View Full Version : Horibble experience
Well yesterday the D* service guy come out to install our HDTV.
He put up the Satellite and he figured out we have RG59 cable instead of RG6.
He said this might not be a problem so he didn't replace it.
So he got done with that and come in to hook up the receiver.. he just plugged it in, and left? Horrible.
Then later that night I keep getting 771 errors all the time, now I get no signal on this receiver yet the other SD ones work fine.
I also said I wanted DVR but he said no, he would have to run another line and that would cost.
Crazy.
Call D* and talk to them none of this should be happening. Sounds like he was late for a date and didnt want to do it right.
He was a lazy guy, plus we wanted DVR and he said the work order didn't say that plus it would cost for installing another line :\
compnurd
09-23-07, 05:04 PM
Did you order a DVR from the start?
Crypter
09-23-07, 05:05 PM
He was a lazy guy, plus we wanted DVR and he said the work order didn't say that plus it would cost for installing another line :\
Well the bit about running a 2nd line costing is true. That is not something that DTV will normally pay for. But you can call them and maybe persuade them to pick up some or all of the cost for running that line.
Did you order a DVR from the start?
Sure did.
Well the bit about running a 2nd line costing is true. That is not something that DTV will normally pay for. But you can call them and maybe persuade them to pick up some or all of the cost for running that line.
But it said free installation and the DVR requires a 2nd line?
LameLefty
09-23-07, 05:07 PM
He was a lazy guy, plus we wanted DVR and he said the work order didn't say that plus it would cost for installing another line :\
Did you look at his printed work order sheet? Did you check your order history with D* either online or by phone? Also, did the installer call his company office for you and have them ask if you were satisfied with the work? The company here (Bruister & Associates) does that every time. Also, Directv has contacted me once or twice to check my satisfaction. If you were unhappy, you were completely in your rights to tell the installer and his company. If they didn't give you the opportunity, call Directv and tell them.
alwayscool
09-23-07, 05:08 PM
Check your account on the D* site. Look under "recent orders". Click on the order number and you will see exactly what D* said you ordered. If you ordered a DVR then call them back and tell them they messed up your order. Also tell them RG-59 cable is unacceptable for HD. Let us know what happens.
compnurd
09-23-07, 05:08 PM
This is true but this makes no sense all. If you had a DVR on the work order that should have been the only thing he installed. If you saw him installing something else and a DVR was not on his work order you should have called D* right away. 2 lines are free with a DVR install
Pink Fairy
09-23-07, 05:09 PM
The second line is included as part of the installation. Unless is required custom installation like wall fishing, there should have been no issue.
You need to call and get another appointment set, and do a complaint about the installer.
Well the bit about running a 2nd line costing is true. That is not something that DTV will normally pay for. But you can call them and maybe persuade them to pick up some or all of the cost for running that line.
D* has never charged me for the second line, it was always part of the instalation if I ordered a DVR. I agree with the above posters he was being lazy.
compnurd
09-23-07, 05:11 PM
there is something off with this whole story
He was lazy and wanted to go home I believe, he should have replaced the RG59
generalpatton78
09-23-07, 05:13 PM
Check your account on the D* site. Look under "recent orders". Click on the order number and you will see exactly what D* said you ordered. If you ordered a DVR then call them back and tell them they messed up your order. Also tell them RG-59 cable is unacceptable for HD. Let us know what happens.
RG59 will work just find for the old and new HD.
LameLefty
09-23-07, 05:14 PM
RG59 will work just find for the old and new HD.
Only for short runs and not nearly as well as RG6. That's why RG is what is specified.
compnurd
09-23-07, 05:15 PM
Regardless of the cable, what box did he install then instead of a DVR? Why didnt you call Directv then?
Crypter
09-23-07, 05:16 PM
The second line is included as part of the installation. Unless is required custom installation like wall fishing, there should have been no issue.
You need to call and get another appointment set, and do a complaint about the installer.
Right.... That is what I meant. A 2nd line should be free, unless there is additional work that needs to be done to get the line into the room where you will have the DVR.
He said I would have to call again later to get a DVR, so I am on the phone now ordering it and a service call.
mexican-bum
09-23-07, 05:17 PM
RG59 will work just find for the old and new HD.
It may in some cases but why take the chance when they should run RG6???? Its like getting a 13" tv when promised a 55", ya you can still see the game but........
RG59 will work just find for the old and new HD.
where did you get this info. You are supposed to have RG6 Solid Copper Core.
RG59 cant take all those frequencies.
tjdevaul
09-23-07, 05:21 PM
I wouldn't doubt it. I had an installer come yesterday to install an H20.(Didn't need hime but only way I could get it form DTV). He had an HR20. I told him it was suppose to be an H20, he said no this right and installs it. HE calls back 5 hours later and said I was right and wants to swith the boxes. I said ok. We agreed upon 2 pm. It's now 7:30. He just called it will be 8:30 before he gets here.
D* has never charged me for the second line, it was always part of the instalation if I ordered a DVR. I agree with the above posters he was being lazy.
I have a six receiver install on three floors and one of the receivers is a DVR and I did not pay any extra.
I think you got a lazy, no good installer in a rush. Definitely call D* and complain.
BTW, I am new to this board and it is the BEST ON THE WEB!!
Stuart Sweet
09-23-07, 05:22 PM
You definitely need RG6 cable, especially for the new HDs... You need to call immediately, and politely point out what a poor job the installer did and ask for someone to come and fix it, pronto. You have every right to have excellent service. This, in your case, includes a complete rewire and inspection/realignment of the dish, installation of all receivers, reasonable programming of the remotes and any reasonable amount of training you need.
Pink Fairy
09-23-07, 05:24 PM
I have a six receiver install on three floors and one of the receivers is a DVR and I did not pay any extra.
I think you got a lazy, no good installer in a rush. Definitely call D* and complain.
BTW, I am new to this board and it is the BEST ON THE WEB!!
:welcome_s to the forums, JonVig!
I am sure you will find a wealth of information here. I hope that your experience is as good as mine!
Just called, still on the line
They are coming Tuesday between 8-12
Coming with a DVR instead of the H20
Replacement line for that RG59
Adding a line for the DVR
And making sure everything works okay.
John in Georgia
09-23-07, 05:30 PM
Just called, still on the line
They are coming Tuesday between 8-12
Coming with a DVR instead of the H20
Replacement line for that RG59
Adding a line for the DVR
And making sure everything works okay.
Caleb,
Good luck! Seems as if you have it all covered.
I am glad, whew.
I have only had D* since last November, and I really like them.
Just hope I don't have any more problems.
generalpatton78
09-23-07, 05:40 PM
RG59 cant take all those frequencies.
Yes it can, do a search on the subject. I believe there is a several page discussion on the subject. RG6 is certainly more weather proof and I'd certainly prefer RG6. However the op should know RG59 will work fine for the new HD as long as he doesn't have a 200ft cable run or something. I'll lay down a $100 bet that RG59 works any takers????
He was lazy and wanted to go home I believe, he should have replaced the RG59
This all depends on if it was a wall fish then there would be extra charges for the second line and in replacing the 59 wire.
Pink Fairy
09-23-07, 05:52 PM
Good.
There would be no wall fish, he would have to craw under the house.. or I would have..
But thats it.
ActiveHDdave
09-23-07, 05:58 PM
Never get Direct tv service on a weekend because they use subcontractors, not their regulars. One time they came out to put my 3lb dish up and they came in a station wagon and did not have a proper extension ladder.
rcoleman111
09-23-07, 06:01 PM
Well the bit about running a 2nd line costing is true. That is not something that DTV will normally pay for. But you can call them and maybe persuade them to pick up some or all of the cost for running that line.
No, it isn't true. There isn't any extra charge to run a second line for the same DVR. If that were true, everyone getting a DVR would be getting charged extra. It's only if you want a line run to a different receiver that it costs extra.
rcoleman111
09-23-07, 06:04 PM
Never get Direct tv service on a weekend because they use subcontractors, not their regulars. One time they came out to put my 3lb dish up and they came in a station wagon and did not have a proper extension ladder.
They subcontract all of their installations and it's a crapshoot no matter when you have it done. You just have to be prepared to call in to DirecTV when the problem occurs and get them to take care of it. They can get the contractor on the phone if necessary.
Well today wasn't so great for me either as far as installers go. I had a 1 - 5 pm time slot for someone from Advanced Technologies to come out and repair something. At 1620, since I had heard nothing, I called D* and was given the number for AT. Called them, was asked to hold while the call center called Richmond. After 15 minutes I got disconnected. At 1750 I called back and spoke to another AT rep who after exploring the issue and trying to call the AT office here told me I had never even been scheduled for a call today. He wasn't able to tell me where the ball got dropped, but earlier the D* rep confirmed that I was in the system for the 1 - 5 pm slot today.
TigersFanJJ
09-23-07, 06:22 PM
Yes it can, do a search on the subject. I believe there is a several page discussion on the subject. RG6 is certainly more weather proof and I'd certainly prefer RG6. However the op should know RG59 will work fine for the new HD as long as he doesn't have a 200ft cable run or something. I'll lay down a $100 bet that RG59 works any takers????
$100 says I can make it work using speaker wire instead of rg-6. However, that doesn't make it right.
JLucPicard
09-23-07, 06:24 PM
If the work order was for a receiver and not a DVR and the customer asked to have a second line run for a DVR, there would be an additional charge if the installer even wanted to do the extra work.
If the work order was for a DVR, then the second line run would be included.
I'm still a little sketchy on whether a DVR was originally ordered or more of an afterthought. It does sound like the work order should have had a DVR on it and the isntaller was just looking to beat feet out of there. And I would NOT have let him get away with using the RG59 - especially for the fact that who knows what kind of shape that cable was in anyway. Although, even though I wouldn't let him leave with things as they were, I would NOT hold him hostage, either! :D
gizzorge
09-23-07, 06:43 PM
One time they came out to put my 3lb dish up and they came in a station wagon and did not have a proper extension ladder.
Now THAT would be a sight. :lol:
generalpatton78
09-23-07, 06:51 PM
However, that doesn't make it right.
I'm not saying the installer shouldn't have put in new RG6. I'm just letting the OP know he doesn't need to freak out over the fact he has some RG59 wire, because as long as he doesn't have over 100ft he should be just fine. I'm glad installers are being pushed to install rg6, because it's allot more durable then rg59. That said 99% of people who have RG59 installed in their house won't have any issues.
Interceptor
09-23-07, 06:57 PM
$100 says I can make it work using speaker wire instead of rg-6. However, that doesn't make it right.
:lol: I don't care who you are, that was funny!
Its 50 feet of RG59.
Now I believe my wife ordered a DVR or she says she did, maybe she just forgot and said just HD.
Our first installer drove a fan that was rusty, had no logo on it, and the insides was filled with cardboard boxes, wire, and old windows 3.1 computer parts.
His glasses were soldered together.. :\ He made me and my dad craw under the house to do the wiring, he couldn't fit, and in the attic.
He put in the RG59 wire last november.
generalpatton78
09-23-07, 07:18 PM
He put in the RG59 wire last november.
Well I'd be mad about that. All Sat installs that recent should be RG6. I'd get to retention and see if you can't get some $$$ for your troubles.:lol:
You should be fine though and if you don't want to make a mess about it don't worry about it. However if you want it replaced or if you ever have any issues I'd find out the name of the installer (or company) and if it's a independent ask for somebody else.
LameLefty
09-23-07, 07:20 PM
Well I'd be mad about that. All Sat installs that recent should be RG6.
All Directv/USSB installs since 1994 should've been RG6, since that's been the DBS-approved method since Day 1. :rolleyes:
TigersFanJJ
09-23-07, 07:32 PM
...Our first installer drove a fan that was rusty, had no logo on it...
Sorry, I know it's a typo, but I can't get the picture out of my mind of the guy sitting on an old rusty FAN. :lol:
Seriously though, they should have used rg6 to start with. I'm glad D* is taking care of it for you, and hope that it does get fixed this time.
generalpatton78
09-23-07, 07:45 PM
All Directv/USSB installs since 1994 should've been RG6, since that's been the DBS-approved method since Day 1. :rolleyes:
I agree, but with all the independent installers that use to make up the majority of installers QC was not that tight. Directv has really moved to a more centralized installer situation. I think they realize over the long run RG6 will save them money and the've seemed to have really stressed that to the point some people think rg59 won't work and it will. However it's never good when this shows up
http://home.mchsi.com/~beyondbelief/farley.jpg
I don't want to cause any trouble, I will just have D* to do it at their expense :)
satwood
09-23-07, 07:59 PM
Yes it can, do a search on the subject. I believe there is a several page discussion on the subject. RG6 is certainly more weather proof and I'd certainly prefer RG6. However the op should know RG59 will work fine for the new HD as long as he doesn't have a 200ft cable run or something. I'll lay down a $100 bet that RG59 works any takers????
The smaller diameter of RG-59 combined with the types of dielectrics frequently used limits the total bandwidth at which it maintains proper impedance, dispersion, and signal integrity. I've used RG-59 for signals up to 1Ghz with good results but above 1 GHZ, the attenuation becomes severe. Also, the smaller center conductor will introduce much more DC resistance between the receiver and the LNB port(s) being powered. I'm sure you could get it to work on very short distance installations but I sincerely question the signal integrity on longer runs, expecially on the TP frequencies up near 3GHZ. I realize that in fact very high bandwidth scopes use small diameter coax on the probes but the length is the key in this case -- inches vs. 10s to 100s of feet.
Steve
where did you get this info. You are supposed to have RG6 Solid Copper Core.
RG59 cant take all those frequencies.
You definitely need RG6 cable, especially for the new HDs... You need to call immediately, and politely point out what a poor job the installer did and ask for someone to come and fix it, pronto. You have every right to have excellent service. This, in your case, includes a complete rewire and inspection/realignment of the dish, installation of all receivers, reasonable programming of the remotes and any reasonable amount of training you need.
I have a whole houseful of RG59 and it works fine with my HR20, H20, 2 D*Tivo units, and my R15. I ran a couple of new lines for the DVRs and, of course, used RG6, but there's no functional difference in my application (e.g. no noticeable difference in rain fade, signal strengths, dropouts, etc.).
Should you install RG59 now? Of course not. Will it work with D* and HD? Absolutely.
racermd
09-23-07, 09:41 PM
I have a whole houseful of RG59 and it works fine with my HR20, H20, 2 D*Tivo units, and my R15. I ran a couple of new lines for the DVRs and, of course, used RG6, but there's no functional difference in my application (e.g. no noticeable difference in rain fade, signal strengths, dropouts, etc.).
Should you install RG59 now? Of course not. Will it work with D* and HD? Absolutely.
Who's selling RG59 these days, anyway? Or is there just a glut of old stock that nobody can seem to get rid of?
Seriously, I don't think I've seen any new RG59 in nearly 10 years. And that's coming from someone that was a cable install contractor for Charter in a college town for 18 months in '02/'03 where I saw all sorts of junk on installs - copper-sheild RG59, decade-old splitters, corroded taps, etc. We constantly ripped out RG59 in favor of RG6 (and occasionally RG6Quad). I think Charter was gearing up their cable-modem service, which is why they pushed for RG6 on every install, even if RG59 was working fine. There were times when we replaced drops with RG11 because the signal wasn't just perfect. Ever see RG11? Thick stuff, RG11.
When it came time to re-wire my own home for phone service recently (long story - won't bore you), I went whole-hog and ran dual RG6Quad and dual Cat5e to at least one outlet in every room except the bathrooms. Best investment of my time and money I ever spent - yes, I did it by myself with occasional help from my buddies. Although I don't know if I would do such a job on a completed home by myself ever again. When I build my new home, though... :D
Given the choice, abandon RG59 for RG6. If you have no choice, well... you have no choice but to deal with it.
RG6 is required for installs. I don't care if RG59 works.
And I literally cringe every time I hear someone say "call retention and get $$$!!!"
bwaldron
09-23-07, 10:09 PM
RG6 is required for installs. I don't care if RG59 works.
I think some of the substandard installs are being (and will be) uncovered in the D10 testing and channel rollout. What previously worked fine may now be a bit more "pushed."
And I literally cringe every time I hear someone say "call retention and get $$$!!!"
I understand that sentiment.
I think some of the substandard installs are being (and will be) uncovered in the D10 testing and channel rollout. What previously worked fine may now be a bit more "pushed."
I understand that sentiment.
Sorry if my last post was a little harsh.
I agree. I think the new HD is going to be a whole new monster when it comes to wiring and setup and such, and I think things are going to have to be down to the T in order for it to correctly work.
generalpatton78
09-23-07, 11:17 PM
Hey I put a :lol: behind it. That said we should all hold D* and it's installers accountable for poor installs. I think $$$ is all they understand. I've had several installers simply not show up even after several confirmations to the contrary.
redskin9
09-24-07, 06:22 AM
Well today wasn't so great for me either as far as installers go. I had a 1 - 5 pm time slot for someone from Advanced Technologies to come out and repair something. At 1620, since I had heard nothing, I called D* and was given the number for AT. Called them, was asked to hold while the call center called Richmond. After 15 minutes I got disconnected. At 1750 I called back and spoke to another AT rep who after exploring the issue and trying to call the AT office here told me I had never even been scheduled for a call today. He wasn't able to tell me where the ball got dropped, but earlier the D* rep confirmed that I was in the system for the 1 - 5 pm slot today.
If D* confirmed that you were scheduled then you should get $100 missed appt. credit on your account. AT/Mastec has a terrible history with many customers in this area. Request a senior tech be dispatched for your next appt. More than likely you'll get a D* truck with someone who knows what they're doing. I won't let a subcontractor touch my system again due to previous issues. Too many of the guys that PW county is trying to run out of the area IMO.
pigskins
09-24-07, 07:48 AM
Why is it people get screwed and the first thing they do is come here and complain? Get on the freakin horn and call someone who can do something about it!
Why is it people get screwed and the first thing they do is come here and complain? Get on the freakin horn and call someone who can do something about it!
I think they're coming here for help and to get more information. Having some more information before you call is a good thing. I'm pretty sure that's a large reason for this forum being around and as popular as it is.
Perhaps they should just limit threads to people waiting for HD and praying for DLB on their HR20s?
Here's a suggestion that might help you. If you see a topic that might not be something of interest to you...skip it...rather than opening it and complaining.
pigskins
09-24-07, 12:04 PM
If you can tell me what "Horrible Experience" refers to before I open it, I assure you I will skip it if it's not interesting. The OP obviously got shafted by a lazy tech, he knew what he was supposed to get, he didn't get it.
Bizarroterl
09-24-07, 01:54 PM
If you read the entire thread you'd see that they are getting what they wanted.
TigersFanJJ
09-24-07, 09:06 PM
More than likely you'll get a D* truck with someone who knows what they're doing.
:thats:
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