Anything I should do to make sure my installation goes right tomorrow?

[aukevin]

So I'm getting DTV for the first time tomorrow morning and I was wondering if there were certain things I need to make sure the technician does so that I get the best set up as possible?

They will be setting up two HD DVRs.

I have a question about dish placement. As I understand it, my dish should point south, but someone told me that if I have a pre-existing box on my house that cable TV was going in, the DTV people will put the dish on that side since some wiring is already done. But my cable lines go into the north side of my house. That would seem dumb to put the dish over there and point it into the house. Will the DTV tech make me a new box on the south side of the house? Or will they just run the wires straight in from the south? I really don't want it on the north side of my house pointed back at the house.

My next question is after the receivers are set up and you check your signal. What am I suppose to look for, in easy terms to understand since I've never had any kind of satellite service before please, so that I know the tech did a good job?

Is there anything else I should make sure is taken care of?

Thanks for you time.

[Matt9876]

Offer him a coke and offer to help him with installing the second line to the DVRs if needed.


Your gonna love DirecTV HD :)

[PicaKing]

pray the installer shows up

[jdspencer]

Chances that there won't be the correct number of lines in the cable box. Unless you're getting the new SWMLine dish, you'll need 4 lines from the dish.

How many receivers and of what type are you getting? This will dictate what additional hardware the installer will install.

[David MacLeod]

on the signal strengths I think making sure everything is high 80's or better is what to look for. 103c is important to tune right. if he/she throws it up and leaves signals at 70 say something.

[skylox]

pray the installer shows up
PicaKing is right....pray the show up, and show up on time....i just had service installed today.
my time window was between 8am and 12noon...he didnt show up til 2:30pm....left at 6pm....i did help him alot though, i set up both receivers for him and fed some wires

[joe diamond]

Clear access to the TVs+ Have enough electric outlets for all the equipment.
If you want to use PPV or caller ID pick spots near phone jacks for the receivers.....they don't have to be on the TV but need to be connected to a landline for those two functions to work.

The cable connection is where it is because that is where the ground bond is.
The tech will have to build the installation from that ground point.

Unless a SWM is available the tech will have to run an additional line for tuner #2 on each recorder.

Relax and know that if the roof pitch is less than the elevation needed for LOS the dish can point at the roof but clear it for signal.

The alternative to using existing cable is to wrap the building and drill the walls and or floors.

In spite of the horror stories you read here most jobs go in ok. You hear the problems here. Report how it goes.

Joe

[RACJ2]

Be sure you ask the installer where he plans to run the cable and where he will install the outlets in the wall, before he gets started. For example you may want him to hide the cable under your overhang neatly. And if they run them down an exterior wall, be sure to show him where you want them run, so they aren't as noticeable. Also, you may want the outlets behind your home theater stand, not next to it where you can see the cable and outlet. If you don't make suggestions based on your expectations, you may end up with lazy installer that does a sloppy job.

Since you have DVR's, be sure he calls in and activates each DVR. You can test this by trying to record the program you are watching. If he hasn't completed this, it won't let you record and will give you an error message.

Make sure he gives you the remote you are supposed to get and that he programs the remote for your specific TV. It should be a model RC64R or RC64RB (backlit keys) if you’re lucky (model # is upper right hand corner above TV output button). Any other model may be older and only IR, with no RF capabilities. Check to see if you can turn your TV on and off and control the volume.

If you have an HDTV with HDMI inputs, be sure he gives you an HDMI cable N/C. If not, be sure he supplies the composite or component cables for free. I have read that sometimes they try to sell them to you.

Hope this helps!

[joe diamond]

Be sure you ask the installer where he plans to run the cable and where he will install the outlets in the wall, before he gets started. For example you may want him to hide the cable under your overhang neatly. And if they run them down an exterior wall, be sure to show him where you want them run, so they aren't as noticeable. Also, you may want the outlets behind your home theater stand, not next to it where you can see the cable and outlet. If you don't make suggestions based on your expectations, you may end up with lazy installer that does a sloppy job.

Since you have DVR's, be sure he calls in and activates each DVR. You can test this by trying to record the program you are watching. If he hasn't completed this, it won't let you record and will give you an error message.

Make sure he gives you the remote you are supposed to get and that he programs the remote for your specific TV. It should be a model RC64R or RC64RB (backlit keys) if you’re lucky (model # is upper right hand corner above TV output button). Any other model may be older and only IR, with no RF capabilities. Check to see if you can turn your TV on and off and control the volume.

If you have an HDTV with HDMI inputs, be sure he gives you an HDMI cable N/C. If not, be sure he supplies the composite or component cables for free. I have read that sometimes they try to sell them to you.

Hope this helps!

Rac,

The wall outlets with "old work" boxes will be an extra........expect a cable through the wall or floor with a push through bushing.

The remote is shipped with the receiver and the tech may not have a spare.

Likewise, input cables are either shipped with the receiver or.....supplied as needed and as you correctly stated they are supplied at no charge.

Joe

[aukevin]

Thanks all for the comments. We'll see how it goes today.

[aukevin]

Well, I got my antenna all hooked up for my HD locals today, just waiting on DTV now. They have 30 more minutes before they are late!

[aukevin]

Well the tech didn't come out with the right equipment and said he couldn't get it either. So I have to wait on DTV to mail me the equipment and then have a new install date. :(

[David MacLeod]

Well the tech didn't come out with the right equipment and said he couldn't get it either. So I have to wait on DTV to mail me the equipment and then have a new install date. :(
oh thats just precious....

[pilotpierce]

Well the tech didn't come out with the right equipment and said he couldn't get it either. So I have to wait on DTV to mail me the equipment and then have a new install date. :(

What? Doesn't it say on your order what equipment you'll be needing. Sounds like a lazy tech to me in that either he didn't look at the work order, or just doesn't want to install it.

[PicaKing]

Well the tech didn't come out with the right equipment and said he couldn't get it either. So I have to wait on DTV to mail me the equipment and then have a new install date. :(

Typical of a Directv installation, or maybe we should start calling it Directv non-installation.

[njblackberry]

It's too bad that this happens (or is reported) frequently enough that we say it is typical. At least the installer showed up. That was a first step.

[joe diamond]

Well the tech didn't come out with the right equipment and said he couldn't get it either. So I have to wait on DTV to mail me the equipment and then have a new install date. :(

So he drove to your house to tell you all this?

The reason is somehow related to how the HSPs do business. They rightly stress the seriousness of not making an appointment or not calling the customer. But then they do the stupid thing. "Go there anyhow and you won't be charged for not making the appointment."

Also, mailing the parts / equipment to a customer is a new one.....probably bull s+++!
Pilototpierce, above, could have it right.

In the rest of the world a manager would pull all jobs that had no equipment and put someone on the phone to let customers know about the problem.
Logistics for this stuff can be tough.......add storm damages and outages to the mix and the system can hit a bump. So you tell the bad news and move on.

Joe

[aukevin]

The fault was in a couple people's hands on why the install didn't happen on Saturday.

First off, I made a special request for HR-20's because my area does not have HD locals and I didn't want to spend another $100 on two AM21 boxes. Because I knew it was an older model I called THREE times last week to verify that the installer would be able to bring two of those receivers. I was promised by DTV that they spoke to the company handling the installs and that they would have two HR-20s for me. The installers told me that they were never told by DTV to bring HR-20s and my installer said he hasn't seen a HR-20 in a long time.

Second problem was that the installer never looked at the work order that said "Customer must have HR-20 model" until he drove up to the house with a couple HR-21s. He said he cannot get HR-20s and that he has never seen a AM21 either. So I talked to a supervisor at the local installer branch and she said that they were never told to bring HR-20s and that there is no way they can get me one. She said that I had to get DTV to mail me the equipment, then they'll come back and set everything up.

I was irritated at this point and canceled the install for the day because I did not want to have my service started when I could not DVR my HD locals yet because that would be a big waste of the service to me. I told the installers I will try to work it out with DTV and get back with them.

So I called DTV and they told me they cannot mail me any HR-20s and that I would have to buy them from a retailer. But I'm not going to do that because I got the package I wanted where I didn't have to pay very much for 2 HD DVRs. So I told them I was rethinking the whole DTV deal because of this unless they can either get me two HR-20s or give me two AM21s for free to go on the HR-21s. So they said they will give me the AM21s. But here is the catch on that, because my account is Pending, DTV cannot send me any equipment until my service is activated. So, the installer will have to come back out and install the HR-21s then DTV will FedEx me two AM21s for free.

So at the end of the day, I should have let the installer go ahead and install the dish and the two HR-21s and start my service and then have DTV send me the AM21. But because I had not talked to DTV yet about the AM21s I didn't want my service started because then I would be asking for something free when I already had my service activated. Now I have to wait 10 more days before the installer can get back out unless there is a cancellation, and then DTV will FedEx me the AM21s. So maybe in about two weeks I will have everything set up like I want it.

I knew I was asking a lot to get HR-20s at the house, but I called three times and asked DTV to verify with the installers that they will bring them and they promised that they would, three times. So Saturday I was pretty irritated and then to wrap it up Auburn lost to Vandy that night in football, so all in all it was a pretty forgettable day.

[Islandguy43]

I hope my install goes better than that. Anyone have comments about Halstead Communications whom is doing the install?

I am having a hd-dvr, hd receiver and sd receiver installed, replacing dual tuner hd dvr and a hd receiver from E*.

Thanks for you input in advance.

[BattleZone]

Unfortunately, we could have told you going in that there would be no way to guarentee any specific receiver, and that the likelyhood of getting an HR20 is virtually zero.

[joshjr]

Unfortunately, we could have told you going in that there would be no way to guarentee any specific receiver, and that the likelyhood of getting an HR20 is virtually zero.

Now Now I got installed 8-19-08 and put in a request for a HR20 and I was able to get it. Call and just request it on your D* account and then call the installer and make sure they see it on the work order. One more piece of advise. Call the installer as soon as they open the day you are scheduled for install and remind them that you want a HR20 and it will increase your chances.

[David MacLeod]

Unfortunately, we could have told you going in that there would be no way to guarentee any specific receiver, and that the likelyhood of getting an HR20 is virtually zero.
the thing is even if people on a message board tell you that (even though it is correct) if a CSR employed by D* tells you they can send one who do you believe?
by all rights you should be able to trust the word of the D* employee, but we all know here how false that is.
unfortunate isn't it.

[aukevin]

the thing is even if people on a message board tell you that (even though it is correct) if a CSR employed by D* tells you they can send one who do you believe?
by all rights you should be able to trust the word of the D* employee, but we all know here how false that is.
unfortunate isn't it.
yeah all the DTV reps I talked to promised I'd get what I requested each time I called. It's funny that the ones I called after the installer showed up all said there is no way they can guarantee a receiver. Pretty bogus. Luckily I am a forgiving person and I'll just deal with the 2-week delay as long as they hold their promise of giving me two free AM21s.

[joe diamond]

Unfortunately, we could have told you going in that there would be no way to guarentee any specific receiver, and that the likelyhood of getting an HR20 is virtually zero.

My last day with an HSP sub I had four HR 20s in the truck.......... While I was helping my new ride along sort dishes the branch clerk took all recorders out of all trucks..........to return for rescan. Ten hours later I arrived at an installation and...no HR20s.

They are out there somewhere. There were a bunch of recons that were promised to work great coming in soon.

It has been several months...I may have dreamed all this.

Joe

[RACJ2]

I hope my install goes better than that. Anyone have comments about Halstead Communications whom is doing the install?

I am having a hd-dvr, hd receiver and sd receiver installed, replacing dual tuner hd dvr and a hd receiver from E*.

Thanks for you input in advance.I suggest you do a search of all threads on "Halstead". There are several threads out there with good and bad comments. I really think it just depends on the actual person that comes out whether or not you get a good or bad install. You might scroll up and read my other comments that I made to the original OP. BTW, I'm looking forward to seeing the Sabres in HD as well!

[Islandguy43]

I suggest you do a search of all threads on "Halstead". There are several threads out there with good and bad comments. I really think it just depends on the actual person that comes out whether or not you get a good or bad install. You might scroll up and read my other cooments that I made to the original OP. BTW, I'm looking forward to seeing the Sabres in HD as well!

Thanks for your help.

[aukevin]

Well tomorrow is try number 2 at this, but it is suppose to rain tomorrow! 50% chance. Will that cause a problem with the install?

[Shades228]

If it's raining I would expect a reschedule.

[floats]

Offer him a coke and offer to help him with installing the second line to the DVRs if needed.


Your gonna love DirecTV HD :)

I offered my tech drinks on several occasions, as well as my help wherever needed. I ended up giving him 3 or 4 bottles of Propel. That didn't help with the quality of my install (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=142558).

[TigersFanJJ]

I offered my tech drinks on several occasions, as well as my help wherever needed. I ended up giving him 3 or 4 bottles of Propel. That didn't help with the quality of my install (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=142558).

Imagine what it would have been like if you hadn't given him the water. :eek2:

[mjtville]

Well tomorrow is try number 2 at this, but it is suppose to rain tomorrow! 50% chance. Will that cause a problem with the install?

I looked at radar yesterday for Huntsville (I am not stalking, H-ville is just north of B-ham) not much rain, although we are getting pretty good rain right now.

We are in need of an update sir!:confused:

[mjtville]

I hope my install goes better than that. Anyone have comments about Halstead Communications whom is doing the install?

I am having a hd-dvr, hd receiver and sd receiver installed, replacing dual tuner hd dvr and a hd receiver from E*.

Thanks for you input in advance.

Update please sir! GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!:icon_bb:
The only thing NFLST is missing? Chicken Wings!

[aukevin]

Everything went just fine yesterday. The installer arrived at 12:30 (appt was between 12 and 5) and he spent a couple hours doing the install. He did have to put the dish on the roof on the north side of the house and point it south because that is where the power comes in. He assured me that the pitch of the roof won't be an issue, so I guess I believe him. He got a little wet as he was mounting the antenna from rain, but it was nothing too bad.

The installer ran the wires to the two rooms where I have receivers through the crawl space. The only thing I wished he would have done instead was cut a box in the wall and run the cable back up into to wall a foot or so from the crawl space instead of drilling a hole in floor to pull the cable back through. Eventually I will cut a box and re-run the dual cable up in the wall and into a box. It doesn't bother me too much coming out of the floor because there's an entertainment center there so you can't see where the cable is coming from, but if I ever move I don't want to have holes in the floor for the cables.

The installer was real helpful with showing me the features of the HR-21s, but I've had a DVR through cable for a while so I understood how they work. I had him show me the satellite coverage and how well they were coming in. He said the numbers were what they were suppose to be. I don't remember exactly which satellites were which but I remember that the one the installer said were for standard channels were really high (between 90s and 100s) and the HD one (103?) was in the 80s and maybe a 90. I can't remember, I was gonna take a pic of it and upload it to see what people at this forum think. I don't know what I'd do about it though if they were too low. The installer was nice and seemed competent so I trusted that he was telling me the truth.

After everything got activated I called DirecTV and they placed the order for the two free AM21s, I should get them around Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. Hopefully the AM21s work like they are suppose to with recording my OTA HDs. That's real important to me and if it doesn't work right, I'm not sure what I'll do.

I messed around all night checking out all the features of the receivers and all the new HD channels I now have :) That was real nice. I'll definitely enjoy all the premium channels while I have them for the next 4 months. The HR-21 works just fine with my Harmony 880 as well, so that was big. I was disappointed that there is nothing in terms of programming for NFL Sunday Ticket during this part of the week. I was hoping for something, or at least the 30 minutes replays (they gave me Superfan as well) but it appears that feature is only Sunday night through Tuesday.

So right now I'm pretty happy, we'll see how the AM21s work. If they make it so that my OTA HDs are in the guide and that I can record them with no problems, I'll be completely satisfied.

[mjtville]

Great update, happy it went well for you. Just to satisfy my curiosity did he offer to install wall outlets, and if he did, how much? This is not part of standard installation BTW.

[aukevin]

Great update, happy it went well for you. Just to satisfy my curiosity did he offer to install wall outlets, and if he did, how much? This is not part of standard installation BTW.
He didn't offer, he just said that the way he did it was the way they do it. What would they have done if I didn't have a crawl space though? If I only had an attic wouldn't they have had to create a wall outlet?

[BattleZone]

No, he would have drilled through the ceiling and dropped them down. Even that isn't technically "standard", as standard is running the cables on the outside walls and drilling through the wall. He went above and beyond running them through the crawlspace for free. What you wanted were wall fishes (cables running in the walls), and that is never free.

[aukevin]

I received my two fre AM21s this afternoon (they were ordered Thursday night) and they work great. So now I've got everything I need and I'm very happy :)

[Johnnie5000]

yeah all the DTV reps I talked to promised I'd get what I requested each time I called. It's funny that the ones I called after the installer showed up all said there is no way they can guarantee a receiver. Pretty bogus. Luckily I am a forgiving person and I'll just deal with the 2-week delay as long as they hold their promise of giving me two free AM21s.

Keep in mind when you call the generic DTV 800 number, the person you speak with is a CSR whose job is to tell you what you want to hear. The average CSR would not be able to tell you jack-sh*t about what the installer HSP has in their warehouse as that's not on their script.

[joe diamond]

Keep in mind when you call the generic DTV 800 number, the person you speak with is a CSR whose job is to tell you what you want to hear. The average CSR would not be able to tell you jack-sh*t about what the installer HSP has in their warehouse as that's not on their script.

Not only that.........when the job is finally activated the installer will need to contact a call center in INDIA to close the project so no new installer will be scheduled etc. This call may be connected to a quality control call where someone who doesn't have a TV will ask you about your new service.

Joe

[TigersFanJJ]

Not only that.........when the job is finally activated the installer will need to contact a call center in INDIA to close the project so no new installer will be scheduled etc. This call may be connected to a quality control call where someone who doesn't have a TV will ask you about your new service.

Joe

The HSP call center for AUKevins area is in Meridian, Mississippi.