I received a letter today from Dish telling me I need to upgrade my receiver to continue to enjoy Dish programming. Of course, it does not say which receiver. I have two 622s and a 721. I assume they are going for the 721, but why? It's not like it gets HD already, and as far as I know there's no imminent move to make all programming MPEG-4 yet.
Dish Letter: Upgrade Receiver (721 etc)
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The 721 is one of the "infringing" DVR models that may be shut off due to the TiVO patent case.
I had a 921 (actually 10 different ones), then a 942 (briefly). Finally a 622 showed up on my doorstep! Both the 921 & 942 are also on the infringing list. My guess is that everyone with an older HD DVR will eventualy get a 622 just to get the infringing units "off the street".
BTW: They waived the "HD Enabling Fee" for me (I got the 921 to "future-proof" my E* system :lol: :rolling: ). I still don't have an HDTV but the 622 does everything (and more) that the 921 was supposed to do (like Dish Home). I love the split screen PIP in single mode. It's a great way to watch 2 sporting events at the same time. I can also delay the start of the news until the baseball game ends by having the 2nd tuner tuned to the news while watching the end of the game on the first tuner.
I had a 921 (actually 10 different ones), then a 942 (briefly). Finally a 622 showed up on my doorstep! Both the 921 & 942 are also on the infringing list. My guess is that everyone with an older HD DVR will eventualy get a 622 just to get the infringing units "off the street".
BTW: They waived the "HD Enabling Fee" for me (I got the 921 to "future-proof" my E* system :lol: :rolling: ). I still don't have an HDTV but the 622 does everything (and more) that the 921 was supposed to do (like Dish Home). I love the split screen PIP in single mode. It's a great way to watch 2 sporting events at the same time. I can also delay the start of the news until the baseball game ends by having the 2nd tuner tuned to the news while watching the end of the game on the first tuner.
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I got the same letter. I have a 508, a 2700, and a 7100.
I thought the 7100 was ok and that the 508's software update put it in the clear.
I called Dish up. He wanted to swap my 7100 out for a 508 or 501 at no charge and no contract. Told him I'd
think about it. It would be hard to go from the 90-100 hours available (120 gb upgrade hard drive) on the 7100 to 35 to 60 hours on the 501 or 508 respectively.
But at least the 508 would have Name Based Recording and would map the Local channels down to their two digit numbers instead of to only a 7XXX number. He couldn't guarantee me a 508.
I thought the 7100 was ok and that the 508's software update put it in the clear.
I called Dish up. He wanted to swap my 7100 out for a 508 or 501 at no charge and no contract. Told him I'd
think about it. It would be hard to go from the 90-100 hours available (120 gb upgrade hard drive) on the 7100 to 35 to 60 hours on the 501 or 508 respectively.
But at least the 508 would have Name Based Recording and would map the Local channels down to their two digit numbers instead of to only a 7XXX number. He couldn't guarantee me a 508.
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1,837 Posts
I would hit them up for a 625, it could not hurt to ask.
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They may be having issues making the new smartcards work on the oldest receivers. I'm surprised the old receivers work as well as they do considering the differences between the network at the time they were introduced and now.
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1,518 Posts
I have a 508 and 721 - I haven't received a letter yet. I currently own both receivers and do not get charged any DVR monthly fees. I believe they would want to charge me a fee with the 522. When it is swapped out, I would guess I would NOT own this new receiver - would the new receiver have a lease or DVR fee attached to it - those are some of the questions I will ask if I get this letter.
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27 Posts
I see that I shall eventually have to upgrade my Dish receiver . I suppose it's a blessing in disguise as I am one of the few remaining owners of a Model 4900 but there are so many styles that the average clod (me) will be at an impasse. It’s as if gasoline were discontinued and then you have to choose among LNG, diesel, ethylene, hybrid, electric, hydrogen, compressed air, etc etc etc, or maybe peddles
Will I have to pay for my new set
...and if so doesn't Dish realize how many of us disgruntled users will instead switch to DirecTV
Will I have to pay for my new set
...and if so doesn't Dish realize how many of us disgruntled users will instead switch to DirecTV
By your statement your wife is quite happy with her DVR and won't switch to Directv so why don't you stop complaining about equipment getting older. Do a dishing it up and get a newer receiver such as a 311 to replace your antique 4900.dalehileman said:
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27 Posts
boba: 'cause I'm a cheapskate
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1,343 Posts
We got a letter in the mail today from Dish saying that "due to upgrades in our system's technology and services, it is necessary to upgrade one or more of your older model receivers at no charge to you so you can continue to receive your programming." Then just a number to call. (I only have a 721 and a 301.)
I called and they said that the 721 has been discontinued (obviously -- quite a while ago, actually) and that they were going to replace it with a 625 at no charge. I then asked if I would be charged a monthly lease or DVR fee -- and she replied that, yes, there would be the monthly $5.98 fee because it was a leased receiver.
I complained that that didn't sound "free" to me -- and told her that I bought the 721 specifically because it did not have any extra monthly fees for things like DVR service. She started to say that there was nothing she could do, then stopped, asked me to hold, and then said that she had not fully read the 721 upgrade information and that they are waiving all of the lease/DVR fees.
I then asked, to be sure, "So there will be absolutely no change to the amount of my monthly bill, I will receive a 625 to use as long as I'd like, and I get to keep my 721, correct?" She confirmed that was the case. She said that, if I wanted, I could turn in the 721 for a $10 (yes $TEN, not $100) credit. I passed on that.
In any case -- just want to see if other people are hearing the same thing and that all sounds legit? I know that, a couple of months ago, the 721 was having some trouble now and then due to some stream change or something -- and some people that emailed CEO were told that they could move to a 625 with no monthly fees. I emailed too, but never got any answer back -- then the problems seem to go away, so I didn't worry about it. Looks like, hopefully, this deal has come back for everyone with a 721. I think I'm fine with it as long as it actually goes as indicated.
- John...
I called and they said that the 721 has been discontinued (obviously -- quite a while ago, actually) and that they were going to replace it with a 625 at no charge. I then asked if I would be charged a monthly lease or DVR fee -- and she replied that, yes, there would be the monthly $5.98 fee because it was a leased receiver.
I complained that that didn't sound "free" to me -- and told her that I bought the 721 specifically because it did not have any extra monthly fees for things like DVR service. She started to say that there was nothing she could do, then stopped, asked me to hold, and then said that she had not fully read the 721 upgrade information and that they are waiving all of the lease/DVR fees.
I then asked, to be sure, "So there will be absolutely no change to the amount of my monthly bill, I will receive a 625 to use as long as I'd like, and I get to keep my 721, correct?" She confirmed that was the case. She said that, if I wanted, I could turn in the 721 for a $10 (yes $TEN, not $100) credit. I passed on that.
In any case -- just want to see if other people are hearing the same thing and that all sounds legit? I know that, a couple of months ago, the 721 was having some trouble now and then due to some stream change or something -- and some people that emailed CEO were told that they could move to a 625 with no monthly fees. I emailed too, but never got any answer back -- then the problems seem to go away, so I didn't worry about it. Looks like, hopefully, this deal has come back for everyone with a 721. I think I'm fine with it as long as it actually goes as indicated.
- John...
I was in a similar situation with a 921. They gave me a 622. They waived the HD enabling fee. I was already paying the DVR fee until I switched to DVR Advantage which saved me the DVR fee and the Feb. '08 price increase on Top-200. All I had to do was add my locals which I did not need with the 921 since I got all my locals OTA on the 921's tuner. For only $1.01 more than what I was paying before the Feb.'08 increase w/o locals I had my locals and an HD DVR.
Bottom line I get Top-200 w/locals and a DVR for $49.95 + tax! And now I also get the HD locals (which look great - as good as the OTA, and much better than the overcompresed SD locals) and my RSN's in HD (games only from 2 + 24 hr Big 10 Network). I don't even have an HDTV yet but I'm ready!
Don't let them stick you with any fees! The real reason for the 721 shut-down is the TiVO case, not the MPEG-4 implementation. There is nothing SD in MPEG-4 anyway (yet). That may change but not until they swap out all the 301's 4900's 4700's etc. that are still out there. None of those were DVR's, it's only the "infringing" DVR models that are being shut off: 721, 921, 942 and maybe a coulple others.
Bottom line I get Top-200 w/locals and a DVR for $49.95 + tax! And now I also get the HD locals (which look great - as good as the OTA, and much better than the overcompresed SD locals) and my RSN's in HD (games only from 2 + 24 hr Big 10 Network). I don't even have an HDTV yet but I'm ready!
Don't let them stick you with any fees! The real reason for the 721 shut-down is the TiVO case, not the MPEG-4 implementation. There is nothing SD in MPEG-4 anyway (yet). That may change but not until they swap out all the 301's 4900's 4700's etc. that are still out there. None of those were DVR's, it's only the "infringing" DVR models that are being shut off: 721, 921, 942 and maybe a coulple others.
I only have 1 dish receiver...a 7200 and I got the letter.
Will my 7200 stop running at some point? If so, when?
They want to give me a 311 in exchange....which isn't acceptable since it isn't a dvr..I also need no dvr fee and at least 7 days program guide.
What should I do to get the best deal?
thanks.
Will my 7200 stop running at some point? If so, when?
They want to give me a 311 in exchange....which isn't acceptable since it isn't a dvr..I also need no dvr fee and at least 7 days program guide.
What should I do to get the best deal?
thanks.
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643 Posts
It seems that the receivers in question (7100/7200, 721, 921, 942) are not being upgraded to use the new smart cards.
Someone reported hearing that the tentative deadline is November 1st, although such dates have slipped in the past.
It would not surprise me if there are also other models (old non-DVRs) that only start being dealt with after November 1st.
Someone reported hearing that the tentative deadline is November 1st, although such dates have slipped in the past.
It would not surprise me if there are also other models (old non-DVRs) that only start being dealt with after November 1st.
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23 Posts
I have an old 5000 that I use in my RV and a 721. I received the letter today and was very surprised to find it was the 721 being replaced with a 625. I was told it was because of the "Smart Card" issue, but the TiVo case make's more since. Can someone who has a 625 tell me if the OTA tuner in the 625 is ATSC or just analog and be totally useless next Feb.?
Steve
Steve
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23 Posts
So what is the TV Antenna/Cable In F-Connector on the rear panel for? On my 721 and 5000 it received/tunes OTA channel's from antenna. The way they have been hyping the DTV conversion on every channel, would have thought they put a DTV(ATSC) tuner in these receivers with OTA tuners. So I guess I can use one of my DTV boxes on it....scooper said:
Steve
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