Hopper 2000

The Dish Network User's Resource

Hopper logo

The Hopper is Dish Network's first whole-home DVR full-HD solution. Built with MoCA 1.0 technology, it will support up to 3 Joey “client modules” on a video network over the home's existing RG6 or RG59 coax or Ethernet, plus 1 HDTV directly.

Whole-home DVR differs from existing Duo DVRs by making recordings available to more than 2 independent TVs, and each additional TV can be get an HD output from its own Joey which accesses the Hopper. Rather than having a TV1 and TV2 each getting assigned a tuner, the Hopper has 3 tuners, and each user or timer that needs one dynamically gets assigned whichever one is available. If all tuners are taken, the viewer has the option to join what another is watching or to play a recording. In addition, a 2 Hopper household can have up to 4 Joeys, with all users expected to have access to the 6 tuners and recordings on both Hoppers (future feature, waiting for details and demo).

OTA reception will be via an optional USB Dongle (future). Support is shown for a rear eSATA port, 3 USB ports, dual Ethernet ports and standard telephone input.

It has one RG6 port for both input and output, using bandstacking to 3 internal satellite tuners and MoCA technology to provide HD feeds to up to 3 Joey modules across the same RG6 cable that comes in. A Hopper/Joey system is approximately 50% more energy efficient for a 4-room installation than previous models.

Availability / Upgrade Offers / Fees

Developer EchoStar turned the “XiP813” over to Dish Network in Nov 2011 when beta software was added to the satellite stream. It may become available in 1Q12 to both new and existing customers. It was initially thought to be targeted only to new installations. The monthly fee structure and eventual price for existing customer upgrades are also unknown.
Release date: 3-15-12 (announced 2-16, target met)
One-time lease upgrade fee for the Whole Home DVR Service: $99 upfront charge for a Hopper and up to 3 Joeys that will be credited back to customers who take AT200, AT250, America’s Everything Pack, Latino Dos or Latino Max programming.
With AT200 or higher you can get Hopper and 3 Joeys for FREE.
Hopper retails for $449 and Joeys for $149.
Additional receiver fees: second Hopper 2000 upgrade is $199 at $7.00/mo and all Joey 1.0 at $7.00/mo each
Under Flex24 and FlexTV plans, each Hopper is $449 and each Joey $99
One Whole Home DVR Service Fee will apply per account with at least one Hopper 2000 receiver active. This fee is to be added to the DVR Service Fee of $6.00/mo. for a total account cost of $10.00/mo.

Restrictions

Dish has decided not to allow mixing Hopper with older receivers (it is technically possible).
If you use Tailgater, a second account is required if you subscribe to Whole-Home HD DVR Service.

Receiver

3 HD satellite tuners, the third can be set to record the 4 major networks in prime time (by capturing the whole transponder)
No OTA tuner but a USB tuner (2?) can be added to be shared with any of the Hopper/Joey boxes on your network (future)
2TB hard disk drive, 250HD/1000SD hours of user space, Dish and user partition sizes are 1TB each
40.0 remote, ZigBee RF4CE, with locator and range indicator, ships with TV Limited Mode enabled
3 USB 2.0 ports (1 front, 2 rear)
2 Ethernet ports, either may be used, 2nd is for future use
MPEG-4
Main TV - HD (HDMI 1.3, component) or SD (composite) output, PiP
Additional TV(s) - HD (HDMI 1.3) or SD (composite) via Joey client
Bluetooth for use with wireless headsets (future)
Broadcom BCM7420 750MHz 1500 DMIPS processor with many functions handled in hardware (i.e. don't take up CPU cycles)
768 MB RAM, 64 MB flash memory
Ships with the remote (and its batteries and antenna), HDMI cable, composite cable
Dimensions (WxDxH): 16" x 11.4" x 2.05", 8 lbs

Hopper front view

Hopper front panel

Hopper front panel close-up

Hopper back panel

40.0 remote for both Hopper & Joey

XiP813 front (SatelliteGuys)
XiP813 back (SatelliteGuys)
XiP813 front door (SatelliteGuys)
XiP813 insides, choose Internal Photos 2 (FCC)
40.0 remote (SatelliteGuys)

Features

PrimeTime Anytime - 8-day retention of all prime time programming from the 4 major broadcast networks in the Dish reserved space (doesn't cut into user hours), individual programs can be saved to the user space. Two other channels can also be recorded for a total of 6 during these hours.
Auto Hop - skip all commercials for most PTAT events viewed any time after 1:00 a.m. the next day. Available for programs with the red kangaroo icon and must be selected for each viewing. (press release)
All tuners can record HD simultaneously
External HDD support, USB or (future) eSATA connection or networked from a Joey (no enabling fee required)
User interface based on the ViP922
Compatible with add-on Sling Adapter
HD VOD
3D VOD
SiriusXM album art
Collapsible guide channel list for SiriusXM, Muzak, RSN’s, NBA League Pass, NHL Center Ice, and Public Interest channels
DLNA - by using a compatible DLNA server you can enjoy your music library plus a variety of live internet-based content on your Hopper and Joey setup
Each Hopper and Joey can be assigned any of 30 pre-defined names (Living Room, Bedroom, etc) or you can create a custom name

Information

Official site (dishnetwork.com)
Hopper User Guide (pdf, 6.15MB)
Hopper Quick Reference Guide (pdf, 3.04MB)
Hopper Quick Reference Guide (pdf, 3.42MB)
Hopper Features Booklet (pdf, 4.95MB)
Hopper User Tips
Hopper Software History

Installation

Start with 2 RG6 lines from a DishPro Plus swich (integrated 1000.2/.4 or external) to an XiP node which can be placed at the home's central wiring point.

One run of RG6 to the Hopper (no DPP Separator needed). This line is both the Hopper's satellite input and the output to and communication path to/from the Joeys.

The XiP node then has a Joey output. That will go to the rest of the home's coax distribution and can be RG59 and can even have splitters.

All of the tuners (3) are in the Hopper. A Joey is needed at each set that needs independent viewing. Sets that can be mirrored off another can be connected from the box's other set of outputs (Hopper: HDMI, component, composite, Joey: HDMI, composite) or on an SD TV channel if you add your own RF modulator.

Leave the Hopper on factory default settings until it has loaded current software. Each Joey will need to be connected by coax to get its first download of current software before switching, if you desire, to Ethernet only.