How to get HR20 for new Install

[bbrookfield]

After 2 orders that I had to cancel and 5+ phone calls and Finally a productive conversation with Tammy from the D* Presidents office, I will be able to order my D* system in July when the SWM modules will be available in my area. My question is, how do I insure that i get 2 HR20 (I want/need the OTA capability). My impression is that I will not be able to specify a specific HD DVR and may get HR21 (no OTA).

I need the HR20 so I can watch local OTA HD TV if we have bad weather or if there is a Sat outage (RainFade etc).

Also, will the installer provide the OTA signal combiner/splitter so that the OTA signal can ride on the SWM feeds to my 2 HDR's? If this is something I need to provide can anyone point me in the rght direction. My Townhome is pre-wired with 4 RG6 to the outside SAT mount that terminates into a central panel with the other 6 feeds that go to each room (One 1 line per room - that why I need the SWM). I'm hoping that the OTA can be combined into one of the 4 feeds from the Dish to the SWM since I cannot run another line to the outside Sat mount.

Thank you for any help

Note: This is an outstanding forumn. I hope to be a contributing member after I learn me somthing!

[putty469]

DirecTV just released the AM21, the OTA module for the HR21. You can order them on the web site, and they are self-install. So, you can have either an HR20 or HR21.

You will need to run the OTA input from the antenna to the SWM. Other members of this forum can tell you how exactly that diplexes out at the HR21.

Best of luck and welcome to DBSTalk!

[RobertE]

After 2 orders that I had to cancel and 5+ phone calls and Finally a productive conversation with Tammy from the D* Presidents office, I will be able to order my D* system in July when the SWM modules will be available in my area. My question is, how do I insure that i get 2 HR20 (I want/need the OTA capability). My impression is that I will not be able to specify a specific HD DVR and may get HR21 (no OTA).

I need the HR20 so I can watch local OTA HD TV if we have bad weather or if there is a Sat outage (RainFade etc).

Also, will the installer provide the OTA signal combiner/splitter so that the OTA signal can ride on the SWM feeds to my 2 HDR's? If this is something I need to provide can anyone point me in the rght direction. My Townhome is pre-wired with 4 RG6 to the outside SAT mount that terminates into a central panel with the other 6 feeds that go to each room (One 1 line per room - that why I need the SWM). I'm hoping that the OTA can be combined into one of the 4 feeds from the Dish to the SWM since I cannot run another line to the outside Sat mount.

Thank you for any help

Note: This is an outstanding forumn. I hope to be a contributing member after I learn me somthing!

No one sitting in an office anywhere will be able to specify what model HR20/21 the installer brings. He will bring whatever he is issued by his local warehouse. Now if they are able to pull 2 from the distribution center and ship directly too you, that is a different story. A long shot at that.

As far as the SWMs, limited availability at this time. Other than the test markets and MDU installations, I know of no HSPs that are installing them.

Lastly, don't count on the installer diplexing in your OTA. The training docs state that OTA is NOT to be diplexed. I know that people are/have diplexed it. I'm not debating that, just stating what the training docs state.

[bbrookfield]

The AM21 would eliminate the HR20/21 issue but would cost me another $100+ that I would like to avoid if possible. Also I would not be able to order it when I make my initial service order since I would not know which model of HD DVR I would be getting.

It would appear that I would need to mount the the SWM outside with the Dish to inject the OTA signal since I only have 4 cable runs from my central box to the outside dish mount am I correct ???

I was told by D* that I would be able to get the SWM starting end of June beginning of July and to wait till then to place my initial service order.

Thanks to all for the help and feedback.

Cheers,

Bill B

[arxaw]

The AM21 would eliminate the HR20/21 issue but would cost me another $100+ that I would like to avoid if possible...Call back and ask why you should have to pay $100 more for OTA recording capability, when Dish includes it in their HD DVRs. See if they'll flag your account for additional credits if you get stuck with HR21s and have to order AM21s later to supplement their decontented hardware.

[Hansen]

The AM21 would eliminate the HR20/21 issue but would cost me another $100+ that I would like to avoid if possible. Also I would not be able to order it when I make my initial service order since I would not know which model of HD DVR I would be getting.

It would appear that I would need to mount the the SWM outside with the Dish to inject the OTA signal since I only have 4 cable runs from my central box to the outside dish mount am I correct ???

I was told by D* that I would be able to get the SWM starting end of June beginning of July and to wait till then to place my initial service order.

Thanks to all for the help and feedback.

Cheers,

Bill B

The SWMLine dish/lnb should be available sooner than July. This will provide a single wire directly from the LNB into the house and then that wire can be split using properly rated splitters for use on up to 8 tuners.

[BattleZone]

I was told by D* that I would be able to get the SWM starting end of June beginning of July and to wait till then to place my initial service order.


Despite what they told you, I strongly recommend you wait until people here report on what's actually happening in your area. The people in the office only know what they're told, but the reality is that these things are rolled out over a period of time, so one area may have them for several weeks or months before other areas do.

[DtvSlave]

We have been told at our office that ALL hr20's have now been flagged for comm. use only and that they will not/should not be given or sold for residental. That came right from our Directv rep., but who knows how many other hsp or retailers will disregard that.

[Mavrick]

Circuit city in my area has 2 hr20's and 4 hr21 the HR20's are priced at $299 while the HR21's are priced at $199 when I questioned them about it they said that they have been told by Directv as long as they have HR20's they have to sell them at $299 the HR21 is the only HD-DVR that is to be priced at $199 but a take this with a grain of salt for it did come from a circuit city employee which are not usually that reliable.

If it was the case though the the HR21 with AM21 combo would be the better deal at $249