called my apt complex's D* provider for an update on status of new HD channels

[jurples]

my apt's D* is provided by DSI TV, which (from what I understand) is based out of Washington state.

I was told that the parts are in, but the person on the phone said she didn't know their construction people's schedule. She said that, in all likelihood, I'd have my full slate of HD channels within a month... two months at the most.

[bc3tech]

gotta say you're lucky. i'm in an MDU community here where each building has a dish. i was told by D* that in order to get the new channels, the dish would need replacement. my HOA isn't replacing them :(

however i am told by another guy in my building that he gets all the channels w/ the current dish. said the installer came buy, took 3 "plugs" off the back of the dish, came in and configured his box, and boom all channels.

i'm trying to configure my box now but to no avail.

[BattleZone]

Generally, it is up to your apartment complex and/or HOA to pay for and schedule any upgrades to your MDU system. That's really who you should be talking to.

Upgrades to support the current HD system are complex and expensive, and most MDUs are not upgrading anytime soon, as there isn't enough tenant demand to justify the expense.

[DirecTv Chicago]

Generally, it is up to your apartment complex and/or HOA to pay for and schedule any upgrades to your MDU system. That's really who you should be talking to.

Upgrades to support the current HD system are complex and expensive, and most MDUs are not upgrading anytime soon, as there isn't enough tenant demand to justify the expense.


There may not be enough tenant demand to upgrade the entire building. But the great thing about the system is you can run dual networks in the building. You don't have to upgrade everyone, you can install SWM's as needed based on those interested in getting the HD.

[jurples]

okay, so when I came home for lunch yesterday, I saw a new D* flyer up above the mailboxes in my apartment complex. taking a closer look, I noticed that it contained a phone # with a local area code (a contact number for a region rep, as opposed to the office in washington state? yippee!). I gave the number a ring and, sure enough, it was for DSI's regional representative, who had, indeed, been by our apartments that day. He informed me that, right now, the construction people are doing installations in San Gabriel Valley and would be moving to the San Fernando Valley next. Therefore, he expected to hit Glendale sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. However, he added, if he got news of our complex getting serviced earlier, he'd personally give me a call to let me know (yeah, I'll believe it when I see it, but it's not like I asked him for a call -- he offered it voluntarily, so who knows?)

So I'm still waiting, but at least I have a little more specifics than I did before (plus definitive confirmation that my complex is, indeed, getting upgraded). *rawk*

[tcusta00]

FWIW, HOAs can be your friend. I used to own a home in a community with an HOA and was advised to get on the board immediately, so I did. It's nice to give back to the community and learn about how the HOA works, but additionally, when you want to get something done it usually goes a lot smoother. I installed a shed on my property and it needed approval. It was approved in a day. I installed a patio and it was approved same day. These approvals usually take 4-6 weeks.

This can also hold true for community changes as well, like getting new satellite equipment installed. Things become a lot easier if you're on the board, and these boards are usually starving for members from the community!

[dervari]

when you want to get something done it usually goes a lot smoother. I installed a shed on my property and it needed approval. It was approved in a day. I installed a patio and it was approved same day. These approvals usually take 4-6 weeks.


I'd be raising hell if I lived in your community and had this evidence that the "Good 'ol Boy" network is still alive and well. :)

[RobertE]

I'd be raising hell if I lived in your community and had this evidence that the "Good 'ol Boy" network is still alive and well. :)

:rolleyes:

So you'd rather be part of the problem than part of the solution? :confused:

[tcusta00]

I'd be raising hell if I lived in your community and had this evidence that the "Good 'ol Boy" network is still alive and well. :)

I volunteered an average of 5-10 hours a month for "nothing" in return. No dues rebate, no pats on the back from community members. Just bitching and moaning and taking crap from community members when we tried to uphold the bylaws by having people take down unapproved swingsets and repair rotting trim around their doors. Yeah, it sure is a good old boy network. I get a little preferential treatment for volunteering my service to my community. BFD. You give you get.

[jurples]

Okay, so... two months after my initial post, and three and a half weeks after being told that the installation folks would be by in 4-6 weeks, the guys came by this morning to set everything up for our apartment complex. On my way out to leave for work, I stopped over and asked them a few questions. I was told that they were setting it up so that we could receive the full slate of HD channels, but that it wouldn't be activated because the receivers we have are not yet compatible. I called DSI and was told that I'd need to have someone come out and put a "slim"-something-or-other on my receiver (rather than get a whole new receiver -- whew!) and that, at that point, I'd be good to go for all my hd channels. The wait until next Thursday for the service call is gonna be interminable.

[Earl Bonovich]

What receiver do you have?

[jurples]

I'm at work so I can't say for certain, but I believe it's an HR-20something (700?)

[DirecTv Chicago]

Okay, so... two months after my initial post, and three and a half weeks after being told that the installation folks would be by in 4-6 weeks, the guys came by this morning to set everything up for our apartment complex. On my way out to leave for work, I stopped over and asked them a few questions. I was told that they were setting it up so that we could receive the full slate of HD channels, but that it wouldn't be activated because the receivers we have are not yet compatible. I called DSI and was told that I'd need to have someone come out and put a "slim"-something-or-other on my receiver (rather than get a whole new receiver -- whew!) and that, at that point, I'd be good to go for all my hd channels. The wait until next Thursday for the service call is gonna be interminable.

They shouldn't be putting anything on your receiver. I am assuming by "slim" you mean SWM. That is the multswitch needed in the tv closets to get the new channels.

[PrinceBandar]

Okay, so... two months after my initial post, and three and a half weeks after being told that the installation folks would be by in 4-6 weeks, the guys came by this morning to set everything up for our apartment complex. On my way out to leave for work, I stopped over and asked them a few questions. I was told that they were setting it up so that we could receive the full slate of HD channels, but that it wouldn't be activated because the receivers we have are not yet compatible. I called DSI and was told that I'd need to have someone come out and put a "slim"-something-or-other on my receiver (rather than get a whole new receiver -- whew!) and that, at that point, I'd be good to go for all my hd channels. The wait until next Thursday for the service call is gonna be interminable.

Let us know what he actually puts on your receiver. I can't imagine what it is tho given an hr-20 should be swm compatable.. and hey don't complain--at least you don't have ATT which is pretty much never going to upgrade it service so it can sell more crappy UVERSE subscriptions.

[jurples]

okay, so the dude from DSI showed up at 9 this morning (not bad for an 8:30 to 12 window). he disconnected the semi-circular thing that the cables had been running from to the back of the dvr and connected what looked like a slim black cable to the box. he then went down to the garage (where those guys last week had been updating the system) and made whatever necessary adjustments he had to. In, I'd say, less than five minutes, he came back and restarted the dvr. he said that, usually, the tough part with the hr-20's is getting them to recognize the initial signal, but that once that's accomplished it's usually smooth sailing from there. after the reboot he did a signal test and one of the categories failed; he mashed a few buttons and something reloaded and from there it was perfect!

a few observations:

- what's up with SNY's HD feed showing the Mets games in 4:3? is this a preseason thing & they'll go to widescreen when the real games start?

- the hgtv and hgtv hd feeds have two completely different sets of programming. has anyone else experienced this? is it a temporary glitch, or is it normal?

- perhaps the most pleasant surprise has been discovering that Starz does proper aspect ratios for their HD channels. I'd entirely written off Starz as a loss on SD because of this.

oh man, I'm like a kid on christmas day 'cause of this. can't wait to get home from work tonight and take it all in! :icon_bb: :icon_hroc

[raoul5788]

okay, so the dude from DSI showed up at 9 this morning (not bad for an 8:30 to 12 window). he disconnected the semi-circular thing that the cables had been running from to the back of the dvr and connected what looked like a slim black cable to the box. he then went down to the garage (where those guys last week had been updating the system) and made whatever necessary adjustments he had to. In, I'd say, less than five minutes, he came back and restarted the dvr. he said that, usually, the tough part with the hr-20's is getting them to recognize the initial signal, but that once that's accomplished it's usually smooth sailing from there. after the reboot he did a signal test and one of the categories failed; he mashed a few buttons and something reloaded and from there it was perfect!

a few observations:

- what's up with SNY's HD feed showing the Mets games in 4:3? is this a preseason thing & they'll go to widescreen when the real games start?

- the hgtv and hgtv hd feeds have two completely different sets of programming. has anyone else experienced this? is it a temporary glitch, or is it normal?

- perhaps the most pleasant surprise has been discovering that Starz does proper aspect ratios for their HD channels. I'd entirely written off Starz as a loss on SD because of this.

oh man, I'm like a kid on christmas day 'cause of this. can't wait to get home from work tonight and take it all in! :icon_bb: :icon_hroc

The regular season Mets games are in hd, maybe not for spring training. HGTV and the Food Network have different hd feeds, but they are supposed to go to simulcasting sd and hd like everyone else soon.

[jurples]

The regular season Mets games are in hd, maybe not for spring training.

Well, from what I saw this morning, the picture is HD quality - it's just cropped to 4:3.

[raoul5788]

Well, from what I saw this morning, the picture is HD quality - it's just cropped to 4:3.

If it was 4:3, it wasn't hd. More likely, since it was the hd channel, it was upconverted sd, which looks pretty good sometimes.