Potential New Subscriber Question

[Deadpool]

Hello. I'm thinking about going to Dish Network from Comcast Cable. I have a question I'd like someone to answer for me first if you can.

I have 4 TVs that I want to have DVR capabilities. As far as I can tell that would entail having 2 receivers correct? With 2 TVs hooked up to each receiver right? And if so my question is this. Say on the 2 TVs that are hooked up to the same receiver could I record something on say Channel A while watching something on Channel B on TV 1 and watch something on Channel C and record something on Channel D on TV 2 all at the same time ?

It may be confusing the way I'm asking but coming from Comcast where I could watch something and record something at the same time on every single TV (and in our house it's really needed since all of us have different viewing habits).

Thanks for any help you can provide!

[DishSubLA]

You could have the two DVR's TV 2 outputs diplexed to all your other TV's. I was a bit confused with your example, but I will add something about a limitation that can irritate some people:
If you have one dual tuner DVR installed as a 2 TV system, then as long as someone is not watching TV2, you can watch your TV1 tuner live and record the other channel on the TV2 tuner. HOWEVER, if someone is watching the TV tuner, and you want to use that to record a different channel while watching live TV at TV1, then you can't record the channel you want on TV2--because someone else is watching a different channel than you want to recored. IN OTHER WORDS, at times it will function as 2 single tuner DVR's in two different rooms.
If you think that you will need frequent access to tuner 2 to guarantee that you can record two channels at the same time no matter what is being viewed on the other TV at any time (or watch one live and record the other at the same time), then you will want to keep the DVR in SINGLE mode full-time. This of course will not allow independant viewing of a different channel at TV2. In that case you may need to invest in an additional 3rd or 4th box. You can still have the installer run cables to all your other TV's (although you may have to pay for some of that if you get more than 2 boxes) that will allow you to view the DVR's on any of the other TV's. I hope you are getting what I'm trying to say here, and I apologize for any confusion.

[Deadpool]

You could have the two DVR's TV 2 outputs diplexed to all your other TV's. I was a bit confused with your example, but I will add something about a limitation that can irritate some people:
If you have one dual tuner DVR installed as a 2 TV system, then as long as someone is not watching TV2, you can watch your TV1 tuner live and record the other channel on the TV2 tuner. HOWEVER, if someone is watching the TV tuner, and you want to use that to record a different channel while watching live TV at TV1, then you can't record the channel you want on TV2--because someone else is watching a different channel than you want to recored. IN OTHER WORDS, at times it will function as 2 single tuner DVR's in two different rooms.
If you think that you will need frequent access to tuner 2 to guarantee that you can record two channels at the same time no matter what is being viewed on the other TV at any time (or watch one live and record the other at the same time), then you will want to keep the DVR in SINGLE mode full-time. This of course will not allow independant viewing of a different channel at TV2. In that case you may need to invest in an additional 3rd or 4th box. You can still have the installer run cables to all your other TV's (although you may have to pay for some of that if you get more than 2 boxes) that will allow you to view the DVR's on any of the other TV's. I hope you are getting what I'm trying to say here, and I apologize for any confusion.


I'm pretty sure I get what you're saying. If I have 4 TVs and I want to make sure I can record with no problem anytime on any of them at the same time without interfering with each other I need 4 DVRs right? The 625s.

[garys]

For what you want, it will not work ALL THE TIME. Sounds like you figured that out. TV2 can be hooked up to all the sets (not just the second). So if you do not think all the sets would be consistantly used, you may be able to figure out how to do this with two dual tuner dvr's. Sounds like you might need another dvr (single or dual tuner). Just for yourself.

[Slamminc11]

A New Customer, NO! A Former Customer, well depending on how you left (your previous account) then yes.

[DishSubLA]

While you can get your first DVR Free, the other 3 will cost you, most likely full retail. It won't be cheap. Dish offers single tuner and dual tuner DVR's, so you could keep your costs down if a single tuner DVR in some of the other rooms will suffice. However, the single tuner DVR's do not come with all the really great features that make DVRing so much easier. If you are serious about getting 3 addtional DVR's, then I highly reccomend that you do at the time you make arrangements for installation, because I think Dish covers the cost of a switch (most likely the expensive DP44Plus). But if you try to do it after you become a customer, it will cost you quite a bit to add 3 addtional DVR's. You would have to pay for just about everything.