Hopper vs. 722K

[Don]

Okay, since I am such a "valuable" customer, Dish has offered to "upgrade"
my 722K to Hopper for free.

My initial response was that I am happy with my current setup but I'd think
about it.

So what are the pluses and minuses?

[paultry]

I have a 722k - no experience with the Hopper, but can offer
these observations:

"Free" is a relative term. DISH may waive the upgrade and
installation fees, but the Hopper DVR service will cost $10
per month vs $6 for the 722k. I think each Joey will cast
$7 per month. DISH will probably require a new two year
commitment if you upgrade - not a big deal for satisfied
DISH customers who don't plan on leaving.

If you live in a DMA without DISH local channels in HD (as I
do) the Hopper's ability to record all network prime time
programming may be of little value. We get most of our
network programming OTA in HD. I have to turn the antenna
to get FOX, so recording often comes down to a choice: ABC,
CBS & NBC in one direction, or FOX in another. The three
usually win so our FOX shows are mostly in poor quality DISH
SD. (Oklahoma - West Virginia game last night was a mushy
blur.) Until last week, the Hopper didn't have OTA
capability. Now there is a single channel USB OTA module
available. Two OTA channels vs one - the 722k wins.

Best I can tell, the Hopper requires a subscription to
AT120 or higher. I have Dish America and don't plan on
going higher.

Lack of DISH local channels in HD in my DMA plus the
Hopper's higher equipment and programming cost will keep me
from "upgrading".

[Don]

Thanks for the response. Since they contacted me for the "Free Upgrade" I'll
only accept if they agree to keep the DVR rate at $7. From what I've read
the OTA is 2 channels. I'll also insist on the OTA feature at current
prices since I already have a 2-OTA service.

I'm not "after" Hopper since I'm happy with my current setup so it's my way
or forget it.


"paultry" <afn02...@afn.org> wrote in message
news:k8betm$ct5$1...@dont-email.me...

[Lloyd]

In article <50ae61dc$0$36946$c3e8da3$f017...@news.astraweb.com>,

It isn't the DVR rate that changes, it is that with the Hopper, there is
a requirement for DVR+MRV (multi-room viewing). Currently your unit
doesn't do that in anywhere near the same way. Frankly I think when you
talk to them, they won't waive the MRV portion just for you.

The OTA for the Hopper is a single tuner OTA module, and just like the
OTA module for the 722k and 922, you'll probably have to buy it. There
is no fee for the OTA portion, just the upfront cost of the module.

[jeffi...@gmail.com]

So far I am the only one who seems to have this problem, so it may have been the hopper that was installed at my house, but I hated the picture quality.

I have terrible migraines and my head "reacts" to certain things badly...like florescent lights. My head feels like it is "shrinking" at first and then the pain starts. Well, I had the same problem with the hopper. My head started to hurt and the picture quality looked worse to me.

Most of the time, I see a huge difference and my husband sees nothing. I was stunned that this time my husband noticed a big difference in picture quality as well. Now, I don't know if this was a problem with the equipment or the installer did something wrong, but the picture quality was worse with the Hopper.

It is hard to explain....on the hopper the picture looked like it was being seen through a film...the picture was slightly whiter...blacks were gray, not black. The edges of things looked a little softer and the biggest difference was when the picture moved. When something moved it sort of stopped being in focus until it stopped. So, if someone was running across the screen, they were blurry a little and when they stopped, the image "snapped" into focus.

I tried the hopper on all kinds of channels and noticed it everywhere. On the non hd channels it was worse. But non hd on 722k vs non hd on the hopper and the 722k blew the hopper out of the water.

After about 20 minutes of flipping channels and seeing how bad the picture was, my husband determined he couldn't live with it, no matter how much he wanted the added features of the Hopper. And me.....my head was screaming in pain. It took about 3 hours of being in a dark room before my head calmed down again.

Now.....I tell you all this with the HUGE caveat that everyone at Dish has told me that what I saw wasn't possible. They said the Hopper has a better tuner than the 722k and the picture quality is better. Since I DID see a big difference in picture quality I can't tell you why. Perhaps if my Hopper worked as they say it does and if they are right about it being a better picture, then what I saw shouldn't have any bearing on you. I just don't know.

[John]

What you are describing sound like your Hopper isn't hooked up using the
HDMI connection or the Hopper and/or the HD TV are not set up correctly.
There should be an HDMI cable from the Hopper to the TV and both the
Hopper and TV should be set to 1080I. For some reason some installer
are not using HDMI. My neighbors got a Hopper/Joey and complained about
the poor picture quality on their new 42" Samsung HDTV. The installer
hooked it up to their TV using a COMPOSITE (yellow, red, white) cable.
I saw the picture and could not believe how bad it was. I gave them a
HDMI cable and hooked it up for them and now they are very pleased with
the picture.

I'll bet your installer did something similar. If you are not familiar
enough with the tech stuff I suggest that you call Dish and ask them to
send a tech to your home to fix the problem. The problem could be a bad
receiver but my guess is the wiring or setup.

[Regis]

You are not the only one, upgraded to Hopper two weeks ago , been thru 3 techs with DISH, I m myself have a computer tech background and can confirm that HD quality of the hopper is barely 480i even went set up to 1080i. By the way I m using Gold HDMI.

[Lloyd E Parsons]

I've had 3 Hoppers over the last few years and all of them showed 1080i
just fine. In fact right now, since I am dual-subbed to both Direct
and Dish, I'd say that the difference between the two is even less than
in the past.

If you are not getting a sharp picture, you've got something set wrong imo.

--
Lloyd

[ash]

On Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 8:36:59 AM UTC-7, Regis wrote:
> You are not the only one, upgraded to Hopper two weeks ago , been thru 3 techs with DISH, I m myself have a computer tech background and can confirm that HD quality of the hopper is barely 480i even went set up to 1080i. By the way I m using Gold HDMI.

===============

I got upgraded to hopper from the older DVR/tuner and facing the same issue. Hopper picture quality looks worse, pixelated, soft etc. I tried some settings but nothing helped. Im a computer engineer myself. Just now reading to see many have this issue!! This is bad. I'm writing to them and hope they can fix this issue! Big let down after awaiting for the all those new features :( Loss in PQ is not acceptable!

[mitch...@gmail.com]

You have described my problem also..messed up picture

[mitch...@gmail.com]

They our sending me back a 722. Hopper 3 bad...