If you place DISH Network's DISH ViP722 and ViP622 satellite receivers side by side, you probably won't be able to tell the difference, aside from the color of the hardware. (The ViP722 is black, while the ViP622 is silver.) The primary difference is on the inside, however, where the ViP722 contains a larger internal hard drive and can store more hours of programming.

The ViP722 features an internal hard drive for its DVR, which is good for storing up to 350 hours of standard-definition (SD) programming or up to 55 hours of high-definition (HD) programming. The ViP722's DVR function also allows you to pause live TV for up to an hour for each tuner.

The ViP722's back panel offers a wide variety of connectors, including a coaxial connection for over-the-air HD broadcasts. Two additional coaxial connections allow for two signals from the satellite, which means that you can watch one show while recording another with the DVR. The two connections for the satellite also enable "dual mode" and "single mode". In dual mode, you can simultaneously watch different programming on two different TVs. (However, only one of the TVs can make use of an HD signal; the second TV must run an SD signal.) In single mode, the receiver can create picture-in-picture output for two TVs, but they must display the same images. Two remotes (one of which is equipped with UHF Pro technology) allow the dual mode to work well, even when the TVs are in different rooms.

The remainder of the back panel includes an HDMI connection, YPbPr video out, RCA video and audio out, S-Video out, a power jack, a telephone jack, a USB port (which provides the capability to add an external hard drive) and an Ethernet jack.

The ViP722's on-screen program guide is easy to use and can display up to nine days of programming in advance. This unit's parental control features are also impressive.

With the rate at which HD programming eats up storage space in a DVR, buying the largest amount of internal storage space available will save you headaches down the road. Therefore, we feel that the larger internal hard drive is worth the ViP722's extra cost over the ViP622.


Pros: Large internal hard drive, external hard drive option, HD and DVR capabilities, can operate two TVs from one receiver, picture-in-picture capabilities, over-the-air antenna connector
Cons: Can be tricky to set up and use, second TV cannot be HD, 9-day programming guide could be a bit longer

Warranty
1 year, limited