yeehaaa!!!!!!! My commitments are through with DirecTV and on Thursday I get my Dish setup. Local HD channels and 30 HD channels also. And I can catch the action on my new HD PVR from Dish that has *woohoo* HDMI. Now ALL my components are pure digital and are routed automatically through my HDMI switcher. I will report here later on my impressions of the HD feed from Dish! For 10 months, the silver plan, which I am going to be on, is actually cheaper than DirecTV with no HD! BrUAUAUAUAUAHAAA!

About time you did this. I have a 622 here now, love it. They do have a few issues though. You'll enjoy the HD channels, but the quality is often limited by the programming providers. You'll also get a full compliment of digital audio channels PLUS all the Sirius channels.

The Dish Super-dish tripple LNB is a weird animal, all cock-eyed. Don't let them give you a second dish for 62.5, go with the Super Dish at 110-119-129.

Yep, I'm getting the single dish solution.

So, is that a dish with 3 lnbs or what is that?

I have no clue, hewre in europe clocks tick different.

Maybe CDan knows already. But I think so. I will know for sure tomorrow afternoon, as that's when they are coming to install it. I just hope they have a clear shot, as I think this dish will point SE. The DirecTV points SW.

The Dish Super has 3 LNB. When aimed they orient to 110, 119 and 129. But, 129 is at a different elevation, so the eliptical dish gets cocked to better capture the 3 signals. Most times this works out well enough, but it tends to favor either the 110-119 sats or the 129. Some folks prefer to use a separate dish for 129 so they can peak the signals on all 3. Not sure how this will change when the new sats get moved into position, it may improve. All the HD channels are mirrored on 62.5, the old VOOM sat, except for the MPEG-4 channels. AFAIK, when the new sats are in position, they will carry all the MPEG4 and possibly all HD. Right now, I think most of the MPEG-4 capacity is going to HD locals.

DTV uses 3 sats on the same elevation and tends to get slightly better signal lock.

Ah, thanks for the info.

Yes, thank you CDan. When will the satellites be in position? Do you know?

They may have a press release posted somewhere. I think one is up and is in a testing mode and will be moved to position sometime this year. Not sure about the second one. Looks like the latest one is headed for 110'.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/a...es/index.shtml

http://www.sea-launch.com/past_echostar-x.html

My initial quick feelings on Dish network, have not had a lot of time to fool with it yet. First off, I was afraid I got an older receiver as I got the VIP622. But, I did a little searching and I think this is the good one to get as it can handle MPEG4. The guy that came to the house works at a local business that is family owned and operated, of course this is where I ordered the service from. He was great and took a long time maximizing the signal. As stated, it is necessary to turn the dish at an odd angle to capture all 3 satellites as they are on different elevations. It's a bit tricky. He did it though and the picture is great. The other thing that's cool, you can use the 622 to provide a picture to another set in the house using a provided second UHF remote. Pretty cool, as now all I need is a TV in the bedroom with no box and no extra charge therefore. Of course, you could get a conflict if someone is using both tuners but, in our house, this is not going to happen often. The 622 has a little antenna on it's back side and this is how the remote can communicate with the receiver through walls.

The other thing I like is now I FINALLY have a DVR with an HDMI output, so I plugged the puppy into my automatic Octava 5x1 HDMI switcher, which then relays to the DVI input on the plasma. No more need to have my TV change video input. So I can switch between HTPC to HD DVR by pushing one button on the Harmony 688 remote! and vice versa. Also, No more separate HD receiver since the DVR does both. Which cleaned up a lot of wires and space on my shelf too! Also, the Dish network system can take a single cable in to the house, to accomplish these tasks, whereas with Direct TV I need 3! One for the HD receiver, then one for each tuner on the DirecTiVo. Dish just use a splitter that can carry power plus the signal to the DVR.

I'm trying to get accustomed to the new remote and interface which is quite a bit more complicated than DirecTiVo as it has more options. I just figured out how to control my receiver volume while in satellite mode on the remote which is cool. Instead of toggling back and forth between AUX and SAT. Now, I am going to see how to go about recording to DVD with this thing, I hope I can archive what is on the hard disc, like I could with my DirecTiVo.

It sure is nice to get network HD stations, such as ABC CBS and NBC via the dish in HD as well. Watching the news is more fun and I am surprised how much HD programming is available from the three networks. Unfortunately, in my area I cannot get public TV in HD with satellite.

You'll get a better picture from OTA HD locals than you will from Dish, but the difference is not huge. This assumes you can get OTA locals in your area.

The 2-tuner 622 is nice in dual mode, but in single mode you can still use both tuners for PIP or recording while you watch something else. Or record 2 programs and watch a different recording.

This is why I went to Dish- I cannot get OTA HD.

Sad story here in Germany with DVB-T (HD) too. It simply doesn't exist, because there is no bandwith free for such things.

What have you tried so far to get OTA out there in Greeley Dan?