[devecho]

Our 921 receiver is starting to die. I've been getting the following message on it while watching live TV: "Your smartcard is not authorized for this channel. Please wait or channel up/down". The error message is 005. The message will display for about 15 seconds and then go away and we can continue to watch the program. This can happen several times in an hour. Annoying, to say the least. If this happens while recording a show, when we later play it back, we first get a 10 to 15 second audio drop-out followed shortly afterwards by it jumping forward in the program, presumably skipping over the part where it couldn't record. I called Dish up and they said I could either get the receiver replaced, or upgrade to a ViP622 for $199 plus get a Dish1000 antenna installed.

I'm going to go for the new ViP622, but have some questions about upgrading from a 921:

DVI/HDMI issues: I currently use the DVI-D output of the 921 to connect to my Philips HDTV, which has a DVI-D input. Will Dish or the installer provide an HDMI to DVI-D cable/converter, or do I need to buy one? I know that there are HMDI issues with the 622. I assume that those issues still apply to HDTV's that have DVI inputs. If necessary, I can use a component input until the HDMI issues are resolved (assuming it's not a hardware issue).

Dish500/300 to Dish1000 issue: My current setup is a Dish500 and a Dish300 pointed at 148 (both using legacy LNBF's), which are then fed to a couple of Legacy SW64 switches via some splitters (I have 4 receivers: the 921, two 510's, and an old 4700/4900). Can I safely assume that the installer is gonna take down both antennas and replace them with a Dish1000 with new DishPro LNBF's and DishPro switches? I know that the 4700 will require an adapter to work with the DishPro hardware. Will that adapter also be supplied? The $199 upgrade fee is suppose to cover any and all hardware necessary to get it to work. If I had to, I could live without the 4700 being hooked up since it's an older unit in my stepdaughter's old room and isn't being used.

Are there any real downsides to upgrading to a 622 at this point? Is the software on it more stable than what the 921 has? I'm not worried about OTA channels since I can't get anything OTA because of the hills of where we live. I'm upgrading for a couple of reasons: 1) the 921 is clearly having problems, 2) I want my locals in HD and Dish is carrying them now (San Francisco Bay Area). The only downside to me I see is having to turn in my 921 (that I bought) if I want the $100 rebate. Especially since it still has a ton of stuff on it that we haven't managed to watch, but I understand that a) I have 45 days to turn it in, b) I don't have to have it hooked up to the dish antenna to playback the recorded stuff.

Any other potential gotchas I should consider before telling Dish to go ahead and schedule an install?

 

[JM Anthony]

I've had a 921, 942, and now a 622 and I'm pleased with the performance of the latter. Mine has been essentially trouble free since installation. I'd go for it if I were you.

Good luck.

John

 

[Miner]

devecho,

The 622 does not come with HD cables (HDMI or component), only composite and s-video. You'll need an HDMI to DVI cable (or adapter). Monoprice.com sells a 6' cable for less than $5, and the adapter for like $3. Some of the HDMI problems wiht the 622 have been attributed to "hanging" the HDMI adapter off the 622 cracking the circuit board / connector solder joint. I haven't seen any info showing the HDMI connector being improved on the current production, but will say it seems there have been fewer posts about HDMI failure in the last 2 months.

As for the dishes and installation, because you have 4 boxes, I'm pretty sure the instal will include the DPP-44 switch and with that, you'll be able to keep your 148 dish. I believe the Dish 1000 signal quality for the 129 sat in the Bay area is acceptable so the installer should replace your 500 with 1000 (with a DP-Twin) and run those 3 coax cables along with the 148 coax cable to the DPP-44, then single coax cables to each box. The 622 will be able to utilize the DPP separator to feed both tuners from the single coax. The DPP-44 does not need the DP adpater for your 4700 as it has the circuitry built in (although it most likely will not see all 4 satellites). As the 622 has an RF out, you may consider sending it's output to your stepdaughter's room and retire the 4700.

I love my 622 which I upgraded to from an 811. I thought the 811 was fairly stable (better than 921) but compared to the 622, its not. It has been a great upgrade. There are 2 rebates / refunds with the $199 lease upgrade. One is $10 / month for 10 months mail in rebate when you subscribe to their Metal HD programming. The other $100 is if you return your 921. If you check on e-bay, the avg sale price for a 921 is at least 5x the amount dish gives you. I would suspect those paying so much for a 921 are using it for other purposes. That decision is up to you.

One final thought, the 622 requires you to subscribe to the metal package or pay an extra $6 HD enabling fee. The metal package is $20 a month over regular programming ($15 more withe the AEP), so $5 or $10 more than your current 921 HD programming. It is also $6 a month extra receiver fee compared to the $5 on your other extra boxes. If you fail to keep the 622 continuously connected to a phone line, Dish charges another $6 (like a 2nd tuner). The $5.98 DVR fee remains the same.

I hope the info helps. I'm very happy with my upgrade; it is worth the extra money.

Miner

 

[BobaBird]

The 4900 will see all 4 sats, though not the 8PSK transponders. Not really an issue as those are only used for HD.

Also on Feb 1 the Platinum discount goes away so HD will be $20 more than AEP instead of $15.

devecho, you may not need 148 anymore as Dish is no longer allowed to require a second dish for some locals (of the same type - NTSC and ATSC can be from different dishes).

 

[garys]

Only HD on 148 is a ppv, HBO West and Shotime West. The CBS feed has been taken down.

 

[devecho]

Only HD on 148 is a ppv, HBO West and Shotime West. The CBS feed has been taken down.

Yeah, I noticed that they took down CBS-HD. It was the one broadcast channel I could watch in HD. However, with the 622, and getting locals in HD, it'll be a moot point.

HBO and Showtime in HD off of 148 is a mirror of the East feed which comes off of the Dish 500. Believe me, I'd love it if it was the west-coast feed...

 

[devecho]

On saturday the Dish installer came out. They ended up doing the following:

Replaced the 2 legacy dual-LNBF's on the Dish500 and the single legacy Dual LNBF on Dish300 with Dish Pro Plus units.
Replaced the 2 SW64 switches with a single Dish Pro Plus DPP44 switch (and reduced the number of cables coming into the house down to just 3)
Repointed the Dish300 unit at 129 (was originally pointed at 148).
Hooked up the ViP622 to my HDTV using an HDMI-to-DVI adapter.
Called into Dish to get the receiver activated.
Made sure the other Dish receivers in the house still worked.

Due to where my Dish500 is installed, it wasn't practical to replace it with a Dish1000. The 129 orbital slot would be blocked by the eaves of the house. It was easier to repoint the 148 dish.

Took them about 2.5 hours or so to do all this.

So far I'm pretty happy with the new receiver. It is *tons* faster than the 921. Much more responsive than the 921 was and appears to be less glitchy. The unit was a remanufactured one. Given that this is a lease unit, I'm not too upset. The HDMI port works fine and appears to be very solid. The adapter is very small and I've arranged the cabling in the back so that no strain is present on the connector. I haven't noticed any glaring audio-sync problems. My locals in HD look great.

I previously had 2 satellite feeds going to the living room. With the Dish Pro seperator, they converted it to use one feed. Which leaves an existing feed that could be used for something else (driving another TV in the house using the antenna output on TV2).

At this point, I think am going to keep the 921. First of all, it appears that the problem I was having was due to blocked vents. Once I cleared the dustbunnies that were clogging things up, the 921 started to behave a lot better and I wasn't getting the error anymore while watching live TV. Second of all, I own the 921. A measely $100 credit doesn't seem like it's worth it given what I paid for it. And third of all, with another Dish Pro Seperator, I can move the unit into the bedroom and have a dual-tuner DVR. We don't have an HDTV in there, so the lack of the new HD channels isn't really going to bother me. Eventually we'll put an HDTV in there at which point I'll replace the 921 with a purchased 622 (or equivalent box).

One question I have: The installer insisted that the power inserter for the switch had to be placed near the 622 receiver, and had to be plugged into the wall itself. It couldn't be plugged into a plug bar or surge protector. This struck me as being a bunch of BS. He did eventually allow it to be plugged into the surge protector. I know that with the SW64, it could be placed either by the switch or by the receiver. I realize the DPP44 is a much different beast, but it seems to me that the closer the power supply is to the switch, the more reliable the power going to it will be.

 

[jarvantgroup]

On saturday the Dish installer came out. They ended up doing the following:

Replaced the 2 legacy dual-LNBF's on the Dish500 and the single legacy Dual LNBF on Dish300 with Dish Pro Plus units.
Replaced the 2 SW64 switches with a single Dish Pro Plus DPP44 switch (and reduced the number of cables coming into the house down to just 3)
Repointed the Dish300 unit at 129 (was originally pointed at 148).
Hooked up the ViP622 to my HDTV using an HDMI-to-DVI adapter.
Called into Dish to get the receiver activated.
Made sure the other Dish receivers in the house still worked.

Due to where my Dish500 is installed, it wasn't practical to replace it with a Dish1000. The 129 orbital slot would be blocked by the eaves of the house. It was easier to repoint the 148 dish.

Took them about 2.5 hours or so to do all this.

So far I'm pretty happy with the new receiver. It is *tons* faster than the 921. Much more responsive than the 921 was and appears to be less glitchy. The unit was a remanufactured one. Given that this is a lease unit, I'm not too upset. The HDMI port works fine and appears to be very solid. The adapter is very small and I've arranged the cabling in the back so that no strain is present on the connector. I haven't noticed any glaring audio-sync problems. My locals in HD look great.

I previously had 2 satellite feeds going to the living room. With the Dish Pro seperator, they converted it to use one feed. Which leaves an existing feed that could be used for something else (driving another TV in the house using the antenna output on TV2).

At this point, I think am going to keep the 921. First of all, it appears that the problem I was having was due to blocked vents. Once I cleared the dustbunnies that were clogging things up, the 921 started to behave a lot better and I wasn't getting the error anymore while watching live TV. Second of all, I own the 921. A measely $100 credit doesn't seem like it's worth it given what I paid for it. And third of all, with another Dish Pro Seperator, I can move the unit into the bedroom and have a dual-tuner DVR. We don't have an HDTV in there, so the lack of the new HD channels isn't really going to bother me. Eventually we'll put an HDTV in there at which point I'll replace the 921 with a purchased 622 (or equivalent box).

One question I have: The installer insisted that the power inserter for the switch had to be placed near the 622 receiver, and had to be plugged into the wall itself. It couldn't be plugged into a plug bar or surge protector. This struck me as being a bunch of BS. He did eventually allow it to be plugged into the surge protector. I know that with the SW64, it could be placed either by the switch or by the receiver. I realize the DPP44 is a much different beast, but it seems to me that the closer the power supply is to the switch, the more reliable the power going to it will be.

The reason he suggested not plugging the power inserter into the power strip is that if someone inadvertantly turns the power strip off, power is cut to the DPP44 switch, and all your other rcvrs start acting up. Techs hate getting call backs because someone turned the strip off and call Dish because their other rcvrs are not working. If your strip is always on, then you're okay. And you're right, it can be placed by the rcvr or the switch, if the switch is inside. :icon_cool

 

[devecho]

The reason he suggested not plugging the power inserter into the power strip is that if someone inadvertantly turns the power strip off, power is cut to the DPP44 switch, and all your other rcvrs start acting up. Techs hate getting call backs because someone turned the strip off and call Dish because their other rcvrs are not working. If your strip is always on, then you're okay. And you're right, it can be placed by the rcvr or the switch, if the switch is inside. :icon_cool

No one ever touches the power strips that the stuff is plugged into, whether it's in the garage by the switch, or up by the receiver. The SW64 power inserters happily lived downstairs in the garage for a long time (2+ years for one of them, 6+ years for the other) and I never had to worry about them getting accidentally turned off.

Your explanation makes a lot more sense as to why the installer would insist that it be plugged directly into the wall.