DishTV 211z receiver.

Yes, you may record a program while watching a previously recorded program. Yes, you may record a program while watching OTA TV. You may NOT record a satellite program while watching a different satellite program. You may record only one satellite program at a time. Hope this helps.

Thanks to all readers for timely and helpful replies. Hopefully, will get set up w/ Tailgater, start up some Dish service, and try out options in next month or so.

The recording/watching options for a Dish VIP 211k, or a VIP211z with the optional USB OTA adapter, and a suitable external HD are:

Watch a sat or OTA program.

Record a sat and OTA program.

Watch and record a sat or OTA program.

Watch a sat program and record an OTA program.

Watch an OTA program and record a sat program.

Watch a pre-recorded program and record a sat program and an OTA program.

Note that the external HD must be USB 2.0 compatible. It took us all of 5 minutes to get the HD recording once we paid DISH 40 bucks over the phone. It functions no differently than an a DVR with an internal HD. The benefit is size. Ours is 2 TB.

Bumpyroad wrote:
by adding a hard drive is this put into the 211 it self or just stand alone? if stand alone, can't see how setting it is that easy. if installed into the 211 can you just order one with it already installed.
bumpy

HD is a USB External

1) yes
2) yes by changing you tv input to your OTA antenna

The DVR functionality is no different from any other single tuner DVR.

nylyon wrote:

BB_TX wrote:

Since it is a single receiver box you can't watch one program and simultaneously record another for the same time slot.

You can watch one program and record another if you are watching a recording OR you have the over the air module and are watching an OTA channel.

But you are correct, you can not watch one LIVE Satellite show while recording a separate Satellite channel.

Hi all: if anyone with 211Z could clarify one more thing that would be great.

Last summer, we overhauled the guts of the Winnie's electronics and installed modern TV (aka Flat Screen)

When we aren't gazing at the scenery, thinking of getting the 211Z Kingdome Tailgater and subscribing to Dish SD/HD pay as you go. Have good OTA antenna which worked very well in past for OTA SD/HD channels.

Have an extra 1TB West.Dig. ExtHD available for RV use.

Maybe I am just reading the above info in the thread incorrectly, but would readers please advise if these specific combinations actually work:

1) watching a previously recorded Satellite show from the ExtHD, and while recording another Live Satellite show?

2) watching Live OTA show and simultaneously recording to ExtHD a Live Satellite show?

Any other tech or use insights welcome. Hate to beat a dead receiver, but if the technology isn't practical for how we might use it, no sense in purchasing the service(s) and /or dragging along the extra gear.

Thanks in advance everyone.

On my 211z I installed a laptop harddrive, in an external usb case, and it works fine without an external power source.

Bumpyroad wrote:
by adding a hard drive is this put into the 211 it self or just stand alone? if stand alone, can't see how setting it is that easy. if installed into the 211 can you just order one with it already installed.
bumpy

After connecting the stand alone USB hard drive, Dish will activate the receiver to use it when you call CS. The activation enables all the standard DVR controls as found on "native" DVR models. There are no VIP211 models with an internal drive.

BB_TX wrote:

Since it is a single receiver box you can't watch one program and simultaneously record another for the same time slot.

You can watch one program and record another if you are watching a recording OR you have the over the air module and are watching an OTA channel.

But you are correct, you can not watch one LIVE Satellite show while recording a separate Satellite channel.