DISH Hopper/Joey HDMI compatible?

I am not sure where you got the interpretation that I said a DVR was a DVR when what I said was a tuner was a tuner.
All tuners are the same whether they are installed in a single receiver, a DVR or a Hopper or a Genie. One tuner, one channel (except, as I noted, when PTAT is activated).

Bill.Satellite wrote:
No matter how you setup your system, a tuner is a tuner.

I think this sells the Hopper (and Genie) short.

Both these systems bring more to the table than just tuners and storage -- they're both centralized DVR systems with more network options (wired & wireless). Plus both the Hopper and Genie offer other bells and whistles that conventional receivers do not.

Finally, you can never have enough tuners and more is certainly better, but both the Hopper and Genie offer much more than just tuners, don't you think?

No matter how you setup your system, a tuner is a tuner. You can be watching / recording as many channels as you have tuners (3 for the Hopper without the PTAT option or 4 with 2 722's). You could record 3 (or 4) and watch previously recorded programming as well. The external hard drive you mention above is optional if you think you need more space or want to save programming for long periods. The Hopper has a 2TB hard drive. 1TB for PTAT and another 1TB for everything else.

lanerd wrote:

The hopper/joey system definitely has the advantage...but I already have the 722's...nothing to purchase, but I will have to devise a shelving unit that will hold both 722's and maybe add a fan to the cabinet for better cooling.

With both 722s in one cabinet, suggest you look at dual 722 fans.

Or something from coolerguys.com -- these guys have the best stuff. They also carry USB fans that could plug into the back of a receiver.

Smart move.....My Hopper, installed 6 weeks ago, took a dump last night, in that it stopped sending programing to either of the Joeys. This is in a stable cabinet with NO vibrations or any heat problems. Dish is sending a replacement, but until it arrives, we are SOL on the use of either Joey.

Not true. You can select which of the 4 network(s) to record, which days of the week to record, and how long to keep the recordings (from 2 to 8 days). Also, you can keep a PTAT program longer by using Save Series.

Ok, so am I to understand that you cannot select a specific program to record on PTAT as you indicate you can select which network and which day....meaning to me that it will record all the programs for that day on that network. Or am I just reading too much into your statement?

So lets see if I understand.

With the hopper/joey I will have to (purchase) have (1) hopper, (1) joey, (1) external hard drive and (1) Solo Node. It will have three tuners that each of us would have to share. I can record six programs simultaneously if not watching anything or four programs if each of us is watching a live program....not sure what the situation is if we are each watching a prerecorded program (still record six?).The hopper's PTAT feature is very neat, but I'm not really sure if it is worth the difference between having the hopper/joey and the dual 722's.

With the dual 722's I will have (2) DVRs (that take up more space, puts out more heat and uses more power) with only four tuners but we would not have to share. We can only record four programs simultaneously or two programs if we are each watching a live program but can record four programs and watch a prerecorded program.

The hopper/joey system definitely has the advantage...but I already have the 722's...nothing to purchase, but I will have to devise a shelving unit that will hold both 722's and maybe add a fan to the cabinet for better cooling.

I think I'm leaning towards keeping what I have.

Ron

Thanks for that update techwriter. I had read several reports that the info I posted was the only option for the PTAT option. Nice to hear it has some additional options available. Now, if only it would work with DNS!

I have to agree with TechWriter about the advantages of a Hopper. We even use the Pandora app for music when not watching TV. We have never used PTAT. There is not that much on network TV worth recording in our opinion.

lanerd wrote:
Thanks for the explanation Bill. The more I understand about the Hopper, the more I'm inclined to stay with my dual 722's. I just really don't see all that much more advantage to changing. However, I do appreciate all info/education that has been provided to me on the hopper/joey configuration...you guys are great.

The Hopper has much more flexibility and options than a 722/622. I owned both DVRs. You might want to base your decision on people who actually use the equipment on a daily basis. Bill doesn't own a Hopper (and has never owned any DISH equipment I believe) and it shows. For example . . .

Bill.Satellite wrote:
If you activate the PTAT option you have no control over what is recorded and how long you can keep it. The PTAT uses 1TB of the 2TB hard drive (the recordings on the other 2 tuners goes to the other 1TB only) and automatically records ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox from 8pm - 11pm (prime time) every weekday. It maintains 8 days worth of recordings and on day 9, day 1 goes away.

Not true. You can select which of the 4 network(s) to record, which days of the week to record, and how long to keep the recordings (from 2 to 8 days). Also, you can keep a PTAT program longer by using Save Series.

And if you really want to save recordings, you can connect another 2TB hard drive to the Hopper and transfer recordings to it.

Finally, if you delete a program by mistake, it's still available for 2 days in a "Deleted Recordings" folder.

Thanks for the explanation Bill. The more I understand about the Hopper, the more I'm inclined to stay with my dual 722's. I just really don't see all that much more advantage to changing. However, I do appreciate all info/education that has been provided to me on the hopper/joey configuration...you guys are great.

Have a great day.

Ron