DISH’s hardware selection has been pretty stable for a few years, but that hasn’t always been the case. In the 2000s, DISH experimented with several different options looking for a solution that worked for everyone. The 622 and 722 DVRs were the absolute pinnacle of DISH’s first-generation HD DVRs. The third member of its family, the ViP922, was not well received at all, but the ViP622 and ViP722 still enjoy a loyal following today.
What made these DVRs special
The HD DVRs from other providers at the time would let you output to multiple TVs, but the 622/722 went further than that. One single box would let you watch two different programs on two different TVs. Only one could be high definition, but most folks at the time were ok with that. Remember that this was the early period where there wasn’t a lot of HD content anyway. You ran a coax cable or composite cables to the second TV and you were off and running. Of course if you were recording something, that limited what you could choose to watch live.
The other part of the package was an RF remote that worked through walls and doors so that you could point it at the second television and it would still work to control the DVR. A large antenna on the back of the DVR picked up those signals very well.
Where we went from there
Although the 622/722 architecture was good enough for the 2000s, people soon wanted HD in every room. And then, they wanted 4K in every room. As a result, DISH moved over to the Hopper/Joey model, where there was still one central DVR but there was a box at every TV that provided video to the TV. This allowed for the full HD (and later 4K) experience in every room.
However, it did mean that you couldn’t have just one single box that provided TV to every room. There are still people who love the 622/722 for that reason.
Your upgrade options
While DISH does still offer a 2-tuner DVR (the Hopper Duo) it no longer offers the ability to run two TVs independently from the same box. You can connect a Joey to the system. That’s how it’s done now. The basic installation of a Hopper Duo starts with a Hybrid Dish (Western Arc or Eastern Arc depending on the customer’s location) and uses a Hybrid Solo Hub to route signals to the proper device. Essentially, all existing DISH equipment is changed out if the customer doesn’t want to keep the older devices. There are other installation options that are possible, but this is the simplest, as shown in this diagram:
Why doesn’t DISH offer a 2-room single box solution anymore?
The 622/722 series only allowed one room to have high definition service, and today in the 2020s most customers don’t want standard definition at home. SD may be all right in an RV which is going to have a smaller TV anyway, but it’s a non-starter at home for most people.
Using a second box allows for not only HD content on the second TV but a lot of other features. You get integration with Netflix and Prime Video, as well as the ability to pause live TV. Those folks who want to go further can choose the 16-tuner Hopper 3, and also add the 4K Joey for 4K programming in a second room. You can even add on the Hopper Plus which gives access to thousands of streaming apps without ever changing the input of the TV.
You might be thinking, “that’s nice but…”
DISH’s own research shows that the overwhelming majority of those folks who want two or more rooms of TV are happier with the Hopper/Joey structure because of all the added benefits. But, y’know, I get it. If you’re happy with the device you’ve had for 20 years it can be a little bit frustrating to know that there’s not an exact replacement. It may not matter to you what the “overwhelming majority” thinks, and I do understand that as well. But to those folks, I would just say, try it. You may like it. The amount of extra equipment you’ll need just isn’t that big a deal. The cost of a Hopper and Joey together is probably less than you paid for a 622 back in the day, accounting for inflation. It could just be that you’ll join that “overwhelming majority” in their opinion.
If you’d like to know about all your options for DISH upgrades, call the folks at Solid Signal! We’re DISH Premier Local Retailers, and that means we can give you the highest level of customer service. Call us at 888-233-7563 and you’ll talk to a technical expert who can help you understand all your options. We’re here during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
