Dish Vip211k - Record 2 programs at the same time?

[Scarab0088]

I always thought our 211k was a true "solo" turner/receiver (record/watch 1 thing at a time) until last night...

(This post is for a Dish Vip-211k with external hard drive for DVR functions.)

We have the 211's timers set-up to record our favorite shows. For any conflicts (shows broadcast at the same time) we just tried to watch the OTA program live while the 211k recorded the SAT program...not great, but better than no DVR.

Last night we were ready to do our normal thing, the DVR started recording SAT, but instead of switching the TV to the Batwing, we were watching the OTA channel on the 211k's internal tuner. When it struck me that I might be messing the recording timer, I checked it, but it was recording fine.

We continued to watch the OTA broadcast and had full control of time shifting (FF, Rew, pause). So as a test, I set-up a timer for an OTA program that was at the same time as a SAT program timer...and yes, both programs were recorded.

I am unsure of how the 211k's program guide is pulling information about the OTA channels broadcast plan days in advance, but it does.

This is awesome to us because I hate watching TV live and was considering the purchase of the new TiVo Roamio OTA ($49.99 plus subscription)because of the conflicts...and now it is not needed.

This is only for recording a SAT channel and an OTA channel at the same time...not 2 SAT or 2 OTA programs.
Does this work on your 211?

Safe travels

[shiggs68]

The OTA tuner is a separate tuner from the normal solo sat tuner in the 211k. The newer 211 (I think z) does not have OTA ability.

[Scarab0088]

This might also be possible for the 211z with the optional/external OTA Dongle and external hard drive(?)

[smiller]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

This might also be possible for the 211z with the optional/external OTA Dongle and external hard drive(?)

Yes, the 211z works the same way. The 'one at a time' limitation in the 211k/z is due to having a single satellite receiver, but if you have programming available from another source (i.e. the OTA tuner) you can record both sources at once.

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

I am unsure of how the 211k's program guide is pulling information about the OTA channels broadcast plan days in advance, but it does.

When you do a local OTA channel scan the receiver (211k or z) automatically downloads programming information for local channels, just as it does for the sat channels.

Originally Posted by shiggs68

The OTA tuner is a separate tuner from the normal solo sat tuner in the 211k. The newer 211 (I think z) does not have OTA ability.

The 211z does have OTA capability via the USB OTA dongle, and if so equipped works the same as the 211k, as noted above.

[Technorick]

Does the OTA dongle work if the used is used for an external hard drive?

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by Technorick

Does the OTA dongle work if the used is used for an external hard drive?

If this is about a 211z, there are 2 USB ports. So yes, the OTA dongle and external hard drive can both be added...they both use a USB port.

[firedoc]

To record two programs at the same time you need two tuners, the OTA tuner will work. But to record two programs at the same time don't you also need two record heads(?) and the one attached hard drive doesn't have that, does it?

[Scarab0088]

Yes, to record 2 programs, you need 2 tuners (of any type)...that's the reason I started this thread.
The days of "record heads" are gone. The computer inside the receiver does everything.

For recording...
One tuner is the SAT receiver itself.
Another tuner is the OTA receiver (211k built-in, 211z dongle)

So with the 211's, 2 programs can be recorded to the external hard drive at the same time - 1 SAT and 1 OTA.
It cannot record 2 SAT programs or 2 OTA programs at the same time.

AND, you can watch the signal from either tuner or a pre-recorded program while it is recording anything else.

Hope that makes sense.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Yes, to record 2 programs, you need 2 tuners (of any type)...that's the reason I started this thread.
The days of "record heads" are gone. The computer inside the receiver does everything.

For recording...
One tuner is the SAT receiver itself.
Another tuner is the OTA receiver (211k built-in, 211z dongle)

So with the 211's, 2 programs can be recorded to the external hard drive at the same time - 1 SAT and 1 OTA.
It cannot record 2 SAT programs or 2 OTA programs at the same time.

AND, you can watch the signal from either tuner or a pre-recorded program while it is recording anything else.

Hope that makes sense.

Hmm ... I may have to rethink whether I want to add a dongle to my 211Z. That's cheaper than purchasing an OTA Recorder (since I already have a USB hard drive on my 211Z).

So ... with a dongle tuner and a splitter (rooftop antenna split to 2 outputs - TV internal tuner and dongle tuner) I could do 3 things ... watch any OTA channel, record a different OTA channel, and record a SAT channel. Assuming a newer TV with HDMI and coax inputs.

One more question:

Will the 211K and 211Z (with dongle) work standalone, without the Sat dish connected, to watch/record an OTA channel? I realize the channel info will not be available.

Thanks for the info !!

[Technorick]

Wow Thanks. Helpful info... I run a Vip211Z with a Seagate 2TB external drive to record in a FR3 Class A Coach. Off a new Winegaurd RoadTrip Mission in motion dome... The New Mission replaced the taller RT Stationary dome, and no longer see the 129 or 61 sats where my locals are (even while parked). This is because im in New England where the sats sit too low o the horizon. So Ive reverted to calling Dish to tell them im in NY where the National Feeds are sent on 119 and 110 to get and record the network shows. However using the dongle while stationary will allow recoding of (my real) locals at least while parked.

The HDMI off the 211Z goes to an HDMI splitter that feeds the outdoor TV, the bedroom, and the bunk above the cockpit that feeds a small 7 inch screen mounted at the passenger seat for my wife. A Next Gen IR blaster converts IR to RF to allow the Dish remote to control the 211Z from anywhere in the coach.

Last Question: Assuming I am in an are where I do get locals via the sat and they appear in the guide. Once I scan for locals from the dongle do those replace (in the guide) the locals listed from 129 and 61 sats or do they appear in addition? Just want to know before i buy the dongle for $50.

[TechWriter]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

So with the 211's, 2 programs can be recorded to the external hard drive at the same time - 1 SAT and 1 OTA.

It cannot record 2 SAT programs or 2 OTA programs at the same time.

AND, you can watch the signal from either tuner or a pre-recorded program while it is recording anything else.

Also, if you're recording a SAT program, you can't watch another SAT program at the same time, right?

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by Technorick

Wow Thanks. Helpful info... I run a Vip211Z with a Seagate 2TB external drive to record in a FR3 Class A Coach. Off a new Winegaurd RoadTrip Mission in motion dome... The New Mission replaced the taller RT Stationary dome, and no longer see the 129 or 61 sats where my locals are (even while parked). This is because im in New England where the sats sit too low o the horizon. So Ive reverted to calling Dish to tell them im in NY where the National Feeds are sent on 119 and 110 to get and record the network shows. However using the dongle while stationary will allow recoding of (my real) locals at least while parked.

The HDMI off the 211Z goes to an HDMI splitter that feeds the outdoor TV, the bedroom, and the bunk above the cockpit that feeds a small 7 inch screen mounted at the passenger seat for my wife. A Next Gen IR blaster converts IR to RF to allow the Dish remote to control the 211Z from anywhere in the coach.

Last Question: Assuming I am in an are where I do get locals via the sat and they appear in the guide. Once I scan for locals from the dongle do those replace (in the guide) the locals listed from 129 and 61 sats or do they appear in addition? Just want to know before i buy the dongle for $50.

In addition because they are different channels (OTA numbers vs. SAT numbers).

BTW, you can get an OTA dongle from Amazon for $40 ... it's listed as a DISH Hopper OTA USB Tuner or something like that ....

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by TechWriter

Also, if you're recording a SAT program, you can't watch another SAT program at the same time, right?

True ...

[smiller]

Originally Posted by bruceisla

BTW, you can get an OTA dongle from Amazon for $40 ... it's listed as a DISH Hopper OTA USB Tuner or something like that ....

I can confirm that. The OTA dongle for the 211z and the Hopper is the same part so just go for the best price. I got mine from Amazon.