First Time Poster - Question about overall DirecTV Setup

[bigkatnyc]

First time poster here. This board is a wealth of knowledge and is the first place I come to research DTV issues.

So, I've had HD through DTV for a few years now; decided it was time to upgrade to a HD DVR receiver.

Two potential issues arise from this. I'm not exactly an expert w/ any of this stuff so excuse my trivial questions and non technical terminology.

1) I have only a single cable run into my apt unit. I understand to utilize the two tuners on the back of the receiver, two runs are needed. I only need to service one TV in my apt.

2) I believe my dish is fairly old. I see people discussing Slimline 3-LNB and 5-LNB models. While my dish does have 3-LNB on it only says Multiswitch on the dish. Any issues with not upgrading?

I can't get a larger dish since it most likely would require to be mounted to the roof of my apt building which is a huge no no here. The current dish is mounted on a pole on the roof.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[litzdog911]

Welcome to DBSTalk!

1. Yes, you'll need to coax cables to use the dual tuner DVR feature. One cable per tuner. It will, of course, work with just one tuner, but you'll miss the dual tuner features.

2. Yes, you must upgrade to a SlimLine dish to receive the new HD channels. Your current dish cannot receive the Ka-band satellites at 99 and 103ºW that beam the HD channels. DirecTV will provide this dish with free installation when you get your HD DVR.

If dish size is a problem, you might want to wait a few more weeks until the new SlimLine3 becomes widely available. But it's still bigger than your current 3-LNB dish.

[bigkatnyc]

Welcome to DBSTalk!

1. Yes, you'll need to coax cables to use the dual tuner DVR feature. One cable per tuner. It will, of course, work with just one tuner, but you'll miss the dual tuner features.

2. Yes, you must upgrade to a SlimLine dish to receive the new HD channels. Your current dish cannot receive the Ka-band satellites at 99 and 103ºW that beam the HD channels. DirecTV will provide this dish with free installation when you get your HD DVR.

If dish size is a problem, you might want to wait a few more weeks until the new SlimLine3 becomes widely available. But it's still bigger than your current 3-LNB dish.

Thanks for the response! Is there a dish that could be installed that would work on a pole?

[Mertzen]

Is it a dedicated pole or a utility pole shared with dishes?

[bigkatnyc]

Is it a dedicated pole or a utility pole shared with dishes?


It's shared, but I think many of the dishes on there are no longer in use. Most if not all, could be removed.

[Mertzen]

Probably a good idea to find out for sure. If you can take them all off a bigger pipe can fit over it. Unless it is somehow strapped to it. Have any pics ?

[evan_s]

First time poster here. This board is a wealth of knowledge and is the first place I come to research DTV issues.

So, I've had HD through DTV for a few years now; decided it was time to upgrade to a HD DVR receiver.

Two potential issues arise from this. I'm not exactly an expert w/ any of this stuff so excuse my trivial questions and non technical terminology.

1) I have only a single cable run into my apt unit. I understand to utilize the two tuners on the back of the receiver, two runs are needed. I only need to service one TV in my apt.

2) I believe my dish is fairly old. I see people discussing Slimline 3-LNB and 5-LNB models. While my dish does have 3-LNB on it only says Multiswitch on the dish. Any issues with not upgrading?

I can't get a larger dish since it most likely would require to be mounted to the roof of my apt building which is a huge no no here. The current dish is mounted on a pole on the roof.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

What HD receiver do you currently have and what HD channels do you get? If you have an h20 or 21 and get more than a couple HD channels you already have the right dish for things. A Slimline 3lnb is a very new dish and actually only looks like it has 1 lnb. You might have an AT9 which is more commonly know as a sidecar dish because the 2 side lnbs are on a bolted on extra with little cables going to the main lnb.

Do you have the Phase 3 or the AT9 shown at http://www.solidsignal.com/satellite/directv_dish_antenna_types.asp

[bigkatnyc]

Probably a good idea to find out for sure. If you can take them all off a bigger pipe can fit over it. Unless it is somehow strapped to it. Have any pics ?



I'll have to get up there tomorrow to take some. There are a few other pipes that are much thicker but not sure how wise it would be to strap a dish to them. I will have to get landlord to clarify. Are the new slimline 3 dishes available yet? If so, how much bigger is it then the Mulitswich 3 LNB dish i currently have up there?

[Mertzen]

Nah, I meant how the current dishes are up there? Strapped to the pipe or mounted. What area of NYC are you in?

Oh and it's a 'Multi Satellite' Dish .

[evan_s]

The Slimline 3 dish it's self is the exact same size as the slimline 5 and is just a different lnb as far as I've read.

[bigkatnyc]

What HD receiver do you currently have and what HD channels do you get? If you have an h20 or 21 and get more than a couple HD channels you already have the right dish for things. A Slimline 3lnb is a very new dish and actually only looks like it has 1 lnb. You might have an AT9 which is more commonly know as a sidecar dish because the 2 side lnbs are on a bolted on extra with little cables going to the main lnb.

Do you have the Phase 3 or the AT9 shown at rl]



18 Inch x 20 Inch Triple LNB DIRECTV Multi-Satellite Dish Antenna (OD1820-B)
That appears to be what I have up there. I'm in Astoria, Queens.

[bigkatnyc]

Nah, I meant how the current dishes are up there? Strapped to the pipe or mounted. What area of NYC are you in?

Oh and it's a 'Multi Satellite' Dish .

They are all strapped, I believe.

[Mertzen]

You're going to have a tough time having the HSP guys mount a ka/ku dish on a pole with straps. Let's see some pics though. Maybe we can work something out if the HSP guys refuse.

[bigkatnyc]

I know the installer who came out years ago said he said he wouldn't be able to put a larger dish on the pole b/c it was sturdy enough. I wasn't in any position to argue w/ the man. I was w/out any TV and was pretty desperate. He found a smaller 3-LNB in the truck and put it up.

[Mertzen]

Yeah those things happen. But just today i completed a job that twice was declared 'can't be done .. ever'.

[bigkatnyc]

Yeah those things happen. But just today i completed a job that twice was declared 'can't be done .. ever'.

Can I PM you when/if they tech shakes his head no this weekend? If they cannot install a new dish, will they at least leave the new HD DVR receiver?

[Mertzen]

Sure, you know where to find me. It's highly unlikely they will activated a box though especially with the new fangled installation verification.

[bigkatnyc]

so without a new dish and only having a single cable run into my apt, I am really behind the 8 ball here huh? Kind of an all or nothing when the tech shows up?

[bigkatnyc]

As promised, here are the pics of my MultiSatellite 3-LNB setup on my apt roof. Any suggestions for upgrading to a Slimline model that would fit on the same pole would be greatly appreciated!

[Mertzen]

It's not going to be easy. But it can be done.

[bigkatnyc]

It's not going to be easy. But it can be done.

Will the HSP be able to complete this install or would I have to go another route?

[Mertzen]

Hard to tell. Most of the dimwits I used to work with wouldn't or couldn't. But there are a handful of good guys.

[bigkatnyc]

Hard to tell. Most of the dimwits I used to work with wouldn't or couldn't. But there are a handful of good guys.

Is there anything I could do prior to the install to increase my chances of making this happen or do I simply have to hope I have a determined HSP on my hands?

[protrex]

Would your management have a problem with a non-penetrating roof mount?

Something like this: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=FRM-200

You place it on the surface of the roof and place several cynderblocks around the base. You can then install the dish on this base. You don't drill into the roof, most management companies require dishes to be installed on roofs in this method.

Some HSPs carry these or they can be requested. Ask your install company what the additional cost will be on the phone before the installer shows up.

If you cannot run an additional coax to your DVR you could find an Slimline SWM LNB on ebay (about $130) and have the HSP install this in place of the standard Slimline LNB. It allows up to 8 tuners to be run on a single coax via splitters, your HD-DVR will take up 2 tuners.

Overall this (the Non-Penetrating mount and SWM) should make the install fairly easy, I think you could probably tackle it yourself.

-Jamie

[bigkatnyc]

Would your management have a problem with a non-penetrating roof mount?

Something like this: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=FRM-200

You place it on the surface of the roof and place several cynderblocks around the base. You can then install the dish on this base. You don't drill into the roof, most management companies require dishes to be installed on roofs in this method.

Some HSPs carry these or they can be requested. Ask your install company what the additional cost will be on the phone before the installer shows up.

If you cannot run an additional coax to your DVR you could find an Slimline SWM LNB on ebay (about $130) and have the HSP install this in place of the standard Slimline LNB. It allows up to 8 tuners to be run on a single coax via splitters, your HD-DVR will take up 2 tuners.

Overall this (the Non-Penetrating mount and SWM) should make the install fairly easy, I think you could probably tackle it yourself.

-Jamie

Great stuff, thanks. I'm calling D* to see if they can make sure a non penetrating roof mount is with the HSP when he arrives this Saturday. I'll try to see if my landlord will allow a second coax run. Fingers crossed.

[Mertzen]

You can call the local HSP office at 9143751850. You might get more out of that then calling D*

[bigkatnyc]

You can call the local HSP office at 9143751850. You might get more out of that then calling D*

I just did, Halstead Communications (877-255-3004) is who I called. The lady was zero help and said she'd send an email to a Technical Supervisor who will call me to follow up.

[Mertzen]

Yeah that's the main office of Halsted upstate. They are no good. Let me know what tech sup called you.

[bigkatnyc]

I was given an 'ok' to run a second RG6 into my unit so no need for a SWM-8 in my setup. Although the landlord wanted nothing laying on the roof, non penetrating roof mount included. It's that slim pole mount or bust!

[Mertzen]

Gah, typical landlord dealings in the city here.

[bigkatnyc]

Gah, typical landlord dealings in the city here.

I can't really argue. They had roof re-done a few years back and just want nothing laying on it. Anything I can do (monetary wise) to ensure that new dish affixes to that pole on Saturday morning?