that the receiver requires 2 lines. [i already have 2 receivers and the 721 is going to replace 1.] Armed with my knowledge from this forum, when I ordered the receiver I made it clear that I needed a SW-64. This is a small outfit I was dealing with and it seemed the owner had no idea what I was talking about, but that's another story. So when the tech came, he was going to install a second dish when he realized another line was needed (and he only came to this realization after I made him call DISH tech support). I refused to have the 2nd dish installed fearing the structure the dish is on cannot support another dish, plus it seems overkill.

MY QUESTION [finally] - he wants to charge me an additional $169 for the switch. I thought you could buy the receiver and switch as a package, no? So in essence, it would cost (for the eqpt.) $599 for the receiver and $169 for the switch. Is this justified. [they've already charged my card $775 which I haven't figured out - $599 + $100 (labor) + tax (6%) does not equal $775.

I wish I had half a brain so I could do this myself. The cabling is a little complicated though. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jz]

What does the epg look like on the 501 and on the 721?


Is the epg just like the guide from the 4900 receivers or is it different?

[Ronster]

Scott, How many software upgrades have you recieved since getting the PVR721 and what version is it up to now??
Bye the way great job Scott, I am waiting for an e-mail from Dish Depot about my order. I ordered on 7/5. Hope they are getting more soon.:cool:

[John Corn]

Glen, This is what I did, I have a 4900 and a 501.
The 721 will replace the 4900.
I would suggest getting a Quad LNB, the switch is built into the LNB which will allow you to run the lines directly, just screw them in and run the line directly to your receiver.

The Quad LNB just screws right on to your dish, 2 screws.Take the old LNB off and screw the Quad on. No realigning of your Dish, nothing, just screw it on and your ready to connect it directly to a receiver.Of course you will have 2 running to the 721 and 1 to your existing receiver. Cost is $149.99 at Dish Depot.
Dish Depot was offering a trade in on the old LNB of $50.00, although it appears there not now, I would email Mark at DD or call him and ask about the trade in the the old LNB.
Final cost for the Quad would be $100.00
Here's a picture.
Quad LNB (http://www.dishdepot.com/Cart/description.php?II=492293&UID=2002071408343163.49.244.31)

Dish Depot has a Quad package with the 721 for $649.00
for both.
Quad and 721 packaged together (http://www.dishdepot.com/Cart/description.php?II=492534&UID=2002071408343163.49.244.31)

The $549.00 standalone receiver does not come packaged with a switch.

Another alternative would be if your installer could get the new DishPro switches.

DishPro Twin LNB (http://www.dishdepot.com/Cart/description.php?II=492538&UID=2002071408343163.49.244.31)

DishPro 34 Switch (http://www.dishdepot.com/Cart/description.php?II=492539&UID=2002071408343163.49.244.31)

[Scott Greczkowski]

Originally posted by FrankD1
Just got my 721 today! I haven't noticed this bug mentioned here, but there are a lot of posts to wade thru, so I might have missed it... anyway, my locals are in the 8000s, and when using the 721's search function, it doesn't seem to look thru the "thousands" channels. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it a known bug? TIA!

Frank

I don't have local's so this is the reason I have not seen this one. :) (come on Dish add Hartford locals PLEASE?)

[Scott Greczkowski]

To everyone else, I will answer your questions when I get back home. :)

[John Corn]

jz, the 501 and 4900 epg look alike. The 501 is a 9 day guide the 4900 is something like a 2 day guide.

The 721 looks slightly different in color
721 EPG, Click Here (http://www.dbstalk.com/review/pvr.htm)

[FrankD1]

Originally posted by Scott Greczkowski


I don't have local's so this is the reason I have not seen this one. :) (come on Dish add Hartford locals PLEASE?)

Never mind... I left the receiver off overnight, and this morning it seems to be including the "thousands" channels in the search. Maybe it took awhile to index all the EPG data for searching? Anyway, my note SEEMS to be a false alarm. I'll speak up if it rears its head again.

[gsusser]

Originally posted by John Corn
Glen, This is what I did, I have a 4900 and a 501.
The 721 will replace the 4900.
I would suggest getting a Quad LNB, the switch is built into the LNB which will allow you to run the lines directly, just screw them in and run the line directly to your receiver.

John, thanks so much for the info. I was originally going to go through dish depot but I thought I'd get better service if I did everything locally. Lesson learned. I printed out your message and the links you provided and am going to pass this on to the local dealer. Thanks again.

[FrankD1]

I forgot to mention this minor bug... (I don't think this is a false alarm). When in menu->setup->telephone, I attempted to put *70 in as a dialing prefix to disable call waiting (not that I ever buy PPV). Anyway, I can't seem to put the asterisk in... whenever I hit the asterisk key on the remote, the asterisk appears briefly in the onscreen field, but then disappears immediately after releasing the key. Has this been mentioned alrerady?

[Craig Fogus]

FWIW, I have call waiting, and I do not disable it using *70, on my 501. I haven't had any problems even with my other receivers.

[formerxtian]

"I have call waiting, and I do not disable it using *70, on my 501"
----------------------------------------------------

My D-VHS used to try to make a daily call, even though I never purchase PPV. It doesn't call anymore, AFAIK.
So, if it gets interrupted by Call Waiting while making a call-out, I don't think it will cause any problems. (I'm assuming that if it needs to upload purchases from your SmartCard, it will try until successful)

[Scott Greczkowski]

Your Pay Per View calls are less the 45 seconds long, you should not need to disable call waiting.

And if its interupted it will try again at another time.

I don't really consider this bug a bug. :)

[Scott Greczkowski]

The current 721 software version is (As of Today July 14th)

Boot Version: 10GB
Flash Version: 10GL
Software Version: L100HABD-N

[Greg Haynes]

Do I need to have a telephone line plugged into the 721 for updates, or are the updates done by satellite?

I never have ran a telephone line to any of my receivers before since I never buy any PPV movies.

[Message Edited by Scott Greczkowski]
Edited this one to answer the question here since I am closing this topic, but I want this question to have and answer.

The updates are made via satellite. You do not need a phone line plugged into the 721 in order to operate it.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Well folks with close to 13,000 views and almost 350 messages in this thread I am now going to close this thread, and ask that if anyone has any 721 talk to post individual messages.

With the amount of folk who are now getting there 721s we can better help by answering questions as they are posted, this will make it easier for new 721 owners to find the answers to their questions.

If they 721 generates a lot of messages then perhaps we can launch a Dish PVR message area. :D

All new 721 owners are welcomed to post their reviews and are also more then welcome to answer 721 questions. :)

We thank everyone for choosing DBStalk.COM as your source for 721 information, we look forwarded to providing you with the most in depth 721 coverage on the Internet.