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Dish Network ViP622 (200-hour DVR)
Reviewed by
David Katzmaier
on 04/10/2006

See all products in the Dish Network ViP HD DVR series
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CNET Editors' ChoiceApr 06

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Add to my list Product summary

The good: Receives and records new MPEG-4 AVC programming, including local and other HD channels not available on older receivers; dual-output mode for secondary TV; can record up to three HD shows simultaneously while playing back a fourth; 30-second commercial skip; exceedingly quick response time; well-designed, highly customizable interface; search function includes history; superb remote; impressive image quality; USB port enables connections to portable media players and external hard drives to expand storage capacity.

The bad: Generally lighter selection of local HD and sports channels than cable; annoying interstitial PPV page; defaults to "all episodes" for EPG-initiated recordings; uglier EPG and menu system than TiVo HD and DirecTV; no built-in networking functionality.

The bottom line: The Dish Network ViP622 and 722 are among the most fully featured and versatile high-def DVRs you can buy today.

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CNET editors' review

CNET Editors' ChoiceApr 06
  • Reviewed by:
    David Katzmaier
  • Edited by:
    John P. Falcone
  • Reviewed on: 04/10/2006
  • Updated on: 02/14/2008
  • Released on: 03/01/2006

Editors' Note: Since this review was originally published, we've lived with the Dish ViP622 for 21 months. During that time, it has operated very smoothly, and after comparing it to the DirecTV HR20 and the TiVo HD, we've awarded the Dish ViP622 our Editors' Choice among HD DVRs. Note that we're reviewing the hardware only; our choice is not affected by programming differences between Dish, DirecTV, and/or cable, although prospective buyers should certainly consider programming as well. For more information, check out our guide to satellite HD programming.

As the most advanced piece of electronics in many home-theater systems, a high-definition digital video recorder (DVR) has the potential to be the most satisfying--or frustrating--entertainment device you'll ever use. The Dish Network ViP622 has even more going on under the hood than most DVRs. When it launched in early 2006, it was the first DVR that could receive and record both standard MPEG-2 and newfangled MPEG-4 HD satellite broadcasts, which include the local high-def affiliates of ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC available in most metropolitan areas. Both Dish Network and rival DirecTV have moved to MPEG-4 and cable companies are following at a slower pace.

After living with the Dish Network ViP622 for for nearly two years, we can say that it does just about everything right, and after some initial bugs, since remedied by firmware updates, it has performed smoothly with nary a glitch. If you're a Dish subscriber with an HDTV, getting a ViP622 or its larger-capacity cousin, the ViP722, is a no-brainer. And if you're sick of cable company DVRs, don't demand the most-comprehensive local HD and sports programming, and don't love DirecTV's expanded high-def programming or the TiVo HD's additional fees and networking capabilities, the capabilities of the ViP series of DVRs makes getting a Dish subscription downright tempting.

Design

On the outside, the Dish Network ViP622 is a fairly staid silver box, measuring 16 by 3.5 by 13 inches and weighing 11 pounds. Its most prominent feature is a row of six LEDs on the middle of the face, which light up to indicate recordings in progress, dual- or single-mode operation (see Features below), and power on or off. The front of the ViP622 comprises three similarly sized sections of subtle clear-on-silver plastic; pressing against the rightmost section elicits a soft click and lets it swing open to reveal a USB port and a set of front-panel controls. These include the major menu commands found on the remote, as well as the only button that can switch between dual and single modes.

PANASONIC TH-58PZ750U
A USB port and a "mode" button to switch between dual- and single-mode operation are available on the front panel.
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Reviews from around the WebPowered by alaTest

  • alaTest.com

    Editors' rating: 80

    Summary: alaTest has collected and analyzed 305 reviews of Dish Network ViP622 from international magazines and websites. Experts rate this product 84/100 and users 57/100. Comparing these reviews to 40014 other Digital Video Recorders (DVR) reviews gives this product an overall alaScore™ 80/100 = Very Good.

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  • digitaltrends.com

    Editors' rating: 80

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Dish Network ViP622 (200-hour DVR)

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