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My Hopper/Joey Install Experience

164K views 491 replies 160 participants last post by  Stewart Vernon 
#1 ·
Now that Hopper/Joey are available we expect a few people to join the "bleeding edge" and either change out their existing DISH system for Hopper/Joey or become a new DISH subscriber.

Once you have Hopper/Joey installed in your home tell us your experience! Make sure you tell us what you replaced and your initial reactions (whether you are pleased or regret the decision to go with Hopper/Joey, what are the good or bad experiences so far).

We hope to have a structured look at this new product in a few days but here is your chance to share - member to member - your experience. So once you get your Hopper/Joey tell us all about it right here.
 
#52 ·
I talked to Dish and asked what was the wiring requirements for installing a Hopper and 2 Joeys. I was told that I needed 5 coax cables at the site of the Hopper installation - one from the dish to the Hopper, one going from the Hopper to each Joey and one from each Joey to the Hopper. Does anyone know if this correct? I currently have 2 quad shielded RG-6 cables at each site. Can I have a Hopper/Joey installed with this setup?
 
#53 ·
You should check out some of the threads, particular the stickies at the top of this forum...

There is only a need for one run of coax to the Hopper. The basics of the wiring are:

2 runs of coax from a DP switch (could be a 1000.4 built-in or could be a DPP34/44 switch) to a single node. One run of coax from the node to the Hopper. One run of coax from the node to 1 or more Joeys, the Joey runs of coax can be split from each other like part of a home distribution setup.

A dual Hopper config is slightly different, mainly at the node, but still only one run of coax to where the Hopper is installed.
 
#54 ·
rds said:
I talked to Dish and asked what was the wiring requirements for installing a Hopper and 2 Joeys. I was told that I needed 5 coax cables at the site of the Hopper installation - one from the dish to the Hopper, one going from the Hopper to each Joey and one from each Joey to the Hopper. Does anyone know if this correct? I currently have 2 quad shielded RG-6 cables at each site. Can I have a Hopper/Joey installed with this setup?
That person is in serious need of training. My Hopper has one RG6 coming to it and that is 2 way. Sat signal down and Hopper signal to Joeys back up. They are all connected to the node which distributes the signals where they need to go. The only thing the tech had to do was replace the existing 59 to the Hopper with 6. The Joeys are using the existing 59. You only need one drop to each box.
 
#55 ·
I had 2 Hoppers and 3 Joeys installed on Friday. The tech spent a lot of time trying to get everything to "Link". If I go to the Network Settings the internet is working just fine on the Hoppers, however when you switch to the MoCA view, on ALL Hoppers and Joeys the connection fails. Is this supposed to work? Will a firmware update help?

Also, When I go to the Whole-Home page, it shows ALL Hoppers and Joeys. The Tech who was doing the install thought that they should all be "Linked", but everything is "Un-Linked" except the Joeys that are connected to the hoppers. The tech said he was going to ask around after he left and call me back, but he never did.

Is this how it's supposed to be set up? (Hopper 1 ONLY "Linked" to it's Joeys, and Hopper 2 only "Linked" to it's respective Joeys)

Plus, I ALWAYS have a MoCA signal indicator on the bottom right of my screen. I'd really like to get rid of that!
 
#56 ·
tstucki said:
I had 2 Hoppers and 3 Joeys installed on Friday. The tech spent a lot of time trying to get everything to "Link". If I go to the Network Settings the internet is working just fine on the Hoppers, however when you switch to the MoCA view, on ALL Hoppers and Joeys the connection fails. Is this supposed to work? Will a firmware update help?
I'm not sure where in the menu you are talking about. Walk us up to that point.
Menu (button) ... choose Settings ??? etc (see example below)

Is this how it's supposed to be set up? (Hopper 1 ONLY "Linked" to it's Joeys, and Hopper 2 only "Linked" to it's respective Joeys)
Currently yes. Joeys can only be liked to one Hopper. Software update pending.

Plus, I ALWAYS have a MoCA signal indicator on the bottom right of my screen. I'd really like to get rid of that!
Menu ... Settings ... Network Setup ... Whole Home ... Display Settings
Set to Notifications Only or Disabled. Enabled leaves it there all the time.
 
#57 ·
My Hopper install is scheduled for tomorrow. Replacing my two VIP 722's with two Hoppers and two Joey's. Thanks to DIRT MaryB@Dishnetwork for getting me scheduled. Looking forward to the new system.
 
#59 ·
James Long said:
I'm not sure where in the menu you are talking about. Walk us up to that point.
Menu (button) ... choose Settings ??? etc (see example below)

Currently yes. Joeys can only be liked to one Hopper. Software update pending.

Menu ... Settings ... Network Setup ... Whole Home ... Display Settings
Set to Notifications Only or Disabled. Enabled leaves it there all the time.
Menu -> Settings -> Network Setup -> Broadband -> (Red Button; choose MoCA)

It says "DHCP Acquired: Failed", "Server Connection: Failed", "Internet Connection: Failed".

The tech doing the install didn't seem to think this was correct. Shouldn't these be "connected" for all hoppers/joeys? Or is that all part of the future firmware updates?
 
#60 ·
tstucki said:
Menu -> Settings -> Network Setup -> Broadband -> (Red Button; choose MoCA)

It says "DHCP Acquired: Failed", "Server Connection: Failed", "Internet Connection: Failed".

The tech doing the install didn't seem to think this was correct. Shouldn't these be "connected" for all hoppers/joeys? Or is that all part of the future firmware updates?
Connect CAT5 cable RJ-45 jack from your hub/switch/router/DSL modem/cable modem/etc into h2k's Ethernet port first.
 
#61 ·
P Smith said:
Connect CAT5 cable RJ-45 jack from your hub/switch/router/DSL modem/cable modem/etc into h2k's Ethernet port first.
I'm not talking about the "Bottom Ethernet" option in the Broadband, I'm talking about the MoCA view on the Network Settings->Broadband page.

Everything is "OK" (DHCP, Server, Internet) when I'm looking at the Ethernet view.
 
#64 ·
tstucki said:
Menu -> Settings -> Network Setup -> Broadband -> (Red Button; choose MoCA)

It says "DHCP Acquired: Failed", "Server Connection: Failed", "Internet Connection: Failed".
And I show the same results as you ... on a system that I have noticed no serious issues on.

gtal98 said:
You will only see the MOCA settings have IP addresses if you use the HIC to connect your system to the internet. If you just have ethernet straight to the Hopper nothing will show under MOCA, nor does it need to.
That makes sense.
 
#65 ·
Dish Network Hopper and Joey installed Friday. My experiences:

A) came home to play with it. I had the screen locked up in 5 minutes hearing sound but seeing Hopper screen saver- reset
B) technician plugged in my USB sling from my vip722. tried to use dish app to change a channel like I could before -broken
C) tried to use iPad to play a DVR show on my TV as before. -broken
D) called and added blockbuster and removed HBO. Funny the free show had huge moments where the stream failed and had to buffer. But today we buy a movie for additional 6.99 and flawless play back. My interpretation monthly included part of blockbuster is that it is purposely throttled to allow more important ppv traffic to take priority.
E) saw ads showing Pandora, love it. Got the Hopper no Pandora yet they tell me.
F) liked the idea of playing my library of music, videos, and pictures via that home media app. Guess what, I tried all four examples. None work and I know the network is not an issue, I setup Cisco amd Juniper network gear for a living.
G) was told on the Wednesday night it was a $99 upgrade. Guess what they charged me $300 Thursday morning. Would not honor the promises made the night before.

Install took over 3 hours and I did not even need a new dish.
 
#66 ·
olguy said:
That person is in serious need of training. My Hopper has one RG6 coming to it and that is 2 way. Sat signal down and Hopper signal to Joeys back up. They are all connected to the node which distributes the signals where they need to go. The only thing the tech had to do was replace the existing 59 to the Hopper with 6. The Joeys are using the existing 59. You only need one drop to each box.
I has 1 Hopper & 3 Joeys installed on Thursday morning. It took 3 techs 5 hours to install this upgrade from a 722 & 222 existing system. The techs were clueless about the install and started using the same procedure as with other equipment. I also agree that both CSR and Techs should have had more intensive training prior to the release of the Hopper! This was definitely OJT and 5 hours out of my day. Can you imagine if this was a new install with a dish and wiring to be done first! :eek2:
Otherwise, everything is working as expected with a couple of Joey lockups, but I'm sure some future software updates will fix the bugs!
 
#67 ·
I replaced my 722 with 1 hopper and 2 joeys today. Installer showed up at 12:15pm and left at 3:00pm. Largest time suck is the downloading of the firmware to each of the boxes. He already came with some OJT...reset defaults as soon as you turn on the hopper to get the check switch screen to come up and leave everything unplugged until you get the Hopper to work. Then work on 1 joey at a time to completion before going to the next. Everything linked fine. 1 extra call needed to activate my channels.

I imagine that the boxes in the future will come with a version of Firmware on it to speed up the firmware download. I also think that dish should use the ethernet to download the firmware instead of the satellite. My FIOS would have been much faster than the satellite. They could check for the quickest speed and use that connection instead. Something will have to be done to speed up download or the install times with continue to be LONG!

I ran into my first issue this evening when creating all my timers. I reached a maximum timers at 50. I really hope this is a bug. It is a shame to have such a big hard drive and I can't even put as many timers as I had on my 722.
 
#68 ·
I replaced my 722 with 1 Hopper and 1 Joey yesterday.

Tech was onsite for 6.... yes 6 hours. Tech had no clue what he was doing other than the wiring.

But that's not even the worst part... the Joey still isn't linked. He left because he had other jobs to do. I have another tech coming today to try and fix the link issue.

Honestly, I think this is utterly ridiculous that a 1 hour upgrade is taking so long, and now my weekend is gone since I'm waiting at home watching these techs instead of being more productive with other things I need to do.

And they charge me $100 for this?! I'm debating demanding a refund of the install cost for this stupidity.
 
#70 ·
barcop said:
I replaced my 722 with 1 Hopper and 1 Joey yesterday.

Tech was onsite for 6.... yes 6 hours. Tech had no clue what he was doing other than the wiring.

But that's not even the worst part... the Joey still isn't linked. He left because he had other jobs to do. I have another tech coming today to try and fix the link issue.

Honestly, I think this is utterly ridiculous that a 1 hour upgrade is taking so long, and now my weekend is gone since I'm waiting at home watching these techs instead of being more productive with other things I need to do.

And they charge me $100 for this?! I'm debating demanding a refund of the install cost for this stupidity.
they charged u $100 for the upgrade to the hopper not for the install
 
#71 ·
domingos35 said:
they charged u $100 for the upgrade to the hopper not for the install
True... but they charged him the whole $100 but only partially installed the equipment. Bad enough taking 6 hours and sending out techs that aren't experienced enough (should have had months to train people) or equipment activations that are buggy (again should have had months to figure all this out)... but he leaves with the job undone?

I would be mad too.
 
#72 ·
barcop said:
I replaced my 722 with 1 Hopper and 1 Joey yesterday.

Tech was onsite for 6.... yes 6 hours. Tech had no clue what he was doing other than the wiring.
Curiosity, but was much of that time spent watching the Hopper do its initial download / setup?

But that's not even the worst part... the Joey still isn't linked. He left because he had other jobs to do. I have another tech coming today to try and fix the link issue.
That is confusing. Perhaps the Joeys are not seeing the Hopper over the wiring. When my Joeys were connected (taken from a factory sealed box, connected to "to client" coax and TV then powered up) they made their own links. I watched the Joey start up screen for a while until the screen saver appeared. Then I pressed the power button on the box and saw television. I had to pair the new-in-box remote with the Joey but I don't recall any fight to link Hopper / Joey.

Honestly, I think this is utterly ridiculous that a 1 hour upgrade is taking so long, and now my weekend is gone since I'm waiting at home watching these techs instead of being more productive with other things I need to do.
If the Hopper was pre-downloaded with the latest software and all the cabling was good I could see it taking an hour to "plug and play" and start up a Hopper / Joey system, but otherwise that is very optimistic.

I would consider 2-3 hours to be a minimum install, longer if the Hopper was cut out of a factory sealed box and needed the initial downloads. Once the installers get more real life experience the extra hours taken by being methodical should be able to be reduced.

Stewart Vernon said:
(should have had months to train people)
Nothing beats real life experience. I suppose DISH could have pushed off the release until April or later and had their techs "practice install" Hoppers and Joeys for the next few weeks. But those hours "practicing" would be days that real customers would not get equipment.

Today is install day 4 ... I expect that it will not take long to get up to speed.
 
#73 ·
I ordered the system (1 Hopper/3 Joeys/Sling) as soon as the website allowed it on the 15th. Set up the appointment for noon on the 16th. Two techs and a supervisor were sent from 160 miles away in El Paso, TX, to do the job. This was their first Hopper setup, and the first in my town.

They showed up on time, and took five hours to complete the job. I think it'd've been shorter had I not yanked every bit of coax from my house the day before. I did this on purpose, so it would necessitate the running of all new coax. Most of the stuff was from my CATV days (over 10 years ago), and I wanted a completely new setup. They had no complaints about running new cable.

I moved from DirecTV, whom I'd been with since '05. Had an HR20 & HR23, plus two receivers. I had been with Dish ('02-'05), but dropped them during the OLN dispute.

I was very impressed with the quality of work these guys did. All runs were very clean, as compared to my previous setup from Direct. Everything has performed without issue and to my expectations, and I have no regrets whatsoever; though the DVR and search differences are taking some getting used to.

Primary reason for getting this was DIY HD, Cooking Channel HD, and the local networks in HD. DirecTV didn't have the local networks in HD in my town, and the affiliates--after several petitions--refused to allow the national feeds. Otherwise, I'd've kept Direct. As it is, I'm glad they were so stubborn. I really like this system!
 
#75 ·
rds said:
I talked to Dish and asked what was the wiring requirements for installing a Hopper and 2 Joeys. I was told that I needed 5 coax cables at the site of the Hopper installation - one from the dish to the Hopper, one going from the Hopper to each Joey and one from each Joey to the Hopper. Does anyone know if this correct? I currently have 2 quad shielded RG-6 cables at each site. Can I have a Hopper/Joey installed with this setup?
The cables you need are two cables from the dish to the node, one cable from the node to the hopper and one cable from the node to each Joey that can be split with the use of splitters. If you have two cables to each location you have more than enough.
 
#76 ·
Stewart Vernon said:
You should check out some of the threads, particular the stickies at the top of this forum...

There is only a need for one run of coax to the Hopper. The basics of the wiring are:

2 runs of coax from a DP switch (could be a 1000.4 built-in or could be a DPP34/44 switch) to a single node. One run of coax from the node to the Hopper. One run of coax from the node to 1 or more Joeys, the Joey runs of coax can be split from each other like part of a home distribution setup.

A dual Hopper config is slightly different, mainly at the node, but still only one run of coax to where the Hopper is installed.
You need to use a dpplus signal... You can use a dpplus lnb (110,119) a 44 switch, a 33 switch 1000.2 western (110,119,129), 1000.2 eastern ( 61.5, 72,77) or the same orbital locations for a 1000.4, but YOU CANNOT USE DPPRO EQUIPMENT, OR LEGACY EQUIPMENT SO YOU CANNOT USE A 34 SWITCH.
 
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