ViP Receivers

The ViP series are capable of decoding DVB-S1/S2 in MPEG-2/4 at resolutions of up to 1080i. SD output is via composite video, S-video, and UHF modulator, HD ouput is via DVI/HDMI or component video. Audio output is via stereo analog jacks or optical audio (TOSLINK) in Dolby AC-3 in up to 5.1 surround or 16-bit linear stereo PCM at a sampling rate of 48kHz. For dual receivers, HD channels are decoded for both TVs, but  are downconverted to SD (480i) for TV2. There are two outputs available to TV2, composite video and UHF. The signal for TV1 may also be output via the UHF modulator. Except for the 211, all ViP receivers are dual tuner.

All ViP receivers share the same yellow on blue onscreen graphics, and support picture-in-graphic (PiG) which allows you to continue watching a program while browsing the program guide or menu. ViP receivers are compatible with all legacy, Dish Pro, and Dish Pro Plus switches and LNBs. Power inserters are only required for SW44, SW64 and DPP44 switches. All ViP receivers are compatible with DishComm modems. A hard wired ethernet port is present on all models, which allows the same sort of interactive applications present on Dish Pro receivers to run over the internet.   An optional USB WiFi adaptor is available. The SlingLink allows all of your receivers to share an internet connection by transmitting data through your home's wiring.

Most ViP receivers with a "k" in their model name have a G3 smart card burned onto a ROM on the mainboard, they have an empty smart card slot behind a door on the front of the receiver for future upgrades. This is the only time you should buy a receiver with no smart card. To test a receiver to make sure it has a functional smart card, press menu twice. The smart card number should be listed as a 12 digit number starting with "S19" or "S23". If it is blank or starts with some other number do not buy the receiver, it cannot be used. The only valid smart cards look like the one pictured at the far right.

ViP 411/211/211k

This is the standard single tuner, single TV HD/SD receiver. With the addition of an external USB hard disc the 211/411/211k can be used as a DVR pending a one-time activation fee. Because it has a single tuner, you'll have to watch whatever you're recording.
The "OVER THE AIR ANTENNA IN" connector may be used to connect a VHF/UHF antenna such as rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna to receive local HD broadcast channels, which is very useful if your local channels aren't available via satellite or are only available in SD. See my OTA page for instructions. There are two versions of the 211, which are identical except for the chassis design, the original 211 is silver, while the 211k is much smaller and all black. The 411 is identical to the 211, but without the ethernet port.

Outputs

• HDMI (or DVI with an inexpensive HDMI-DVI adaptor) up to 1080i
  
• Component video (Y/Pb/Pr) up to 1080i
  
• Composite video 480i
• S-video 480i
  
• Stereo analog audio
• TOSLINK digital optical audio (Dolby AC3 or 16 bit/48kHz LPCM)
• Coaxial (Channel 3/4)

Inputs

• Satellite IF IN 950-1450 MHz or 950-2150 MHz
• Over the air (ATSC) antenna IN 5-900 MHz
  
• USB 2.0
• Ethernet (except on 411)
• Powerline networking
• Infrared remote
  

ViP222/222k

This is the dual tuner version of the 211, which supports two SD TVs or one HD TV and one SD TV. Output to TV1 is via composite video, S-video, UHF modulator, HDMI and component, and for TV2 via composite video or UHF modulator. The TV must be connected via HDMI/DVI or component for HD. The remote for TV2 communicates with the receiver via UHF and should work anywhere in the house. There are two versions of this receiver, the original 222 is silver and has a built-in "OVER THE AIR ANTENNA IN" connector, while the 222k is all black and has a blank plate where an over the air tuner module (sold separately) plugs in. The "OVER THE AIR ANTENNA IN" connector may be used to connect a VHF/UHF antenna such as rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna to receive local HD broadcast channels, which is very useful if your local channels aren't available via satellite or are only available in SD. See my OTA page for instructions.

The USB port may be used to connect an external hard disc (any USB hard disc will work) which allows the 222 to act as a DVR for a one-time activation fee. When the 222 is used with a single TV, it can be switched into Single Mode via the MODE button on the front panel. This allows you to use picture in picture (Press the PIP button on the remote) to watch two programs at once.

Outputs

• HDMI up to 1080i
• DVI up to 1080i (222 only)
  
• Component video up to 1080i
• Composite video ×2 480i
  
• S-video (222 only) 480i
  
• UHF agile modulator channels 21-69 (For TV1 and 2) 480i
• Channel 3/4 modulator (222 only)
  

Inputs

• Satellite IF IN ×2, 950-1450 MHz or 950-2150 MHz
• USB 2.0
• Ethernet
• Over the air (ATSC) antenna IN 5-900 MHz (222 only)
• Expansion port for OTA module (222k only)
• Powerline networking
• Infrared remote
• UHF Pro A/B remote
  

ViP 612

This is a dual tuner, single TV DVR. Functionally it is identical to the ViP 722, but with a smaller hard disc and without the TV2 outputs. The "OVER THE AIR ANTENNA IN" connector may be used to connect a VHF/UHF antenna such as rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna to receive local HD broadcast channels, which is very useful if your local channels aren't available via satellite or are only available in SD. See my OTA page for instructions. You can watch or record up to two programs at the same time with this receiver. Picture in picture is available by pressing the PIP button on the remote. An external hard disc or wifi adaptor can be connected to the USB ports

Outputs

• HDMI up to 1080i
• Component video up to 1080i
• Composite video ×2 480i
  
• S-video 480i
  
• Channel 3/4 modulator
  

Inputs

• Satellite IF IN ×2, 950-1450 MHz or 950-2150 MHz
• USB 2.0 ×2
• Ethernet
• Over the air (ATSC) antenna IN 5-900 MHz
  
• Powerline networking
• Infrared remote
• UHF Pro A/B remote
  

ViP622/722/722k

This is a dual tuner HD DVR. The 722 was the flagship receiver from its introduction to the introduction of the Hopper. It's still the most commonly used receiver (as of 2013) for one and two room new installations with HD and DVR service. Outputs for TV1 are via composite video, S-Video, component video, HDMI/DVI and UHF modulator. Outputs for TV2 are via composite video and UHF modulator. Only TV1 is HD, HD channels are decoded for TV2 but are scaled down to SD/480i. DVR is available on both TV1 and TV2.

These receivers have two USB ports, one on the front and one on the rear. An external USB hard disc can be connected which will allow you archive and playback recorded programs. A USB WiFi adaptor is also available. The Sling Adaptor is an accessory which plugs into your 722 or 722k's USB port and allows you to watch your satellite channels and DVR recordings from anywhere over the internet. When your receiver is connected to the internet you can watch PPV on demand programming, as well as Blockbuster at Home (it's like Netflix) which is streamed over the internet.

When the receiver is used with a single TV, it should be placed in Single Mode by presssing the MODE button on the front panel. In single mode you can watch or record two separate programs at the same.

There are three separate versions. The ViP 622 was the first model, it's silver and has separate HDMI and DVI ports and a 350GB hard disc. The 722 and 722k are functionally identical except for minor front panel alterations, the hard disc was increased to 500GB and the DVI port was dropped. The 622 and 722 have built in OTA tuners. The "OVER THE AIR ANTENNA IN" connector may be used to connect a VHF/UHF antenna such as rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna to receive local HD broadcast channels, which is very useful if your local channels aren't available via satellite or are only available in SD. See my OTA page for instructions. The 722k lacks the built-in OTA tuner, it has a blank plate where a tuner module (sold separately) plugs in

Outputs

• HDMI up to 1080i
• DVI up to 1080 (622 only)
  
• Component video up to 1080i
• Composite video ×2 480i
  
• S-video 480i (622 and 722 only)
  
• Channel 3/4 modulator (622 and 722 only)
  

Inputs

• Satellite IF IN ×2, 950-1450 MHz or 950-2150 MHz
• USB 2.0 ×2
• Ethernet
• Over the air (ATSC) antenna IN 5-900 MHz (622 and 722 only)
• Expansion port for OTA tuner (722k only)
  
• Powerline networking
• Infrared remote
• UHF Pro A/B remote
  

ViP 922

Functionally identical to the 722, but with a built-in Sling Adapter, larger hard disc, and touch buttons on the front panel. It was the first receiver to introduce the tile-based menus and UHF 2G remote controls that are used with the Hopper. The new remotes have 2-way communication that allows you to program them to operate your devices from an easy to use on-screen menu. It didn't seem to be very commercially successful, and isn't actively offered unless a customer asks for it specifically.

Outputs

• HDMI up to 1080i
• Component video up to 1080i
• Composite video ×2 480i

Inputs

• Satellite IF IN ×2, 950-1450 MHz or 950-2150 MHz
• USB 2.0 ×2
• Ethernet
• Expansion port for OTA tuner
  
• Powerline networking
• Infrared remote
• UHF 2G