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View Full Version : Are SWM's now standard for installs?

Bill Broderick
10-05-08, 01:30 PM
A friend of mine recently scheduled an installation for 1 HD DVR, 2 HD receivers and 1 SD receiver. The three receivers can easily be routed through the attic, dropped into closets and run to the TV's. The den, where the DVR will go is a relatively recent addition to the house and a single coax was run for cable TV. Running a second line parallel with the installed line isn't possible (it enters the on the opposite side of the room from the TV and runs up the wall, over the ceiling and down the other wall. So, an SWM would be perfect for this install.

My question is, does he need to have DirecTV put the SWM onto the work order or have SWM's become the standard multiswitch for HD installs of 5 or more tuners?
Grentz
10-05-08, 02:56 PM
They are not standard, and generally not requestable.

Generally the basic rules of being even eligible are:
-5+ Tuners
-New Install

But it will still depend on the installers in your area.
Steve615
10-05-08, 03:41 PM
Speaking of the SWM,are these even available for installations in the middle TN area at this time?
I'm not talking about buying one to install,I'm asking if these are now being installed by the HSP's in middle TN.
Bruister & Associates was the HSP for our original install (2/06),but IIRC,they were bought out by DirecTV,correct?
Johnnie5000
10-05-08, 05:02 PM
Speaking of the SWM,are these even available for installations in the middle TN area at this time?
I'm not talking about buying one to install,I'm asking if these are now being installed by the HSP's in middle TN.
Bruister & Associates was the HSP for our original install (2/06),but IIRC,they were bought out by DirecTV,correct?

Right. Bruister is now DirecTV Home Services SouthEast.
This all depends on what part of Middle TN you're talking about. If you're in the Nashville, Knoxville, or Memphis DMA and meet the criteria (HD, 5 tuners, New Install) then you'll probably get one. (EDIT: A SWMLine LNB that is)

If you're in the Chattanooga DMA (like Pelham or Monteagle) you won't get one thanks to bane of our existence (as techs), the 72.5.
dothdewman
10-05-08, 05:58 PM
Per D* Field Sup SWM installs will be std on any Ka/Ku install regardless of the number of tuners, does not matter if no hd dvr as long as its a ka ku install
Steve615
10-05-08, 06:50 PM
Right. Bruister is now DirecTV Home Services SouthEast.
This all depends on what part of Middle TN you're talking about. If you're in the Nashville, Knoxville, or Memphis DMA and meet the criteria (HD, 5 tuners, New Install) then you'll probably get one. (EDIT: A SWMLine LNB that is)

If you're in the Chattanooga DMA (like Pelham or Monteagle) you won't get one thanks to bane of our existence (as techs), the 72.5.

Thanks for the reply and info. :)
I sent you another question via PM.
Johnnie5000
10-05-08, 07:21 PM
Per D* Field Sup SWM installs will be std on any Ka/Ku install regardless of the number of tuners, does not matter if no hd dvr as long as its a ka ku install

Key word being INSTALL, not upgrade.
gen2rx7
10-06-08, 12:38 AM
Per D* Field Sup SWM installs will be std on any Ka/Ku install regardless of the number of tuners, does not matter if no hd dvr as long as its a ka ku install


I was told that we are going to start installing SWM's on ALL HD installs on 10-8 so that would be this Wednesday. And I haven't been installing them when the jobs don't meet the criteria :up_to_som.
DJTheC
10-06-08, 05:32 AM
MDU's are a candidate for SWM. Especially if pre-wired and can't drill holes.
BattleZone
10-06-08, 12:23 PM
I was told that we are going to start installing SWM's on ALL HD installs on 10-8 so that would be this Wednesday.

That's all NEW INSTALLS with at least one HD receiver. It doesn't mean Upgrades or Movers.
Mertzen
10-06-08, 12:31 PM
They are available in the NY markets, not sure if they are standard though.
rudeney
10-06-08, 02:28 PM
That's all NEW INSTALLS with at least one HD receiver. It doesn't mean Upgrades or Movers.

And that would make sense because they should be able to guarantee all connected receivers would be SWM-compatible. With existing equipment, a customer might have a “legacy” receiver (like an R15, H10-250, or even an old Hughes/RCA) that would not work with a SWMLine LNB. Of course might work as it has legacy ports, but that probably just gets too complicated.
clb4g9
10-06-08, 02:39 PM
In Columbia MO, I just set up Movers Connection, and swapped out all of my old receivers for new ones (we are getting off of the 72.5 dish so old equipment isn't compatible anymore), and I asked the installer about the SWM (I have 3 DVRs). He said he had heard some rumblings about it but had never even seen one, let alone install one yet.....I don't know if this is typical for the rest of the country or not, but I'm guessing we're not going to be seeing them in mid-mo for a little while.
David MacLeod
10-06-08, 03:33 PM
I wonder why its taking so long to trickle down, especially considering that they could (from what I see) greatly simplify an installation and leave a happier customer due to less holes in house. this would allow more installs to be done (or at least scheduled :) ) in a day.
or am I, like many other times, looking at this wrong.
Bill Broderick
10-06-08, 03:41 PM
I know that Mastec is using SWM's on Long Island. I had a repair tech at my house last week (after DirecTV called me saying that one of my DVR's was reporting errors).

While we were discussing some of the new equipment that DirecTV has and is in the process of rolling out, he told me that they (Mastec installers) are now installing SWM's. I just want to make sure that the installer has one on his truck when he shows up at my friend's house because a two tuner DVR installation without an SWM will be very ugly, if it's even doable.
kcgriffin70
10-06-08, 03:47 PM
My brother was to get an install done (2 standard DVRs and 2 standard receivers) and the installer wouldn't do it unless they paid $100+ for a SWM (and they didn't even care if they had use of the 2nd tuner). So Directv lost one new customer.
David MacLeod
10-06-08, 03:50 PM
My brother was to get an install done (2 standard DVRs and 2 standard receivers) and the installer wouldn't do it unless they paid $100+ for a SWM (and they didn't even care if they had use of the 2nd tuner). So Directv lost one new customer.

the installer would not install what was agreed upon (and contracted for) unless they paid extra money right then and there ?? that sounds odd to me.
god I'm glad I do my own..
kcgriffin70
10-06-08, 04:20 PM
Yup - he refused to do any install unless they paid him $100+ right then for a SWM (told them they needed it even though he could easily get 4 lines into the house). My guess is they had a bad installer who either was clueless or he was just trying to make a quick buck.

I've had three different installers at my house over the years - 1 was a crook, 1 was clueless (but he had only been on the job a couple days so he called his supervisor for help), and 1 was good.
David MacLeod
10-06-08, 04:21 PM
jeez, did anyone report this? thats what gives installers a bad name when its usually not deserved.
kcgriffin70
10-06-08, 04:33 PM
I wish my brother would but he is the type that just lets his money do the talking by spending it elsewhere.
David MacLeod
10-06-08, 04:36 PM
too bad, wonder if this guy was able to "sell' it to some other unsuspecting person.
RobertE
10-06-08, 05:51 PM
My brother was to get an install done (2 standard DVRs and 2 standard receivers) and the installer wouldn't do it unless they paid $100+ for a SWM (and they didn't even care if they had use of the 2nd tuner). So Directv lost one new customer.

With that equipment setup there is no need at all for a SWMLine, unless he is in a market that is/was gettting locals from the 72.5.

If a basic dish would have worked then thats what he would have gotten.