I am just getting my info together to set up dish and my current card is not programmable. If I have the option of buying a programmable card or an AVR which is better and easier to program?

I have been doing some reading it appears that not alot of people are using AVR boards. Why is that?

Coming over from DAVE and it's like a whole new language. I would like to keep it as simple as possible. Thanks for any replies :)

I do not use an AVR board so I do not have any first hand knowledge of them. But from my reading of posts from this web site and others, it would seem that the AVR boards are pretty easy to program and they seem to last quite awhile before you need to re-program them again. I am not certain why the AVR boards are not more widely used, but for whatever reason, they don't seem to be.

I would suggest that unless you are fairly knowledgeable in AVR boards that you use the regular Dish cards instead. My reasoning is this. If you have a problem with a regular Dish card, everybody and their brother can help you get your problem solved. If you have problems with an AVR board, you only have a handful of people to help you. The choice is yours, either way I am sure you will get your system up and running. I just personally think it is easier to use the regular Dish cards since practically anybody can help you should the need arise.

By the way, welcome to Tester.

AVR is kind of on the boader line of " dead and alive ". most of the testers using Atmega and Magic Card, it very easy to program, you require the Jtag to extract the box key from the IRD. The Atmega and Magic Card come with it own programmer, you hook up with printer cable, and use Jeeper to program the board.

For the Rom card, you have to get the Open rom card, and ISO programmer to read write the rom card. It is a little harder then the Atmega and Magic Card. You also need the Jtag to get box key#. Below my signature, there is a link on Dish newbie must read guide, there are many How rom card programming, check them out.

Bobthetech

Your fingers getting faster and quick :D :p

It's that speed typing school I have enrolled in. I don't think I ever told you that I flunked out of medical school.......for good penmanship. To this day I can't read a doctor's prescription. I am never sure if the doctor is prescribing Penicillin or a trip to Bermuda.

It's that speed typing school I have enrolled in. I don't think I ever told you that I flunked out of medical school.......for good penmanship. To this day I can't read a doctor's prescription. I am never sure if the doctor is prescribing Penicillin or a trip to Bermuda.
and think i would prefer atmega,than card,if it didnt freeze any.it does freeze a little,but really not that much,i have just put 4.5 on mine,been up 3 hrs,no freeze yet

I'll throw a vote to the Magic Card. I've been up and running on it with no problems. Extremely easy to program and fast too. If you are just wanting to watch TV, this is the way to go. If you want to "challenge" yourself to the point of rage... go with a ROM card.

At least that's been my experience! :)