Dish or DirecTV high-def

[scoob8000]

So I'm currently trying sage out with my new LCD and have been toying around with getting HD service from Dish.

But with all the issues with the HD-PVR, are there any other options (that won't break the bank)?

Or if I want HD, am I stuck with Cable?

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by scoob8000

But with all the issues with the HD-PVR, are there any other options (that won't break the bank)?

Not really, the R5000 is the only real alternative and I'm not sure it's a lot more reliable these days, since the HD PVR is rather reliable now.

Or if I want HD, am I stuck with Cable?

Cable probably won't help you a lot because most of the HD channels are usually encrypted there too.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by scoob8000

So I'm currently trying sage out with my new LCD and have been toying around with getting HD service from Dish.

But with all the issues with the HD-PVR, are there any other options (that won't break the bank)?

Or if I want HD, am I stuck with Cable?

There were issues with the HDPVR from early on, most of those have been ironed out (I think more issues now are the cause due to the system and not the device). I myself have used the HDPVR from almost day one with almost no issues. It is really about the only option (short of getting the R5000 mod on the old VIP211) to get HD from Dish Network. I actually love my HDPVR.

[scoob8000]

The R5000 mod looks very interesting to me, but albiet costly.

I'm mainly trying to remove the "bottleneck" that is the S-video from my Dish box to my HTPC box.

I'm having a hard time adapting to watching SD content on my new TV. :/

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

There were issues with the HDPVR from early on, most of those have been ironed out (I think more issues now are the cause due to the system and not the device).

There are still plenty of us having problems. It's a problematic device. Then again, you might get one and have no issues.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Chriscic

There are still plenty of us having problems. It's a problematic device. Then again, you might get one and have no issues.

You tried the other drivers yet?

[CollinR]

The bonus to Dish is you can get 2 222k rcvrs and only pay $7 in outlet fees monthly. You get 2 HD and 2 SD sources like that. All others to get 4 sources you need to get 4 boxes and pay for them something like $15-30. Long term this can make a big difference. If you need more then 3 HD you kinda lose the advantage as their HD boxes have 1 HD outlet and they limit you to 6 tuners. Me personally though I can get by with 2 HD from Dish 2 SD from Dish and 2 QAM. However some HD will be recorded in SD unless you limit the channel lineups.

[Chriscic]

Originally Posted by stanger89

You tried the other drivers yet?

No. I'm engaging with Sage support (they responded and I sent them the logs). I also sent Hauppauge a support request but I've yet to hear back.

Every other tech company in the world other than Hauppauge tries to identify bugs and fix them in the latest drivers, not force you to go back to a much older version.

If nothing else works, I will give the older drivers a try.

[MitchSchaft]

Try telling that to ATI or Creative :P.

[stanger89]

That was my thought. Hauppauge seems to be trying, since they keep releasing new drivers that don't add new features, thus implying (if not stating in the release notes) that they think they're fixing issues.