New slimline install this week- quick question

[andysly5]

I bought my house almost 10 years ago and the previous owner had cable tv installed. Shortly after moving in I had Directv installed. My current setup utilizes the old cable tv cable runs (one to a living room and another to a bedroom). I ran a 3rd cable to the living room about 5 years ago for a dtivo.

Upgrading to HD with an appointment this Wednesday so I'm getting a new slimline dish installed. I assume that the cable runs are not rg6 since they're so old. So my question is if new RG6 cable runs are a normal part of the "free" installation? I assumed that they were but now I read so many on this forum saying that they run their own RG6 before the installer comes over. That makes me think that maybe new cable runs are an extra.

Can someone please confirm this for me?

THANKS for your help.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Welcome to DBSTalk

You may want to check and see if your old cables are RG6. They may be. But if not the upgrade would be a part of your upgrade at no cost unless you need wall drops.

[andysly5]

Thanks Ravens for the welcome and the quick reply.

How can I tell if it is RG6? Is the center of the cable a certain color?

[Michael D'Angelo]

It will say it on the outside of the cable.

[andysly5]

WOW, YOU'RE FAST!

I just got back from the garage. The line I san a few years back says "RG6". The original linefrom the cable company has no markngs at all. I guess I'll let the tech figure it out.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Is it the same size as the one you ran yourself or is it thinner?

[andysly5]

It looks just about the same size. and i checked the core of the cable. it's a copper color (if that matters).

[Michael D'Angelo]

It looks just about the same size. and i checked the core of the cable. it's a copper color (if that matters).

If it is the same size it should be RG6. RG59 is much thinner.

[andysly5]

Good news. Again, I appreciate your help.

So anything I can do to make things easier for the installer when he shows up? I have always found that a happy contractor is a good contractor!

I was thinking I'd disconnect the old receiver, turn the tv to the side so the back can be easily accessed, and move all furniture out of the way.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Good news. Again, I appreciate your help.

So anything I can do to make things easier for the installer when he shows up? I have always found that a happy contractor is a good contractor!

I was thinking I'd disconnect the old receiver, turn the tv to the side so the back can be easily accessed, and move all furniture out of the way.

That should be good. Just make sure before the installer leaves all of your signals are in the high 80's or 90's.

[andysly5]

Will do.

Man, I can't wait for some HD. Watching hockey in SD on a 42" plasma is TOUGH!

[Mertzen]

If you want new wire runs just rip out all existing wire, also move furniture out the way and not a bad idea to offer a beverage and a snack. always makes me do a little better effort.

[andysly5]

I'm always quick to offer a bottled water or ginger ale.

So it wouldn't appear weird if all my runs were completely gone when the installer arrives?

[joe diamond]

I'm always quick to offer a bottled water or ginger ale.

So it wouldn't appear weird if all my runs were completely gone when the installer arrives?

IF the installer is from the local HSP he will either not know or not care. Cable is cable.......it is the fittings that can show wear with time. Clearly defective (cut & damaged by fasteners) should be replaced.

They don't pay enough for the installations to screw around with rewiring just for that new cable smell. The tech may discover a NLOS if you cut a full days cable labor off your building. Small job = small problems. Big job ...

Joe

[andysly5]

Well, the installer just left after about 2 hours. He was GREAT! He was quiet, very polite, and seemed to know exactly what he was doing. I did everything I could to help, including going up into the attic to help run a 2nd line to the bedroom, as well as unpacking the new REFURB hr20 8( and hooking it up to my tv.

Luckily, the tech was able to use my old rg6 cables so he did not have to replace the runs.

Not too thrilled with the HR20 since I'm so used to the older SD dtivo unit. Not being able to switch between the 2 tuners is going to suck a little bit. But I'll get used to it eventually.

Thanks to all of you for your help over the past week.

[rsteinfe]

I went from a dtivo to an HR-20 about a year ago. All it takes is some getting used to. I love it now, and there are workarounds for the lack of true dual live buffers that you can find on some threads here.

Believe me, HD makes it all worthwhile. I'm not much of a baseball fan, but I watched a lot of games last season just because they looked so darn pretty in HD! Have fun!!