View Full Version : Work Order Warning
PaulSTC
10-04-07, 12:05 PM
Just had D* at my house to install 1 HDDVR, 1 HD, 2 SD. The 1 HD that showed up was an H20. I had called DirecTV installation earlier in the week to ask what I should do if that sort of thing happened since I really wanted the H21 (enclosed space where heat is an issue). They told me to refuse the receiver and go buy one at BestBuy and that they'd install it for free. So I told the installer what I was told and he said he couldn't do it. If the work order was changed in any way he couldn't perform the install. He was nice enough about it but I'm just surprised that A) DirecTV would give me those instructions without changing the order before hand and that B) A technician already on site has no flexibility with the work orders. It just seems like a big waste of time and money.
RobertE
10-04-07, 12:17 PM
Just had D* at my house to install 1 HDDVR, 1 HD, 2 SD. The 1 HD that showed up was an H20. I had called DirecTV installation earlier in the week to ask what I should do if that sort of thing happened since I really wanted the H21 (enclosed space where heat is an issue). They told me to refuse the receiver and go buy one at BestBuy and that they'd install it for free. So I told the installer what I was told and he said he couldn't do it. If the work order was changed in any way he couldn't perform the install. He was nice enough about it but I'm just surprised that A) DirecTV would give me those instructions without changing the order before hand and that B) A technician already on site has no flexibility with the work orders. It just seems like a big waste of time and money.
For A) As sad as it sounds, D* will at times will tell you whatever you want to hear. If whatever they tell you is possible, is imaterial to them. :(
For B) The tech can change to workorder. I do it all the time. It can be a PITA. Here's the problem that I see with yours. If the tech removes the H20 from the workorder, he no longer gets paid for that box & line to install. He is then under zero obligation to provide you with a working feed to that location. He should have explained it better, but it is what it is.
PaulSTC
10-04-07, 12:38 PM
Sad thing is much of the install was already complete. I have an old 3lnb, 4 lines running down into the house, and all feeds to outlets complete. All he had to do was run an extension to the 4 lines to get the dish higher on the roof, install a new multi switch and plugged in the receivers, something I normally do anyway. Nice enough kid i just think you sometimes need to think outside the box. There usually is a tip for guys like that.
I haven't rescheduled an install and not sure I will. There is something about that 5lnb dish that scares me a little. He wanted to put it up at the top of my roof and all I can think of is roof damage after reading some of the posts here.
jimb726
10-04-07, 12:46 PM
Sad thing is much of the install was already complete. I have an old 3lnb, 4 lines running down into the house, and all feeds to outlets complete. All he had to do was run an extension to the 4 lines to get the dish higher on the roof, install a new multi switch and plugged in the receivers, something I normally do anyway. Nice enough kid i just think you sometimes need to think outside the box. There usually is a tip for guys like that.
I haven't rescheduled an install and not sure I will. There is something about that 5lnb dish that scares me a little. He wanted to put it up at the top of my roof and all I can think of is roof damage after reading some of the posts here.
Not sure what you are worried about as far as roof damage, due to the size and weight of the dish, the roof has become the preferred mounting location, not to mention the zillion or so roof mounts they have already done. Does the side of your house offer any better line of sight? The other issue with the dish is the need for the support braces, the size of the dish makes it a widsail and if the braces are not attached the thing will shake and the signal may become erratic.
davemayo
10-04-07, 01:18 PM
Not sure what you are worried about as far as roof damage, due to the size and weight of the dish, the roof has become the preferred mounting location, not to mention the zillion or so roof mounts they have already done. Does the side of your house offer any better line of sight? The other issue with the dish is the need for the support braces, the size of the dish makes it a widsail and if the braces are not attached the thing will shake and the signal may become erratic.
I had my old dish on the side of my house and I was concerned that the 5 lnb dish would be too heavy to be installed in the same place. But because of LOS issues, it had to go on the roof anyway. Installer used two braces to help hold it up. Seems sturdy enough....
PaulSTC
10-04-07, 02:04 PM
I'm sure in reality the roof install would have been fine but there is a thread here where some swear on a pole mount for the larger dish.
Maybe I was more worried about what my wife would say when she saw this new larger dish :) The back of it would have been visible from the front of the house and I'm sure that is a look she wouldn't be happy with no matter how many channels she'd be getting. The cancellation of the work order may have been a blessing...
I am not showing that the H21 or HR21 are available anywhere (other than Ebay and God only knows if D* would activate one if purchased on Ebay). I don't show them at Best Buy or anywhere else for that matter. Have the H21/HR21's been released for sale??
PaulSTC
10-04-07, 07:03 PM
Take a look at the non dvr HD forum. They are starting to show up in stores.
Redlinetire
10-04-07, 07:10 PM
Two things:
1) My 5-LNB is on my roof, was installed next to the old 3-LNB. I've had zero problems, even after the heavy winds a few weeks ago.
2)H21? Really? Considering D* track record with new equipment, I would stick with the OLDEST hardware you can get because you know all the bugs have been worked out. Less hassle - more reliable. And I'm not sure about the H21 running any cooler than an H20. I hadn't seen that anywhere.
Two things:
1) My 5-LNB is on my roof, was installed next to the old 3-LNB. I've had zero problems, even after the heavy winds a few weeks ago.
2)H21? Really? Considering D* track record with new equipment, I would stick with the OLDEST hardware you can get because you know all the bugs have been worked out. Less hassle - more reliable. And I'm not sure about the H21 running any cooler than an H20. I hadn't seen that anywhere.
For what it's worth, I don't feel that the H20 works properly as it is, hopefully the H21 works better!
vBulletin® v3.7.6, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.