Slimline 3LNB Question

[akshtray]

Hello,
I live in Clinton, WA (Zip 98236) and have LOS issues to the 119 satellite. The DirecTV tech. who was over 2 weeks back to replace a faulty Multi Switch at that time looked at the LOS issue and told me that I should have no problem with the Slimline 3 LNB dish (eliminating the need for 110/119).

I had then gone ahead and scheduled an Appt. for an upgrade for Oct. 2nd. However, how do I make sure that the Technician who comes over comes with a Slimline 3 LNB dish and not a Slimline 5 LNB dish. Is there a way that I can specifically request for this dish?

I have been wanting HDTV for over 2 years and really hope that this works for me. Any ideas or suggestions will be appreciated as well.

Thanks.

Akshay

P.S: I was just on phone with DTV Customer Service and they told me all they can confirm for me is that the dish is a Slimline dish and is Ka/Ku with a Multiswitch 4 and ODU 36".

[carl6]

Contact the installation company directly (you can get the number from DirecTV) and explain it to them. If you still have contact information for the installer that was out 2 weeks past, perhaps you can work through him to get the message to who needs it.

Carl

[Mertzen]

No real way to order these. rollout still hasn't expanded much from what we hear over here. Fingers crossed but don't count on it.

[akshtray]

No real way to order these. rollout still hasn't expanded much from what we hear over here. Fingers crossed but don't count on it.


Yah. I do have my fingers crossed on this one.

I just got off the phone with the Field Supervisor for the local office. Now what he told me did not match up with the Tech. guy who has been coming over for LOS or Installs. He basically said that I am fine with a Slimline 5 LNB and I should get HD no problem except that the only channel I cant get is the NFL Network in HD. That sounds great to me because as much of a fan I am of football I can deal with not getting 1 channel in HD. I will still get NFL Sunday Ticket in HD though.

He also went on about how the DirecTV policies on not doing install for not getting LOS to the 119 satellite has changed since my last Appt. almost 2 years back and pretty much told me that I should have no problem getting HD even though I have no LOS to 119.

SO I have my fingers crossed ..

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

[BattleZone]

I think that, like the vast majority of people who work in the field every day, they do not understand the full ramifications of what they say and do, because there isn't any kind of GOOD infrastructure to train field personnel on new technologies and policies.

What he's missing is that you pull guide data from 119 anytime you are watching anything on 110/119/103. While there are work-arounds, you can still get errors or lockups when things don't go perfectly. The SL3 LNB solves this by a redesigned internal multiswitch that always pulls guide data from 101.

Still, this is good news, because it means they will do the install. Then, you can order an SL3-LNB off of eBay or somewhere and swap out the SL5 LNB, and you'll be all set.

[akshtray]

I think that, like the vast majority of people who work in the field every day, they do not understand the full ramifications of what they say and do, because there isn't any kind of GOOD infrastructure to train field personnel on new technologies and policies.

What he's missing is that you pull guide data from 119 anytime you are watching anything on 110/119/103. While there are work-arounds, you can still get errors or lockups when things don't go perfectly. The SL3 LNB solves this by a redesigned internal multiswitch that always pulls guide data from 101.

Still, this is good news, because it means they will do the install. Then, you can order an SL3-LNB off of eBay or somewhere and swap out the SL5 LNB, and you'll be all set.

Oh lord! My hands-on is pretty limited to computers. God save us if I try messing around with my Dish ... :nono:

-Akshay

[BattleZone]

Replacing the LNB (assuming you have access to it without moving the dish) involves removing two screw/nuts, sliding the LNB pack out of the socket, moving the 4 coax cables from the old LNB to the new one (order doesn't matter), popping the new LNB in the socket, and reinstalling the two screws/nuts. You need a phillips screwdriver and a small crecent wrench, and about 3 minutes. If you can take the cover off a computer case, you can do this.

[tkrandall]

Replacing the LNB (assuming you have access to it without moving the dish) involves removing two screw/nuts, sliding the LNB pack out of the socket, moving the 4 coax cables from the old LNB to the new one (order doesn't matter), popping the new LNB in the socket, and reinstalling the two screws/nuts. You need a phillips screwdriver and a small crecent wrench, and about 3 minutes. If you can take the cover off a computer case, you can do this.

Does anyone know if the SL3's LNB head geometries are the same as the head on a SL5, such that it is in the exact same position relative to the reflector? I tried a SL3 I got off the internet and ended up with slightly weaker Ku signals on my odd transponders. I figured it was either something internal to SL3 unit's circuitry, or possibly my dish needed fine turning due to something being different with how the SL3 Ka/Ku head is positioned compared to on a SL5. The even Ku's and all my Ka's stayed strong compared to the SL5, so I was thinking it was likely tolerances in the unit's circuitry.

[Matt9876]

Ka signals are touchy if you swap heads you probably need to tweak the alignment as well.

[akshtray]

Just thinking out loud.

Since the SL5 has all the satellites that SL3 has access too including 110/119 is there no way to just configured it so that it only gets everything from 99/101/103 and not worry about 110/119?

[evan_s]

The problem is a slimline 5 is setup to use Guide data from 119 when viewing channels from 103/110 and 119. A slimline 3 gets around this by placing 101 in place of 110/119 so you can still get guide data when viewing a 103 channel.

[Doug Brott]

The problem is a slimline 5 is setup to use Guide data from 119 when viewing channels from 103/110 and 119. A slimline 3 gets around this by placing 101 in place of 110/119 so you can still get guide data when viewing a 103 channel.

This is correct meaning that unless you know what you are doing and implement a workaround (daily) you will definitely run into problems at some point in time. Sounds like your best solution is to get the SL3

[MattDing]

I ordered a Slimline 3 LNB from someone on eBay on Monday and received it today.

I mention that because your install date isn't for a week or so. If you don't get it straightened out it might be possible for you to purchase the LNB on your own and talk the DirecTV installer into installing it on your new dish for you when he does the work.

I don't know for sure if the installers are allowed to do that. I'm sure others here will chime in on that aspect, I'm merely brainstorming. It might be a relatively cheap answer for you if possible. (I got mine for under $50 shipped.)

[tkrandall]

I ordered a Slimline 3 LNB from someone on eBay on Monday and received it today.

I mention that because your install date isn't for a week or so. If you don't get it straightened out it might be possible for you to purchase the LNB on your own and talk the DirecTV installer into installing it on your new dish for you when he does the work.

I don't know for sure if the installers are allowed to do that. I'm sure others here will chime in on that aspect, I'm merely brainstorming. It might be a relatively cheap answer for you if possible. (I got mine for under $50 shipped.)

Please let us now of your before (SL5) and after (SL3) signal results. Any fine tuning required after installing the SL3?

[MattDing]

Will do.

I'm shooting for getting on the roof this Saturday but the weather is looking like it might not cooperate. :(

[akshtray]

Alright, do you think its fair enough to call the Local Installer and ask him if I can get a Slimline 3 LNB, will they install it for me?

Thanks.

-Akshay

[MattDing]

Sure it's fair.

If you can't get them to guarantee that they will bring a Slimline 3 maybe you can get them to guarantee that they will install your LNB on a Slimline 5 dish.

It can't hurt to call and, if they agree, it might be the only way to be sure you'll have a complete install.

[akshtray]

Sure it's fair.

If you can't get them to guarantee that they will bring a Slimline 3 maybe you can get them to guarantee that they will install your LNB on a Slimline 5 dish.

It can't hurt to call and, if they agree, it might be the only way to be sure you'll have a complete install.

Alright. I will do that tonight.

I have had almost had 2 years of no HD since I bought my LCD TV. Ironic since I bought my tv for HD in the first place.

-Akshay

P.S: Just to clarify .. does this look like the correct item (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250299932680&ih=015&category=149971&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIST)?

[BattleZone]

Yes, that is a Slimline-3 LNB. If you get one of those, and they bring a standard Slimline-5, they can just use your SL3 LNB on their dish, and you're all set.

[ronrose7]

I am going to order an HR21 and a Slimline dish from from Solid Signal and just started to read about the new SL3.
Why would I go with the SL3? Do I not need access to 110 or 119? If I don't need them now, what about down the road?
I am in Denver Colorado area I am not sure if that changes if I need 110 and 119?
Thanks,
Ron

[BattleZone]

Do I not need access to 110 or 119? If I don't need them now, what about down the road?


Some markets get their SD locals off of 119. In addition, there are some Spanish language channels and the "Jade World" Chinese package on 119. Likely, once the legacy HD channels have been deleted from 110 and 119, some of that space will be used to mirror the other International channels that are currently on 95, and some expansion of SD locals in markets that don't currently have them.

Assuming none of that applies to you, then the SL3 would give you everything you need.

BUT... you almost certainly would need to buy your own, as the vast majority of areas don't have the SL3 dish (or, actually the LNB; the dish is the same) available to them yet.

[skylox]

I was in the same situation ....I didnt LOS on 119 they would not install at all....I finally had to go out and buy the actual LNB unit.....got it on ebay for $45 shipped....I know they now have some on solid signal to.....check the link below.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SL3

[skylox]

Also, I have every single channel that D* offers and having no issues at all....signals are good rain or shine and the picture looks great

[BUCKMEISTER]

Does anyone know if the SL3's LNB head geometries are the same as the head on a SL5, such that it is in the exact same position relative to the reflector? I tried a SL3 I got off the internet and ended up with slightly weaker Ku signals on my odd transponders. I figured it was either something internal to SL3 unit's circuitry, or possibly my dish needed fine turning due to something being different with how the SL3 Ka/Ku head is positioned compared to on a SL5. The even Ku's and all my Ka's stayed strong compared to the SL5, so I was thinking it was likely tolerances in the unit's circuitry.

Log onto Solid Signal and check out their LNBs. They list compatibility. They also answer email questions promptly and professionally. Great company. Ck out their install videos.
Ron