New install questions

[briansyme]

I'm new to satellite and have a DirecTV install scheduled for Friday. I have a some questions about what I can expect from the "free" installation.

1. Does free installation cover in-wall cabling?
2. Do I absolutely need a phone line hookup in each room?
3. If I have existing coax do they always want to reuse that?

Some details:
- 4 room install.
- 1 HR 20 with trunking to the room but no phone line
- 1 standard receiver to a room with trunking and a phone line
- 1 standard receiver to a room with existing cable service and no phone line
- 1 standard receiver to a room with NO trunking, cable or phone line

[carl6]

1. No, fishing in walls is extra.
2. Depends on the equipment. For the HR20, and newer standard receivers, no. However without phone line you will not be able to order pay per view showing using your remote.
3. Normally yes, they will attempt to reuse existing coax unless you specifically tell them not to (need to continue using it for cable internet for example).

Not sure what you mean by "trunking". If you are referring to existing coax, as noted in item 3, they will normally re-use it. The HR20 requires two coax lines, while the regular receivers require one coax line.

Carl

[veryoldschool]

It may be better to do a "fresh" installation because: you will need five cables, so four will come from the dish to a multi-switch, where five cables will then run to your locations.

[RobertE]

In additon to what Carl6 said.

2a. You will also loose caller ID (when it works :sure: )
2b. You will also loose the game lounge when available.

3. If the existing cabling is RG6 and in fairly good condition they will want to reuse it. The DVR will need two lines run to it until the FTM/SWM hardware is publicly available. If you have RG59, I would insist (nicely) that it be replaced.

[briansyme]

Thanks for the information. Sounds like it might cost me a little more than "free". I'm not against paying the installer to do the work, as long as the price is reasonable...

[briansyme]

BTW, by trunking I meant that the builder installed a plastic tube thingy that runs all the way from the roof space to the crawl space with access panels on each floor. There's nothing in it at present, but the locations make me assume that it was intended for running antenna cabling.

[veryoldschool]

BTW, by trunking I meant that the builder installed a plastic tube thingy that runs all the way from the roof space to the crawl space with access panels on each floor. There's nothing in it at present, but the locations make me assume that it was intended for running antenna cabling.
Or you could call it a cable chase. :)

[Mertzen]

Thanks for the information. Sounds like it might cost me a little more than "free". I'm not against paying the installer to do the work, as long as the price is reasonable...

Wall fishes are $65- 75 each. Payable [ check / CC ] to the installation company.