The answer to the first question is "yes". With one 722 (or 622) HD-DVR, you can watch tv on an HD set and an SD set and watch recordings on both as well.
Newbie question about Dish vs. DirecTV
I'm a DirecTV subscriber for the past 2 or 3 years and I'm finally no longer under contract. I recently got an HDTV and am looking to upgrade my satellite service (I'm leaning towards switching to Dish) and I have a few questions.
First, some background. I have 2 tv's which will need satellite feeds: 1 tv (downstairs in the living room) is HD and the other (upstairs in the bedroom) is SD.
One problem we've had with DirecTV is that we only have a DVR (an R15) downstairs and a regular, non-DVR receiver upstairs, yet we sometimes find ourselves wanting to watch recorded shows upstairs in the bedroom. Sure, a 2nd DVR would fix that, but we did it the cheap way.
Ok, now my first question: Is it true that Dish Network's DVR would allow me to watch recorded shows both upstairs and downstairs while only having one DVR in the house?
2nd question: I live in Madison, WI and Dish currently doesn't have local HD's for our city. That's sort of ok right now because I hear that the "HD" in Dish's (and DirecTV, too, I suppose) HD programming is going to be of a lesser quality because of the compression. In other words, it won't surprise me if my OTA HD picture quality is better than my local HD picture quality via Dish Network (whenever they provide local HD for Madison). Therefore I will be recording/watching most of my local programming OTA. It's no problem to record this local OTA HD stuff on a Dish Network DVR, correct?
Finally, I'd like to ask if anyone knows of any deals I can get from Dish for switching over from DirecTV as a current customer? Or if anyone here wants to answer my questions and then get credit for referring me to Dish Network (thereby getting a bonus from Dish or something), that's cool, too!
Thanks in advance!
First, some background. I have 2 tv's which will need satellite feeds: 1 tv (downstairs in the living room) is HD and the other (upstairs in the bedroom) is SD.
One problem we've had with DirecTV is that we only have a DVR (an R15) downstairs and a regular, non-DVR receiver upstairs, yet we sometimes find ourselves wanting to watch recorded shows upstairs in the bedroom. Sure, a 2nd DVR would fix that, but we did it the cheap way.
Ok, now my first question: Is it true that Dish Network's DVR would allow me to watch recorded shows both upstairs and downstairs while only having one DVR in the house?
2nd question: I live in Madison, WI and Dish currently doesn't have local HD's for our city. That's sort of ok right now because I hear that the "HD" in Dish's (and DirecTV, too, I suppose) HD programming is going to be of a lesser quality because of the compression. In other words, it won't surprise me if my OTA HD picture quality is better than my local HD picture quality via Dish Network (whenever they provide local HD for Madison). Therefore I will be recording/watching most of my local programming OTA. It's no problem to record this local OTA HD stuff on a Dish Network DVR, correct?
Finally, I'd like to ask if anyone knows of any deals I can get from Dish for switching over from DirecTV as a current customer? Or if anyone here wants to answer my questions and then get credit for referring me to Dish Network (thereby getting a bonus from Dish or something), that's cool, too!
Thanks in advance!
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As far as the 2nd question, yes, you can record local OTA stuff on your Dish Network DVR. If you do end up with a 622/722 and run it in dual mode (which allows you to watch different shows upstairs and downstairs) you won't be able to tune into live content on your OTA stations, however you can always record it and watch it delayed or after it's finished recording on your SD set.
Dual mode, eh? So will I have the option of either running a 622/722 in dual mode OR running the 622/722 in single mode and then getting another receiver (non-DVR) for the upstairs SD tv? Or will I be able to switch between dual and single mode on the fly?Rob Glasser said:As far as the 2nd question, yes, you can record local OTA stuff on your Dish Network DVR. If you do end up with a 622/722 and run it in dual mode (which allows you to watch different shows upstairs and downstairs) you won't be able to tune into live content on your OTA stations, however you can always record it and watch it delayed or after it's finished recording on your SD set.
I guess what I'm asking is: If I go with a 622/722 in dual mode for my 2 tv's will the upstairs tv not need a receiver? How will the remote control work upstairs where the 622/722 isn't?
I thought from your name you might be from Madison.
I don't have any ClubDish certificates right now, but I'm sure someone will offer you theirs. It saves you money too.
You can easily record OTA onto a 622 or 722 DVR receiver--plus you can also record 2 satellite channels at the same time.
Actually, I thought Dish did have Madison HD locals, or some of them, but I don't know for sure. If so, you could then record OTA, an HD local, and another channel all at once, which is great when the network season starts.
Good luck! And welcome to dbstalk!! There are lots of knowledgeable people who will be able to help you.
I don't have any ClubDish certificates right now, but I'm sure someone will offer you theirs. It saves you money too.
You can easily record OTA onto a 622 or 722 DVR receiver--plus you can also record 2 satellite channels at the same time.
Actually, I thought Dish did have Madison HD locals, or some of them, but I don't know for sure. If so, you could then record OTA, an HD local, and another channel all at once, which is great when the network season starts.
Good luck! And welcome to dbstalk!! There are lots of knowledgeable people who will be able to help you.
You can switch between the 2 modes by pressing a button on the front of the receiver, i.e. you can switch on the fly. In single mode basically all the TV outputs show the same content and you can do PiP inside the DVR. In Dual mode the TV1 outputs show one program while the TV2 outputs show another and 1 Sat tuner is dedicated to each, the OTA tuner is dedicated to the TV1 as well. PiP is disabled.madtowner11 said:Dual mode, eh? So will I have the option of either running a 622/722 in dual mode OR running the 622/722 in single mode and then getting another receiver (non-DVR) for the upstairs SD tv? Or will I be able to switch between dual and single mode on the fly?
You don't have to have a separate receiver for upstairs. Based on your posts it seems like a 622/722 is perfect for you. The unit comes with 2 remotes, one is UHF and will work through walls/floor.I guess what I'm asking is: If I go with a 622/722 in dual mode for my 2 tv's will the upstairs tv not need a receiver? How will the remote control work upstairs where the 622/722 isn't?
Yes, you can switch from single to dual mode. If you use dual mode, you will use the #2 remote that comes with the receiver upstairs, and the #1 remote in the room with the receiver.
You have the option to get a second receiver for the upstairs and just run the 622/722 in single mode. I do that and have an older DVR receiver upstairs.
If you choose to just get a 622/722 and run it in dual mode, you will not need a receiver upstairs.
You have the option to get a second receiver for the upstairs and just run the 622/722 in single mode. I do that and have an older DVR receiver upstairs.
If you choose to just get a 622/722 and run it in dual mode, you will not need a receiver upstairs.
I haven't run the cable upstairs from my 622, but I believe you just need CAT 5 coax. The #1 remote doesn't work through walls, so you will need to use that in the room with the receiver. The #2 remote will need to be set to a different code (the installer should do that for you), so if you turn off the upstairs TV, you don't also turn off the downstairs TV and receiver. It does work through walls to a little antenna on the back of the receiver to pick up the signals from upstairs to the receiver.
I hope that helps.
Those who know feel free to correct my terminology. I'm just trying to make it understandable.
I hope that helps.
Those who know feel free to correct my terminology. I'm just trying to make it understandable.
You guys rock. I'll be making the call to Dish in the next few days, so any ClubDish certificates would be much appreciated.Charise said:Yes, you can switch from single to dual mode. If you use dual mode, you will use the #2 remote that comes with the receiver upstairs, and the #1 remote in the room with the receiver.
You have the option to get a second receiver for the upstairs and just run the 622/722 in single mode. I do that and have an older DVR receiver upstairs.
If you choose to just get a 622/722 and run it in dual mode, you will not need a receiver upstairs.
Overall I'll be happy to be getting rid of the single biggest piece of junk I've ever owned in my electronics collecting years: the DirecTV R15. I hope DirecTV doesn't want it back so I can have the satisfaction of taking it out to a field and smashing it with baseball bat a la Office Space.
My last questions, since it sounds like Dish is the way I'm heading is this: Will I be able to use the existing coax that was run from DirecTV from my garage to the rooms in my house? Currently there are 3 lines of coax running from the dish itself to the house (2 for the tuner downstairs with the DVR and 1 to the upstairs receiver with the non-dvr receiver). Finally, can you review the limitations I will have with the 1 622/722 downstairs in dual mode? Are you saying I won't be able to record downstairs while watching something upstairs?
1. You do know that the HD DVRs from Directv can output to multiple rooms too? They just don't do two different programs...madtowner11 said:I'm a DirecTV subscriber for the past 2 or 3 years and I'm finally no longer under contract. I recently got an HDTV and am looking to upgrade my satellite service (I'm leaning towards switching to Dish) and I have a few questions.
First, some background. I have 2 tv's which will need satellite feeds: 1 tv (downstairs in the living room) is HD and the other (upstairs in the bedroom) is SD.
One problem we've had with DirecTV is that we only have a DVR (an R15) downstairs and a regular, non-DVR receiver upstairs, yet we sometimes find ourselves wanting to watch recorded shows upstairs in the bedroom. Sure, a 2nd DVR would fix that, but we did it the cheap way.
Ok, now my first question: Is it true that Dish Network's DVR would allow me to watch recorded shows both upstairs and downstairs while only having one DVR in the house?
2nd question: I live in Madison, WI and Dish currently doesn't have local HD's for our city. That's sort of ok right now because I hear that the "HD" in Dish's (and DirecTV, too, I suppose) HD programming is going to be of a lesser quality because of the compression. In other words, it won't surprise me if my OTA HD picture quality is better than my local HD picture quality via Dish Network (whenever they provide local HD for Madison). Therefore I will be recording/watching most of my local programming OTA. It's no problem to record this local OTA HD stuff on a Dish Network DVR, correct?
Finally, I'd like to ask if anyone knows of any deals I can get from Dish for switching over from DirecTV as a current customer? Or if anyone here wants to answer my questions and then get credit for referring me to Dish Network (thereby getting a bonus from Dish or something), that's cool, too!
Thanks in advance!
2. Directv's LIL HD stations look as good as the OTA ones... (I've heard that doishes national channels are suffering from compression, but I haven't heard anything about their LIL channels, so I assume they look fantastic as well.) But if you get OTA now and are happy with it, I'd keep it hooked up no matter who you go with. No sat broadcaster gives you all your locals just yet in any market, and none gives you all your sub channels either...
3. And Directv won't want the r15 back, its old...
Enjoy Dish!
Even if it was verified that DirecTV's HD picture quality is better than Dish's (local or non-local), I'd be hesitant to sign up with them again because of the disaster that was the R15. Our R15 worked fine for over a year and then they pushed an "upgrade" to it, basically turning it into a receiver that might record, but sure as heck won't let you watch any of the recordings. Sure, they've given me $5 off my bill every month for a year, but I'd much rather have my working DVR back. From these forums I'm seeing that the R22 is experiencing similar problems... and I never want to go through that again.inkahauts said:1. You do know that the HD DVRs from Directv can output to multiple rooms too? They just don't do two different programs...
2. Directv's LIL HD stations look as good as the OTA ones... (I've heard that doishes national channels are suffering from compression, but I haven't heard anything about their LIL channels, so I assume they look fantastic as well.) But if you get OTA now and are happy with it, I'd keep it hooked up no matter who you go with. No sat broadcaster gives you all your locals just yet in any market, and none gives you all your sub channels either...
3. And Directv won't want the r15 back, its old...
Enjoy Dish!
Not to get too off-topic, but is the consensus that DirecTV's HD is of higher quality that Dish's HD? The main channels that I'll care about picture quality will be Discovery, ESPN, NFL Network, and possibly SciFi, National Geographic, and maybe something like TNT.
I really want to like Dish because I really don't want to forgive DirecTV, but if DirecTV can fix their hardware I suppose I haven't closed the door to them entirely (especially if their HD is of better quality than Dish).
It's not CAT5, that is twisted pair copper used for things like network connections and phone lines. Coax, specifically RG6 is what you should run between floors for the TV2 setup. If you already have Coax between room, even just RG59 you should be fine.Charise said:I haven't run the cable upstairs from my 622, but I believe you just need CAT 5 coax.
Dish Network HD locals for Madison were to have been turned on 7/30 along with several others that missed that target after having previously been announced for Summer/Fall. Best guess at this point is "soon."
First, some background. I have 2 tv's which will need satellite feeds: 1 tv (downstairs in the living room) is HD and the other (upstairs in the bedroom) is SD.
Howdy neighbor I live just south of you in Oregon.
Like the others have said a Dish 722 (or 622 which I have) HD DVR will work perfectly for what you want to do. I have been running this setup for over a year and it has worked flawlessly. The person upstairs can watch totally seperate live or DVR recorded programming from what is being watched downstairs. You can even watch the HD channels upstairs(except ota) but of course down rezzed to SD and stretched somewhat. The best part is that you don't have to pay for a second receiver with this setup. The only problem is that you may eventually want a HD TV upstairs. When that happens you will have to get a second HD receiver or find a way to run a HDMI or component cable up to the bedroom to get HD on that TV. If you choose to go the 2nd route you will have to switch the receiver to single mode and watch the same stuff upstairs.
I use an outside antenna to receive all of the Madison local digital channels and the 622 tunes them in perfectly. You will have to subscribe to the locals pkg. to get guide info for the local ota channels but this also makes it much easier to set up a ota recording. Also when we finally do get the HD locals you will automatically get them if you already have the local pkg.
Sorry for running off at the mouth but it's fun sharing what I have learned about Dish, mainly from this forum.
BTW I had Direc. for 8 years before switching to Dish and I've never been happier.
Howdy neighbor I live just south of you in Oregon.
Like the others have said a Dish 722 (or 622 which I have) HD DVR will work perfectly for what you want to do. I have been running this setup for over a year and it has worked flawlessly. The person upstairs can watch totally seperate live or DVR recorded programming from what is being watched downstairs. You can even watch the HD channels upstairs(except ota) but of course down rezzed to SD and stretched somewhat. The best part is that you don't have to pay for a second receiver with this setup. The only problem is that you may eventually want a HD TV upstairs. When that happens you will have to get a second HD receiver or find a way to run a HDMI or component cable up to the bedroom to get HD on that TV. If you choose to go the 2nd route you will have to switch the receiver to single mode and watch the same stuff upstairs.
I use an outside antenna to receive all of the Madison local digital channels and the 622 tunes them in perfectly. You will have to subscribe to the locals pkg. to get guide info for the local ota channels but this also makes it much easier to set up a ota recording. Also when we finally do get the HD locals you will automatically get them if you already have the local pkg.
Sorry for running off at the mouth but it's fun sharing what I have learned about Dish, mainly from this forum.
BTW I had Direc. for 8 years before switching to Dish and I've never been happier.
You should have made them get you another box if you were having that many problems, because not all boxes became completely worthless. And you can find threads about boxes with problems from Dish and Directv... both sides have issues sometimes... but I'd say way more people don't have issues than do for both companies... and of course this is also the place to come for help when you have an issue, so it makes sense that you would hear of problems here...madtowner11 said:Even if it was verified that DirecTV's HD picture quality is better than Dish's (local or non-local), I'd be hesitant to sign up with them again because of the disaster that was the R15. Our R15 worked fine for over a year and then they pushed an "upgrade" to it, basically turning it into a receiver that might record, but sure as heck won't let you watch any of the recordings. Sure, they've given me $5 off my bill every month for a year, but I'd much rather have my working DVR back. From these forums I'm seeing that the R22 is experiencing similar problems... and I never want to go through that again.
Not to get too off-topic, but is the consensus that DirecTV's HD is of higher quality that Dish's HD? The main channels that I'll care about picture quality will be Discovery, ESPN, NFL Network, and possibly SciFi, National Geographic, and maybe something like TNT.
I really want to like Dish because I really don't want to forgive DirecTV, but if DirecTV can fix their hardware I suppose I haven't closed the door to them entirely (especially if their HD is of better quality than Dish).
You wouldn't get an R22, you would get an HR2x because the HR's are what are HD capable.
As for pic quality, I can't say. When Dish first launched MPEG-4, and then Directv, everyone said they where both stellar, but I have seen a few posts lately that the signal isn't quite as good as it was. You may want to simply look through threads and ask people if PQ has changed lately. DO NOT ask them if its better than Direct, that won't give you anything but a biased response...
You WILL be able to watch OTA live on TV1 in dual mode.
Ok, off topic but that sentence took me a second, I was thinking "Since when is Oregon 'just south' of Wisconsin?", lolJeffN9 said:Howdy neighbor I live just south of you in Oregon.
I have no problem with my 2nd tv and watching DVR in my bedroom.. actually the way it is spliced in the attic, I can switch between having the HD receiver (non-DVR) in my bedroom or guest room, I just swap the cables and the move the receiver. It is pretty good.. if I eventually run another cable to the bedroom, I can have the HD receiver and the DVR on the tuner... best of both worlds... but I really do love the cabling and flexibility of the DISH product..
Sorry I should have said the Village of Oregon for all the non-Wisconsinites. If I lived in Oregon the state it would be a very-very long commute to my job on the west-side of Madison Wis.JackDobiash said:Ok, off topic but that sentence took me a second, I was thinking "Since when is Oregon 'just south' of Wisconsin?", lol
Thanks for correcting me, Rob. I knew that, but the mind doesn't always cooperate.:sure:Rob Glasser said:It's not CAT5, that is twisted pair copper used for things like network connections and phone lines. Coax, specifically RG6 is what you should run between floors for the TV2 setup. If you already have Coax between room, even just RG59 you should be fine.
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