The Big Box I Love to Hate!---DISHPlayer 7100
Written: Dec 15 '01 (Updated Dec 15 '01)
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Pros: Great channel selection, excellent picture quality, cheaper than cable.
Cons: Only operates one t.v. without extra expense. Spotty reception in bad weather.
The Bottom Line: An excellent alternative to cable provided you are aware of some possible problems during use. Read on for details!
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| erinrounds's Full Review: EchoStar DishPlayer 7100 Satellite System |
Moving day was fast approaching last spring, and we had to make a decision, stay with the sub-par, expensive cable or upgrade to a satellite system. After thinking long and hard and weighing the pro's and con's of both options, my husband and I easily chose the Dish Network to solve our cable blues. Thankfully our town home allowed the installation of these small dishes, as some mounting to the actual house may be required. (See below for installation).
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Introduction-
What Is A Dishplayer 7100?
The Dishplayer 7100 is a small satellite dish and receiver sold by Dish Network (or EchoStar now owned by DishNetwork)to enable the user/subscriber to pick up satellite services as an alternative to traditional cable. This particular model is the only one the offers the option of WebTV (for an additional charge) in addition to the satellite service.
*(Note- I did NOT say I recommend WebTV, but that's a subject for another Epinion).
This model also comes standard with an infared remote, and a "smart" card that you must have inserted to receive programming. If using the WebTV service I would also recommend the additional purchase of an infared, cordless lap keyboard to use as well.
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Installation-
Luckily for us, our deal with DishNetwork afforded us the luxury of professional installation for free. According to the DN paperwork, assembly should be simple for those with a mimimal amount of construction experience, i.e. drilling holes, and installing brackets. If installing on your own you'll also need to purchase the necessary mounting equipment separately.
Our professinal installation took no less than 3 hours for an EXPERT! I shudder at the thought of how long it would have taken my husband to complete said installation.
The dish installer had to assemble the dish, mount it (in our case on the fence outside our patio), run the cables down and across the patio into our storage unit, drill into the house through the storage unit, install a cable plate, hook up, and program the receiver, and point the dish.
The pointing of the dish might be the most difficult thing for a non-professional to do, it is extremely sensitive and needs to be aimed just so, for the signal to lock on.
If you are attempting to install yourself, there seem to be adequate directions with the dish, and there is a customer service number to call as well. For me personally a professional was the only way to go.
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Programming-
DishNetwork offers many options for programming that I won't bore you with listing. I will tell you that there are 3 basic packages the Top 40, The Top 100, and The Top 150, each offering respectively 40, 100, and 150 channels. There is something for everyone on these packages, as well as ample pay per service channels, and digital music stations.
In addition to any of these packages you can customize your own viewing experience by adding local ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates ($5.00 more a month), and tons of ala carte channels, movie packages and even affiliates for other localities as well.
I might suggest browsing the DishNetwork website for up to date program listings and fees.
http://www.dishnetwork.com/
We decided on the Top 150 channel package, or should I say my husband begged, and I capitulated to the Top 150 package.
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Price-
Our monthly bill runs us about $60.00 a month including tax. Just what the heck do we get for this hefty fee you might be asking. Well, I'll break our bill down roughly for you:
Top 150 programming $39.99
Local affiliates $ 5.00
*Personal tv $ 9.99
*The personal t.v. service is optional, but a must in our house. For $9.99 you have a service that is similar to one you'd get from a TiVo player. You may program your Dishplayer to record programming for you on a one time basis or every time your must-see t.v. airs.
Now why don't we just buy a TiVp? (A question my husband asks every time we pay the bill).
Answer-You could, but,I have to say that if I have one more "box" in our living room to compete for space with the stereo, dvd, vcr, video games, and satellite I will go insane. :) For us, it's a total convenience that's worth every penny.
With all of our optional features added on, our Dish bill still comes in at about $10.00 less than our digital cable bill did.
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What Could Be Better?-
Now, here is where a few of you might lose interest in the DishPlayer 7100. There are definitely a few little glitches in the system, however I think if you are forewarned of their possibility you may well decide to just forge on like we did and be mostly quite happy.
Oh No It's Raining!-
I live near Seattle and it rains here, if you hadn't already heard. In fact sometimes it downright pours, and then my friends, we have a problem! The signal can't lock in heavy downpours and so the result is no picture at all. This can last up to several hours. The good news is that it doesn't happen all that often, but it can be more than aggravating when it does.
Oh No, It's Sunny!-
Occasionally, about twice a year, in the fall and spring for a few weeks at a time, the DishNetwork system has problems with sunspots intermittently breaking up the reception of your channels. Again, this is VERY infrequent, but aggravating nonetheless when it occurs.
Hold Please!-
Calling Customer Service can be an exercise in patience to say the least. Hold times can be ridiculous, however to be fair, I've yet to have a problem come up that they couldn't fix on their end eventually.
You Want HOW Much to Program Another T.V.?
A big detractor to this system is the prohibitive cost to add programming to multiple televisions. For every t.v. you wish to receive DishNetwork programming, you will need a separate receiver at a cost of about $100.00. You will also need to pay an additional $5.00 programming fee per month, per extra receiver. It was O.K. for us, since the other t.v.'s in the house are used primarily for the kids movies, but this cost could really sock it to a family with
3 or 4 televisions all needing programming. Score one point for the cable guys!
What's Wrong NOW?-
The biggest problem we've had with this particular system is that for no apparent reason about once a week, is that it just doesn't work right. Channels won't change and the picture will be on with no sound, etc. etc. There are a handful of little glitches that usually just require a re-boot of the system to correct.
For what it's worth, I've been told by a customer service rep. that this particular 7100 model that accomadates the WebTV service seems to be most prone to the strange glitches, so consideration of another model might be prudent if you aren't going with the WebTV.
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My Final Thoughts-
While I am sure that the DishNetwork 7100 isn't going to make every consumer deliriously happy, I have and do recommend it as an alternative to cable. In our area there is no cable competition and the result is high prices and terrible service. My husband and I have been more than willing to put up with our Dish and it's little imperfections to steer clear of the cable monopoly.
I would suggest this to anyone who is tired of cable, looking for a digital quality picture (via an S-video cable), or looking to get more variety for their money.
I would caution anyone against buying this system who can't or won't complete a one-year service contract, can't tolerate the intermittent outtages, or who has multiple televisions that they require service for.
Thanks for reading. :) Happy Viewing!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Free
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