Nook TV via DISH Network

[gadgetrants]

well Matt you never get anything if you don't ask and believe me they NEVER tell you ..... go for it !!

I didn't want to say this, what with a friendly new forum member and someone from Dish to boot, BUT my calls typically go something like this:

Agent: Hi, how can I help you?
Me: Hi, my contract is about to expire. Do I qualify for a new promotion?
Agent: I'm sorry sir, I can only offer the promotion to new subscribers.
Me: OK, I understand. I'd like to close my account then.
Agent: Thank you sir, I understand. Please hold while I transfer you to an account specialist.
Me: Sure.

Pause:

New Agent: Hello, sir. I understand you've asked to close your account. May I ask if there are any problems or concerns you have?
Me: Yes, trying to save money. I just received an offer from the local cable company, so I'll give that a try.
New Agent: I understand sir. Is there anything I can offer you to convince to stay with us?
Me: Can you extend my current contract for another 2 years?
New Agent: Just one moment please.

Pause, comes back.

New Agent: I see that you've been a customer for 6 years now... Explains customer loyalty "promotion"...blah, blah...

What a huge pain! My first time through this process, I actually closed my account, and then a few weeks later got a new offer: "WE WANT YOU BACK!" I'd prefer to avoid all the silliness.

-Matt

 

[darmeen]

D'oh!

"Only Windows and Mac Operating Systems are supported. Please run the Connectivity Test tool on a supported OS."

How lame is that?

Yeah, well it doesn't recognize Google Chrome either...so I had to find Firefox and run it from there...

 

[gadgetrants]

Yeah, well it doesn't recognize Google Chrome either...so I had to find Firefox and run it from there...

...and apparently turn off Adblock, to boot!!!...

-Matt

 

[darmeen]

...and apparently turn off Adblock, to boot!!!...

-Matt

The funniest part is that the last I checked, my 722ViP doesn't have adblock, Avast!...or Firefox!

I do need to run that test for network speed at the house though...of course it works here at the office!

 

[gadgetrants]

I thought this was informative:

http://dishconnectivity.sling.com/connectionTest/systemRequirements

Network Requirements

HD Streaming: Bandwidth of 3 Mbps or higher (same for upstream bandwidth for viewing from outside home network)
VGA Streaming: Bandwidth of 600 Kbps or higher (same for upstream bandwidth for viewing from outside home network)
QVGA or Mobile Streaming: Bandwidth of 150 Kbps or higher (same for upstream bandwidth for viewing from outside home network)

I'm obviously not going to see HD outside my house, which is OK. Since my upstream is 1Mbps (actually, that's what speedtest.net says, I'm not sure that's true throughput) I suppose I'll see VGA or "Mobile" while on the road. Which is OK too, I'm used to watching movies on 2" screens. The Nook is a welcome step up for me!



-Matt

 

[gadgetrants]

For those who are following along, I wanted to catch everyone up on the end of my story: thanks to a referral from techieblgrl, I got in touch with a Dish customer rep who helped me figure things out. He was awesome, and next on my list of things to do is ORDER SLING ADAPTER.

-Matt

 

[Ifireclay]

More follow up - after 2 weeks of use, I'd give the whole setup (receiver, viewer, app) a solid B+.

Here's my setup:
DISH VIP722 connected via DISH supplied USB wireless dongle (it's a Netgear N adapter - $25 from DISH) to a D-Link DIR 655 Xtreme N router to CenturyLink ADSL. Using Speedtest.net, I get about 6Mbs download at home/<1Mbs upload. My VIPS 722 is downstairs from the D-Link router, and according to the DISH broadband setup screen on the TV, I'm at the low end of signal range - I'm at 40 and they say you need at least 40, preferrably 60+.

I've tried streaming HD content on High Quality and Standard Quality, and non-HD content both ways (HQ vs SQ). I've tried the DISH Remote Access App on my Droid Incredible, my daughter's iPod touch, and of course my NC. The biggest contributing factor to picture quality seems to be the strength of the signal received by the viewing device.

On your Nook Color, you'll pretty much want to watch your content in High Quality mode. Standard Quality is doable in a pinch, but I the pixelation causes me eye-strain after a short time. To get High Quality on the NC, you'll need a wifi download speed of at least 2Mbs to avoid buffering issues. Non-Hd content in High Quality mode is doable with a lower wifi speed, but if you're getting a wifi signal at all, chances are it will be stronger than 2Mbs anyway. The DISH Remote Access app is a bit finicky on the NC - in particular some of the playback soft buttons are tough to operate. Could be my config (Autonootered 1.1 running 1.1Ghz overclock kernel with Zeam/Softkeys combo). If you're getting a good wifi signal though, watching HD content that fills the whole screen is a real treat!

On a 3G device (like my DInc), you can watch HD content in High Quallity with a bit of buffering with a good 3G signal. I'm sure it runs like butter for Evo/Epic folks. Standard quality is more tolerable on a smaller device, but if you have the 3G signal, I'd again recommend watching everything in High Quaity mode.

On the iPod touch (4th Gen retina display), the HD content in HQ mode looks great, but again you need more than 2Mbs to avoid buffering issues. I actually think Standard Qualilty looks worse on the iPod than the DInc because the screen resolution amplifies the pixelation.

Overall I am very pleased with the whole concept. I've even managed to watch some non-HD content in SQ on my NC using Wireless Tether from my rooted DInc - TV totally on the go! I'd give the whole thing an A, but the DISH Remote Access App itself can be a bit buggy (takes a looooonnnngggg time to recognize my DVR frequently), and the FPS is a bit low for my chapmagne tastes

I've been waiting patiently for Netflix, Hulu, and/or Playon for Android for what seems like forever, and I can say that once I set up my Sling Adapter I completely forgot about all of those. Two thumbs up!

 

[bnewk1]

For those that don't have dish you can go to sling.com and order slimbox and do the same thing. They have versions that even let you control DVRs video cameras and other devices. It imitates your remote control. It works on Nooks, Tablets & cell phones anywhere you have internet service. Android & Windows mobile all over the world. Dish & Multi room box work better because you can watch different shows and not effect someone at home.

 

[J515OP]

I have been trying to use U-verse myself. I found the apk out there and it works fine for a DVR manager but for live shows I get a message that says "this device is not DRM compliant" or something to that effect.

 

[lschroeder]

For those that don't have dish you can go to sling.com and order slimbox and do the same thing. They have versions that even let you control DVRs video cameras and other devices. It imitates your remote control. It works on Nooks, Tablets & cell phones anywhere you have internet service. Android & Windows mobile all over the world. Dish & Multi room box work better because you can watch different shows and not effect someone at home.

Has anybody tried using HAVA or Vulkano boxes instead of Sling with NC. The Vulkano android app is free and it works with my HAVA Titanium, Comcast cable, Coby Kyros 7015 tablet as well as their new Vulkano product. My problem is that using Android 2.1 on my rooted marketed 720 mHz Coby Tablet wifi G network that it has lots of trouble optimizing at Low quality and is impossible at Normal quality. I also had tried Orb with my setup and it can only briefly sync before losing a live tv channel.

I have no problem with the Native HAVA app and Vulkano app working on my Ipod touch. So I figure my Koby is too slow and maybe I need a standard/overclocked NC or maybe a Viewsonic dual core tablet to view my live tv.

 

[fettman24]

I love my DISH Remote Access with my Sling Adapter, I literally have the ability to take my Motorola Xoom anywhere I have an internet connection and watch live TV or recorded content. This works on either 3G or WiFi, the WiFi usually is a better pic depending on how strong the 3G is, but either one is enjoyable. Being a DISH employee I know that you can't get this anywhere else, either limited content or live TV in the house only is what other companies are offering. I recommend this to anybody.

 

[ericizzy1]

thanks for sharing

 

[bnewk1]

It works great. I don't have to use it because I have an EVO 4G but it works on 3g a little jerky but usable. With 4G and WIFI