View Full Version : Question for D* installers...
Or someone with similar experience.
Will installers typically install an antenna for you while they are on the roof installing the dish? I assume they would charge a fee if they did it at all but was just wondering if this is a fairly standard practice.
Earl Bonovich
05-02-07, 09:31 PM
It is part of the work order form DirecTV... then yes.
Else, some installers will do it for a fee
For a few extra $$$ they may be more than happy to do it.
veryoldschool
05-02-07, 10:25 PM
I think it would help to have the antenna & mounting hardware there for them to install.
joe diamond
05-02-07, 10:36 PM
GO to antennaweb.org
You will be able to size the correct antenna for your address. For real close to the analog sources I like the Square shooter......Looks like a square DTV dish.
Or, there are there "clip on"s that may work on your dish. Depends on how far you are from the analog TV folks.
Joe
It is part of the work order form DirecTV... then yes.
Else, some installers will do it for a fee
Have you gotten a Antenna installed for free before while someone is installing a dish? I dont thinks its just installing an antenna, the wire has to be routed and fastened? so i dont think any nice tech would do it for free, i wouldnd.
Got a related question. Scheduled for my DirecTV install tomorrow (05/05). I currently have an OTA mounted on my DishNetwork support. I'm hoping they will be able to just remove the old DishNetwork stuff and replace it with the new DirecTV Slimline dish and hardware (no new hole punched in my roof). I'm just hoping they will re-aim the OTA so that it works properly after the finish the swap. I assume that they will get rid of the old stuff after they're finished. What should I expect relating to this on this install? Thanks!
raoul5788
05-04-07, 02:48 PM
Got a related question. Scheduled for my DirecTV install tomorrow (05/05). I currently have an OTA mounted on my DishNetwork support. I'm hoping they will be able to just remove the old DishNetwork stuff and replace it with the new DirecTV Slimline dish and hardware (no new hole punched in my roof). I'm just hoping they will re-aim the OTA so that it works properly after the finish the swap. I assume that they will get rid of the old stuff after they're finished. What should I expect relating to this on this install? Thanks!
Don't expect the Slimline to fit on the same pole as your old Dishnet setup. I think they are different. The installer will have to put new holes for the new foot for the new pole. NEW NEW NEW!:D Sorry, I couldn't resist. Anyway, the old and new setups are not compatible.
Don't expect the Slimline to fit on the same pole as your old Dishnet setup. I think they are different. The installer will have to put new holes for the new foot for the new pole. NEW NEW NEW!:D Sorry, I couldn't resist. Anyway, the old and new setups are not compatible.
Thanks Raoul,... I was fearing that. I guess I'll just have to make sure he seals the new setup tight. The Dish installers did a terrible job and I had to have someone come in and seal their work to stop the leaks.
So now the real question is,... will they put my OTA on their pole and re-aim it! All this stuff as got to go in the general area of my roof. I'm not allowed to mount it on the ground or in a spot where it's visible from the front of the house (HOA).
Why not purchase a NPR TRAY (non penantrating roof mount), it will set you back less than a hundred, but you will be trouble free of new holes on your roof that could cause leaks. if you go this route, make sure to call directv and add notes to the work order that you need it, but it maybe to late since your scheduled for tomorrow....
Earl Bonovich
05-04-07, 04:10 PM
Have you gotten a Antenna installed for free before while someone is installing a dish? I dont thinks its just installing an antenna, the wire has to be routed and fastened? so i dont think any nice tech would do it for free, i wouldnd.
Me personally? No..
My neighboor... Yes, and it was part of the work order.
Me personally? No..
My neighboor... Yes, and it was part of the work order.
Yeah if its part of the work order then the custumer paid a one time fee of 50 dollars for it when signing up for direct tv. then that is when its include in the work order, but i dont believe its ever free.
Earl Bonovich
05-04-07, 04:21 PM
Yeah if its part of the work order then the custumer paid a one time fee of 50 dollars for it when signing up for direct tv. then that is when its include in the work order, but i dont believe its ever free.
They have had promotions where it was included...
Ext 721
05-04-07, 04:33 PM
Got a related question. Scheduled for my DirecTV install tomorrow (05/05). I currently have an OTA mounted on my DishNetwork support. I'm hoping they will be able to just remove the old DishNetwork stuff and replace it with the new DirecTV Slimline dish and hardware (no new hole punched in my roof). I'm just hoping they will re-aim the OTA so that it works properly after the finish the swap. I assume that they will get rid of the old stuff after they're finished. What should I expect relating to this on this install? Thanks!
if the OTA's diplexed (extremely likely) then the OTA's gonna need a total rework for a 5-sat dish, with a seperate cable run or runs.
so far as the dish, it still uses a different mounting bracket (new holes in roof)
I'm just hoping they will re-aim the OTA so that it works properly after the finish the swap.What they do with your OTA will depend on a number of factors:Do they offer locals in your area (your chances are best if they don't)? Is your OTA wired independently or does it use the existing Dish Network wiring via diplexers? Will they need/want to do a ground pole mount? Is your antenna a clip-on that will not work with the new DirecTV setup?If you're getting more than one receiver, they'll probably have to run more cables for the satellite dish. The satellite cables cannot be used for OTA as Ext 721 points out, so OTA will need an independent distribution system.
if the OTA's diplexed (extremely likely) then the OTA's gonna need a total rework for a 5-sat dish, with a seperate cable run or runs.
so far as the dish, it still uses a different mounting bracket (new holes in roof)
Oh man,... sounds like a headache coming. When I had Voom installed way back, they put up my first OTA. When Voom imploded, I had DishNetwork come in and they put up the current one I have. They said it was a much better peice. And since I still needed the old Voom dish in addition to the DishNetwork dish, they just swapped it on the Voom staff. Now I won't need two dishes on the roof, but I still want my OTA.
Skip Towne
05-04-07, 07:10 PM
I am reluctant to install OTA's because the quality of the reception varies greatly from location to location. If the reception isn't good, the customer doesn't want to pay me.
I am reluctant to install OTA's because the quality of the reception varies greatly from location to location. If the reception isn't good, the customer doesn't want to pay me.
It's funny you said that! The OTA I got with the Voom package didn't do a very good job,... the signal kept popping in and out. When I switched to Dish, thinking I would continue to get a large chunk of the Voom HD channels (NOT), a part of their promo for ex-Voomers was a better OTA. While it did a better job with signal strength,,.. the number of channels decreased. Yep,... better reception, and fewer channels. Oh well, never could understand that one.
Well, it's 1:00 a.m., and a few hours before my install. You'd think someone who's clocked a lot of years with sat TV would be going through this kinda anticipation. But it's not far away from Xmas Eve when I was twelve. Well not quite that bad, but I am sorta "can't wait"!
Thanks everyone for your responses!
JFHughes08088
05-05-07, 06:19 AM
Back to your install question, thet will remove the old post your existing dish sits on but leave the base plate secured to the roof. This way, they are not removing, then reinserting bolts through your shingles, etc. The new dish install will be in the same general location with all new stuff.
raoul5788
05-05-07, 07:29 AM
Back to your install question, thet will remove the old post your existing dish sits on but leave the base plate secured to the roof. This way, they are not removing, then reinserting bolts through your shingles, etc. The new dish install will be in the same general location with all new stuff.
They MAY leave the old pole with the old base plate, I have seen it done this way.
Newshawk
05-05-07, 11:50 AM
They MAY leave the old pole with the old base plate, I have seen it done this way.
I asked my installer to do that. I'm going to mount an OTA antenna on it when I get it in a few weeks.
They have had promotions where it was included...
Ive never heard a promotion to install an external over the air antenna for free. From when i was a tech till this day, nope-nada may be you mean the direct tv dish receives your ota hd signals.
veryoldschool
05-05-07, 06:37 PM
Ive never heard a promotion to install an external over the air antenna for free. From when i was a tech till this day, nope-nada may be you mean the direct tv dish receives your ota hd signals.
I know Earl knows what antenna receives what.
There were some simple "clip on" OTA antennas that were mounted to the dish.
joe diamond
05-05-07, 09:27 PM
Pro Sat used to give a free clip on with the order.
Mixed reviews....They were highly directional and not part of the standard installation.......so I charged fifty to rig them. Once...Once! a cx decided after a day the PQ was not good enough and wanted to send it back. A different tech was sent and wanted one hundred and something to take it down so it could be reshipped........I had already cashed the first check. It was a mess.
How far can you drive for FREE? How FREE is working on a roof?
Old time story before the wonders of Ka / Ku.
Joe
Well,... it's been a long day with DirecTV. Not very happy with my install. The tech showed up on time, however he wasn't feeling his best. According to him, today was a bad allergy day for him. The guy was dumping more drops into his eyes than I was dumping coffee down into my gut. A long story short,... I received an incomplete install. He didn't connect the second line to the DVR receivers (HR15 & HR20). So every time I try to change channels while recording I get a error message telling me that all available tuners are busy. He also took the line off of my OTA and used it for something else. Oh, and he did mount the D* dish and hardware to the E* shaft already attached the roof, so no new holes in my roof. That was much appreciated.
The HR20 kept cutting off and rebooting itself. Called tech support and they're sending me a new one. The tech told me to hold down the info button and read some things to him. He specifically asked that I read to him the internal temp,... it was 165 degrees. He promptly transferred me to a 2nd tier support person. This person asked if any other units were sitting under or on top of HR20,... there wasn't. He immediately told me that I would receive a replacement via FedEx with a return kit for the faulty unit. I asked if I could get the black HR20 everyone is talking about and he agreed. According to this tech guy, the system is designed to shut down and reboot when the internal temp reaches 150 degree,... 125 degrees is normal. Also, he said the black unit has a slightly different cooling system and a smaller case. Appearantly, in a few of the larger silver units, one or more of the fans spin in the wrong direction. At least that's the impression I got from his conversation.
I'm suppose to be hearing from the installation company within 24 hrs to re-schedule a visit to complete the install. Not sure if tomorrow being Sunday will turn that 24 hrs into 48. Other than not being able to record one program while watching another, the HR15 seems fine. The third unit (D11) seems ok as well.
They extended the premium promo channels (HBO's and stuff) for addition 3 monoths, so I'll have them for a total of six months.
henree: For a period,... Voom was giving all new installs a free OTA as they had no program packages with locals. When they crashed-n-burned, E* extended the practice, I guess because E* had no HD local options,... and they still don't. But as I remember, that promo was ONLY for new E* subs coming from Voom. I remember, because we also got that very expensive DPP44 multi-weitch for free as well. Subs NOT coming from Voom had to pay for the 2nd dish and the switch. The Voom OTA was a real cheap piece and had trouble locking onto my locals, but the one E* replaced it with was pretty nice. Trouble was, the better OTA pulled in less channels than it's cheaper cousin. But the ones it did pull in locked real nice.
I'm just hoping that the black HR20 is a nicer piece like I hear everyone suggesting. Hope I won't regret asking for it.
Ext 721
05-06-07, 06:29 AM
I am reluctant to install OTA's because the quality of the reception varies greatly from location to location. If the reception isn't good, the customer doesn't want to pay me.
Ain't it the truth. Had a guy get furious (not at me) one time because I told him the reason his receiver went SFSS was corrosion on one lead. His dish was at least 4 years old (phase 1 triple-sat in the days rightaround when the d10 came out, and he was furious that it "wasn't installed right" because after several years an outdoor metal part (1 of 4) corroded. He swore he was going to call D* immediately and get his $70 back.
He tried to pump me to say it was installed incorrectly...gotta love that.
Ext 721
05-06-07, 06:36 AM
pulled a voom OTA down once, small "christmas tree" type aluminum tube contraption. those are usually really good. E* probably put in something more directional than VooM...directional antennas get better reception from a small direction, but almost none from any other direction...that would be my guess as to why you get fewer, but also get better....either that, or the voom guy aimed in-between "hot spots" and the E* guy aimed right at one.
RobertE
05-06-07, 07:33 AM
I'm just hoping that the black HR20 is a nicer piece like I hear everyone suggesting. Hope I won't regret asking for it.
Don't hold your breath on getting the black -100. Dispite what a CSR tells you, you will get whatever is next in line when the warehouse guy pulls it from the stack.
Good luck in any event.
pulled a voom OTA down once, small "christmas tree" type aluminum tube contraption. those are usually really good. E* probably put in something more directional than VooM...directional antennas get better reception from a small direction, but almost none from any other direction...that would be my guess as to why you get fewer, but also get better....either that, or the voom guy aimed in-between "hot spots" and the E* guy aimed right at one.
Interesting. Like the way you explained that. Thanks
Don't hold your breath on getting the black -100. Dispite what a CSR tells you, you will get whatever is next in line when the warehouse guy pulls it from the stack.
Good luck in any event.
Yeah,... The person handling the re-order (not a typical CSR. This person was a 2nd Tier person handling an escalated ticket) said it would definitely be the black one manufacured by RCA. But I hear what ya!
Well Robert,... you were absolutely right. The replacement HR20 arrive yesterday via FedEx. Not only was it a silver 700, it was also a refurb unit. I immediately got on the phone to D*'s install # and told them what had happened and that I WAS promised a black 100. Luckily, sufficient note of the conversation and ticket was written down. The solution? They told me to send it back using the included return slip. That all replacement units were refurbs, and that I WILL get the black 100. But in order for him to set that in motion, I had to pay a $20.95 charge and it will be delivered by a technician. He immediately credited my account to reverse the $20.95 charge. I'm hoping it will show up with the tech whose scheduled to arrive today to finish the install.
Don't remember if I posted the problems with the first install. But the installer didn't connect the second tuner in the HR20 OR the HR15. On the 15, he connected a open cable that was connected to anything, and on the 20 he left the 2nd tuner input connected ONLY to the BBC converter. I didn't have the intelligence to check the connections, but the 2nd tier tech support people said that should have tested the full recording features of both units BEFORE handing me his clipboard for a signature. He knew the 2nd tuners weren't connected. They're also promising to re-aim my OTA. He knocked it out of alignment when swapping his D* dish with the old E* dish.
I really can't understand why he didn't feed the 2nd tuners. There were E* DVRs at both the HR20 & HR15 locations. The locations were already set up for dual tuners. He also put on the paper work that he had installed a Multi-Switch. He did not do so!
RobertE
05-09-07, 02:55 PM
With a tech bringing one, your odds have improved greatly that you will get a new unit. Not 100% that it will be new, but higher anyway. Odds still favor a silver one. I have yet to see a black one here in Cleveland.
In the end, the most important factor to me is that it works.
Regardless, good luck.
TigersFanJJ
05-10-07, 05:21 PM
I really can't understand why he didn't feed the 2nd tuners. There were E* DVRs at both the HR20 & HR15 locations. The locations were already set up for dual tuners.
Are there 2 cables running from the dish to both locations? E* uses a different technology where they can run a single cable, then split it just before the box for the second tuner. Even so, both tuners should have been connected.
Are there 2 cables running from the dish to both locations? E* uses a different technology where they can run a single cable, then split it just before the box for the second tuner. Even so, both tuners should have been connected.
Well,... the 3rd installer just left. And I'm glad to say that everything is fine. This installer also confirmed the terrible job done by the 1st guy, as well as backing up the 2nd installer's call that no multi-switch was ever installed. The installer replaced some cable stating that he felt better with newer cabling. He ran a 2nd & 3rd line thru my wall (to the Master Bedroom). He said one was for sat feed and the other was an OTA feed. He said that the OTA and sat data could be combined and it wouldn't really matter with a SD set-up, but it wasn't the best for HD,... which I will be upgrading to in the near future. He also ran two additional line to the basement location explaining that until I upgraded the D11 to a HD DVR, I'd only need one of them. So,... what he did today was to put three lines to all three locations (2 for sat and one for OTA), install a 6x8 multi-switch, and removed all the DishNetwork trash still laying around in the yard. (I left it there until the install was complete and proper. Apparently, DirecTV communicated with the installation company that I was not to be charged,... 'cause he didn't even mention a charge for running the coax thru the walls, or the extra runs not needed for my current setup,... or for re-aiming my OTA (I can now pick up the HD channels NOT provided by DirecTV. Excellent job,... I wished he would have shown up first.
Someone on this board mentioned that D*'s DVR equipment requires two independent and separate lines from the dish (multi-switch) to work properly where as E*'s DVR equipment can split the data from one cable to feed the two DVR tuners. Whoever that was was exactly right and on the money. E* had only one line to the Master Bedroom which was feeding their DVR.
Now,... the only thing left is the arrival of my new HR20. The 3rd installer said he would have brought it with him, but they only had 700's in stock. He confirmed that they had ordered a black 100 and that it will be delivered tomorrow. Hearing that was good.
I'd like to thank everyone for their responses and advice,... thanks much!
A D* installation van just left my home. He left behind a HR20-100b. All I have to say is,... Whoever came up with the phrase "Black is beautiful" sure knew what they were talking about. This thing is much more pleasing to look at vs the silver edition of the 700 variety. It seems a little smaller.
When the return kit arrives I'll make the switch,... got a lotta stuff recorded. Then again the Maywhether fight airs tonite so maybe I should make the swap before then.
I wonder if there's a method for transfering my recordings currently on the 700 to the 100? An impossible task with E* equipment, but I understand these HR20's allow the end users to have a closer relationship with the internal hard drive!
I wonder if there's a method for transfering my recordings currently on the 700 to the 100? An impossible task with E* equipment, but I understand these HR20's allow the end users to have a closer relationship with the internal hard drive!
No, there is no such capability available.
Carl
No, there is no such capability available.
Carl
Didn't think so,... but I thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks Carl!
veryoldschool
05-12-07, 02:42 PM
Didn't think so,... but I thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks Carl!
You'll never know until you ask...:)
bobnielsen
05-12-07, 03:08 PM
Someone on this board mentioned that D*'s DVR equipment requires two independent and separate lines from the dish (multi-switch) to work properly where as E*'s DVR equipment can split the data from one cable to feed the two DVR tuners. Whoever that was was exactly right and on the money. E* had only one line to the Master Bedroom which was feeding their DVR.
I don't know what E* is using these days (I never had their DVR) but Directv's DVRs require two lines. When the SWM (single wire multiswitch) is available later this year a single cable will work with both tuners). The outputs can be used with splitters. There are two models, one supporting 5 tuners and the other 8. These work with the HR20 now and eventually will be supported by the H20 and D12. There are ports for legacy models as well (2 on the SWM-5 and 3 on the SWM-8). There is more information at http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=78249.
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