The DISHPlayer and Dish 500. Some important installation facts

Echostar Knowledge Base
The Dish Network User's Resource

The DISHPlayer must download new software from the 119 satellite before it can properly control any switches. When you hook up your DISHPlayer for the first time, it must be connected directly to the 119 LNB for the initial download of the software. Failure to do this may cause the DISHPlayer to fail to complete the software update, and hang up in the installation process.

Use a female to female F connector (often called a barrel connector) to connect the coax from the 119 LNB to the coax feeding the DISHPlayer, bypassing the switch.

When the initial download is done, you will get the prompt to activate your service. At this time, the DISHPlayer can be rewired to the output of the switch, and the switch test can be performed.

If you have a Twin LNB, you must connect the DISHPlayer to the 119 side of the Twin (one fellow has suggested covering the 110 half of the Twin with tinfoil too).

EchoStar sent out the following technical bulletin to dealers:

EchoStar Technologies Corporation

104819 TECHNICAL INFORMATION BULLETIN

Products Affected: Models 7100 and 7200
Subject: Possibility of Receiver Not Accepting An Initial Software Update
Background

In most cases, Model 7100 and 7200 DISHPlayer receivers will not accept an initial software update if:

The system includes a multi-dish switch and if the customer has run the Multi-Dish Set Up, or The system has a Twin LNBF.

When the receiver attempts to take a download, the message is displayed, “Updating Part 1 of 2.” However, the green progress bar will never reach the far right-hand side of the bar, and the receiver turns off. This will typically occur if the receiver has factory software (client 5016, receiver SW 052P).
Note: The failure to accept an initial software update does not indicate a defect in the receiver.

General Instructions To have the receiver accept the initial software download, one LNBF must be pointed at the 119W satellite and a reset procedure must be run as follows: Note: If the customer has a Twin LNBF, it must be replaced with either a single or dual output LNBF pointed at the 119W satellite and then run the reset procedure.
Note: The Twin LNBF can be reconnected after the initial software has been successfully downloaded (see step R, below).

Reset Procedure:

  1. Turn the receiver off using the Power button on the remote.
  2. Press the Options button on the remote.
  3. Press the number 6, followed by 1 and then 1 again.
  4. Watch to make sure the lights on the receiver cycle (flash in order) twice.
  5. Press Power on the remote to turn on the receiver.
  6. Use the Up/Down/Left/Right arrow buttons on the remote to highlight the Reset Boot NV option and press Go several times.
  7. Use the Up/Down/Left/Right arrow buttons on the remote to move the highlight to Reset MT NV option and press Go several times,
  8. Use the Up/Down/Left/Right arrow buttons on the remote to move the highlight to the Power Off option.
  9. Press the Options button on the remote.
  10. Using the Number buttons on the remote, press 3, 2, 7, 6, 8. Watch to make sure the lights on the receiver cycle (flash in order) twice.
  11. Reset the receiver by removing the Smart Card from the back of the receiver. Wait a few seconds and put the Smart Card back in the receiver.
  12. Use the Power button on the remote to turn on the receiver.
  13. Go to the Dish Pointing menu. Make sure the receiver is connected directly to the 119W LNBF without the multi-dish switch or any splitters between the 119W LNBF and the receiver.
  14. Point the dish for maximum signal strength.
  15. Press the Done button to exit this menu. Continue through menus until the Download menu appears.
  16. The receiver displays an Attention message asking whether the installation is complete. Follow the directions and the update should occur.
  17. If the receiver still fails to accept the update, try this procedure again.
  18. Reconnect the LNBFs to the receiver using the multi-dish switch. Run the multi-dish switch set up.

Note: If the customer has a Twin LNBF it can be reconnected at this point and the multi-dish switch set up run.

Or:

If the customer does not have a single or dual LNBF, have the receiver brought to your store and download the latest software into it. If none of this works, call Technical Support at 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for help. When connected, press 1, 1, 3, 2.