New HD Receiver - Need Help Deciding

Well it depends on how much you want to add to your bill. No matter which unit you add you'll be paying more for the additional receiver fee. Quick breakdown:

Additional monthly fee:

722/622: $17
222: $14
612: $10
211: $7

If you want to still have the capability of watching one program while recording another the 612 would be a good option. Seems to be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to reliability. Some folks have had units that are working well for a long time and then others have issues with the unit. The 211 with a hard drive wouldn't be a bad option although you won't have the capability of watching one satellite program while recording another satellite program. How big of an issue this would be for you I'm not sure, especially since it's a second DVR capable unit. I don't think the 222 would be a good option for you since you're only hooking it into one TV and you don't have the option of hooking a hard drive up to it either. So it comes down to how much more you want to pay per month. The 612 offers a good middleground in terms of monthly fees and you can add an external hard drive at no charge if you need extra space.

 

Define rewiring. Fishing through walls, no. Jiggering diplexers around, yes.

 

If they can drill through a wall to get there, sure.

 

Well you're going to be paying more upfront and per month with a 922. I haven't heard of anybody paying less than $200 with a 2 year commitment to get a 922. Then you add on another $4 a month to your current $6 a month DVR fee for the "enhanced features" that the 922 has. I have yet to figure out what those "features" are though because the 722 can do everything that the 922 can do if you buy a sling adapter for it for $99 (which doesn't add anything to your monthly bill) with the exception of the onscreen guide being a bit better with the 922. It's your money though, just letting you know how much more you'll be paying.

 

There is a drawback with adding a EHD to the 211. You will not be able to watch anything on the EHD on anything other than a 211. The other receivers can share an EHD.

 

The VIP722 has two separate inputs and outputs, so another TV can be connected to the receiver and work completely separate from TV1. As a second receiver would be $17.00 a month. HD is 320GB.
The VIP612 has two inputs but only one output. It allows for recording of a second show while watching a different one. It is connected to one TV. As a second receiver it would be $10.00 a month. HD is 500GB

Added HD info, I tend to forget since EHDs can be added at no cost now!

 

Mary, I think you have the two mixed up. I'm pretty sure that the 722 has a 500GB hard drive and the 612 has a 320GB hard drive.

 

Sorry no more edits for me. I did reverse the HD specs! Thanks for catching that!:nono2:

 

Dumped my 722 for a 612. I only used my 722 in single mode and it do not need PIP... So it worked for me...

 

Yes you can.

 

I would go with a 612, in fact I did go with one. Works fine with good flexibility in recording at a lower monthly cost than a 722(k). The single thing that is missing is PIP and I don't use that.

 

Yes you can.