ViP 622, a good experience

[Allin4greeN]

I've been an E* sub since July 2005, when I migrated from D*. I've been very happy with my move. At any rate, I thought I'd share my experience with the ViP622 upgrade. It was excellent!

Late Decemeber/early January:
Closely followed threads on this and satguys forum for news and information regarding ViP series receivers, especially the ViP622.

January 16:
e-mailed ceo specialist with questions regarding my potential upgrade path(s). Received a response within 15 minutes that confirmed I'd be able to upgrade on or after April 1st, under the DIU promotional program.

March 31:
e-mailed ceo specialist to confirm my plans for an upgrade and request additional clarification regarding DHA/DHPP, self-install, billing, and 942 return.

April 6:
Called the "special upgrade phone number" established for members of satguys/dbs forums. Spoke with Norma, in Pittsburgh, who quickly confirmed information and terms I requested from the ceo specialist. 15 minutes later, after scheduling an April 17 install date, we ended our very pleasent and enjoyable conversation.

April 10:
Called for UPS tracking number on 622. Received it and confirmed an April 12 delivery date.

April 12:
5:00pm Began watching remaining recorded programs on the 942.
5:30pm 622 arrived via UPS
6:45pm Disconnected the 942 and "swapped" in the 622 (2 D500's @ 110, 119, 61.5-->DPP Twin LNB-->single coax-->DP Separator-->622 Single).
7:00pm Downloaded software after running a check switch.
7:15pm Mistakenly called CSR for authorization/activation. Almost got sucked into endless loop of useless babbling. Politely thanked CSR for her time and hung up.
7:20pm Realized my mistake and contacted E* tech for authorization/activation. Crawford, the E* tech, authorized receiver and contacted account services for programming activation. EPG data downloaded and channel 101 popped up.
7:45pm Confirmed with Crawford that DishHD Platinum w/Locals was up and running, cancelled April 17 install date, and ended another very pleasent exchange w/ an E* employee.
8:00pm Scanned OTA locals (better reception than 942!!) and set-up other preferences and details.


It's only been 6 days since I called and placed my order for the 622. I've got one big-ass smile on my face right now!

Thanks to everyone here who helped me to understand the process and details

[daleb]

Congrats!

Hope to have a similar smile on my face, by Monday afternoon!

[Allin4greeN]

Thanks daleb, best of luck with your install!

... you back from vacation already?

[stchman]

Just goy my 622 the other day and love it. How are you getting the mpeg4 stuff without DISH 1000 equipment. I was told you have to have it to receive the VOOM stuff. DISH swapped out my old 500 dish for the new 1000 at no charge so I am happy. I LOVE being able to record HD programming. Big smile on my face. It costed me enough though.

[Allin4greeN]

Hi stchman,

The Dish1000 is not used in some geographic locations due to an inability to point an antenna at the 129 sat location. In these cases, a second antenna is pointed at the 61.5 sat location. I understand that this might be changing in the future...

HD programming on 129 and 61.5 is currently the same. Differences between these two sats include locals, that are specific to receiving geographic locations. Here's a map of Dish1000 excluded areas.

So far, I love the 622!

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Allin4greeN

Thanks daleb, best of luck with your install!

... you back from vacation already?

Just back today, aint wireless a great thing? We were in the wine country, and enjoying it immensley, in spite of the rain.

Found 2 empty Dish boxes on my porch when we arrived, for returning the oldies. Not quite sure why they sent 2 since I could have used the 622 box for one of them. Of course, then I would not have a way to return the 622 if it's DOA, etc. Perish the thought....

[Allin4greeN]

Originally Posted by daleb

Just back today, aint wireless a great thing? We were in the wine country, and enjoying it immensley, in spite of the rain.

mmmmm.... Pinot...

Originally Posted by daleb

Found 2 empty Dish boxes on my porch when we arrived, for returning the oldies. Not quite sure why they sent 2 since I could have used the 622 box for one of them. Of course, then I would not have a way to return the 622 if it's DOA, etc. Perish the thought....

So far my 622's been rock solid, timers are firing, no lock-ups, no stuttering or lip sync issues...

[solsavr]

What is the initial lease cost on the 622?

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

Originally Posted by solsavr

What is the initial lease cost on the 622?

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/c...ms/index.shtml
Lease Upgrade Fees: Customer must pay a $49.99 lease upgrade fee for the ViP 211 receiver and a $299.99 lease upgrade fee for the ViP 622 DVR receiver. The lease upgrade fees are not deposits and are non-refundable.

Equipment Configurations: No more than two dual-tuner receivers per account are permitted (including no more than one ViP 622 DVRreceiver), or a total of four single-tuner receivers per account if no dual-tuner receivers are chosen. A monthly equipment rental fee will be charged for each receiver beyond the first, based on model of receiver: $5.00/mo. per DISH Player-DVR 522/625, DISH 322, DISH 311; $6.00/mo. per ViP 622 DVR, ViP 211. Qualifying Programming: Qualifying Programming with one receiver (with local network channels where available) includes America's Top 60 (currently $34.99/mo.), America's Top 120 (currently $44.99/mo.), America's Top 180 (currently $54.99/mo.), DishHD Bronze, DishHD Silver, DishHD Gold, DISH Latino (currently $29.99/mo.), DISH Latino Dos (currently $39.99/mo.), DISH Latino Max (currently $49.99/mo.), Latino HD Bronze, Latino HD Silver, Latino HD Gold or Great Wall TV package (currently $34.99/mo.) programming. Other International programming may qualify. Monthly package price includes $5.00 equipment rental fee for the first receiver.

Glad I looked this up, I'm paying a lease fee.....and I only have one receiver.
Need to call and ask dish about that.

[Allin4greeN]

Originally Posted by Nevada_MO_Guy

...Glad I looked this up, I'm paying a lease fee.....and I only have one receiver. Need to call and ask dish about that.

The $6 lease fee? My understanding is that it's non-negotiable. This fee was not well publicized and, to the best of my knowledge, cannot be waived regardless of the equipment or programming package you have.

[Nevada_MO_Guy]

Originally Posted by Allin4greeN

The $6 lease fee? My understanding is that it's non-negotiable.

That's what I thought also.

Have talked to some guys at work who don't pay the lease fee, but I thought is was just because they were new customers.

But with a $5 fee included in the packages, the extra $6 looks like it is suppose to be for an extra reciever.

Maybe they consider a lease fee and a rental fee different things?

[Allin4greeN]

My bad, I phrased my previous response too broadly, and therefore incorrectly...

In my situation, I understand the $6 lease fee to be non-negotiable. E* has so many of these fees with so many different customer situations, it's hard to make sense out of them all

I've been using this thread over at SatGuys, to try and keep track of what I'll be paying. In my case, I'm riding out the original terms on a DHA/DHPP agreement (which they bumped from 18 months to 2 years, so I'm not complaining), but wasn't able to upgrade under a new DHA... so I'm getting hit by the $6 lease fee on my 622.

Yikes... I just checked my account balance and they didn't pro-rate the new DishHD package based on when I activated... Does that sound right?

[daleb]

My install failed this morning. The 622 I was sent had no TV1 output, in any mode, or connector output. UHF output to TV2 worked just fine.
Tech said it was the first bad 622 he has in seen in 2 months.

I opted to keep the 2 dish setup, instead of a 1000, so he just popped a new 'lens' in the 110/119 dish, which included the additional feed out for the 622.

Signal strength came in at 89, 90, 98 for 110, 119, and 61.5, respectively.

He phoned in the bad receiver and expected me to have another by Wednesday. I asked if I could do a self-install, he did not think it would be a problem. Except now they seem to always ask for tech number before they will authorize it. But he said I can try it anyway, or call Dish first and see what they say. It should be plug n play essentially. You have everything else you need except a good 622.

to be continued............

[Allin4greeN]

Originally Posted by daleb

My install failed this morning. The 622 I was sent had no TV1 output, in any mode, or connector output. UHF output to TV2 worked just fine.
Tech said it was the first bad 622 he has in seen in 2 months.

I opted to keep the 2 dish setup, instead of a 1000, so he just popped a new 'lens' in the 110/119 dish, which included the additional feed out for the 622.

Signal strength came in at 89, 90, 98 for 110, 119, and 61.5, respectively.

He phoned in the bad receiver and expected me to have another by Wednesday. I asked if I could do a self-install, he did not think it would be a problem. Except now they seem to always ask for tech number before they will authorize it. But he said I can try it anyway, or call Dish first and see what they say. It should be plug n play essentially. You have everything else you need except a good 622.

to be continued............

Sorry to hear about the DOA 622!

I didn't get quite what I expected from my upgrade either... My billing has been through a few revsions since we last spoke Oh well, I'm still enjoying the ride without objection, at this point.

Here's hoping your Wednesday delivery/install is a successful one!

[daleb]

Originally Posted by Allin4greeN

Sorry to hear about the DOA 622!

I didn't get quite what I expected from my upgrade either... My billing has been through a few revsions since we last spoke Oh well, I'm still enjoying the ride without objection, at this point.

Here's hoping your Wednesday delivery/install is a successful one!

Thanks.. I don't think it will be a problem much longer. Kind of like the idea of installing it myself anyway, now the antenna work is done.