kvrdave

Mine is on the fritz. It just keeps turning itself off and on automatically. It doesn't show any tv programing information either.

It has always been a bit buggy, but nothing like this. It happened Saturday night. I was preparing to watch something and all of a sudden it shuts off. No big deal, but then it just keeps doing it. I have unplugged it and started it, and it is the same thing. I have removed the smartcard, and it will start and tell me my smartcard is not inserted, but then starts doing the same thing?

Dish Network is no help since they hate the DP because of Microsoft and they have their new DPRs (or whatever). They just want me to upgrade.

kvrdave

http://www.dbsforums.com/ubb/ultimat...;f=14;t=003284


Widespread problem. The solution is halfway down and consists of this
I don't really know what any of the codes mean, but I will give it a try. Hopefully this can help someone else.

Frank S

A few days ago Dish sent new software to the Dishplayers and that is why your DishPlayer is screwy! Do as indicated above and it should be OK.

joshd2012

Well, its been awhile since I have worked with a DishPlayer, but let me see what I remember. First thing I would do is try to do a check switch. If that comes back ok, it will then download the program guide info. If that doesn't work, I would use a code. I can't remember which code does what, but I know there is that code and the Jenny code (8675309 or however it is in the song). One of them downloads the program guide and the other is a total format of the system.

I would suggest calling up DishNetwork and asking for help. When you first talk to someone, ask to be transfered to the Christiansburg, VA location. We were trained more on DishPlayers there then any other location. Also, the ATRs (advanced technical representatives) are on location there, and they love DishPlayers.

I have run into this problem before, but I can't remember how I solved it. Good Luck.

NC-36

1. Switch to Directv.

2. Get a DirecTiVo.

3. Sell your DP on ebay, preferably to a Canadian (pirates pay a premium for DP's).

4. Never pull another smartcard or reboot just to get your PVR to work

kvrdave

I have seen that. I looked just to see if I should sell it and upgrade. I was amazed at what they went for. Now I feel like I can't sell it because it is so valuable

nekobus

And give up all the international programming that Directv doesn't have.

Wolf Husky

There's a lot more than just international channels that DirecTV doesn't have.

Numanoid

Yeah, like lousy PVRs. (Hi, my name is Numanoid and I'm a Dishplayer survivor.)

kvrdave

Did yours get hit? Mine is not back to normal quite, but it sort of works.

NC-36

I've been a Directv subscriber since '95, and took Dish Network for a year because I got a free 501 receiver and AT100 programming @ $9 a month for that year. At only a couple of bucks more than a 2nd Directv receiver I figured what could it hurt ?

Since I don't speak any language besides English, going to the trouble of setting up a second dish just to get international channels was a non-starter. The 501's half-assed design and unreliability sent me over to the DirecTiVo before my year was even up. I fullfilled my obligation to Dish and sold my 501 to a friend who, likewise, sold it and switched to the DirecTiVo.

And to Wolf Husky, what exactly does Dish Network offer that is so compelling that Directv doesn't offer ? -

- monthly porn subscriptions ? That stuff is readily available on DVD everywhere at $1 a rental, and my satellite bill is high enough paying for channels I am likely to watch for more than 15 minutes at a time. Pass

- distant network feeds ? I've had NY & LA locals from Directv since '95, and added my own locals to them in Dec.'01. I admit 3 channels of ABC is 3 channels too many, but 3 channels of Simpsons reruns (7 episodes a day) makes my DirecTiVos happy

- shopping channels ? I'll grant you, Dish Network has more of those, but that's not really a good thing is it ?

On the flip side, Directv has more PPV movie choices, NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings and better music channels. Though I don't get NFLST or MLBEI, the fact that Directv has them while Dish Network doesn't shows me which company is more driven to make subscribers happy.

kvrdave

DaveNinja

I had the dishplayer but eventually switched to UltimateTV when they had some rebate deal that made the equipment free. UTV is like an upgraded dishplayer that works, i dont think i've ever had a problem with either of the ones i have (except for a tuner dying on one). The UTV guide is like the dishplayers, i.e. much better than TIvos.

Wolf Husky

I have no problems with my 501.

One of the things I like about DN programming over DTV is the college football. Nearly every pro football game worth watching is on regular TV channels, so unless you want to see the two worst teams, why would you care about NFL Sunday Ticket?

College football, on the other hand, cannot possibly show even 10% of the games played every week even if they started airing on TNN, MTV, and USA. College PPV is pretty useful to a college football fan.

NC-36

Like I said, I don't have NFLST, but lots of Directv subs love it, and many Dish Network subs complain about not getting it every single year. Seems to be important to someone (like Packer fans who live in Florida, or Raider fans in Ohio, etc)

How does Dish Network offer more college football than Directv ?

Both services offer the same games through ESPN Gameplan - http://espn.go.com/page2/s/gameplan.html -
plus the same national sources like TNN, USA, etc. Directv also offers more RSN's with occasional non-blacked-out games in the Sports Pack on channels that aren't available on Dish Network.