Dish Network ViP622 (200-hour DVR)

November 25, 2006 09:11

4.5/5
Listen to CNET, not the peanut gallery here. I had TiVo from the bloody beginning and DirecTV's version for years. This DVR makes TiVo look like a joke. Especially if you have suffered all the indignities of TiVo, this is a get out of jail free card. The review is right on in almost every aspect. People rave about the TiVo remote. This one is more complicated, but it's 10x better. Took my girlfriend some time to get up to speed, but it is well worth it.

Also, if you consider velocity, it's a hands down winner. We got 0 upgrades from TiVo during the 5 year DirecTV stint. Dish has consistently improved their offering, and left the door open to seriously blowing this thing away. If they enable the networking, and allow the attachment of a drive array, this would be a perfect setup.

- robcode

September 4, 2006 02:30

3.0/5
I switched from Tivo/DirecTV to Dishnetwork. What I've found is that each side has drawbacks that could be easily rectified with simple programming - or if each system just took the benefits of the other. Tivo is overall an easier interface to use, but there were some significant drawbacks that Dishnetwork has solved. But, there are an equal amount of drawbacks that Dishnetwork could easily solve but have not (as mentioned above). Also, the 30 hours of HD space gets filled up very quickly - to my surprise. Once you start watching HD, you find normal programming to be very poor. So, I focus on HD recordings and am always full.

The second TV recording option is a pain in the rear. It's not like Tivo/DirecTV where it will just easily record 2 shows at once and resolve what to record by priority. With this receiver, you have to pick which TV to record to (TV1 or TV2), and you have to pick it in advance most of the time (when you create the repeated-program mode). It's hard to explain, but the end result is that I often cannot record a second program depending on what TV I am watching at the time I want to record the second program. My receiver does not record 3 shows at once - HD or otherwise - and Dishnetwork has told me only 2 can be recorded at once. But, the way they have it setup, I frequently cannot accomplish this.

Another huge problem is that the HD quality programming can only be viewed on one TV with this receiver. The output to the second TV is NOT HD! So, if your watching of TV programs is balanced between your living room and bedroom, you will not be able to enjoy HD quality on one of the TVs. Huge drawback.

There is a limit on outputs on this receiver as well. With my DirecTV, I could output an extra set of audio channels for my receiver (which helps with Zone 2 or 3 outputs on many receivers). As a result, I cannot listen to Dishnetwork music through my outdoor speakers or wireless speakers anymore.

I am considering buying a second HD DVR for my second TV so that I don't run into some of the above problems. The cost is significant, however, and it's very hard to find these for sale anywhere. So, I'm inclined to wait for another model or for more availability of this one.

- dj928

April 13, 2006 01:08
Mediocre
1.0/5
DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP! I have had nothing but headaches with this equipment and Dish Network in general. I have gone 3 through 622s and all had the same problem, they all over heat. This box runs super hot to where it can almost burn your hand. First i had the box in my cabinet, that is well ventilated, with my receiver and xbox 360. All seemed great but after just 45 minutes of watching TV a screen would appear saying the box is running to hot and I need to unplug it to have it cooled off. Next I took it out of the cabinet and put it on a shelf that was completely open; now it only over heats every 90 minutes. I called Dish and they would send me a replacement VIP 622 "free" of charge. Well I received the new box with in 5 days and sent the old one back and guess what it still over heated. Heck this thing would over heat in a blizzard and Dish was so "kind" to charge me again, $300, for this. Talked to dish again about the problem with the box and they said the would ship another replacement, and yes they have charged me another $300 for this replacement even though it is supposed to free since it is a replacement. The only saving grace in all of this is the people at sprint they have put my ONE MONTH BILL of over $1000 in dispute. I have cancelled my dish network as of 4-11-06 and tried to ask for a refund on this equipment since it has never worked which they refuse to but I have to return the box or they will charge me the full amount for the box. I have put up with Dish for 7 weeks and thank god the local cable company is now in our area so these guys no longer have me buy the short and curlies. I would tell anyone interested in Dish not to do it, unless you are into S&M.

- Jumper42

April 12, 2006 11:53

4.0/5
This will be a great box once they stabilize the code.

As a subscriber from the New York City DMA, I can get the Big 4 Networks in HD. All but Fox are great (the Fox feed is full of audio drops that will have you climbing the walls and switching to SD mushyvision in frustration -- at least in my area).

Large hard drive, can be hooked up to PocketDish, a PSP looking portable player that can make your recordings portable. A USB port on the front makes a handy charger for you XBox 360 wireless controller users (it is always on as opposed to the 360 which kills power to the port when the unit is off).

Lightning fast guide scrolling (Tivo users will get whiplash). Two satellite tuners PLUS an OTA tuner for those within range of their local affiliates lets you laugh in the face of sadistic network programmers who decide to put all their best shows against each other (Sunday 9pm anyone?).

HDMI output or Components, your choice.... Both look good. Can be set to output to 480i or p, 720p, or 1080i. If you have a DVI input only on your TV you will need an HDMI-DVI cable (only standard RCA patch cords and a coaxial cable are supplied - no HD unless you spring for a cable). If you want to reuse your eexisting DVI to DVI cable, you can buy an adapter to save you from having to drop another $100+ on a new cable.

All in all a good box. The score jumps to 9 if they ever get the code totally stable.

Note: Filmfest, a Voom Channel only available on Dish has gotten the rights to most of the James Bond films. Mmmmm, Bond in HD. This box is the only way you can record it (unless you use the non PVR mpeg 4 receiver from Dish)

- BobMurdoch

April 12, 2006 02:38

4.5/5
This is a great box! I've had an HD-ready TV for 2 years waiting for this MPEG4, HD DVR, and it's been worth the wait. I have had no restarts, no lip-synch problems, and since I almost never watch anything "live," I only encountered the video stutter once, which was easily fixed as described above. My area has no HD locals through Dish Network, and I can get only PBS and ABC OTA in HD. I haven't encountered any problems in recording these two local stations using the OTA tuner.

I have read about the problems listed in the review, but I've not had them. I record at least 2-4 programs each day, and some evenings many more.

My Pocketdish syncs up nicely via USB and is a great way to play programs downloaded from my 622, play music, view photos, or play games. It's a great companion to the 622!

- golfgal

October 17, 2006 08:38
Excellent
2.0/5
I had issues getting the 622 installed but that another story. I have been with DISH for 5 years and decided to upgrade to the 622. I had the receiver hooked up to our Sony 43" CRT rear pro. at first and the picture was ok. The tv was 4:3 and set up for 1080i but only had component cable hook ups. We purchased a Sammy HL 5687W 1080p and hooked it up via HDMI. The picture was out standing. The TV was everything the reviews said it would be. The picture in HD was amazing. WAS is the proper word here. The connection lasted 3 days and then went cows udder up. It didn't go all at once it would lose signal and a little shake of the wire would restore the picture. I called and ask waass up with this thing because I thought that it was an internal connetion of the cable. But the tech told me that it was a software problem.Now it does not work at all and we are back to component cables. Dish says that it will be a month or so before the can address that software poblem. But now I read that others have been waiting for months to have the same problem solved. I should have read the review and studied up like I do on all my other purchases. I am suprised that CNET rated the piece of equipment as high as they did, when this does not seem to be an isolated problem. This really sucks big time.

- nwmtrmouth

December 29, 2006 06:29

4.5/5
Hello DISH  goodbye cable. DISH rocks and the VIP622 and VIP211 receivers are great as well. I really liked my cable company, but for several years of trying to get them to add at least one German channel for my wife, I finally gave up and switched to DISH. I wanted to switch to DirecTV because I was an engineer at Hughes Space and Communications when DirecTV was being developed, plus I own a fair amount of DTV stock, but they had no where near the foreign language channels that DISH had and no German. I was worried about getting the VIP622 and VIP211 because of all the negative comments on this forum and after reading somewhere that people in California had lousy reception on the VOOM HD channels because of the bad look angle to an eastern satellite.

After digesting all the negative comments and noting that the CNET reviewer had a high rating for the VIP622, I decided to roll the dice and go for it. Because of the problems people were having, I decided to take the package that commits you to 18 months, but gives you a one month trial period. After a few weeks, I have no intention of ever switching away from DISH. I signed up for the HD Platinum package along with the Southern California local channels (which includes Prime Sports) and the German channels. Now I have 31 HD channels (including the NFL Network in HD) and even a free French channel (not HD).

Because of all the channels I wanted, the installer put up a DISH1000 antenna, which is a single dish that has four feed horns to support the four satellites I needed. The VIP622 supports two TVs  a 50 inch plasma HDTV and an LCD standard definition (SD) TV downstairs in my wifes office. The VIP622 is connected to the wall mounted plasma TV via a 25 foot HDMI that goes through walls by way of the attic (dont buy HDMI cables at stores  they are much cheaper on the Internet). The HD picture is 1080i and awesome. The SD TV gets its signal through existing coax from the cable company, so I didnt have to add any coax through virtually impossible cable runs (the RF signal goes to the VIP622 and back out for the second TV on the same coax line). The quality of the SD is as good as SD can get. The remote for the second TV uses UHF RF instead of IR, so it works throughout the house- allowing me to place the second TV anywhere in the house.

The VIP211 is in my home office. While I was waiting for Santa to bring my LCD HDTV, I used it with a CRT SD TV. The picture quality was very good  at least as good as the cable signal. Now that the HDTV has arrived, the HDTV picture (1080i) via the 10 foot HDMI cable is awesome.

The VIP622 has great sound output. It feeds my Bose Lifestyle 48 surround sound system and I guarantee that the theater experience has not been degraded with the VIP622.

The VIP622 and VIP211 both run cool. I dont know why some reviewers complained about thermal runaway, but both of my units are slightly warm to the touch  no where near as warm as the DVR I was using with my cable system. Perhaps their units were enclosed in cabinets with no possible way for heat to escape. My units are in cabinets, but not sealed in with doors.

One last comment about the overall system  our digital cable system here in Laguna Beach had occasional drop-outs on some channels. So far, through two rain storms, there has not been the slightest degradation in the perfect signal quality on any channel at any time.

I cannot comment on DISH customer service. I have not had a reason to call them.

- n6rw

April 30, 2006 08:40
Spectacular
2.5/5
I upgraded from a flawless 522 to the HD 622 recently and had nothing but headaches since the trade. First, installer put up a Dish 1000 next to the Dish 500 satellite dish. Now I have two sat dishes aside one another (looks like Mickey Mouse ears). Tech said that I would receive the best signal this way??? I thought the 1000 would take care of that. Anyway, first 622 worked for about 20 minutes after the Tech left. I called Dish, went through all the debugs, and after about 2 hours on the phone, the Tech returned, and stated the first 622 was bad. Five days later, the 2nd 622 arrived. So far, I had to reboot this 622 once due to pixelation and pauses! Arrhhhh! I am this close to switching to DirecTV. Dish did give me one month of free service for my patience. So far, 1 week, some twitching here and there, but nothing major. One more black out or pause, I'm switching the 622 back to a 522 or going to another carrier. Good luck!

- maddon11

August 30, 2006 10:15

4.5/5
I had been using an older Directv system for the last eight years. When I wanted to upgrade Directv wanted me to pay several hundred dollars for a DVR and several hundred more for one with HD, plus shipping! I said no. I called Dish Network and ordered the 622 for a lease fee of $200.00.

This is a Outstanding system! I was surprised how superior the video and sound were in both HD and SD. Plus local channels that I received off an my rooftop antenna came in better too. Also, recording two shows at once is great and all the menus are cool and easy to use. Plus the remote works great, works with my other units and makes channel surfing easy. Also, this has a dual turner, so it can be used for two TVs (one HD and one SD ).This saves you from paying an extra $5.00 per month lease fee!

However, if you have a rooftop antenna and don't order Dish Network local channels, then you will not be able to see what's on locally using this units TV menu guide!

Also, like others said, this unit does get hot. I have my inside of a cabinet too. I solved this problem by using a PC whisper fan and placed it next to the unit. I powered it using a 12v d.c. adaptor. It has never overheated, even after over 12 hours of on time. The cabinet already had vents in it.

After I cancelled Directv, they called two days later. They said they wanted me back and would now offer me thier equipment for free! Too late!

- rayabs

July 10, 2007 06:36
Good
1.5/5
This has been a headache for me. First I purchased the product under the assumption that it was HDMI Ready based on thier Ads, then after a while I lost my HDMI signal just like the other reviewers have commented- I was told it was a software problem on their part and that they are working on it, 6 Months later I'm still waiting on them to fix. NOW I purchased a new TV for room #2 and I was getting a very snowy picture. After talking to the Dish Netork Tech Department I was told that They have a software problem with thier equipment(again) and right now thier is nothing they can do about it. I asked to be released from the contract without penalities since I was sold on a clear picture and since they could not provide this, that I was going to be searching for a new provider. THey again insisted that they could not release me from the contract without penalaties. I am currently searching for an attorney to bring a Class action lawsuit against Dish Network for not delivering what is advertised and paid for. I have been aggrevated, lost of income waing for resolve and Tech's to come to my house, installtion payments and now the role of hiring an attorney. After reading the reviews I think I have a pretty good support group.

- Concreteguy