Installation for 4-unit apartment complex?

[jgoggan]

I own a small 4-plex and one of my tenants has recently asked if they can have Dish installed. (I'm also a long-term Dish user myself, so I'd like to make this possible for them since I'm fairly anti-Cable around here.) In any case, the building has no "exclusive use area" where she could place a dish really -- so I don't think the OTARD stuff applies.

I'd rather not put one on the roof if possible. So I'm hoping Dish will do the install on the edge of the property and run the 100' or so to the building.

My question is this: what happens when another (or 3 more) tenants decide that they want Dish? Will Dish work with me as an apartment owner to allow multiple customers to share the same dish(es) with a switch? Anyone know about how they handle apartment buildings like this? I'd rather NOT have 4 sets of dishes lined up along the back of the lot, of course.

So -- anyone have any info on if Dish will do a multi-switch or something with one dish in an apartment complex? And, if so, any extra fees or anything for the landlord?

Thanks!

- John...

[Richard King]

A single dish with a DP34 should do the trick. DP34's can be cascaded if you need more than 4 tuners in your 4Plex. A dish 100' away from the building may be a bit of a stretch though since you still have to run the cable through the building. If I were doing the 4 plex that I used to own I would put the dish on the roof (I had a flat roof) and run the cables to the basement where I would put the distirbution system feeding the units.

http://ekb.dbstalk.com/swconfig.htm

[jgoggan]

Oh, sorry, I should have clarified... I know that I could do it with a DP34 switch. What I was asking was if Dish had any trouble with that. They won't care at all if I keep feeding tenants off of the same dish (provided that they each pay their own individual monthly plans, of course)? When the 2nd tenant calls to sign up, do they just tell them that we already have a dish for the complex and that all they need is a new run from that dish?

My concern was more with how Dish would handle the 2nd+ installs -- as opposed to being physically possible. :)

Thanks!

- John...

[scooper]

Well - instead of a DishPro TWIn, I'd do a DishPro QUAD, then pull all 4 runs to your central "distribution center", then use additional DP34s as required.

[harsh]

So -- anyone have any info on if Dish will do a multi-switch or something with one dish in an apartment complex? And, if so, any extra fees or anything for the landlord?Dish Network has a website dedicated to MDU issues: http://commercial.dishnetwork.com/content/multi_dwelling/mdu_association/index.shtml

[harsh]

Well - instead of a DishPro TWIn, I'd do a DishPro QUAD, then pull all 4 runs to your central "distribution center", then use additional DP34s as required.I think the DPP44 is a much more attractive solution since you can avoid running double cabling to each outlet.

[scooper]

I'm not say it isn't - several solutions - pick what will work best.

[Richard King]

Dish should have no problem with it so long as each renter sets up his own account with them. They don't care if each account has their own dish. It's to their advantage to do this because when a renter moves on they can use the Dishmover program to set up at their new place.

[Satellite Kellie]

If the first person sets up an account, and Dish comes out and installs equipment, then say the 2nd tenant calls and has an account built. Who then would be responsible for the repair if the dish becomes misaligned or the lnb fails? Who would pay for any service calls? This seems to me that even IF it could be set up this way would lead to too many headaches (such as squabbing among neighbors)for the Landlord. Just my two cents.

[harsh]

Who then would be responsible for the repair if the dish becomes misaligned or the lnb fails? Who would pay for any service calls?Whomever is still under warranty, of course. The incidence of that kind of failure is probably pretty infrequent if the install is done thoughtfully in the first place (as opposed to being clamped to somebody's railing).

[kenglish]

Don't forget to install an antenna for free OTA signals.

[compubit]

My two cents - work with a local installedto coordinate the installation of the dish - and perhaps implement some sort of maintenance agreement - where the installer would come out once a year, repeak the dish, check the common components, and manage the installation within the 4-plex.

It would probably be easier to wire the entire 4-plex at once, rather than having it done piecemeal.

On a side note, is DSL available in your area (so that the folks can get high-speed internet)? Since you desire to be "anti-cable" you probably want to do everything possible to prevent the need for the 4-plex.

You probably can put an OTA antenna in the attic - so that folks can get local HD channels, if so desired...

Finally, make sure that the installer identifies which connections are which so that folks don't plug into the wrong jack (Dish box into the OTA connection...)

Good luck!

Jim