Is Directv Professional Installation a Requirement?

[Sonnie Parker]

Can a new subscriber purchase a 2 room system (Director and Tivo) with the Triple LNB Dish with switch from an online retailer, have it all shipped to them and do the install themselves?

[Selenna]

I haven't done it myself but a number of the guys I work with told me they've had the installer come out and give them the 100 feet of cable (or whatever it is that's included in the free installation) and then they do the install themselves...

[RAD]

I ordered mine from Valueelectronics and the have a self install option. They'll even rebate you $50 after you show them your first DirecTV bill.

[bonscott87]

I think if you order from DirecTV directly you don't have a choice. But then a good $20 spot might get the installer to just leave the stuff with you.

However, a way around the "professional" installation is this. Assuming you know you'll get a signal of course. Run all the cables inside the house yourself and up to the dish installation location before the installer arrives. Then the installer can just put up the dish and hook it into the cables you already ran. He'll be happy, less work for him and you'll be happy in that you have cables installed the way you want them, not just stapled to the roof and whatnot.

[Sonnie Parker]

One online retailer valueelectronics.com suggested self-install and even said they would rebate $50 after the first Directv bill is received and faxed to them.

[manny9844]

I also ordered my equipment from Value Electronics. A three room package cost $29.99 shipping, I didn't need the self install package because I bought a couple of 100ft RG6 cables from MCM for $2.99 each. I ran my coax by drilling a hole in the floor and running it under the house and through one of the vents. I put in a chain link fence post, it's the proper 1.6 inch diameter, and mounted my triple dish on that. With the aiming coordinates from the DirectTV setup screen, azimuth, elevation and tilt took about 1/2 hour to adjust-----all signal levels above 90. I'm waiting on my $50 rebate now. They are real neat people to deal with.