wiring ? upgrading bedroom to HD-DVR

[TheJERK]

I want to upgrade my bedrooms DVR to HD-DVR.


I have an HR20-100 in the den, and an HDVR2 in the bedroom.


I know that each receiver has its own pair of coax going to each DVR all the way to the slimline dish.


No splitters, combiners, diplexers etc, of any kind in the coax run.



My question is --
What do I need to replace the HDVR2 in the bedroom with an HD-DVR?


Pics of dish.
http://www.jaredkent.com/jared/images/dtv_pics/slimline_dtv_polemount.jpghttp://www.jaredkent.com/jared/images/dtv_pics/slimline_dtv_dish.jpg
http://www.jaredkent.com/jared/images/dtv_pics/slimline_coax_4.jpghttp://www.jaredkent.com/jared/images/dtv_pics/slimline_lnb.jpg

[jwd45244]

Run two of the unused coax cables to the new HR2x. That is all.

[SDizzle]

If I understand your post, you are only replacing a current DVR with two coax running to it already with an HR2X series HDDVR right? In that case, it's just a plug-n-play. Pull the old one out, and hook up the new one!!

Am I missing something?

[BattleZone]

No, that's it. Simply replace the DVR with the HD-DVR, using the same two cables. Nothing else is needed.

If you later add an additional receiver, then you'll need a multiswitch installed somewhere along the line between the dish and the receivers, but with only 4 tuners, you don't need anything more than what the multiswitch in the LNB pack provides.

[TheJERK]

Thanks for the replies.

I cant get them top send me a receiver without them wanting to schedule an install and they said the installers may charge (up to) $100. I was trying to order it direct for $99 bucks. Which total means $199. If I get in from Bestbuy etc. its $200. No better. Trying to get it for $99 sent in the mail thats all. Just wanting to make sure that its Plug n play.

I'm not paying 100 bucks for someone to unbox it and plug it into the wall for me.

[Yoda-DBSguy]

Thanks for the replies.

I cant get them top send me a receiver without them wanting to schedule an install and they said the installers may charge (up to) $100. I was trying to order it direct for $99 bucks. Which total means $199. If I get in from Bestbuy etc. its $200. No better. Trying to get it for $99 sent in the mail thats all. Just wanting to make sure that its Plug n play.

I'm not paying 100 bucks for someone to unbox it and plug it into the wall for me.


Call them back, and ask for the customer retention department (like your going to threaten to cancel (don't worry as it won't go that far.

Tell them dishnet or your local cable companty are offering a free installation, free hd dvr equipment and 6 months free of the hd package. They will waive the equipment fee of the HR21 (dual tuner hd dvr down to nothing.

Further more in lue of them sending you one, opt to go to best buy and purchase one your self for 199. They will issue a credit on your account for the 199+tax which makes it a 0 cost and then there is no wait for installation ;)

[TheJERK]

Alrighty then. Thx. I'll see what I can do.

[TigersFanJJ]

Call them back, and ask for the customer retention department (like your going to threaten to cancel (don't worry as it won't go that far.

Tell them dishnet or your local cable companty are offering a free installation, free hd dvr equipment and 6 months free of the hd package. They will waive the equipment fee of the HR21 (dual tuner hd dvr down to nothing.

Further more in lue of them sending you one, opt to go to best buy and purchase one your self for 199. They will issue a credit on your account for the 199+tax which makes it a 0 cost and then there is no wait for installation ;)

1. I have read on these boards about the retention department calling the customers bluff and canceling the service. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. So be prepared if that is the game you want to play.

2. They may have waived the fee for you. That doesn't mean that everyone else will get the same deal. Now-a-days, I rarely see someone getting the HDDVR for free.

[Yoda-DBSguy]

1. I have read on these boards about the retention department calling the customers bluff and canceling the service. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. So be prepared if that is the game you want to play.

2. They may have waived the fee for you. That doesn't mean that everyone else will get the same deal. Now-a-days, I rarely see someone getting the HDDVR for free.


1. I have yet to see them grant that particular request with ease unless the customer has been a short term customer with a poor payment history (late or owing outstanding balances.

2. It's not that they just waived the fee for me one, or twice, or 2 or even 4, 5, or 6 times. But with a total of 7 free HR20/HR21's given to just my account alone, acoupled with the fact that I'm an installer and have had customers do this countless (all with sucess), makes it almost a slam dunk in anyones book.

The fact is they don't want to loose customers to other service providers----LOL thus the appropriate name of the department "customer retention".:lol:

I'm sure he'll report back with a better outcome then he origionally anticipated.

[veryoldschool]

I think the real point is "don't bluff". Someone might just call your buff. Be ready to back it up. All they need to do is "click" and you're gone.
Yes, I've gotten great deals [without threatening to leave]. There are many factors involved.

[SDizzle]

You don't have to threaten, or be an ass to them to get a good deal. If you are cool with them, and indeed you ARE a good customer, they will help you out. I do agree however that you should talk to retention directly, the front line CSRs really aren't of much help. Don't threaten to leave unless you are prepared to. I to have not paid much for an upgrade in many years, however, I am cool with them. My last HR21 cost me $69 at costco after they gave me an immediate credit to my account, I didn't push for more since my other 3 HR20s were free.

[tcusta00]

You don't need to threaten to leave to get transferred to retention. I had a billing issue that the regular CSRs couldn't figure out how to handle in their computer so they transfered me right over to retention as I tried to say "wait, but I'm not wanting to cancel my serv..." click - ring. It's not as hard to get to this department as you may think. Don't bluff and don't lie.

[TigersFanJJ]

1. I have yet to see them grant that particular request with ease unless the customer has been a short term customer with a poor payment history (late or owing outstanding balances.

2. It's not that they just waived the fee for me one, or twice, or 2 or even 4, 5, or 6 times. But with a total of 7 free HR20/HR21's given to just my account alone, acoupled with the fact that I'm an installer and have had customers do this countless (all with sucess), makes it almost a slam dunk in anyones book.

The fact is they don't want to loose customers to other service providers----LOL thus the appropriate name of the department "customer retention".:lol:

I'm sure he'll report back with a better outcome then he origionally anticipated.

The Directv of today doesn't give away equipment and credits as much as they used to. I'm also an installer and have had customers tell me that they tried to get them for free. A few have gotten them for free, some have received programming credits to offset some of the cost, and others weren't able to get any type of discount.

You were extremely lucky to get seven hddvrs for free.

Here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=115768) is a thread where someone wasn't as lucky. Directv called this guys bluff and canceled his service.

[TheJERK]

Thanks for answering some of my installation guestions. I called again and its on the way. I wasnt concerned with the price but that I was being told that it couldnt be ordered without and installation being setup($$).
The next person I talked to had no problems with Fedexing it to me without installation.
Same old lack of inconsistency with the csr's.

[TigersFanJJ]

Glad they were able to do that for you. :righton:

[tcusta00]

Cool, glad it worked out!

[TheJERK]

Got the receiver today about 10:00am. Unboxing it revealed a refurbed HR20-100 and remote. No cables except for the power cable. No b-band converters.
:dozey: I'm guessing that I need the converters.

[TheJERK]

I used a b-band converter from my other receiver and its worked. Time to make a phonecall.

[Grentz]

The Directv of today doesn't give away equipment and credits as much as they used to. I'm also an installer and have had customers tell me that they tried to get them for free. A few have gotten them for free, some have received programming credits to offset some of the cost, and others weren't able to get any type of discount.

You were extremely lucky to get seven hddvrs for free.

Here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=115768) is a thread where someone wasn't as lucky. Directv called this guys bluff and canceled his service.


I agree, I have gotten other boxes free from them in the past but when I tried to get a HD-DVR a few days ago the best they would do is go down to $99...I have been a customer for 12 yrs with perfect billing and support history.

[TheJERK]

Well after all that my receiver just killed over. S*%$! Lasted 1 week.

[glennb]

It might have been a lot easier to go to bestbuy, circuitcity, etc.. 0n 2/14/08 and paid $199 for a brand new one. :)

[Yoda-DBSguy]

Well after all that my receiver just killed over. S*%$! Lasted 1 week.

Have then send you a shipping label to send it back at their expense. Also talk to the customer retention depart ment and do the following:

Have them credit your account for the amount of 199+tax and go to best buy and pick up a new hr21 sealed in the box. They have done that for me and many others upon request.

[jaguar325]

Have then send you a shipping label to send it back at their expense. Also talk to the customer retention depart ment and do the following:

Have them credit your account for the amount of 199+tax and go to best buy and pick up a new hr21 sealed in the box. They have done that for me and many others upon request.

When I read the previous posts, I was wondering if (when they caved) they actually sent you a refurb'd machine. It's real easy to tell just from the packing and if there are any scratches/blemishes on the machine. I am alway suspicious of their refurbs because even though they may work, the hard drives are typically noisy from prior use and getting banged around. So, if you've already given them one chance and they blew it, see if they'll credit you the purch price of one you go buy at BBY or Costco.