Lottsa newbie questions...

[jammy3]

I've purchased a used DTV system because I was told by DTV that I could "transfer" the account, get Sunday Ticket (my ultimate goal) and only have to pay a month-2-month subscription of $38 that I can cancel at the end of the season. So, $450 or so for the entire season. When you consider what the cost of two tickets is, and the fact that my favorite team is 1200 miles away, it's a good deal.

So, what I have is...

- "round" Dish
- RCA receiver DRG430RG, including an access card
- 100ft of RG6 cable from the local hardware store

I've hooked everything up, but when I try to "tune in" the 101 satellite, which is at el 39.9 and az 188.6, I keep getting a "wrong satellite" message.

I've made sure the mast is perfectly vertical, but when setting the el, the fact that the el markings aren't the same on both sides of the bracket doesn't help.

I've read that the message means I've acquired the DISH satellite, and that the DTV satellite is higher, but I've tried a few deg more el without success.

I do have a "tree" issue (ok, a forrest), but since I'm able to get a 96+ signal, that should mean I'm safe - I hope.

The other question I have is, can I receive ALL the games via this one satellite, or does it require a triple (oval) system? I don't have HD capabilities.

Thanks in advance for the help. All info, including links to FAQ's or other info is appreciated.

[Kheldar]

I've purchased a used DTV system because I was told by DTV that I could "transfer" the account, get Sunday Ticket (my ultimate goal) and only have to pay a month-2-month subscription of $38 that I can cancel at the end of the season. So, $450 or so for the entire season. When you consider what the cost of two tickets is, and the fact that my favorite team is 1200 miles away, it's a good deal.You won't be able to use the former customer's access card. A replacement access card must be ordered directly from DTV, for a $20 charge, credit card required.

I've read that the message means I've acquired the DISH satellite, and that the DTV satellite is higher, but I've tried a few deg more el without success.DISH doesn't have a satellite at 101 degrees. There are other satellites there, some of which service Canadian satellite customers.
Dish Pointing Instructions from D*. (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/DishPointerServlet)

The other question I have is, can I receive ALL the games via this one satellite, or does it require a triple (oval) system? I don't have HD capabilities.The round dish will get you all of the non-HD games that you can receive (except for blackouts, of course).

[jammy3]

>>A replacement access card must be ordered directly from DTV, for a $20 charge, credit card required.


No problem. Still worth it vs. paying for a subscription @ $94/mo for 1 or 2 years...


>>Dish Pointing Instructions from D*.

Been there, done that... a few times! :D

[boba]

I believe you can't start a new account with a used receiver, unless Directv has changed their policy again.

[jammy3]

>>I believe you can't start a new account with a used receiver, unless Directv has changed their policy again.

It's not considered a new account. They need the name of the previous subscriber, and then they transfer that account to you. The only caveat is to make sure that the old access card is "clean" (doesn't have any outstanding charges on it), or you'd be responsible.

[wittlesvaseel]

It's still a new account, no matter what. The only time the account could be transferred is if you were divorced from the account holder, or the AC died or it went from parents to children. New customers can only get an existing account activated and transferred with used equipment if they can provide the name and account number of the previous account holder and was/is related to you. Technically it is possibly otherwise, but if the call was monitored, the CSR would be in trouble for not following policy.

Also, I wasn't sure what you meant by paying for just the season. You have a commitment for 12 months, though you can cancel with a cancellation fee of 12.50 for each month not completed.

[jammy3]

>>It's still a new account, no matter what

What can I say. According to DTV, the account would be "transferred" and all I need is the name of the previous account holder.

If it's considered transferred, I would only need a month 2 month subscription because I was not getting new equipment.

We'll see how it works out - IF I can ever get the thing set up. :eek2:

[Kheldar]

>>It's still a new account, no matter what

What can I say. According to DTV, the account would be "transferred" and all I need is the name of the previous account holder.


This only works if the equipment is staying at the same location.
If you move into a home that already had equipment installed, they will allow you to activate that equipment, only requiring new access cards.