Can I add more receivers myself, is there a limit?

[golfer29]

I currently have 3 DVRs and one HD box and eveyhing is running fine. Can I go to Costco/Best Buy and get 2 more DVR's and install myself (ie. plug in the cable and call DTV to activate)? I'm still in a contract so I don't think that I would get any free receivers. I would prefer not to use an installer since it's a pain for me to be home during a given window and this would be a simple process to add to my current configuration.

I realize there is probably a discount if they install more receivers but I am not interested. I am willing to lock in to 2 more years if needed

[ffemtreed]

you are probablly going to need a 16 port multiswitch.

I could only assume you have an 8 port one now that is feeding your 7 tuners. Remember each DVR has two tuners and takes two ports on your multi switch.

You can techically run your DVR with using only 1 tuner, but your shooting yourself in the foot.

To answer your original question, Yes you can go to Cosco and buy the DVR yourself and install / call to activate.

[golfer29]

Thanks for the quick response. I currently have a 16 port multiswitch. I bought a house that had this equipment so there was no need for Directv to come out for the install. Can I just add more receivers and call in? Is there a point where Directv has to come to the house?

[litzdog911]

Yes, you can just call in and activate your equipment.

[Movieman]

Yes you can. I dont know if there is a household limit on the amount of receivers that one account is allowed but you can add receivers on your own. You just have to pay the fee or each additional box.

[golfer29]

Thanks for the responses. A friend told me that after 4 receivers, Directv has to come to install. Does that make any sense? I am willing to pay the extra fee for the receivers

[boba]

Thanks for the quick response. I currently have a 16 port multiswitch. I bought a house that had this equipment so there was no need for Directv to come out for the install. Can I just add more receivers and call in? Is there a point where Directv has to come to the house?You can add as many receivers as you can afford. Directv only needs to come out when you get in trouble and need more knowledge than you have.

:)

[Movieman]

Thanks for the responses. A friend told me that after 4 receivers, Directv has to come to install. Does that make any sense? I am willing to pay the extra fee for the receivers

My brother in law has 6 receivers and they only came in for the first 3 on the initial setup. Since his house was wired for all the rooms he just had to purchase and activate. I just dont know of any one with more than 6 STB's. (not the same as tuners).

[golfer29]

Thanks. So does he need a 16 port multiswitch or an 8 port? or is this even a factor?

[jdspencer]

It's a factor because the required multiswitch depends on how many tuners will be enabled.

[rudeney]

My brother in law has 6 receivers and they only came in for the first 3 on the initial setup. Since his house was wired for all the rooms he just had to purchase and activate. I just dont know of any one with more than 6 STB's. (not the same as tuners).

Movieman, meet Tom Robertson (http://www.dbstalk.com/member.php?u=15123)(12 receivers, 22 tuners)

[rudeney]

Thanks. So does he need a 16 port multiswitch or an 8 port? or is this even a factor?

He currently has 3 DVR (2 tuners each so total), plus one HD receiver (1 tuner) for a total of 7 tuners on the system. With an 8-port mutliswitch, he'd only has room for one more tuner, but he mentioned he has a 16-port mutliswitch, so he's good for 9 more tuners. After that, he'd need to add another mutliswitch, which could be in parallel with the existing 16-port, or cascaded off of it.

[Movieman]

Movieman, meet Tom Robertson (http://www.dbstalk.com/member.php?u=15123)(12 receivers, 22 tuners)

I pretty sure that there are people that have them just havent met one in my area or any of the referrals i have sent. I think the OP wants to know if this can be done without the installer coming out to the property.

[dodge boy]

I believe 20 recivers is maximum on a residential install, I could be wrong or they may have changed their policies....

[Tom Robertson]

My brother in law has 6 receivers and they only came in for the first 3 on the initial setup. Since his house was wired for all the rooms he just had to purchase and activate. I just dont know of any one with more than 6 STB's. (not the same as tuners).

Thanks for the introduction rudeny. :)

There are a few of us with more than 6 receivers.

I've had multiple methods of installation, the most recent have all been my own. Before that I've had DIRECTV do the installs--but I pulled the wires ahead of time.

The installers have provided the switches and the splitters, saving me on costs.

My suggestion is buy them yourself, see if you can get free installs, have some cold drinks and wires ready, then the installs are quick, easy, and your installer will be your best friend. :)

Cheers,
Tom

[Mertzen]

I believe 20 recivers is maximum on a residential install, I could be wrong or they may have changed their policies....

Tech buddy of mine worked on a VIP job, mansion with 26 HD IRDs.

[Tom Robertson]

Tech buddy of mine worked on a VIP job, mansion with 26 HD IRDs.

Titanium install? Or just someone with lots of stuff? :)

[Mertzen]

Titanium install? Or just someone with lots of stuff? :)

Not sure if it was titanium. But for sure someone with a lot of dough. Even though their AV guy was an idiot and kept on stacking the fanless HD boxes on top of each other so they kept burning out.

[rudeney]

Thanks for the introduction rudeny. :)

There are a few of us with more than 6 receivers.

I've had as many as 8, but I've "cut back" to 6. There's only my wife and me, plus weekend visits by the granddaughter. I'm planning to add another receiver before the end of the year because my wife wants a TV in the bathroom so she can watch the morning shows while getting ready for work.

Right now, I have the capacity to handle 19 tuners - 8 via the SWM8, another 3 via the SWM8's legacy ports, plus 8 on the WB68. When I add another receiver (probably an HD-DVR), I'll likely swap the WB68 for another SWM8. That would give me capcity for 22 tuners. Hmm, I could give you come competition there, Tom!:p

[golfer29]

I think the OP wants to know if this can be done without the installer coming out to the property.

Correct, I'd prefer to do this myself and was just wondering if ther is a point where an installer has to come to the house because I have too many receivers. If I have to wait for an installer, I won't bother

[cariera]

I am willing to lock in to 2 more years if needed

Remember they are leased (read, you do not own them) receivers and you will have a 2 year contract.:)

[Tom Robertson]

Correct, I'd prefer to do this myself and was just wondering if ther is a point where an installer has to come to the house because I have too many receivers. If I have to wait for an installer, I won't bother

If you pick them up at BestBuy, Costco, Solidsignal, etc. and are willing to pay for the additional switch ports as needed, there doesn't seem to be a limit. :)

The only reason I suggested an installer is for saving on the switches and splitters--they aren't required.

Besides, we'll be happy to help you here. :)

Cheers,
Tom

[kevinturcotte]

I don't think there's an actual limit is there? Just after so many, they're probably going to want to send somebody over and verify that you actually have all these receivers in your house.
There is a technological limit isn't there (Or was) as to how many tuners one LNB could run at the same time? Isn't/wasn't it like 128 tuners?

[Tom Robertson]

I don't think there's an actual limit is there? Just after so many, they're probably going to want to send somebody over and verify that you actually have all these receivers in your house.
There is a technological limit isn't there (Or was) as to how many tuners one LNB could run at the same time? Isn't/wasn't it like 128 tuners?

Without too much trouble 64 can be done. Beyond that you might need amps and other goodies to keep the signal clean--and it can be done. Huge apartment buildings can be run off one dish.

Cheers,
Tom

[kevinturcotte]

Without too much trouble 64 can be done. Beyond that you might need amps and other goodies to keep the signal clean--and it can be done. Huge apartment buildings can be run off one dish.

Cheers,
Tom

Do we know the most tuners ever fed off one dish?

[Tom Robertson]

Do we know the most tuners ever fed off one dish?

Nope. No one has told me. One senior installer basically told me unlimited with the right amps, signal adjusters, etc. Seeing some of his work, I do know he knows of what he speaks...

Cheers,
Tom

[Movieman]

I must be the customer with the least amount of tuners. Up until this week i had 3 tuners (1DVR and 1 non-DVR). I now have 4 tuners between 2 DVRs and I had to get it due to SL's conflicts. I have a lot of room to grow to get to these levels.

As for the OP. No, unless Directv tells you that they have to send someone to verify your account then you dont need them to come out. As for the receiver. Most all thew new receivers are leased.

[BattleZone]

I don't think there's an actual limit is there? Just after so many, they're probably going to want to send somebody over and verify that you actually have all these receivers in your house.

20 receivers is the limit on a residential account; beyond that, a field supervisor from the local HSP has to come out and approve additional receivers, which really means he just has to see for himself that all the receivers are physically on site, and that someone isn't just "account stacking" and distributing receivers to family members, etc.

[David MacLeod]

20 receivers is the limit on a residential account; beyond that, a field supervisor from the local HSP has to come out and approve additional receivers, which really means he just has to see for himself that all the receivers are physically on site, and that someone isn't just "account stacking" and distributing receivers to family members, etc.
do they count dvr as 1 or 2?