Dish Comparison

[TunaBoo]

So, I am moving into an apartment where I will be able to get satallite TV instead of cable. You get so many more stations for the same/less cost, so I am really looking forward to this.

In terms of ease of getting sage to interface with, are they any different? I know you can do them all with a USB-UIRT, but I didn't know if any receivers still used a serial link you could directly use.

Other than that, it looks like Dish. I don't care for sports, and can get a decent package I like for a fair price. However, I definately haven't ruled out DirectTV.

[TunaBoo]

I use a 2 tuner sage system, so the best value to me is looking to be DISH network 120 channel 2 tuner setup for $40 a month. DirectTV is more like 40ish for the same thing, and the 2nd tuner would cost me $5. Also with DISH I can go up to 4 tuners (if I choose) for another $5 instead of another $10.

[kny3twalker]

well with DirecTV you get serial control
with dish none
you will have to get a USB UIRT
I think they can control 3 devices
I think you can run as many serial control DirecTV boxes as you have serial port or get a usb to serial adapter but not sure how hard it is to do that

the serial control for DirecTV are active for interfacing with TiVo as I have read and probably other uses

[SHS]

You can run just as min Dish with one USB UIRT as you can with DirecTV with serial control
You want check out Voom.

[TunaBoo]

You can run 2 dish off one usb urit?

[insomniac]

Yep. All you need to do is change the remote id. I believe dish has quite a few remote id's available.

Im running 2 off one uirt right now.

I.

Originally posted by TunaBoo
You can run 2 dish off one usb urit?

[SHS]

If I recall rigth I think it was up to 16 Remote ID Address
This help you with Remote Address
http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthr...&threadid=2608
I don't know how min IR eyes you can do on one USB UIRT by slitting up the signel.

[justme]

I don't know how min IR eyes you can do on one USB UIRT by slitting up the signel.

Somewhere on this forum OR in a PM Jon Rhees told me the current specs for the stereo jacks used in the back of the USB-UIRT, but I can't find it. Still I remember them being very generious for IR LEDs current usage. If you want to do more than the USB-UIRT will supply current too, then a very simple amp circuit will do the job. There was one posted by a USB-UIRT user in the USB-UIRT Supported thread. I'm sure someone at the USB-UIRT forums could provide you with detailed schematics, part #s, and where to buy them very easliy. This is one of those things that is very simple if you have the knowledge(or advice) and soldering skill(or a friend with soldering skill).

[TunaBoo]

I can solder anything reasonably sized.

Thanks for the help, if I only need 1 USB URIT I will go for dish.

[insomniac]

FYI:

You need not touch anything besides the .ir file to get the uirts to work with more than one dish receiver. Im not sure if you got that from the last few posts or not. Just wanted to clarify that to make sure

I would guess that the only limit would be you having to have the uirt within range of all "to be tuned" IRD's. Mine work just fine stacked on top of each other with the USBUIRT 4 inches away.


I.

2 receiver 1 USBUIRT

[SHS]

All need twin IR 'Blink' emitter and need more that what Y adaptor are for
http://www.homeautomation.eu.com/product/93
http://www.smarthome.com/shdiremitters.html
You do need make each IR file for each Receiver box using that custom Remote ID Address

[TunaBoo]

Well look here
http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/p...rd/index.shtml

The DISH 322 is 1 box with 2 tuners, should be extra easy to point 1 usb-urit at

[SHS]

Stick with 301 thoses new 322 only have one S/Video ouput which suck if you want get best PQ out of it.

[insomniac]

yea 301's are nice units. Im running 3900's (which are a little slow) 301's would be a much welcome upgrade.

I.

[TunaBoo]

Ah good point. Dual 301's it is!

I love this place. *sniff*