Dish Network DP625

• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 12 reviews
• My rating: 0 stars

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• 8 stars

  How did I watch TV without this before?

  by philhutch on January 21, 2006

  Pros: Excellent recording options, great picture quality

  Cons: Possible to sync with a DVD recorder?

  Summary: The Dish 625 is my first DVR. I have had it for a week and it has worked flawlessly. I had read some reviews of the previous model, the nearly ...

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  Summary: The Dish 625 is my first DVR. I have had it for a week and it has worked flawlessly. I had read some reviews of the previous model, the nearly identical 522, about a year ago. Apparently, there were some bugs in the software at that time. I have not found any problems at all so far so it looks like all those issues have been worked out since then.
  
  Recording options are excellent, and the interface is easy to understand and master. If you record all the instances of a show, it is smart enough not to re-record an installment that it has already recorded. So you can safely ask the DVR to record "All" of a title and it will find them all on all channels but (for example) not record the repeat of the same episode when it is aired later in the day (TBS and Disney often air the same episode two or more times a day, for instance). Furthermore, so you don't fill your HD with a hundred unique episodes of Friends in a week, you can tell the DVR to only keep the most recently recorded (you choose the number to keep). You can also search the schedule 9-days into the future for a title or an actor or other key word (each show) which is has been quite handy to locate a couple of programs to record.
  
  When it is turned off, the 625 records pay movies from "DISH on Demand". Nothing of interest has shown up yet, so I am not thrilled with this feature.
  
  This DVR has two tuners which in 'single' mode allows you to switch back and forth between two programs (one can be in PIP), or watch one show and record a second, or even record two at the same time and watch a third previously recorded program. In 'Dual' mode (which I dont use) you lose the PIP function. This mode is meant to drive two different TVs from this same box (the unit comes with an RF remote that presumably works through walls so you can control the DVR from another room).
  
  A couple of other nice features: Skipping commercials is easy with a button that moves ahead 30 seconds in a recording (and another that skips back 10 seconds). Also, when you are watching TV, the DVR is automatically recording at the same time, so you can pause, go back, do slo motion, etc. The remote is fantastic and it runs my DVD player as well.
  
  Anyway, its been great so far and I highly recommend it.

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  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 8 stars

  very solid DVR

  by ARGoodrich on November 2, 2005

  Pros: easy to use

  Cons: needs offloading capability, smarter recording

  Summary: I wanted a DVR (tivo or otherwise), but was weary of the extra costs (tivo lifetime fee, monthly fee). I was in the market for satellite service, since I was ...

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  Summary: I wanted a DVR (tivo or otherwise), but was weary of the extra costs (tivo lifetime fee, monthly fee). I was in the market for satellite service, since I was unhappy with my local cable offering. I ended up deciding on Dish Network because of this unit.
  The interface may not be as 'polished' as tivo's, but it gets the job done. Having dual tuners is great, since we make extensive use of the recording functions. Quite often we have recordings going on both tuners at the same time.
  The only 2 things I think this needs are:
  1) Something along the lines of Tivo-to-go...
  I have several recordings that I would like to transfer to DVD, but the only way it is currently possible is to connect a DVD recorder to the outputs (not an option for me since I don't have one). I would like to just transfer files across the home wireless network and burn it on my PC.
  2) smarter timers - I use the 'new episodes' option for most timers, and the device will record shows that have previously been recorded and deleted or skipped. This isn't huge, since I can just delete the new recordings, but sometimes I wish I didn't have to.
  Shows that are old and being re-run in syndication sometimes get passed up, since they aren't "new" in the sense of being in a current season. I feel that this timer function should work based on what is or has been on the DVR at some point.
  
  Overall, the deal is pretty sweet, I may be leasing the unit, but I don't have to worry about any issues with replacing it if anything should ever break on it. Since I was planning to go to satellite service anyways, I was happy to basically get a DVR for free (or actually an extra 4.98). I'm spending just a few extra bucks a month for a much better service than my old basic cable.

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  1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.

• 3 stars

  it turns on and off automatically

  by ricorocksatcnet on June 5, 2010

  Pros: i don't like this product

  Cons: the whole hd reviever

  Summary: this product is not ok even if i have to change it ill still have the same problem

  Summary: this product is not ok even if i have to change it ill still have the same problem

• 1 stars

  Problems, problems, problems...

  by dishnetworkproblems on September 30, 2008

  Pros: Two tuners, skips forward 30 seconds, caller ID

  Cons: Poor customer service, equipment issues, loss recordings

  Summary: I've had two of these receivers. The second was a replacement for a unit that was in service for less than a year that kept purging the hard drive ...

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  Summary: I've had two of these receivers. The second was a replacement for a unit that was in service for less than a year that kept purging the hard drive every two weeks. The replacement receiver was USED (unit was dusty and had a sticky residue on top of it out of the box) and I'm having problems with that one now (one month in operation). Now it records about 15 minutes into the program and stops. I'm to the point where I got an old VCR hooked up as a "backup" for some recordings. Calls to customer service are always like talking to a rock, never any help, don't want to stand behind their product. Found out that the 625 is no longer in production and the only units that are being shipped are used ones. There's no current replacement for these units yet and probably won't be. Save yourself a headache, go with Directv or FIOS. That's where I'm heading after my contract is up!

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• 10 stars

  If you want to be able to record or watch TV in more than one room, this is the DVR for you!

  by califsweetee on August 21, 2008

  Pros: I absolutely love this DVR, best thing ever.

  Cons: I don't know that there is any con to this equipment.

  Summary: I love my DVR. I don't know how I went without one for so long. I have never had an issue with Dish Network and think they are superior ...

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  Summary: I love my DVR. I don't know how I went without one for so long. I have never had an issue with Dish Network and think they are superior over any other TV service out there. Best Customer Service I have yet to come across. If you don't have a DVR, you are missing out.

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• 7 stars

  It gets the job done...

  by burningbigge on January 9, 2008

  Pros: Plenty of storage. Multiple rooms with only one receiver. Many customizable channel lists. Good search/season pass feature.

  Cons: Interface can sometimes be confusing. It's no Tivo

  Summary: My first 625 was defective and had to be returned due to a bad Optical/Digital Audio port in back. It would drop the audio signal constantly and was very ...

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  Summary: My first 625 was defective and had to be returned due to a bad Optical/Digital Audio port in back. It would drop the audio signal constantly and was very annoying. This is evidently a common problem. I suggest if you have this problem you should call Dish and get yours replaced. Don't let tech support get under your skin. They can only go by their script and some can barely speak english. Just hang with them until you can get them to send a tech out with a new box. On to the review...
  
  I have been a Tivo user for a long time. Back when DirecTV first came out with their DirecTivo combination receivers I was one of the first people to jump onboard and get one. (two actually) So when one of my most recent DTivo unit died and I was told that I would have to switch to the infamous R15 receiver (and commit to another two years) I declined and decided to try out Dish and the DVR 625.
  
  First off, this is no Tivo. If you are going to try to get Tivo functionality out of this box you will be disappointed. It functions differently from Tivo. Not better or worse. Just different.
  
  The menus are a bit confusing at first but with a little exploring I was able to get into all the sub-menus and customize my settings (audio/video/caller ID). I found that I do miss the little sound cues that my old Tivo offered when I am surfing through menus. The 625 has none. The menus are also rather bland compared to the Tivo interface. The color scheme is blue/gray and thats about it. But that is all cosmetic.
  
  There is not shortage of program information and it delivers it in a fairly easy to navigate program guide. The guide doesn't have as many lines of program data that the Tivo had but it does include a shrunk down video window of your current program so you don't miss anything.(you can omit this vid window in your preferences/settings but I kinda like it) You can skip forward several days in the guide just by typing in how many hrs forward you want to go and hitting the "right" direction button. This comes in quite handy. It also has built in PiP as well as Caller ID (all things my Tivo didn't have).
  
  Ok, now onto DVR function. It has 150 hrs of storage. That is nice. It will buffer live TV for 30 min and pause live TV for up to 90 min. (on both tuners) That is good too. My Tivo was only 30 min.
  
  The program guide as well as the DVR function is fast. I can swap from tuner 1 to tuner 2 and there is NO lag. My old unit would take 2-3 seconds. Moving between menus is seamless and you can escape them all by hitting the "cancel" button a few times. It also comes with a built in 30 sec. skip function as well as very quick ff/rw functionality.
  
  The remote could be laid out better but that is only personal preference. I had gotten used to the Tivo "peanut".
  
  The "Dish Interactive" is kind of entertaining but it does take several seconds to load each time you use it. However, it does offer a lot of info that you might otherwise have to dig for. Local weather radar comes to mind as well as customer service info., troubleshooting tips, etc...
  
  Video quality is good (duh, it's digital) and so is the audio.(once I got my defective one replaced)
  
  The fan inside the unit isn't too loud and the lights on the front of the box aren't too glaring.
  
  All in all, the 625 is a solid receiver as well as an extremely capable DVR. If you can get past the bland (and sometimes complicated) menus and don't mind switching to Dish Network (programming is slightly different from DirecTV) then the 625 is a safe choice.

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• 3 stars

  Constant Problems

  by texasags on December 12, 2007

  Pros: Dual tuner; follows schedule changes; commercial skip

  Cons: Recording errors; playback errors; not reliable

  Summary: The first time I had Dish Network (2003-2005), I had to exchange the DVR as well. This time, I am on my second DVR in less than 18 months.
  
  I
  
  ...

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  Summary: The first time I had Dish Network (2003-2005), I had to exchange the DVR as well. This time, I am on my second DVR in less than 18 months.
  
  I have trouble with it recording the wrong channel. It is an occasional problem, not consistent. During playback, the picture often gets pixelated and jumps around. Sometimes, it will skip several seconds for no apparent reason.
  
  Also, if there is much in the way of cloud cover, I have nothing (I know this isn't necessarily the receiver's problem, but it's there).
  
  I gave them a second try and will now go back to cable...

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• 10 stars

  Just Plain Works

  by y0Lorenzo on August 14, 2007

  Pros: built solid, easy to use

  Cons: none to speak of

  Summary: I would give this unit a 12 if it had HD, but its a SD Dual Tuner DVR, and its great at what it does. I've never had Tivo ...

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  Summary: I would give this unit a 12 if it had HD, but its a SD Dual Tuner DVR, and its great at what it does. I've never had Tivo so I don't know how much easier to use Tivo is than this or if it is easier. This thing is built like a rock (my TV and VCR SIT on TOP of it!) Its plenty easy to use and I don't pay a subscription.
  
  PS, I've got the TV 2 feed going thru my house's cable splitter, and when I move to a different TV (theres 3 or 4 other ones with no box, I just grab the TV 2 remote (haven't bought others.) We also have a ViP622, but we had some technical issues with that.

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• 4 stars

  DISH Network and the DVR 625

  by pjdavis69 on February 10, 2007

  Pros: The DVR 625 works for two rooms

  Cons: Not up to expectations

  Summary: We have had the DISH Network DVR 625 tuner for about 4 months. We have found that the remote only works from a specific area of the second room. The ...

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  Summary: We have had the DISH Network DVR 625 tuner for about 4 months. We have found that the remote only works from a specific area of the second room. The remote is difficult to program out the unwanted channels. It has also lost the settings when the tuner is turned off, as DISH Network requires for updates.
  
  Some time after the system was installed, I noticed we were not receiving the promotional rate for the first ten months. Customer service advised there was a window of 60 days to apply. We were not told nor could I find in writing that there was more whoops than paying the bill. Hopefully DISH Network is rethinking and I am submitting a refund request in writing.

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• 8 stars

  Pretty Good Deal

  by mmann on August 21, 2006

  Pros: 100 hours of recording space, Single/Dual mode multiroom feature

  Cons: FF/Rewind bug

  Summary: Serves its purpose well and 100 hours of available recording space is more than enough for most. I love the multiroom single & dual modes. If I'm alone, I ...

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  Summary: Serves its purpose well and 100 hours of available recording space is more than enough for most. I love the multiroom single & dual modes. If I'm alone, I keep it in single mode which allows TVs in both rooms attached to the 625 to function as one so I can seamlessly continue watching anything recorded if I need to start cooking downstairs etc... I don't always want to use pause. My friend has Tivo and the 625 offers just about all of its features, although Tivo's look is nicer. The FF/Rewind bug I refer to happens every now and then. Occassionally attempting to do so results in slow motion behavior instead. And when this occurs, rewind doesn't function, instead it moves forward in slow motion. It's definitely a bug because I can remedy it by stopping the recorded program, switching to another, then switch back to what I was watching and it functions normally again. This rarely occurs, but when it does, it's annoying. The benefits of this device overall far outweigh that annoyance though.

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