Receiver upgrade options - late 2008

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BEVinBOS

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Folks,

I'm interested in some ideas on doing a receiver upgrade, but tracking down specs on the Bell receivers has been a chore, and users opinions on various receivers are spread all over the forums (which I've been reading for a couple of days now).

I've been having lots of wierd signal behavior described in great detail here:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=96405
Even tho many of the causes may be cable/connector related, I've also been wondering for a couple of years now when my lone 2700 receiver would take its last breath.

Being in the "southern province" of Massachusetts, I can't have a pro install, nor rent receivers. I try to limit my contact with Bell as much as possible - which is why I've operated a lone 2700 for more than 8 years now. I've also wondered whether a PVR would function well without a phone hook-up, but it seems there are enough folks on here who use them, so maybe I shouldn't worry about that.

Here's what I think I've figured out about current receivers offered by Bell and authorized retailers:

SD only: Bell 4100 Dish 111
HD only: Bell 6141 Dish VIP211
SD DVR: Bell 5900 Dish 508/510
HD DVR: Bell 9240 Dish VIP622

recent receivers:
SD only: Bell 3100 Dish 301/311
HD only: Bell 6100 Dish 811
SD DVR: Bell 5100 Dish 501
HD DVR: Bell 9200 Dish 942

Having this confirmed would be great, as there is a wealth of info on each model thru the Dish Tech Portal website, while the Bell website doesn't even tell you what the model numbers are, and other retailers are low on technical detail on their websites.

So - please send any corrections along to this table.

Thanks
 
So, here's my scenario, and I'm trying to figure out the best fit that will "future-proof" me enough to avoid constantly having to call Bell or upgrade again soon; but also wont bleed me dry (which after a wedding earlier this year, is a big concern!)

I now have one SD TV directly connected to the 2700, and the RF out signal is distributed to three other SD TV's in the house. (No need for dual-TV operation, as I'm the only one who ever watches the Canadian system in the house. My bride tolerates it.) We don't have plans to upgrade to HD TV's anytime soon (I know - heresay - please no flames on that one!) Only one cable runs into the house from the dish, and I'd prefer to not have to change that - however I've read how to use a DPP seperator to hook up a dual-tuner DPP receiver, so could do that (with a new LNB). We do have Tivo-based receivers for our DirecTV system, so I've become addicted to DVR systems, and reflexively reach for the Bell remote to "rewind" to see something I've missed - only to realize that's not an option for me.

I had thought the 5900 PVR was the way to go, but got a little bummed when I read it was a single-tuner system (altho maybe this isn't a big issue for me). It has all the connectivity options I need, but I'm mystified why it always listed as being 'refurbished'. Both the Bell website and KuSat in Montreal list it as a refurbished unit only. Given my 2700 looked 5 years old when I bought it, I'm wary to do the same thing again! Also, a 'refurbrished' DVR with a HDD with 3-4 years under its belt is, to me, a lot scarier than a 3-4yo 'refurbished' standalone receiver with no moving parts. And $300 for a refurbished unit seems a lot. The 5900 also appears to be the oldest SD-PVR hardware from Dish - what's up with that? I saw one ref to a Bell 5200 = Dish 522 dual tuner DPP SD DVR on here - which would seem to be a newer option that a 5900, but haven't seen reference to them anywhere else, nor on Ebay. Finally, the SD DVR's are not MPEG-4 compliant, but I wonder if that is really likely to come and haunt me in the next 5 years, esp if I'm not big into the HD?

The other option is to get a HD-DVR, and use it is as a really big SD-DVR for now. But, $600 is too much for now, and I keep reading of all the glitches with these receivers, so it feels like a bad investment. Sure, its MPEG-4 compliant, but again, as much as others would hope to see it, is this really likely to be an issue? And even if we finally go HD in our house, we'll probably switch the DirecTV receivers first - and they make up the bulk of our viewing, so I could survive on SD from Bell for a lot longer, even if I have HD capability at home. On the other hand, if a 5900 is $300, and a 9200 or 9240 is $300 on Ebay..... why not?

Any comments will be gratefully received - and hopefully helpful to others. Thanks.
 
The 9242 is I believe 50% off purchase price (although some is applied a sa credit, not straight off the price). This future-proofs you for HD, gives you 2 tuners, 200 hours of SD recording. I think this is the best fit for your situation.
 
I agree the 9242 would be the most future-proof option - and obviously would be the most feature-laden. Its just the price.

I thought the 50%-off option on the 9242 was only to new Bell customers. Futureshop and BestBuy Canada are listing it at $599, and KUSat says its $599 for existing Bell customers, but $299 if you're new. I can't get the stupid Bell website to tell me what they would charge *me* for one (after logging in to myBell account).... the orange circle just goes round and round for ever after I click on "add a receiver".

Are there special codes one can quote to help in this area? (This seemed to be common in the DirecTV world)

In the meantime, I'll keep watching eBay, but Bell receivers are few and far between there (except for 3100's).

Thanks
 
It might sound obvious but when you have an hour to spare, why not just call Bell and ask them.?
 
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