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WAY OT: Programming DISH Network DVR

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by efusco, Mar 10, 2007.

  1. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Due to growing frustration w/ my local Cable monopoly I switched my home to DISH Network. Got a pair of DVRs. I've some experience w/ their DVRs as it's what we have at our lake house, but I still find it frustrating b/c I end up with all kinds of stuff recorded that I don't want. I don't find the system intuitive. I hate that I can't program stuff to record online. I hate that I have to type in the entire name for shows I want (unless you find it on the Guide).



    Anyway, I'm hoping someone has found an effective and efficient way to get a DISH DVR to record what you want, when you want, as many times as you want without recording a bunch of junk you don't want.



    I'd like very simple step-by-step instructions (with as few steps as possible) to do the following:

    I'll use "Myth Busters" as an example...

    1)I want to record all new episodes of Myth Busters on the Discovery HD Channel without any old episodes.

    2)I want to record up to 5 episodes

    3)I want it my 3rd Priority

    4)Assume I can't remember if it's spelled MythBusters (one word) or Myth Busters (2 words) and don't realize this until after I've hit the DVR button to start programming.



    Now, w/ Tivo this is super easy...Find programs, All categories, start typing MYT and up comes a list showing 2 channels of Mythbusters, pick the channel I want, click on options, select my preferences from each of the 6 options there (new episods, all, etc) to customize the number of episodes, how early or late to start, whether it can be clipped, etc.



    With the DISH I can't figure out how to get it to record only new....and is it better to use the "create timer" or the "DISH Pass"...and why? What's the difference?



    Any way to change the default # of episodes to record to max out at 5 or 10 so when my kids program one of their shows they don't end up with 50 episodes of Dora the Explorer?



    Any and all relevant tips appreciated.



    Now I have a perfectly functioning Series 2 TiVo with a 120GB HD hacked into it sitting on the bar not being used....I miss it already. But DANG I love having High Def on my 58" TV for the first time...even though it's old and only a 480p the picture is so much better than the cable ever gave me even in SD and the HD is just a pleasure to watch.

    BTW, if it matters, here are the 2 DVRs I have:
    ViP622 DVR and DISH Player-DVR 625
     
    #1 efusco, Mar 10, 2007
  2. jimmylozza

    jimmylozza New Member

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    If you liked TiVo, you should have gone with DirectTV.

    I have the DishHD DVR, and it's not easy to use, especially for us former TiVo users. When you search on mine, though, I can just type in "Myth" then search and Myth Busters will be in the results.

    DishPass will record every episode, regardless of if it's new or a rerun. I know it sounds screwy, but the easiest way to record with the most options is to is find the show in the guide. :(

    I don't know of any way to set a max number of episodes.

    The Dish DVR software is light years behind TiVo.
     
    #2 jimmylozza, Mar 10, 2007
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Mar 10 2007, 03:38 AM) [snapback]403271[/snapback]</div>
    You can set the max number and the time before the show to begin recording and the amount of time after the show to stop in the "options" menu. I've seen on some screen that I can't consistantly get to a means of changing from all episodes to new, etc.



    I considered DirectTV, but was familiar w/ DISH and they were running some very good deals (Got the dual tuner HD DVR and the SD dual tuner DVR (4 TVs total) and $20 off my bill for a year and the install free (that was b/c of trouble they had setting up the account). So I'm paying $55/mo for DISH for 10 or 12 months w/ the HD and the DVRs with no up front cost. Just couldn't get anywhere close to that w/ DTV.
     
    #3 efusco, Mar 10, 2007
  4. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    [​IMG]


    What am I missing here? Mythbusters, new episodes, max five recordings, priority 3.
     
    #4 priusenvy, Mar 10, 2007
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Ok, what were your steps to get there? I've seen that screen before but can't consistantly find it...should I stop using the "Dishpass" and just use create timer?
     
    #5 efusco, Mar 10, 2007
  6. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    1. Press * (search) key on remote
    2. Select "Clear Entry"
    3. Select "Keyword"
    4. Enter "myth"
    5. Select "Done"
    6. Select "Get Results"
    7. Select program and channel from results
    At this point you should be at the screen pictured above. Or just find an instance of the show in the on-screen program guide and select it.
     
    #6 priusenvy, Mar 10, 2007
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Also, for future reference, I found a decent web site for DISH stuff...
    http://www.dbstalk.com/
    This thread in particular cleared up a lot....basicly I need to NOT use DishPass...
    http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=60707

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Mar 10 2007, 05:38 AM) [snapback]403299[/snapback]</div>
    Oh, never once used the "*" key... Thanks, I'll try that way.
     
    #7 efusco, Mar 10, 2007
  8. priusenvy

    priusenvy Senior Member

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    I don't use Dish Pass. I think it is more for items that have not yet appeared in the program guide, such as a movie that is not showing on the premium movie channels yet. For instance, if I wanted to record "Casino Royale" as soon as it comes out, that would be an appropriate use of Dish Pass. For things that are already in the guide, I think you're better off with creating a timer and not using Dish Pass.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Mar 10 2007, 03:40 AM) [snapback]403300[/snapback]</div>
    www.satelliteguys.us is a good Dish (and Dish HD) forum too. I hang out there more than on dbstalk.com.
     
    #8 priusenvy, Mar 10, 2007
  9. Tom6850

    Tom6850 Retired

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    We have Direct TV with their DVR which Works OK but not like TiVo. When we had cable we had TiVo which is the easiest one to use, even my wife could operate it. When I signed up for Direct TV I was told that we could not have TiVo with their setup. In the past Direct TV customers could have TiVo. Does anyone know if new customers have the option on getting TiVo instead of their DVR? If it is possible I would like to switch.
     
    #9 Tom6850, Mar 10, 2007
  10. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Mar 10 2007, 05:47 AM) [snapback]403302[/snapback]</div>
    The guys in that thread I linked to described the DishPass as more like the "Wish List" on Tivo...for 1)Future programs not in the guide, 2)For specific directors/actors/subjects.

    I'll look at satelliteguys.us too. Thanks Envy.
     
    #10 efusco, Mar 10, 2007
  11. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Mar 10 2007, 02:38 AM) [snapback]403271[/snapback]</div>
    Unfortunately, DirecTV's NDS based PVR, the R15 has awful software. However, at least you can use old DirecTiVos on DirecTV still. I'm using a RCA DVR80 DirecTiVo but I used to use standalone TiVos on cable since 2001.

    Yep. Dish PVR's software is total crap and very primitive.. It almost seems like an engineer's special UI instead of something carefully designed w/usability in mind.
     
    #11 cwerdna, Mar 11, 2007
  12. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    You can type the search name in faster using the number pad on the remote, instead of using the arrow keys on the on screen keyboard. Like texting on a cell phone, push 2 for A, 22 for B, 222 for C, 3 for D, 33 for E, etc.
     
    #12 NoMoShocks, Mar 11, 2007
  13. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Mar 11 2007, 08:35 PM) [snapback]403984[/snapback]</div>
    Nice tip, thanks.
    I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of programming this thing, but it's still clumbsy and I get unexpected screens at times...but I think I'll be able to get it to do what I want.
     
    #13 efusco, Mar 11, 2007
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