How to Use Split Screen on Dish

Watching TV via Dish is still one of the most popular ways of getting your daily dose of television. There are so many channels for you to choose from, that it’s sometimes hard to take a pick. But, don’t worry because Dish has got you covered there. You can always use the Multi-View mode and watch up to four of your favorite channels at the same time.

Multi-View Technology

The multi-view technology is a fantastic addition to Dish because it allows you to watch multiple channels at once. Dish Hopper comes with this feature built-in and allows you to tune into four channels at the same time. You can, basically, split the screen vertically and horizontally and change the channel in every section separately. It’s ideal for sports fans because it allows you to watch several games in parallel. The setup is quite simple, but it’s not the same for all Dish models.

Setting Things up

The Hopper has some cool controls that allow you to customize your experience. You can integrate your Netflix account, skip commercials, and record your favorite movies and TV shows. The Multi-View feature tops it all off because it allows you to split your screen into four independent sections. The commands are not that obvious, so it’s easy to miss them. You can split your screen by doing the following:

First, press the “Options” button on your remote.
Navigate to “Picture-in-Picture.”
You will see four options, including small PiP, Large PiP, Side-by-side, and MultiView.
Select MultiView and the last four channels you watched will appear on the screen.

The MultiView feature is available only with the Hopper 3. Other versions like the non-Hopper DVR and Duo can only split the screen in half. The function requires a special chip, so it’s not available for most dishes.

Do You Have the Right Remote

Most Dish receiver remotes don’t have the MultiView button. Depending on the series, the process can be a little different. Models 40 and 50 can both activate the feature, but not the same way. Here is how you do it with the model 40:

Press the red button at the bottom of the remote to bring up the “Options” menu.
Select the “Picture-in-Picture” option and choose the layout you want.

Model 50, on the other hand, is a more modern version and has the “Options” button. Here is what you have to do:

Press the “Options” button and open the menu.
Select “Picture-in-Picture.”
Choose the mode you want.

There are multiple options available. You can change the position of the PiP box, change channels for both screens individually, split the screen into four channels, change the size of the PiP, and split the screen into two channels.

How Does It Work

Splitting your screen into four different channels can come in handy, especially during the playoffs. You can watch four games at the same time, but you can’t listen to all four commentators at once. The MultiView feature allows you to switch the audio between the channels. The channel you are listening to will have a red border around it. Use the navigation buttons to skip between the channels and press “Select” to turn the audio on.

The feature is also popular because it supports all 4k and HD TV sets. If you own a 4K TV, each screen will display in 1080p. That is more than enough for a clear picture. If you have an HD TV, all four screens will have 540 pixels, so the picture won’t be as good.

The MultiView feature on Dish is mostly designed for passionate sports fans who like to watch multiple games at once. It’s not the best feature if you’re not used to multitasking, and you surely can’t watch four movies at the same time. However, you can watch multiple playoffs games or different sports games simultaneously, listening only to the channel broadcasting your home team’s game.

Make Sure You Don’t Miss a Thing

Dish is still one of the best cable providers, and the MultiVIew feature is definitely worth it if you’re a sports fan. You can quickly split the screen into two or even four different channels and watch multiple games at once. It’s very easy to use and set up and it can sometimes be a true lifesaver.

What do you use the MultiView feature for? Do you ever use it for programs other than sports? Tell us how you use MultiView in the comment section.