General Questions from a Newbie

[TheThack]

What is the difference between America's Top 120 and America's Top 120 Plus? One view indicated it was something to do with the regional sports package but when I clicked on the info link it appeared it was local tv stations.

As my signature indicates I have the ViP 722K HD Dual DVR, ViP 612 HD Single DVR, and a ViP 222K HD Dual tuner non-DVR. I just began service in January and at the time did not really know exactly which receivers I wanted so pretty much went with the recommendations of the CSR at the time.

After a couple of months of service and seeing the new price structure for tuners and the single DVR fee for all receivers, I am curious what options exist to change the present receivers. Specifically, I would like for the ViP 222K HD Dual tuner to have DVR capacity. I would also like for the ViP 612 HD Single DVR to have the abiity to allow me to record one channel while viewing another. That I think would be possible by having another 722K even though it would not necessarily feed TV2. In this case the TV2 would simply be used for the recording one show while I watched a different channel.

Finally, what is the maximum length for HDMI cables? I was thinking about having two TVs that are both HD hooked up as TV1 (one with the composite hookups and one with an extended length HDMI cable). I do know that both TVs would have to be watching the same thing in this hookup.

Thanks in advance for thoughts, suggestions, and responses.

[AcuraKidd]

the difference between the at120 and at120 plus is sports channels, with the plus package you get the RSNET and possibly BIGTEN networks

I think it would cost you more to upgrade the vip222k to a dvr, so your best option is to simply activate an external hard drive, it only costs $39 and will give the vip222k the full dvr functionality

And I also believe that the VIP 612 should be able to let you record one thing while watching another, but I'll let someone else who has that dvr answer that one for you.

[TheThack]

Thanks Acura Kid. Will definitely check in to the external hard drive. Am curious about the possibility to have the 612 DVR allow me to watch one channel while watching another. I thought when I got it for that TV, that that was possible but to be honest as its my daughter's room I have not pursued it enough to figure out if it can be done.

[Rus]

On my VIP612 I can record two shows while watching a recorded show. I can also record one Dish show and watch a second Dish show. Since I added an OTA antenna I can record one show on Dish, record another show from my OTA network and watch a show on Dish. Or record two shows from Dish and watch OTA local network show.

[TheThack]

Rus, could you watch one show and record another before getting the OTA antenna?

[Rus]

Originally Posted by TheThack

Rus, could you watch one show and record another before getting the OTA antenna?

Yes. Having an OTA atenna just gives me one more channel to either record or view.

Example 1: Record two programs with Dish Network and watch a third local channel program from the OTA antenna.

Example 2: Record one program from Dish, record one program from OTA (local channel) and watch a third program from Dish.

Example 3: Record two programs from Dish and record a local channel from OTA antenna and watch a previous recorded program.

Having the OTA antenna just allows you to record a third program or view a third channel.

I hope I've covered all options :-)

[clairetheresa]

Originally Posted by Rus

Yes. Having an OTA atenna just gives me one more channel to either record or view.

Example 1: Record two programs with Dish Network and watch a third local channel program from the OTA antenna.

Example 2: Record one program from Dish, record one program from OTA (local channel) and watch a third program from Dish.

Example 3: Record two programs from Dish and record a local channel from OTA antenna and watch a previous recorded program.

Having the OTA antenna just allows you to record a third program or view a third channel.

I hope I've covered all options :-)

Rus, Could you please explain how you do this. I guess what I don't know is how to choose using my antenna (which is connected), rather than the satellite receiver, to either watch or record. Example: I am recording on tv1 and tv2, and I want to watch a local channel on tv1. I have l dual recorder, a VIP622. Thanks.

[spokybob]

Claire: Welcome to the forum:
I'm guessing that you have not set up your tuner yet.
MENU,6,9
Then Select "Scan locals"
When it is finished scanning, SAVE
Now when you press "Guide" your OTA channel numbers will have a yellow background and the info will say Digital Service.
For example on my tuner it says
004-01 WHBF
004-02 RTV4
006-01 KWQC
To record a show OTA you have to set a manual timer.
Hope this helps. Let us know.

[bobbunton]

I noticed that you mentioned EHD for the VIP222K. I haven't been following the info lately and was wondering if this is now possible? In the past it wasn't.
Thanks,
BB

[bobbunton]

I just checked with D and they say the VIP222K cannot be used with a EHD.
Bummer.

[garys]

Originally Posted by bobbunton

I just checked with D and they say the VIP222K cannot be used with a EHD.
Bummer.

D could be telling you a lie. Note: D = DirectTV, E = Echostar (Dish Network).

[AcuraKidd]

i have no idea who you spoke with, but the vip222k CAN be used with an external hard drive, all you do is pay a one-time $40 activation fee and it will enable dvr functions on your rcvr

[jim5506]

Dish has NOT activated the EHD on the 222k, only the 211/211K/411 and the 612/622/722/722k have any EHD capability.