[finniganps]

I currently have a 722 and 508. On the 508 they charge $7/mo. and are giving me a loyalty credit of $2/mo. for two more months, then I will have to pay the $7/mo. As you know the 508 is MPEG2 and is NOT HD. I'm thinking about buying a 211 and EHD, then selling the 508. Wouldn't the monthly fee be the same and other than the one time activation charge for the DVR, is there any disadvantage to what I am suggesting (any higher fees)?

 

[scooper]

I would think you should start SAVING money, since the 211 will not have the DVR fee.

 

[CABill]

The monthly fee for a 508 and a 211 are identical - neither has a DVR fee or increased additional rec fee for being a DVR. You would have to pay a one time fee to add the EHD to the 211 ($40 for EHD activation, and unknown $ for the 211 and drive themselves). DISH'n It Up will also have a 24 month commit - that commit is the only thing I'd call a downside.

HUGE difference in functionality and recording space between them. As long as you have OTA digitals, 211 can record them and a sat channel at the same time.

 

[BattleZone]

I agree with all of the above, but I wouldn't count on getting much from the 508...

 

[CABill]

I have a 508 that only works if I power the drive externally - I need a new power supply card to be able to do both the receiver and drive. If anybody knows where one could be purchased, please speak up.

I mention it because I'd buy the 508 for the part if it were cheap enough. For a while, I watched eBay and was surprised by prices people would pay, and more so by prices people would ask. There is a NIB for $139 + $18 shipping which is more than the $150 I paid DISH to purchase a 508 directly (actually bought two) years ago. Several went for over $50 (another $20 shipping) so OP might get something for it. But not from me when I can use the external power supply for the drive (don't want to lose the recordings).

 

[finniganps]

Thanks for the advice...I just bought the 211. What is the maximum size HD I can purchase that will be recognized by the 211 (eg. will a 2 TB drive work or are they still limited to 1TB)?

 

[CABill]

You would be safe with 1TB on a 211. Increased sizes were available for 622/722 but until someone passes by that knows a 211 works with 1.5TB / 2TB, I'd stick with known working size. There is an External drives thread in the 622/722 Forum, but I don't think there has been any mention of 211 since Mar/Apr there.

If you just purchase an enclosure, you could get started with some drive you removed from a PC and replace the drive when DISH increases the max on a 211 (assumes it wasn't already increased).

 

[FarmerBob]

There may not be a DVR fee, but isn't there a Solo Receiver Fee? I have a $7 per month (was $5) fee on my 501. It's been that way since day one on all my receivers up to and past the new fees.

 

[P Smith]

You would be safe with 1TB on a 211. Increased sizes were available for 622/722 but until someone passes by that knows a 211 works with 1.5TB / 2TB, I'd stick with known working size. There is an External drives thread in the 622/722 Forum, but I don't think there has been any mention of 211 since Mar/Apr there.

If you just purchase an enclosure, you could get started with some drive you removed from a PC and replace the drive when DISH increases the max on a 211 (assumes it wasn't already increased).

Someone did tests 1.5 and 2 TB on 211 and posted results here. Negative results.