HR21 and two dishes on install? [Archive]

T Mac

11-25-07, 09:34 AM

I originally was told by D* that I'd be getting the HR-20 but my installer just arrived with a HR-21. He also explained that without a TV antenna, I would not be able to get any HD locals anyway, so I'm better to wait for D* to launch HD locals later.

(Note: I don't care if I get a HR-21 if I don't have the antenna to bring in HD locals...so that's fine.)

He also told me that I'll need two dishes installed, one for D* and one for locals.

Am I right that if I had the HR-20, I'd only need a single dish or am I paranoid? Thanks.

carl6

11-25-07, 09:40 AM

Some markets (cities) require a separate dish aimed at the 72.5 satellite for local channels. If you live in one of those locations then you need the second dish.

Over the course of the next six to twelve months, those local channels are expected to be moved over to one of the other satellites, and when that happens, the second dish can go away.

Carl

T Mac

11-25-07, 09:42 AM

Thanks, Carl. He pointed to the SE for locals and south for D*. Said I'd need both but didn't indicate that eventually I could scale that back. We ended up having to mount on the front corner of the house up top, so one less dish will be that much less attractive from the curb. I'll be watching for that.

Stuart Sweet

11-25-07, 10:39 AM

I don't know much about your local market, but if you drive around and look at other people with DIRECTV dishes, do they have two dishes?

T Mac

11-25-07, 05:25 PM

Quick update: 7-hour install but we are good to go. The HR-21 box was not receiving local channels for a good 30-40 minutes but finally kicked in. Nice installer, seemed to do a good job and was very thorough. I tipped him and I plan to call his company to inform them of how pleased we were. He left at 4pm and had 4 other jobs (installs and tech service calls) to complete before calling it a day.

CJTE

11-25-07, 10:59 PM

Quick update: 7-hour install but we are good to go. The HR-21 box was not receiving local channels for a good 30-40 minutes but finally kicked in. Nice installer, seemed to do a good job and was very thorough. I tipped him and I plan to call his company to inform them of how pleased we were. He left at 4pm and had 4 other jobs (installs and tech service calls) to complete before calling it a day.

Just out of curiosity...
Was he driving a Crewcab F150?

T Mac

11-29-07, 11:09 AM

Just out of curiosity...
Was he driving a Crewcab F150?

No.

Also, D* called to inquire about the install. We told them the second installer was great but the first didn't want to do the install. They are having someone call to make sure we're happy. Good customer service so far.

Annihilator31

11-29-07, 03:22 PM

Quick update: 7-hour install but we are good to go. The HR-21 box was not receiving local channels for a good 30-40 minutes but finally kicked in. Nice installer, seemed to do a good job and was very thorough. I tipped him and I plan to call his company to inform them of how pleased we were. He left at 4pm and had 4 other jobs (installs and tech service calls) to complete before calling it a day.
This is how we techs get screwed everyday. Any idea how many marriges have broken up over techs working to many hours?