Digital Trends

DISH Network ViP 622 May 18th, 2006 | by Dennis Barker

Evaluation

Once the unit was properly installed, it was very easy to navigate.  First I pulled up the EPG on-screen and just scrolled around the ‘Guide' to get a feel for it.  The cursor ring also serves as the navigation keys with the up arrow bringing you to higher channel numbers, for example, and the left arrow going forward in time.  The ‘Guide' displays approximately four channels at a clip in one-hour increments.  The upper right hand corner of the screen puts the viewed channel into a PIP-like box so that you don't miss anything.  To see a program description, simply touch the ‘info' button on the remote.  The top left-hand side of the screen always shows the time, date, and channel number.  As I mentioned above, if you see a program that you want to watch later or ‘record,' simply press the ‘Select' button.  This will bring up a sub-menu with various recording and/or watching modes, including a setting that switches to the desired channel a minute early.  That's pretty sweet!

To watch any recorded shows, simple touch the center-mounted ‘DVR' button.  This brings up a list of all of your previously recorded shows.  Simply go down the list to the show that you want watch, and press ‘Select' on the remote.  Anyone can access these recorded shows.  Anyone can also set up the timer to record a future show just as easily — even if that person is technologically-challenged.

Personally, I am really enjoying using the model 622.  My son likes it because he can watch all of the EchoStar programming, including recording his favorite shows like WWE with ease on a Westinghouse Digital 40-inch LCD TV with built-in DVD player (model LTW-40w HDC).  We both found it easy to use, easy to record our favorite shows, and very easy to play back and skip commercials. 

The image quality was excellent, HDMI or component video, on the new JVC HD-56FH96 HD-ILA 1080p HDTV.  Images were superb and crisp, especially those in high-definition.  The VOOM HD channels looked spectacular!  New Jersey has never looked better than on The Sopranos on HBO-HD and on ABC-HD, LOST looked exceptional!

Please Read!

Editors Note (By Ian Bell) - There is one point that needs to be addressed, and it's pretty major. The second TV connected to the 622 will be using the coaxial connection, not an HDMI or component video connector. What this means is a couple things. First if you have a flat panel monitor without an integrated tuner, you most likely are out of luck since most monitors lack the coaxial connector. Secondly while the picture will look good, it will not look as good as the TV using the HDMI or component video connections, which means you are not able to view true high-definition content on that second TV. If this is important to you, buy a separate HD receiver box for your other TV instead of using the 622 for both.

Conclusion

The model 622 certainly makes your life much easier, and to my mind, makes a lot of sense as it combines three good products in one box.  This is what convergence is all about; combining the best aspects of two products, and making them work as one.  To sum up, the model 622 is the ideal satellite HD receiver because it allows you to be able to watch and record standard and high-definition satellite TV programs in two different locations simultaneously via only one box. The cool thing is the 2^nd room doesn't need the receiver!  Just remember, to get the best possible image quality, you have to use HDMI or component video for HD.

Pros:

• Technologically advance
• Plenty of features
• Simple setup

Cons:

• Second TV is limited to Coaxial hookup
• Can be difficult to get at times
• Expensive