HDTV Dish network 322 receiver

[Crabby]

My grandkids are bringing me a Samsung HDTV, but they know less about
them than I do, mainly, I have satellite service using a Dish Network
322 two tuner receiver. I understand I will probably have to subscribe
to HD programing of some sort for the best picture quality, but will I
also need to dump the 322 for something else in order to get the HD
signal? Thanks, HOJ

[Bill R]

Post by Crabby
My grandkids are bringing me a Samsung HDTV, but they know less about
them than I do, mainly, I have satellite service using a Dish Network
322 two tuner receiver. I understand I will probably have to subscribe
to HD programing of some sort for the best picture quality, but will I
also need to dump the 322 for something else in order to get the HD
signal? Thanks, HOJ

Crabby,

The 322 is strictly SD. In order to get HD via satellite you will need
a different receiver. Your best bet is a ViP722. It is like your 322
in that it is a two room receiver and it also is a DVR (I would not even
consider any receiver that is not a DVR). It also has an ATSC tuner for
your local HD (and SD digital) OTA channels (if you have any in your area).

Speaking of OTA channels your Samsung HDTV likely has an ATSC tuner.
All you have to do is hook up an antenna and you will be able to get
your local OTA channels in HD provided that you have some in your area
and you are within range of their transmitter. A lot of the digital OTA
stations also have SD subchannels, usually providing things like full
time weather information or other programming. The PBS stations usually
have a couple of subchannels and some of them may have four subchannels
with a variety of programming. You can go to http://www.antennaweb.org
to see what digital stations are available in your area.

[Crabby]

Thanks Bill, I can understand all of that, so, can I get the 722 from
a Best Buy or Conn's, or do I have to go thru DishNetwork? I would
have no problem installing it myself, and I would rather own than
rent.
Crabby ( my Grandkids name for me)

[Steve Jenkins]

Post by Crabby
Thanks Bill, I can understand all of that, so, can I get the 722 from
a Best Buy or Conn's, or do I have to go thru DishNetwork? I would
have no problem installing it myself, and I would rather own than
rent.
Crabby ( my Grandkids name for me)

I don't think you will find them at Best Buy or Conn's, but they are
available online, for example at www.dishdepot.com (I got our 625 from
these guys because I wanted to own it). The ViP722 is $449. There is
also the ViP222 non-DVR model for $299 that is similar to the 322 but HD
(though I don't think it has a built-in ATSC tuner like the ViP722 DVR).

[jasper]

yes, the 222 DOES have a OTA atsc tuner.. ALL DISH HD RECEIVERS
HAVE OTA.. ALL OF THEM!

jasper

Post by Steve Jenkins

Post by Crabby
Thanks Bill, I can understand all of that, so, can I get the 722 from
a Best Buy or Conn's, or do I have to go thru DishNetwork? I would
have no problem installing it myself, and I would rather own than
rent.
Crabby ( my Grandkids name for me)

I don't think you will find them at Best Buy or Conn's, but they are
available online, for example at www.dishdepot.com (I got our 625 from
these guys because I wanted to own it). The ViP722 is $449. There is
also the ViP222 non-DVR model for $299 that is similar to the 322 but HD
(though I don't think it has a built-in ATSC tuner like the ViP722 DVR).

[Bill R]

Post by jasper
yes, the 222 DOES have a OTA atsc tuner.. ALL DISH HD RECEIVERS
HAVE OTA.. ALL OF THEM!
jasper

Yes, ALL the DISH ViP receivers have an OTA (ATSC) tuner and I hope that
DISH continues to provide them in future HD receivers.

DirecTV has chosen to go in a different direction. DirecTV's new HD DVR
(the HR-21) does not have a built-in ATSC tuner but they plan on having
an optional (at $99) USB ATSC tuner for that receiver within a few
months. DirecTV's "excuse" is that they offer HD channels in most
markets so that customers don't need an OTA tuner. What they don't say
is that in most markets they only offer the "big four" (ABC, CBS, NBC,
and FOX) in HD.

[BobaBird]

On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 09:20:31 -0600, "jasper"

Post by jasper
yes, the 222 DOES have a OTA atsc tuner.. ALL DISH HD RECEIVERS
HAVE OTA.. ALL OF THEM!

EXCEPT THE 6000! Which can get OTA via an OPTIONAL 8VSB MODULE! Why
are we SHOUTING ABOUT THIS? ;)

[Bill R]

Post by BobaBird
On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 09:20:31 -0600, "jasper"

Post by jasper
yes, the 222 DOES have a OTA atsc tuner.. ALL DISH HD RECEIVERS
HAVE OTA.. ALL OF THEM!

EXCEPT THE 6000! Which can get OTA via an OPTIONAL 8VSB MODULE! Why
are we SHOUTING ABOUT THIS? ;)

6000? Wow, I thought all of them would have been replaced by now. In a
few months they will be useless for satellite delivered HD programming
since all the HD channels are going to MPEG-4. They still can be used
for SD channels though but, I would advise anyone that has one to get it
replaced ASAP.

[jasper]

i was yelling, sorry...

i have just read mmultiple posts lately of people who dont know anything
about these machines are spouting out that this or that dish receiver doesnt
have a ota atsc tuner.. although you proved me wrong - i wasnt aware the
6000 didnt have one..

it is irritating when people guess their answers..

jasper

Post by BobaBird
On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 09:20:31 -0600, "jasper"

Post by jasper
yes, the 222 DOES have a OTA atsc tuner.. ALL DISH HD RECEIVERS
HAVE OTA.. ALL OF THEM!

EXCEPT THE 6000! Which can get OTA via an OPTIONAL 8VSB MODULE! Why
are we SHOUTING ABOUT THIS? ;)
--
Charles
Visit the Echostar Knowledge Base
http://ekb.dbstalk.com

[BobaBird]

On Wed, 6 Feb 2008 11:08:20 -0600, "jasper"

Post by jasper
i have just read mmultiple posts lately of people who dont know anything
about these machines are spouting out that this or that dish receiver doesnt
have a ota atsc tuner

Somewhat understandable though when you consider that one of the
sources of erroneous information is Dish. There are still CSRs
telling people the 622/722 can record only 2 channels at once. If you
can receive digital OTA, the ATSC tuner can also be recording for a
total of 3.

[Bill R]

Post by Crabby
Thanks Bill, I can understand all of that, so, can I get the 722 from
a Best Buy or Conn's, or do I have to go thru DishNetwork? I would
have no problem installing it myself, and I would rather own than
rent.
Crabby ( my Grandkids name for me)

Crabby,

As Steve said, you won't find a ViP722 receiver at Best Buy or stores
like that and you can't buy them directly from DISH (they only will
lease them). There are a lot of reliable dealers that do sell them.
Some of them have ebay stores and you can get a good idea of their
reliability from their feedback numbers.

Since you already have a dish for HD, hooking up the 722 should not be a
problem for you (if you have questions, we are here). When hooking up
the 722 you need to use the HDMI or component connection from the 722 to
your HDTV (HDMI recommended). The 722 does not come with a HDMI cable
(unless the dealer throws one in) but it does come with component
cables. A good place to buy reasonably priced HDMI cables is
http://www.monoprice.com You will find your local stores (especially
ones like Best Buy) overcharge for them.