Big day is here! Auspicious start

[fjcastro]

Well, the big day is finally here for my new HR20 and ginormous new dish. First of all, the Connect TV installer just showed up on my doorstep. No advance call (even though I called Connect TV yesterday afternoon and twice this morning for a call to let me know he was on his way) Whatever.

Actually, before he landed on my doorstep, he ran into a neighbor's car and they exchanged insurance information. Geez! I hope he is better at installing than he is in driving. :hurah:

Quick question: Should I have him test my system using an HDMI cable or component? I've heard bad things about HDMI so I just want to be sure.

I'll keep you posted (pun intended) :lol:

[jlancaster]

I would use component just to save time and possible problems...sounds like you found the right place to ask questions about hdmi once he leaves and everything is working correctly.

[Alexandrepsf]

Wish you good luck.

[fjcastro]

So far so good, there are two guys here. Dish went up in about 20 minutes. The new software is downloading now.

Another quick question: What are the Broadband Converter Modules for? The Undocumented HR20 Installation Tips says to make sure they are connected.

Thanks again....

[jlancaster]

Check this (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=78129) thread out..

[machavez00]

Once you are setup and want to use HDMI, go to the setup menu under tv and delesect 480i just to be safe. For some reason many sets do not support 480i over HDMI. You can test it later to see if your set supports 480i later.

[Alexandrepsf]

2 quick advises:

Make sure that you deactivate your other box while they are there.

As a sanity check, do a reset of the box once the download is done and your card activated.

[litzdog911]

Be sure the installer provides you with an HDMI cable for your TV .... they're supposed to.

[glennb]

Why deactivate the other box while the installers are there ?

You can call DIRECTV any time you want to deactivate the other box.

[Alexandrepsf]

My box died when D* deactivated the other box and sent the signal to my boxes, but at that time the installers were gone and now I am stuck with a dead box backordered for a replacement box.


I think the box was already defective, and would have die anyway. But the process of getting the signal from the satellite accelerated the process.

[fjcastro]

Ok, all done. All told it took about 1.5 hours. Here are my thoughts:

Everything went surprising well. They did have to call D* once to "reactivate" the service. Picture is good. I paused live TV to make sure the DVR was set up properly. I had to show the tech how to search for OTA stations. (He tried to tell me that I could get OTA through the dish! Whatever).

No bugs to speak of so far. But I am still in the honeymoon phase. I have set one program to records tonight while I am at the office and we'll see.

The installers were very professional, very nice, played with my dogs and even gave me a number to call so I can try and get my step son a job installing satellite.

I'm very impressed.

BTW, went with HDMI on a hunch and it still went ok. Thanks to everyone who involved with this forum that allowed me to be armed for bear....

[Alexandrepsf]

Great.

Enjoy. ;)

[litzdog911]

Congratulations! Enjoy!

[carl6]

Obviously you are much happier with them than your neighbor is:sure:

Glad it went so well.

Carl