Older 2300 upgrade - will the single LNB work with a DN PVR?

[theruckman]

My buddy has an old Echostar 2300 receiver, single LNB. He would love to upgrade to a PVR. If he were to buy one (possibly off Ebay) would it be kinda "plug and play" and be able to call DN and tell them he got a new one?
IF the PVR will not work with his older dish (the dish came with the 2300 -thats how old it is -about 1997) what is the NEWEST receiver he could get off Ebay that would work.

thx - Scott

 

[dfergie]

Welcome to SatelliteGuys... Most likely he would need a dish500 dish to get the most out of the dvr( 2 satellites vs the one he probably gets )... He could try calling E* (echostar) and ask for a refurb 508 or 501 receiver(no dvr fee)and find the dish on e-bay...

 

[BobaBird]

That's because the 9-day Extended EPG used by all DVR models is only sent from the 110° orbital slot. If that old dish actually does have a single (quite likely) and not a dual, it will only support 1 tuner so that would rule out the 522/625, 721, 921 and 942. Time to upgrade that dish! Here are some questions to help choose the right LNB/switch configuration. Does he want a single or dual tuner DVR? If dual tuner, is he able to add a second run of RG6 or would the installation be too difficult?

 

[theruckman]

He does NOT want the Dual LNB BUT does want local channels if possible (maybe u can only get them with another dish). I would think too if he had to upgrade his dish he would not want one of those SUPER dish's bigger than his house.

He has called Echostar and they want to charge him $199 for an upgrade or something. He just doesnt think he should have to pay anything since he has been a customer since 97! I really kinda agree with him, throw the dude a bone!

Anyway, thx for the continued replies!

 

[BobaBird]

Not sure where the opposition to a dual LNB is coming from. The first step is to find out what programming he wants so we can determine which dish(es) is needed. That will tell you which switch is needed and in turn the LNB type needed to feed it.

In addition to my 2 questions at the end of post #3, we now also need to know where your buddy is because locals can come from any of 5 orbital slots (possibly up to 7 in the near future). Then someone can tell you if he needs a SuperDISH.

With a DVR he will need at least a Dish 500
- 119: AT60, AT120, most premiums
- 110: AT180, some premiums, DVR EEPG

All Dish receivers can use the original dish pointed at 119 only though some of the DVRs may not like not having the EEPG.

 

[theruckman]

OK - We live near Columbus, Ohio (his Zip is 43068). He has the CHEAPEST programming package out now (no idea what that is -like 60 channels?).
Here are the 3 main reasons he wants to upgrade:

1) His remote is dead, was dropped or something
2) PVR is very appealing
3) Probably most important: would like the local channels (whatever the cost) but not dying to install a superdish (cosmetics).

If it was easy as swapping a receiver thats what he was wondering.

thx,
Scott

 

[kavula]

If your buddy wants Columbus locals, he'd better go ahead and die because they require a SuperDish.