Customer Reviews
Defective 921s 
2007-07-02
I have two 921 receiver, when working they work well, however they can't seem to go more than six months before one or the other needs replacement. Worse DishNetwork has no real replacement. Their replacement has only one HD tuner.
Thus you can not watch one HD program while you "Tivo" another HD program. The 921 is sort of like buying a lemon.
bought item defective 
2006-10-12
bought this item seller sold item did not even turn on called dish network would not even service it said it was discontinued in process of getting a refund suggest buying model 625
PLEASE DON T GET THIS 921 RECEIVER!! 2006-04-06
dishnetwork customer 5 years ... i bought a 921 receiver for 545 $ sept 2005.............. i have had to RETURN it 4 times since then ............ ALL the stantard def programs i recorded were wiped off the hard drive plus ALL the high def programs i recorded ...........nba fans that means kobe s 81 point game , the all star game ..which was in high def this feb 2006 for the 1st time .....i was never told i could have got a full refund within the 1st 30 days of buying the 921 ... each time hard drive broke , customer service just said we will ups you another 921 ...upgrade to 622 ? forget it .im going to switch to direct tv !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DO NOT BUY THIS...will be obsolete after April 1, 2006 2006-03-08
If you are thinking of buying the 921 unit, please read this, it is very important you know this first...
I am a current Dish Network subscriber, have been loyal to them for over 7 years now. This review and rating covers both this receiver and Dish Networks service and ethics of how they treat they customers.
I am currently paying $10 a month for 7 HD channels when new customers are paying the same rate for 23 channels. I felt the need to call them on this and request the rest of the HD channels I was entitled to. This is what I was told...
If I wanted to upgrade and get the full HD package offering all 23 channels I would need to buy their VIP 622 unit (which offers all the same features...plus more as the 921 offers) they did have a less equivilent unit, the 311, but this was only a single tuner, anyone being use to a dual turner would NEVER go back to a single if they did not have to! I was told my 921 was not capible of pulling in the other HD channels I wanted. So after paying $900+ for this unit only a year ago, I now am told it's "worthless" But they are willing to offer me an upgrade to the VIP 622 for a "DEAL" of $790! "WHAT?!"...after picking my mouth up off the floor I questioned why a NEW customer could get this same receiver (the 622) for only $299 and I (a loyal long time customer) was offered it for $790...They then told me if I wanted to I could wait until April 1st and they were then going to have a special offer for current customers to upgrade to the VIP 622 for only $299 (so for those of you paying the $500 prices on ebay and other sites for the 622...STOP!) I was also told that after paying the $299 upgrade fee if I sent to them MY 921 that I bought from a retail store they would credit my account $200 so it's basically a "trade-up" offer.
So here's what I am warning consumers with the 921 (and Dish Network I guess) Do not buy the 921, it will be obsolete, or should I say it already is obsolete, and the 622 is available for new customers for a cheaper price and for current customers after April 1st for a cheaper price. Why spend this much money on an HD receiver that can't even pull in a third of the HD channels offered.
Here is a great link to C/NET's site on HDTV and what is to come with the requirements of future TV's and receivers. Anyone that is thinking about or ready to buy a new TV, whether it would be a SD or an HD, you...MUST READ THIS... http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5108580-3.html?tag=txt#tuners
I hope this review will help the next person from making a regretable purchase like I did. Get the 622...don't waste your money on the 921!
My review also extends to Dish Networks service...I just have one question...why do the new customers always get the better deals and the current cusotmers get shafted with upgrades, specials, rates...everything, so they think that once we are customers we're in their web and they don't need to keep us happy...I am sure Direct TV would be more than happy to satisfy any and all Dish Network customers that feel the same way! Watch out Dish Network, America knows we have choices in our lives, satelite providers being one of them!
A step up from the dvr 510's! 
2005-07-25
I moved up from the sd dvr (510). The hd is what it is - it would be unfair to compare the two and credit the dvr's. The new picture is crisp, clear, unbelievably detailed.
The exciting things about their receiver at the sd modes. with the dvi connection (cord separate - costs anywhere from $100+), even the sd signal is infinitely better. The dvr can store up to 180 hours of sd programming - sortable by date or name.
You an search for shows AND browse the previously recorded shows while watching your current show (little box in top right corner). When entering a name for a search, you can either use the keyboard - or enter letters as you do on a cell phone (1 1's = a.. 2 1's = b.., etc)
You can watch a show on one channel while recording on another channel. There's a built in PIP feature, the PIP box has two sizes and 6 positions.
I've only had a couple weird issues (probably due to the fact that I got the first generation). Twice, my timers - which, according to the guide are set at the correct time, began to record off by an hour (almost like it gets it's daily savings time setting screwed up). The only thing that stops this is unplugging the unit for 10 minutes,then powering up; even resetting new timers does not help).
The other irritating thing is the power up after a power cycle. It boots up, then powers off. Once you've turned it on, it can take a couple miutes to register that it's been turned on. It's very tempting to turn it back off during tat time, as it appears your "turn on" signal was not captured).
Oh, and once.. I lost all my recorded shows.
But, with all that, I'm seriousl considering getting another one. The features are great - and I'm sure they'll work out the kinks
