Dish Pro Receivers

Dish Pro was the second generation of receivers, like the legacy line these are DVB/MPEG2 digital satellite receivers which can decrypt Nagravision encoded programming up to and including the current generation. All of these receivers require current generation smart cards (pictured, far right), which are purple and black with a Dish logo, and "G3" printed in the bottom right corner in purple letters. DO NOT pay money for a receiver with a missing or outdated smart card. Upgrades from the legacy line include more colorful onscreen graphics, dual-tuner models with UHF modulators for running multiple TVs from the same receiver, interactive TV, onscreen caller ID, and a new slimline chassis design. DishComm capabilities allow multiple receivers to plug into a single phone jack via a DishComm modem by transmitting the data signal through the home's electrical wiring. These receivers are capable of directly powering all Dish Pro/Dish Pro Plus LNBFs and switches. A power inserter is only required for SW44, SW64 and DPP44 switches. They are compatible with all Dish Pro/Dish Pro Plus and Legacy switches and LNBFs.

Single Tuner Receivers

DP301/DP311

Simple basic receiver, SD output to one TV via composite video, S-video, and CH3/4 modulator. The onscreen graphics are updated to a high color theme with red, blue and grey buttons and backgrounds. It was the first to feature Dish Home, which is an interactive channel with applications for news, weather, shopping etc... The applications are downloaded from the satellite and stored in the receiver's RAM, interactive selections for the shopping and bill pay applications are sent over a phone line via the receiver's modem. As far as I can tell the only difference between the 301 and 311 is the three-prong cord on the 311. 

DP510

Single tuner SD DVR. Case design is identical to 311, but twice as thick to accomodate a hard disc. Recording capacity is about 100 hours. These are no longer offered to new customers and have largely been replaced by the dual-tuner 512. 

DP811/DP381

An advanced receiver capable of outputting an HD signal via component video or DVI (or HDMI with an inexpensive DVI-to-HDMI adaptor). This receiver is capable of decoding MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 DVB program streams in HD or SD and has a built-in digital over-the-air tuner for receiving local HD channels from a VHF/UHF antenna. A UHF Pro remote is included which allows you to control the receiver from up to 50 feet away. When Dish Network moved their HD programming to DVB-S2/8-PSK the 811 was rebranded 381 and marketed as an SD receiver. These will still receive Dish Network's SD programming and off-air HD programs, but aren't compatible with the current generation of HD programming. These receivers are better than the 311, but are rarely offered to new customers.

Dish Player 921

First HD DVR. There aren't very many of these around and I've never actually seen one in person, but I believe it was essentially the same hardware as the 811 with a hard disc and different case design. If you have one of these and would like to send me a picture or more information, please send me an email.

Dual Tuner Receivers

Dual tuner receivers incorporate two separate satellite tuners and two separate video outputs, allowing you to watch separate programming on two TVs with only one receiver. Output for the first TV is via composite video, S-video, or CH3/4 modulator, output to the second TV is via composite video or an agile modulator which can output on analog over-the-air channels 21-69 or CATV channels 71-125. It's important when using the agile modulator that the receiver and TV are both in the same mode (Air or CATV) since the channel numbering is different, for example Air channel 65 is the same as CATV channel 121.

When using a legacy or Dish Pro LNB/switch with these receivers, two lines are needed from the dish to the receiver, one for each tuner. When using a Dish Pro Plus switch or LNB, only one line is required when using a separator. It's often easier to use the diplexer to feed the TV2 signal from the receiver back through the satellite cable, and separate it with another diplexer where the cables enter the house. This way all lines can be run to a central location. Dual tuner receivers are commonly supplied with a device called a "triplexer", which is a separator and diplexer combined. For more on this topic, see the cabling page.

The remote for the second TV uses UHF rather than infrared to communicate with the receiver via a small antenna. Dish Network lists 200' as the maximum range for UHF Pro remotes, but in real environments it's closer to 50', and significantly less when there are walls/floor/electrical appliances between the remote and receiver. A trick exists to work around this problem and is explained on the accesssories page.

DP311k

This is a 322 that has been reprogrammed to output video to one TV. The TV2 outputs are capped and non-functional. It doesn't matter which tuner input you use, but only one should be connected and you should not use a separator.

DP322

Dual tuner version of the 311. Chassis design is identical to 311, but incorporates two tuners and an agile modulator, it provides two separate program streams for two or more TVs.  The onscreen graphics are updated from the 311 to the blue/yellow theme used on the later ViP series. The 322 is the most common receiver used in new installations where HD and DVR service are not required.

DP522

First dual tuner SD DVR. Internal hardware is similar to the 322, but with a hard disc. Allows for DVR recording on both TVs simultaneously, or recording of two programs on a single TV. Recording capacity is 100 hours. These are no longer offered to new customers.

DP512

This is a relabeled 522 with its TV2 outputs disabled and capped. Two tuners allows recording up to two programs at once. This DVR is commonly used when you need an odd number of rooms with DVR service. Recording capacity is 100 hours.

DP625

Most common DVR used in new installations where HD isn't required. It's internally and externally identical to the 522, but with expanded recording capacity of up to 250 hours and a USB port to allow archiving and playback of recorded programs to an external disc.

Receiver Comparison