Hi guys, been lurking for a few weeks but i guess its time to say hello 
and ask my first question.
Moved from D* to E* a few weeks ago and am so far very happy with my service .. early blips and re-alignment problems have been worked out and as soon as i find someone to come out and install a decent OTA antenna i'll be laughing.
Couple of questions ... or rather want to check the info i have before I make an upgrade call.
I currently have
1 - VIP 211 - for HDTV in Den.
1 - VIP 211 - for HDTV in main bedroom
1 - 311 - setup in spare bedroom for guests/company.
Package HDGold.
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1. Rather than pay $5 per month for the receiver in the spare room which would only be used 2-3 times a year for a week or two at a time - is it possible to buy a basic receiver (SD is fine) to avoid the fee's ?
I have had a good look around the forums and THINK that buying a receiver i would then be able to activate when i need it and then turn it off to avoid the fee when its not in use .. is that correct ?
If that's the case which receiver do you recommend - would a 311 be my best option or could i get an older/cheaper model somewhere to do the job as a backup/stand-in receiver which would just be used once in a while ?
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or
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2. i could go with an upgrade to a 622 instead of one of those 211's ... if i understand correctly - i could then get rid of my 311 and use the second tuner on the 622 ... is this correct ? That would do away with the need to buy another receiver and would save me $5 per month in addtl fee's and would do away with the need for activation and de-activation of the receiver .. as well as giving me DVR capability ....
If the answer to ths is a yes - instead of paying $100 for a receiver i may as well pay $200 and get the DVR .. correct ?
I guess i just want a bit of advice and to make sure the information i have pulled together sounds about right before i call the CSR's/Tech support people.
and ask my first question. Moved from D* to E* a few weeks ago and am so far very happy with my service .. early blips and re-alignment problems have been worked out and as soon as i find someone to come out and install a decent OTA antenna i'll be laughing.
Couple of questions ... or rather want to check the info i have before I make an upgrade call.
I currently have
1 - VIP 211 - for HDTV in Den.
1 - VIP 211 - for HDTV in main bedroom
1 - 311 - setup in spare bedroom for guests/company.
Package HDGold.
==============
1. Rather than pay $5 per month for the receiver in the spare room which would only be used 2-3 times a year for a week or two at a time - is it possible to buy a basic receiver (SD is fine) to avoid the fee's ?
I have had a good look around the forums and THINK that buying a receiver i would then be able to activate when i need it and then turn it off to avoid the fee when its not in use .. is that correct ?
If that's the case which receiver do you recommend - would a 311 be my best option or could i get an older/cheaper model somewhere to do the job as a backup/stand-in receiver which would just be used once in a while ?
===============
or
===============
2. i could go with an upgrade to a 622 instead of one of those 211's ... if i understand correctly - i could then get rid of my 311 and use the second tuner on the 622 ... is this correct ? That would do away with the need to buy another receiver and would save me $5 per month in addtl fee's and would do away with the need for activation and de-activation of the receiver .. as well as giving me DVR capability ....
If the answer to ths is a yes - instead of paying $100 for a receiver i may as well pay $200 and get the DVR .. correct ?
I guess i just want a bit of advice and to make sure the information i have pulled together sounds about right before i call the CSR's/Tech support people.
