Hopper 2000

Echostar Knowledge Base
The Dish Network User's Resource



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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

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Receiver

Features

Information

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.

Hopper Screen Shots and Other Pictures

Previews

Reviews


The information here is based on SatelliteGuys.US Questions about the new XiP Receivers? discussion and a visit to CES.

Updated 6-4-12.  Have a correction or addition? E-mail the Editor