[Stalky14]

I'm running a single, (owned - obviously) 4000. It's ancient but a war horse. Bought when I originally subscribed in 1997. It's just a video source for a HTPC these days, so I never have to deal with the UI.

Anyway, is there any news about when I'm going to have to fork over for a 211k and can a 211k take a signal from a 110/119 Dish500 with a Twin without complaint? (I don't care about HD.)

...Sean.

 

[P Smith]

any new box could take legacy switches/dishes/lnbf - fork for it

 

[BobaBird]

That answer will hopefully be true for only a couple more days when you'll have to add "except for Hopper which requires DishPro Plus."

 

[scooper]

If all you care about is SD, all you would really need is a Dp 311 receiver. You would lose UHF remote for IR but, considering your use - that might not be a bad thing.

 

[gtal98]

Yeah, a 311 is a free upgrade and you will "own" it like you do your current receiver. A 211 would require you to sign a new 2-year commitment for the upgrade to HD. By the way, it's only QPSK that is being phased out anytime soon (next year or two), MPEG2 isn't going anywhere for quite a while.

 

[P Smith]

Yeah, a 311 is a free upgrade and you will "own" it like you do your current receiver. A 211 would require you to sign a new 2-year commitment for the upgrade to HD. By the way, it's only QPSK that is being phased out anytime soon (next year or two), MPEG2 isn't going anywhere for quite a while.

In a process of getting more bandwidth (using existing infrastructure and FCC limits), upgrading the STB to support 8PSK/TurboCoding and MPEG4 are two directly linked approaches. You can't run them independently. Two sides of one coin.

 

[BobaBird]

We currently have a few local markets that are 8PSK/MPEG2/SD, and for awhile we had national 8PSK/MPEG2/HD. Don't know if they are/were turbo or not.

 

[P Smith]

Add to that a lot of international packages what all QPSK/MPEG-2/SD

 

[Stalky14]

If all you care about is SD, all you would really need is a Dp 311 receiver. You would lose UHF remote for IR but, considering your use - that might not be a bad thing.

I was under the impression that the 311 was just the built-in-card version of the 301 and therefore MPEG-2 only.

In any event. If I'm going to buy a new one, I might as well future-proof for another 10 years. Dish Depot has them for $119, which is reasonable. It also couldn't hurt to have access to HD channels. Do they charge extra to sub an owned HD receiver even if you don't sub to an HD package?

Also, my 4k is IR-modded. (I was actually the guy who originally posted the IR mod to Usenet back in the day.)

 

[P Smith]

Ah, that's telling more ... BTW, if you'll pick 211, not 211k, you could mod it and made a true PVR with R5000-HD card.

 

[gtal98]

I was under the impression that the 311 was just the built-in-card version of the 301 and therefore MPEG-2 only.

The 311/311k is MPEG2 only, but is capable of 8PSK modulation, the 301 is only QPSK modulation which is why they're on the way out. Only reason I'm suggesting the 311 is because it is a FREE swap from Dish. If you're interested in future-proofing, or HD, or adding an EHD then absolutely go with a 211.

 

[splish]

Any update on when currently subscribed DP301 are likely to go dark?

 

[boba]

Any update on when currently subscribed DP301 are likely to go dark?

When the receiver dies and needs to be replaced it will probably become a 311. DISH has no rush on the upgrade pretty much letting normal wear & tear dictate replacements.

 

[garys]

If you only have sd receivers, you may be among the last to be upgraded as Dish is still offering the 311, 322, 512, 522 and 625 sd only receivers to new customers.