New subscriber questions - TIA

[BruceG]

I'm getting ready to change from Comcast to DTV. I've read through a number of threads and appreciate the information on this site. Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm located in the San Francisco South Bay Area.

1) I'm totally unfamiliar with the dishes in use as I've had Comcast and UVerse previously. I've seen reference to different versions on the forum. Is there a difference in the dish they will install, either due to SD/HD choices or number of receivers I will have, or will these choices dictate only one possibility. My memory from a long time ago was that one dish could only service two receivers so more than two meant two dishes installed, is that still the case?

2) Right now we have only SD. I don't anticipate moving to HD in the near term, however if my main TV craps out I would obviously go with an HD replacement. Should I give that any consideration when placing my initial order?

3) At this time I need coverage for 3 rooms, but will be moving one TV to a different room in a couple of months. Would DTV prep the 4th room so we could just move the receiver into it later as part of the 4 room free install? I assum I should request that as part of the initial request (when I've still got some leverage!).

[bobnielsen]

:welcome_s to DBSTalk!
I'm getting ready to change from Comcast to DTV. I've read through a number of threads and appreciate the information on this site. Thanks in advance for your assistance. I'm located in the San Francisco South Bay Area.

1) I'm totally unfamiliar with the dishes in use as I've had Comcast and UVerse previously. I've seen reference to different versions on the forum. Is there a difference in the dish they will install, either due to SD/HD choices or number of receivers I will have, or will these choices dictate only one possibility. My memory from a long time ago was that one dish could only service two receivers so more than two meant two dishes installed, is that still the case?

Those dishes (which are still standard for SD-only installations where locals are on the 101 satellite) can be expanded with a multiswitch for 8 or more tuners. For HD, a larger dish will be used with either 3 (for 99/101/103) or 5 (99/101/103/110/119) LNBs (it can also be used for HD). Some areas require a separate dish for 72.5 (locals) and a separate dish (95) is required for some international channels)

2) Right now we have only SD. I don't anticipate moving to HD in the near term, however if my main TV craps out I would obviously go with an HD replacement. Should I give that any consideration when placing my initial order?

Possibly. As a new subscriber you would be eligible for 4 free receivers and normally they will upgrade one of these to either a SD DVR or HD receiver for free (some people have reported getting a HD DVR). After you have been a subscriber for a while, you may be eligible for some deals, but new subscribers seem to have the most leverage.

3) At this time I need coverage for 3 rooms, but will be moving one TV to a different room in a couple of months. Would DTV prep the 4th room so we could just move the receiver into it later as part of the 4 room free install? I assum I should request that as part of the initial request (when I've still got some leverage!).

I doubt it, unless you got 4 receivers. However, it never hurts to ask.

[BruceG]

Thanks for the prompt reply and info.

Bruce