(You tell me if this is hot or cold) Dish Network... If you're looking to sign up and get a PVR... LOOK HERE NOW

[nsafreak]

Originally posted by: aperry

Originally posted by: nsafreak
Well the 721 is a dual tuner unit and like thagrandcow says we will be releasing a 921 in the future, basically a High Def PVR and I think it has dual tuners as well, none too sure on that though. DirecTV does admittedly have lower prices on their dual tuner Tivo units but keep in mind that they charge PVR fees as well so switching providers will not get you away from that charge.

But getting a 721 will avoid the fee. It has been stated many places, including by Charlie Ergen (CEO), that the 501, 508, and 721 will be grandfathered, and will not incur a monthly fee.

D'oh you're right. I don't know why thagrandcow said it was yet to be determined, we learned a while back that the 721 was going to be grandfathered in to the no PVR fee deal.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: nsafreak

Originally posted by: aperry

Originally posted by: nsafreak
Well the 721 is a dual tuner unit and like thagrandcow says we will be releasing a 921 in the future, basically a High Def PVR and I think it has dual tuners as well, none too sure on that though. DirecTV does admittedly have lower prices on their dual tuner Tivo units but keep in mind that they charge PVR fees as well so switching providers will not get you away from that charge.

But getting a 721 will avoid the fee. It has been stated many places, including by Charlie Ergen (CEO), that the 501, 508, and 721 will be grandfathered, and will not incur a monthly fee.

D'oh you're right. I don't know why thagrandcow said it was yet to be determined, we learned a while back that the 721 was going to be grandfathered in to the no PVR fee deal.

Because in our center, that's the word that was passed to us weeks ago by the people giving us training when we first heard about the charges. The training I sat through tonight gave the official word that the 721 was to be grandfathered in too, but until tonight I hadn't heard anything solid either way.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Problem with satellite TV systems is that I can't use them to record to my PC TV card.

Why not? I can't say anything about DirecTV, but our systems at Dish transmit out to the tv through RCA or coax cables encryption free... it's just a straight video signal. I think you're doing something wrong.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: Johnbear007
DirecTV is the only provider pretty much anywhere unfortunatley

Dunno where that came from... the whole point of sattelite is that you can set it up anywhere. And last time the numbers were counted I thought Dish Network had more users than DirecTV.

 

[aperry]

Wow, that would be cool if it is true. The "also-ran" becoming the top dog...

I've been with Dish Network off and on since they first started broadcasting (anyone else remember America's Top 40 or the ?), and for the longest time, when I'd say I had Dish Network, the common response was "Dish who?". Of course, back in those days, there was PrimeStar as well, may they rest in peace...

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow

Originally posted by: huesmann
Problem with satellite TV systems is that I can't use them to record to my PC TV card.

Why not? I can't say anything about DirecTV, but our systems at Dish transmit out to the tv through RCA or coax cables encryption free... it's just a straight video signal. I think you're doing something wrong.

My impression was that the sat receiver outputs only one channel at a time to the TV. Can you set the PC to record from different channels without changing the receiver channel? Can I have my TV card set to record from Channel 4 from 2pm-3pm, and Channel 5 from 3pm to 4pm, while I'm away at work?

 

[Maximus96]

I have a question about the programming times on dishnetwork. i live in Cali and all the shows comes on at eastern time, except the local stuff, like nbc and fox...mtv and discovery and such comes on 3hrs early. the operator told me there's nothing they can do for me...is there really nothing i can do about it? thanks much.

 

[Jeraden]

Originally posted by: huesmann
My impression was that the sat receiver outputs only one channel at a time to the TV. Can you set the PC to record from different channels without changing the receiver channel? Can I have my TV card set to record from Channel 4 from 2pm-3pm, and Channel 5 from 3pm to 4pm, while I'm away at work?

There are a couple options. I can't speak for Directv, but with dishnetwork, all the receivers have some kind of timer functionality built in. You can set up a timer to turn the unit on and switch to a particular channel at a given time. So have a timer set up to switch to channel 4 at 2pm, and another time to switch to channel 5 at 3pm. Then your tv card would just record the s-video input from 2-3, then record another segment from 3-4. This was meant to make the receivers useable for VCRs, but works just as well with a tv card.

The other option is getting some kind of Infrared Transmitter for your computer, so your computer can directly control the satellite receiver. This might depend on what software you use on the computer though, the first option above is much easier.

 

[labgeek]

With a IR Blaster (or serial cable to some receivers) and the right software (SageTV, Snapstream), the pc can send channel changes to the receiver. Do your research some of the Dish Network receivers have problems with the Actisys IR200L blaster (the most common blaster you'll find). And once setup it's easier than the other way. Setup is a little bit of a pain with having to train the IR blaster. But for me to record a show I simply click the record in the program guide. The software takes over from there. And with SageTV you can watch the program in another room across a network.


BTW, I pay no PVR fees to DTV for a HDVR2. Maintain a premier level subscription on DTV and they don't charge.

 

[aperry]

Dish Network will offer the same thing. Do their everything pack at $74.99 (I think) and the DVR fee is waived.

 

[huesmann]

Right, but I don't intend to have a bill that high...

If the Dish receiver outputs using S-video, how do they get sound to your TV?

 

[sat4fun]

Is the DISH PVR fee per unit or per account? DTV charges $5 and that covers all of the PVRs on that account. I may go for this, since I HATE DTV.

 

[Wolverine27]

I currently have a PVR 501 and was thinking about adding a second PVR for the upstairs tv. I just tried calling Dish about buying a PVR 721 and was told that they do not sell it directly. The CSR, however did offer me a second PVR 501 for $49.99 Should I go for it or should I hold out and buy a PVR 721? The deal sounded pretty good considering a new PVR 721 is probably $500 plus.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Wolverine

 

[mzkhadir]

RCA Cables.

 

[mzkhadir]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Right, but I don't intend to have a bill that high...

If the Dish receiver outputs using S-video, how do they get sound to your TV?

RCA Cables... and sorry about the double posts

 

[huesmann]

What's so bad about DTV over Dish?

 

[sat4fun]

Originally posted by: huesmann
What's so bad about DTV over Dish?

If it wasn't for the Sunday ticket, I would toss all of my DTV stuff in the trash compactor. In fact I am going to do it anyway, I need my Sundays back. I had DISH at one time, but I had some equipment difficulty, but I will be going back. I just wish that I didn't have to have TWO dishes on my house to get the locals in my area, it looks pretty lame.

FYI, DTV is using some very barbaric tactics to curb piracy and MANY, I repeat MANY electrical engineers and hobbiest are being caught in the tangle. DTV is sueing the end user for purchasing a perfectly legal piece of equipment that has LAWFUL purposes. They addopted an ISO standard device for their smartcards and are assuming that anyone that purchases a smartcard programmer is using it to steal their signal. Without a shread of evidence, they are sending demanding letters and forcing them to pay a settlement fee or chance a summons to appear in Federal Court. To date they sent out 100,000 of these letters and have sent summons to 10,000 people. Each letter is asking for a minimum of $3500 settlement and each summons is looking for $10,000 per unit bought. It costs an innocent person at least $5,000 to defend him or herself from these bullshit claims. This is a bullshit claim that will NEVER stand up in court, but they are extorting people in an effort to curb piracy that can be only blamed on themselves. DISH has the same piracy issues, but they are not going after the end user directly.

Please cancel your DirecTV service, and let them know why. See my sig for more info.

 

[aperry]

Originally posted by: sat4fun
Is the DISH PVR fee per unit or per account? DTV charges $5 and that covers all of the PVRs on that account. I may go for this, since I HATE DTV.

I believe it is per unit, or at least that is what they are saying now. I am thinking that, given time, they may reconsider that and make it per account instead. That's pure speculation on my part of course.

 

[clarkmo]

What about getting a dvb-s pci card for your pc? Wouldn't that be the best way to pvr? From what I understand, they are compatible with the dish satellites.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: labgeek
With a IR Blaster (or serial cable to some receivers) and the right software (SageTV, Snapstream), the pc can send channel changes to the receiver. Do your research some of the Dish Network receivers have problems with the Actisys IR200L blaster (the most common blaster you'll find). And once setup it's easier than the other way. Setup is a little bit of a pain with having to train the IR blaster. But for me to record a show I simply click the record in the program guide. The software takes over from there. And with SageTV you can watch the program in another room across a network.


BTW, I pay no PVR fees to DTV for a HDVR2. Maintain a premier level subscription on DTV and they don't charge.

Premier level = Americas Everything Pack for Dish Network
AEP = $0 monthly charge.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: aperry
Wow, that would be cool if it is true. The "also-ran" becoming the top dog...

I've been with Dish Network off and on since they first started broadcasting (anyone else remember America's Top 40 or the ?), and for the longest time, when I'd say I had Dish Network, the common response was "Dish who?". Of course, back in those days, there was PrimeStar as well, may they rest in peace...

If what was true? All the stuff I said is true so I hope you're not talking about me.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: sat4fun

Originally posted by: huesmann
What's so bad about DTV over Dish?

If it wasn't for the Sunday ticket, I would toss all of my DTV stuff in the trash compactor. In fact I am going to do it anyway, I need my Sundays back. I had DISH at one time, but I had some equipment difficulty, but I will be going back. I just wish that I didn't have to have TWO dishes on my house to get the locals in my area, it looks pretty lame.

Call one of our CSR's back and check to see what sattelite your local channels are coming off of. I have yet to find a person who needs a second dish to get their local channels. We have moved all of them to the 110 sattelite location, so as long as you've got a dish500 you're able to get them off the 1 sattelite. The only things you'd need the second sattelite for would be the 2nd or 3rd PBS, and a LOT of the additional local spanish and independent channels. The big 4 (FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS) all come in on the 110 sattelite, and I'm only seen a very few cities where you need the second dish to get UPN or WB (but you can always get them broadcast from a distant network and get them on the 110 sattelite location)

 

[huesmann]

Well, I would need 3 receivers if I switched from cable to satellite: 2 TVs and 1 PC.

From the brief research I've done, current offers from both major providers include multiple receivers "free."

DirecTV: 3 receivers, Total Choice Plus w/ local channels: $40/month. 135 channels, including music channels.
DishNetwork: Digital Home Plan w/ 3 receivers: $45/month w/ local channels. 50 channels only. ($54/month for 100 channels)

Which looks like the better deal to you?

 

[huesmann]

BTW, how does the signal get from the dish to the receiver? Coax cable? Just wondering if the house will need to be rewired.

 

[aperry]

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow

Originally posted by: aperry
Wow, that would be cool if it is true. The "also-ran" becoming the top dog...

If what was true? All the stuff I said is true so I hope you're not talking about me.

No, I believe it. All I was trying to say is I'm surprised. I knew that Dish was making inroads and getting a bunch of subscribers, I had just not heard that Dish had overtaken DirecTV in number of subscribers.

Call one of our CSR's back and check to see what sattelite your local channels are coming off of. I have yet to find a person who needs a second dish to get their local channels. We have moved all of them to the 110 sattelite location, so as long as you've got a dish500 you're able to get them off the 1 sattelite. The only things you'd need the second sattelite for would be the 2nd or 3rd PBS, and a LOT of the additional local spanish and independent channels. The big 4 (FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS) all come in on the 110 sattelite, and I'm only seen a very few cities where you need the second dish to get UPN or WB (but you can always get them broadcast from a distant network and get them on the 110 sattelite location)

That is true if you live in one of the cities that Dish provides locals for right now. However, Dish has stated that for the cities that are coming (many of the mid-sized markets), that you will need a second Dish (or the SuperDish that can hit 3 satellites at once).

Dish has been able to improve on the number of cities they offer (at least in the past) by doing spot beams. Not really sure how it works, but basically it makes it so that if you get the Dallas stations for instance, that there is about a 300 mile radius around there where you can pick it up. Outside that area, if you were to look at the same transponder number, there would be a different city there.