Upgrading to 5-LNB & signal strength

[Seaking]

I currently have an old Samsung HD receiver and 1 SD DTV receiver with the 3 LNB setup. DTV is coming on Sunday to replace.

1) should they be giving me 2 HD receivers. I bought the Sammy years ago and they supplied the SD box at some point since then. I will call them to ask for the 2nd HD unit

2) i have had a tree issue with the 119 bird, forever. Signal strength's are in the 50's and so there are a couple of HD channels I don't get. I expect that will not change. Is there a larger 5 LNB dish available with more gain I can get to make up for that problem or is there a way to run a single larger dish for the 119 sat. Would I need to ask the installer for a certain LNB/multi switch style that would allow that to be hooked in later if I wanted.

Thanks for any input

[veryoldschool]

This is not a "standard" install but there are ways to "get around that tree": http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1079192&postcount=164

[Seaking]

I just searched for multi dish threads and found that. In my reading I see where someone said that all the HD programming was going to the 99-103 birds. That may solve my problem. What programming is on/scheduled to be on the 119 location

another question ...are the 99 and 103 birds "visible" if you are getting good signals from the 101 now.

Thanks school

[harsh]

1) should they be giving me 2 HD receivers.They will lease you what ever new equipment you ask for. It is unlikely that they will "give" you anything.I will call them to ask for the 2nd HD unitand you will likely be asked to pay a lease entry fee of $99 or so for a second leased HD receiver. DIRECTV typically doesn't offer trade-in value/credit on old receivers.2) i have had a tree issue with the 119 bird, forever. Signal strength's are in the 50's and so there are a couple of HD channels I don't get. I expect that will not change.This is an unreasonable expectation. Unless you are very limited to where the dish can be mounted, they'll likely move it to somewhere where it can see all five of the necessary slots. The existing mast cannot be used to mount the new behemoth dish. If the tree issue is pervasive, they may well mount the dish on a pole somewhere in your yard where its view isn't obscured by trees.Would I need to ask the installer for a certain LNB/multi switch style that would allow that to be hooked in later if I wanted.The installer should install all necessary equipment to give you the service that you're paying for. Don't expect them to install for future expansion.

[veryoldschool]

I just searched for multi dish threads and found that. In my reading I see where someone said that all the HD programming was going to the 99-103 birds. That may solve my problem. What programming is on/scheduled to be on the 119 location

another question ...are the 99 and 103 birds "visible" if you are getting good signals from the 101 now.

Thanks school
here is where you can find what is on 119, though it may be a bit dated: http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/directvusa119.html

99 & 103 are only two degrees right & left of 101, so shouldn't be an issue unless the view of 101 is that narrow.

[Seaking]

They will lease you what ever new equipment you ask for. It is unlikely that they will "give" you anything.and you will likely be asked to pay a lease entry fee of $99 or so for a second leased HD receiver. DIRECTV typically doesn't offer trade-in value/credit on old receivers.This is an unreasonable expectation. Unless you are very limited to where the dish can be mounted, they'll likely move it to somewhere where it can see all five of the necessary slots. The existing mast cannot be used to mount the new behemoth dish. If the tree issue is pervasive, they may well mount the dish on a pole somewhere in your yard where its view isn't obscured by trees.The installer should install all necessary equipment to give you the service that you're paying for. Don't expect them to install for future expansion.


They called me about the upgrade, I didn't call. The dish will have to go at the same location on the side of the house just below the eave on 2nd floor. THey will have to remove the existing old dish to put it there.

As far as future expansion, I was only asking if there was a different or certain type dish/LNB and it was available I could request it from the installer if he had such a thing.

thanks Harsh

[veryoldschool]

They called me about the upgrade, I didn't call. The dish will have to go at the same location on the side of the house just below the eave on 2nd floor. THey will have to remove the existing old dish to put it there.

As far as future expansion, I was only asking if there was a different or certain type dish/LNB and it was available I could request it from the installer if he had such a thing.

thanks Harsh
While Harsh does try to help, he did pick a fitting username. :)

BTW: Welcome to DBSTalk.

[harsh]

They called me about the upgrade, I didn't call. The dish will have to go at the same location on the side of the house just below the eave on 2nd floor. THey will have to remove the existing old dish to put it there.They will mount the new, much larger dish where it can see what it needs to see. If they can't get a proper view from anywhere on the property, there's a good chance that they will pack up and cancel the installation as they only get paid for complete installations.

If your current mounting site is unsatisfactory, they will likely leave that dish where it is an install the behemoth elsewhere as necessary.As far as future expansion, I was only asking if there was a different or certain type dish/LNB and it was available I could request it from the installer if he had such a thing.With two receivers, they will install a behemoth dish and call it good. It will supply signal for up to four tuners with its built-in multiswitch. Installers are paid exclusively to install what the workorder calls for. The cost of any additional equipment comes out of the installer's pocket and lint doesn't buy multiswitches.

You may be able to independently negotiate with the installer to get additional parts or services, but DIRECTV won't pay for anything that isn't required.

[Seaking]

VOS

thanks for the channel listing. looks like its only a couple of channels that I still won't get. the worst is HD Net. then YesHD, PPV movie andESPN2HD. Most of the new HD channels must be coming up on the 99 and 103 sats. I couldn't seem to find a list of those on that site.

So the upgrade should give me many more channels in HD and the locals in HD. I didn't see my locals in the 119 list.

Many years ago I installed my own c-band dish, even build the mount my self for a 12 dish. Used a tv antenna rotor to turn the LNA and had an old trailer jack to move between the sats, but only had to do that to watch the playboy channel.:lol: All that was in the clear then, had a little black box analog receiver with two knobs on it. One was for audio and one for vid channel, then I had to get a special box for the stereo audio on MTV. Boy that was awhile back. After the "little" dishes came out and I installed the first single lnb DTV dish at the house and since then let DTV handle it.

Thanks again to both of you.

[Seaking]

Installer came and said I needed to get a second opinion. He would not install the 5 lnb dish. He said I would get anything. I currently get good signals from the 101 and the 110 sat. my 119 I only get in the 50's. There is a tree getting part of the signal. My argument is that I should still the new 99 and 103, but he wants to get his supervisor to come have a look. I know he will walk up, look and agree with his guy. I have been a directv subscriber for over ten years now. The last couple of years I have just lived without the 119 bird. I guess I will have to buy a dis and receiver and do it myself.

Is there a larger dish that will work with the 5 LNB's

[veryoldschool]

Not "a dish" but you could go with something in this thread: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1079192#post1079192

[Seaking]

Is there a reason the 5 LNB will not work and I just won't get 119, Is it less sensitive. Is it the installers just won't install unless it will all work?

[veryoldschool]

Is there a reason the 5 LNB will not work and I just won't get 119, Is it less sensitive. Is it the installers just won't install unless it will all work?
The 5 LNB is larger so it may work slightly better than what you have now.
The installer most likely doesn't want to do an install where all of the SATs can't be received "well" as it may come back to him/her as a charge back [not being paid]. You may be able to sign a paper releasing him/her and get it installed.

[K4SMX]

This is a common problem. If you can't "sweet talk" the installer as VOS suggested, you have only two alternatives: Either buy the dish on-line and install it yourself or hire a custom installer.

If you do it yourself, considering that it's up on the side of the house at the second story level, be aware that the mast is larger, so you'll have to remove the old mast and bracket. It is also usually advisable to attach struts to the mast which anchor to the house to add strength to the installation because of the size of the dish. You could instead possibly use an inexpensive pole adapter that Mike500's buddy sells on eBay along with the struts, which are available from Solid Signal (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=DTVA3-LONGBRACE). You would need to make sure that your mast is perfectly plumb prior to mounting the dish. Since you've done this before, I don't think you'd find the alignment of the dish that great a challenge, except for having to work on a ladder.

You may be able to get credits from DirecTV toward the cost of a custom install or even your own installation.

[Seaking]

The installer seemed reasonable enough. He had been there recently with a LOS problem and redone all the connectors. He then looked at the location and told me he didn't think it would work.

So a week later my wife gets a call from DTV wanting us to upgrade for free. I gave in and told them ok thinking they would have the 5LNB dish put up and I would give it a try. So Who shows up, on a Sunday afternoon (as Scheduled) but the same guy. So we talked and he said I should get another opinion, that his supervisor would come out. I told him next weekend would be good, nothing official set up though. I signed his work order and off he went.

Now my wife gets a call from DTV wanting to know why we canceled the install. WE said we didn't cancel but the installer would not install it. DTV asked again why did we cancel it then, but my wife says to DTV we did not cancel it. My wife then told them that I was about to have it all removed and was very upset with the whole thing.

I am upset. the only reason I keep it now I think is the Sunday Ticket for NFL footbal (Saints fan). We have Fios in the house for internet and Verizon phone I am so tempted to do their package deal.

I will have to call DTV and get put on hold for ages and try to sort it out. Is there a certain department I should ask for. If I can get the 5LNB dish installed and my signal is still weak on 119 can I get a larger dish(increased gain) to hook into the new dish as the diagrams for the threads sent to me show.

Thanks