DishNet enables USB 2.0 Port for external Hard Drive

[jerfilm]

Well, I see DishNet downloaded some new software to my system. All kinds of tips and other mostly useless information. But they say call an 888 number to enable your USB port for an external hard drive.

Has anyone tried this yet? How fast does this drive have to run?

Jerry

[allargon]

Hi, jerfilm. If you haven't been following the endless discussions at dbstalk and satelliteguys, I will mention not to call until tomorrow 15 August. It supports archival of previously recorded programs on external USB drives of up to 750GB. There's a $40 one time enabling fee as well.

[bruceghtva]

I suspect the answer is no but before I swap out receivers and go to one of the newer Dish DVR's like the 722 can I somehow download the programs I want on the DVR942? Is there an activatable USB port on the 942?

[allargon]

I suspect the answer is no but before I swap out receivers and go to one of the newer Dish DVR's like the 722 can I somehow download the programs I want on the DVR942? Is there an activatable USB port on the 942?

Nope. You would need to burn those to disc or re-record them. Only the 722 and the 622 have that feature AFAIK. Moreover, you aren't allowed to move a USB drive between different receivers just yet. I would've loved to have dumped my 625 contents that way. However, I spent a good deal of time burning a lot of PPV to DVD.

[bruceghtva]

i expected this response.....I will record the programs that I want to save to DVD even though it will only be at 480i. That's one of the reasons that I delayed my conversion to the new DVR, to give me time to make the recordings. The other reason is that Dish asked for a new 18 month committment to take advantage of their "free" upgrade. Considering I've already paid $200 for the 942 lease and completed my 18 months when I signed up and converted over from VOOM that concept rubbed me the wrong way. Also, I'm not sure what VOOM channels will be preserved, what new HD channels are coming, and what DirecTV will be offering this fall. I decided that it's prudent to wait a month or so until the smoke clears on all the new HD channels and I might want to take advantage of the DirecTV offer for the free premium package with a paid 4 month sub to the NFL ticket.
My biggest concern there is that I am not sure how good the DTV H20 DVR is compared to the Dish 722.

[whatchel1]

[email protected] I think you should sign into your account on line to check the offers from Dish. On the tech chat last night they talked about that they have several new offers to upgrade. 1 is as little as $ 49 for existing customers to the VIP622. It may be the Dishin it up program but not sure the exact offer that would be best for you. The VIP722 is ht newest HDDVR that is coming out the 15th but not sure what the upgrade to it is. It will hold 55 hrs of HD on the HDD instead of the 30 that the 622 holds. The 622 & 722 gets their USB ports activated on the same day to use up to a 759 gb ext HDD for a 1 time fee of $40 for the entire account.

[bruceghtva]

Thanks for the info. That's why I decided to wait until past the 15th so i could see all options offered via satellite and then make the best informed decision. I really don't start the TV watching season until mid-September because of various outdoor activities so waiting is not a big deal and there are always new offers coming down the pike. I'd rather stay with Dish because the dishes are already installed but I do like the NFL Sunday Games of DTV .....There are going to be many new HD channels coming on board this fall and I'd like to see which provider gets what before I sign any 18 month committment.

[jdevine760]

Just contacted DISH tech support and they say that the website info is in error...the USB port activation is still a "future feature" and is not available at this time...although there are pages and pages of information about it and the notice that there will be a $39.95 activation fee for it - it just isn't available according to "(04) Mark P." on their web chat page. Bummer...I was really looking forward to adding a 1 terabyte disc to that 622!!!!
John

[allargon]

Direct and Dish are going to be swapping for awhile. Direct should be launching another bird before year's end. Dish is putting two more into the sky in a short time as well.

Jdevine, that tech support person was uninformed. I'm transferring programs to an external Seagate drive connected to my 622 right now. I'm told nothing greater than 750GB is supported. You can use multiple drives (only one at a time) for archival purposes.

I've found the 500GB drives to make the most sense economically. It's not like we're swapping out the internal drive. Recordings can only be made to the internal drive. Afterwards, you can move them to an external drive.

[jdevine760]

Thanks, Allargon...I'll try via phone and see if I get any better result...I thought that he seemed a bit inflexible (reading from a book no doubt)...
John