[jsk]

I received a Toshiba D-VR4XSU DVD Recorder/VCR for Christmas and am trying to get it to work with my Dish 322 Receiver so that it will automatically record from the program guide (i.e. I don’t want to have to set a timer on the Dish & the Toshiba every time I want to record something). I tried using the record function for *every* code, one by one, between 300-700 and some others in the 700 range and no dice. I assume that the Toshiba won’t work (unless someone can think of something else).

Are there any VCR/DVD Recorders (or even a stand alone DVD Recorder) that you know of that will work (i.e. be able to record from the program guide) with the Dish 322 receiver?

If I can’t find a DVD Recorder that will work, then are there any DVR’s that would work with the 322 and don’t have a monthly fee?

If all else fails, I guess I will upgrade to the Dish DVR, which would cost me $99 plus a $6 monthly charge.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[DishSubLA]

Well, first, let us know if you are trying to record to your DVD from TV1 (Green) or TV2 (Blue). You will have better luck if you check to be certain that TV1 is set to remote address 1 as that is often the only remote address other manufactures include in their chips. I'm not certain, but I don't think you can get it to do what you want if you attempt to record from TV2.
I use the 322 timers exclusively for all my recording to my Panasonic DVR. It works quite well, and is the most reliable method I have found. A maximum of 20 timers is available on the 322 shared between both tuners.
However, if you plan on having a whole lot of recordings and find what was suggested above to cumbersome, then, yes, you will want to upgrade to a Dish DVR. That would provide the best, easiest, reliable, no loss of picture quality (as other methods do) way to go. I have found the 625 to be a very positive experience.

 

[jsk]

Thanks for the info.

I am just trying to record to TV1, which is set to remote address 1.

I know there would be benefits to the Dish DVR, but I would rather not pay $72 every year.

What model of Panasonic do you use and what is the remote code that you use?

 

[DishSubLA]

Thanks for the info.

I am just trying to record to TV1, which is set to remote address 1.

I know there would be benefits to the Dish DVR, but I would rather not pay $72 every year.

What model of Panasonic do you use and what is the remote code that you use?

I have both the Panasonic T3040 and T6070 (Model DMR's, of course). The T6070 manual, thankfully, flat-out admits that the built-in TV Guide timer system (which I have disabled because it is a complete, worthless mess) will not work with satellite systems. To the best of my knowledge, Panasonic does not provide a "Cable Controller" type of device that some other manufacturers provide.

Such a "mouse-like" device is usually connected to the recording device, and the other end is placed at the IR receiver of the cable or sat box allowing the user to only have to set the recorder's timer. When the timer fires, the recorder sends the IR through the "Cable Controller" to the other end where the IR is emitted, thereby tuning the box to the desired channel. I have found that method more unreliable than setting the two machine's timers myself. (I should clarify that I used to rely on that method for my old Dish 2800's and my JVC SVHS VCR's as the 2800's had no built-in timers.)
In the case of Echostar (Dish Network), most manufactures provide for only remote address 1, even though Dish provides something like 15 different remote addresses.
I have no need of a specific remote code because the method I use is not dependent on that.

What I do with my set-up is set the timers from both the DVD recorder and the 322 separately, set to fire at the same time, of course. I really have not found this to be a problem. I have botched about 10 recordings out of over a number approaching 1000 recordings--I do not exaggerate. For 6 months alone, I had to record every weekday, TV programming for my brother so he could watch it on the job.

One thing that helps a lot is I almost always use the 322's EPG to set a VCR timer. This guarantees correct settings for the timer, and it will notify me if I have a timer conflict. Also, the titles of the shows appear in the timers list of the 322 when I need to review or verify a timer. Of course, the DVD's timer must be set separately, as well. HOWEVER, for the 322 to function properly using the VCR timers, you must select one of the VCR codes from the Dish manual. Select a VCR brand code that doesn't match or won't affect any of your equipment in that room. If you don't select a VCR code, your 322 will not fire timers correctly. Again, use the VCR timers because "auto-tune" will not tell you if you have a conflict.

I hope that information helps you. However, if you can afford it, I do highly advocate the Dish 625 DVR. It functions in so many ways that your DVD recorded does not, including picture in picture, recording only new episodes and skipping recordings when your show will not air that week, and is so much easier to use. You can use your DVD recorder to record video from the 625 that you wish to keep for your library of personal use or live recordings of things you know you'll want to keep.

The best of luck.

 

[jsk]

Thanks for the advice. It looks like the Dish 625 DVR is probably the best option for me.

Thanks for the advice,
Jeff