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"How did I watch TV without this before?" on by philhutch
Pros: Excellent recording options, great picture quality
Cons: Possible to sync with a DVD recorder?
Summary: The Dish 625 is my first DVR. I have had it for a week and it has worked flawlessly. I had read some reviews of the previous model, the nearly identical 522, about a year ago. Apparently, there were some bugs in the software at that time. I have not found any problems at all so far so it looks like all those issues have been worked out since then.
Recording options are excellent, and the interface is easy to understand and master. If you record all the instances of a show, it is smart enough not to re-record an installment that it has already recorded. So you can safely ask the DVR to record "All" of a title and it will find them all on all channels but (for example) not record the repeat of the same episode when it is aired later in the day (TBS and Disney often air the same episode two or more times a day, for instance). Furthermore, so you don't fill your HD with a hundred unique episodes of Friends in a week, you can tell the DVR to only keep the most recently recorded (you choose the number to keep). You can also search the schedule 9-days into the future for a title or an actor or other key word (each show) which is has been quite handy to locate a couple of programs to record.
When it is turned off, the 625 records pay movies from "DISH on Demand". Nothing of interest has shown up yet, so I am not thrilled with this feature.
This DVR has two tuners which in 'single' mode allows you to switch back and forth between two programs (one can be in PIP), or watch one show and record a second, or even record two at the same time and watch a third previously recorded program. In 'Dual' mode (which I dont use) you lose the PIP function. This mode is meant to drive two different TVs from this same box (the unit comes with an RF remote that presumably works through walls so you can control the DVR from another room).
A couple of other nice features: Skipping commercials is easy with a button that moves ahead 30 seconds in a recording (and another that skips back 10 seconds). Also, when you are watching TV, the DVR is automatically recording at the same time, so you can pause, go back, do slo motion, etc. The remote is fantastic and it runs my DVD player as well.
Anyway, its been great so far and I highly recommend it. -
"very solid DVR" on by ARGoodrich
Pros: easy to use
Cons: needs offloading capability, smarter recording
Summary: I wanted a DVR (tivo or otherwise), but was weary of the extra costs (tivo lifetime fee, monthly fee). I was in the market for satellite service, since I was unhappy with my local cable offering. I ended up deciding on Dish Network because of this unit.
The interface may not be as 'polished' as tivo's, but it gets the job done. Having dual tuners is great, since we make extensive use of the recording functions. Quite often we have recordings going on both tuners at the same time.
The only 2 things I think this needs are:
1) Something along the lines of Tivo-to-go...
I have several recordings that I would like to transfer to DVD, but the only way it is currently possible is to connect a DVD recorder to the outputs (not an option for me since I don't have one). I would like to just transfer files across the home wireless network and burn it on my PC.
2) smarter timers - I use the 'new episodes' option for most timers, and the device will record shows that have previously been recorded and deleted or skipped. This isn't huge, since I can just delete the new recordings, but sometimes I wish I didn't have to.
Shows that are old and being re-run in syndication sometimes get passed up, since they aren't "new" in the sense of being in a current season. I feel that this timer function should work based on what is or has been on the DVR at some point.
Overall, the deal is pretty sweet, I may be leasing the unit, but I don't have to worry about any issues with replacing it if anything should ever break on it. Since I was planning to go to satellite service anyways, I was happy to basically get a DVR for free (or actually an extra 4.98). I'm spending just a few extra bucks a month for a much better service than my old basic cable. -
"it turns on and off automatically" on by ricorocksatcnet
Pros: i don't like this product
Cons: the whole hd reviever
Summary: this product is not ok even if i have to change it ill still have the same problem
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"Problems, problems, problems..." on by dishnetworkproblems
Pros: Two tuners, skips forward 30 seconds, caller ID
Cons: Poor customer service, equipment issues, loss recordings
Summary: I've had two of these receivers. The second was a replacement for a unit that was in service for less than a year that kept purging the hard drive every two weeks. The replacement receiver was USED (unit was dusty and had a sticky residue on top of it out of the box) and I'm having problems with that one now (one month in operation). Now it records about 15 minutes into the program and stops. I'm to the point where I got an old VCR hooked up as a "backup" for some recordings. Calls to customer service are always like talking to a rock, never any help, don't want to stand behind their product. Found out that the 625 is no longer in production and the only units that are being shipped are used ones. There's no current replacement for these units yet and probably won't be. Save yourself a headache, go with Directv or FIOS. That's where I'm heading after my contract is up!
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"If you want to be able to record or watch TV in more than one room, this is the DVR for you!" on by califsweetee
Pros: I absolutely love this DVR, best thing ever.
Cons: I don't know that there is any con to this equipment.
Summary: I love my DVR. I don't know how I went without one for so long. I have never had an issue with Dish Network and think they are superior over any other TV service out there. Best Customer Service I have yet to come across. If you don't have a DVR, you are missing out.
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