Dish network has released its new ViP 722 HD DVR with most coveted feature; support for external hard drive. All the features are available in the previous ViP 622 HD DVR also now. ViP 622 was upgraded automatically in nightly software update. ViP 622 and ViP 722 are pretty much same except recording time. I have ViP 622 HD DVR. You can now archive and playback from the external hard drive and have virtually unlimited recording space. You will be allowed to shared the drive between receivers in later release.
This is the best free HD DVR available in the market now. Cable operators do offer free HD DVRs but are piece of junk. I have tried Motorola 6412 box from Comcast. DIRECTV has decent HD DVR but it’s not free. DIRECTV charges $200 for their HD DVR and you don’t own the equipment. Feature wise also it lacks from the Dish HD DVR. TiVo is the best but only if you can afford it, and if you want DIRECTV or Dish (like me) you are out of luck (HD TiVo only supports cable customers). I tried TiVo series 2 and everything was great except one problem, I had to program remote to skip commercial by using some hack code from the Internet. I am not sure about the new HD TiVo.
Unique features I like about ViP 722/ViP 622:
- ViP 622 records: 30 hours of HD programming or 200 hours of standard-definition and ViP 722 record: 55 hours of HD programming or 350 hours of standard-definition
- Able to record 3 HD/SD programs simultaneously. Two from inbuilt satellite tuner and one from Integrated off-air tuner (requires antenna). Believe me some time you may need to record three programming simultaneously
- External Hard Drive Support (require one time $39 activation fee per household)
- SD up converted to 720P/1080i
- IP Call Back Support. Will not require to connect the telephone line
- Simultaneously outputs; HDMI, HD Component, S-VHS and Component video
How do you get the new ViP 722 HD DVR?
If you are a current Dish Network customer, call the customer service and ask for the upgrade. If they ask for the upgrade fee ask them to cancel service( only if you are out of contract), they will transfer you to cancellation/account retention department. Account retention department people have authority to do pretty much anything. Depends on your whining/bitching you may receive some additional free programming or credit also.
If you are a new customer, you will receive:
- FREE HD/DVR Upgrade
- FREE DishHD for 6 months
- FREE HBO And cinemax for 3 months
- FREE Standard Professional Installation
- FREE Home Protection Plan
- FREE iPod Shuffle/FREE 7″ Portable DVD Player/FREE DVD Home Theater System
- LIFETIME Equipment Warranty
UPDATE: See Latest Detail about ViP 722k
Even if you don’t have HDTV and have plan to buy HDTV in few months pick HD DVR, because if you don’t get HD DVR now and once you become the customer you will have to pay for the upgrade.
I am currently a DISH Subscriber but more than that I am a DISH employee, and I wanted to comment about our equip. DISH has award winning line up of receivers that have the most HD record time. One thing I can say that with DISH you can get the HD free for life too. DISH now offers a winning situation, you get the most HD programming avail and it’s free then second you get top of the line DVR with the most record time on the market.