HD Install Without HDTV?

[vachief]

I'm getting ready to move into the world of HD. I currently have the old SD setup and wanted to get DirecTV to upgrade me to the new 5LNB dish w/ the HR20. The catch... I don't have my new HD set yet. I've been holding off on getting it, because I'm waiting for the stand to arrive (which is about 4-6 weeks away). However, I really would like to get the install taken care of ASAP so that I am all ready before football season begins. My question...will DirecTv come out and do the install even though I don't have an HD set to hook up to at the moment? If so, will I be able to verify that the HD channels work without an HD set?

Also...another question. Is it worth getting an OTA antenna even if I can my locals from DirecTV (DC Metro area). Is there any difference in picture quality to make it worthwhile?

[Michael D'Angelo]

I'm getting ready to move into the world of HD. I currently have the old SD setup and wanted to get DirecTV to upgrade me to the new 5LNB dish w/ the HR20. The catch... I don't have my new HD set yet. I've been holding off on getting it, because I'm waiting for the stand to arrive (which is about 4-6 weeks away). However, I really would like to get the install taken care of ASAP so that I am all ready before football season begins. My question...will DirecTv come out and do the install even though I don't have an HD set to hook up to at the moment? If so, will I be able to verify that the HD channels work without an HD set?

:welcome_s to DBSTalk

Yes you will be able to have the 5 LNB dish and HR20 installed and it will work without a HD TV. You will be able to view signals on all 5 SAT's and you will get a picture on the HD channels but they will not be in HD. Then you could set it up for 480i only and use it as a SD receiver until you get your HD TV.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Also you will have to pay for the HD package now since you will have a HD receiver on your account.

[Alan Gordon]

I'm getting ready to move into the world of HD. I currently have the old SD setup and wanted to get DirecTV to upgrade me to the new 5LNB dish w/ the HR20. The catch... I don't have my new HD set yet. I've been holding off on getting it, because I'm waiting for the stand to arrive (which is about 4-6 weeks away). However, I really would like to get the install taken care of ASAP so that I am all ready before football season begins. My question...will DirecTv come out and do the install even though I don't have an HD set to hook up to at the moment? If so, will I be able to verify that the HD channels work without an HD set?

I didn't have my HDTV moved to where I wanted it, so I had my installer hook up my HR20 to a SDTV... and I moved it myself several days later, and yes, you will be able to verify the HD channels work... just make sure you resolution is set to 480i.

~Alan

[vachief]

:welcome_s to DBSTalk

Yes you will be able to have the 5 LNB dish and HR20 installed and it will work without a HD TV. You will be able to view signals on all 5 SAT's and you will get a picture on the HD channels but they will not be in HD. Then you could set it up for 480i only and use it as a SD receiver until you get your HD TV.

Thanks for the info. I will give DTV a call this afternoon and see if I am lucky enough to get someone to hook me up with the 19.99 deal. I have to make sure everything is all ready to go by September so that I can watch my KC Chiefs play mediocre football in stunning high definition. :)

[RobertE]

Just make sure that whatever TV you use has something other than a RF input. Ie, componet, composit or S-video. None of the current HD boxes have an RF output. Otherwise there will be no easy way to hook your box to your tv.

[djpg]

When I ask the Directv reps, they all say that the HDTV must be in before they will install the DVR. How does one get around their requirement?

Also, can I get Directv to sell me the equipment, including the dish, hr20, multiswitch, etc., and leave the installation to me to arrange? I would rather pay someone that I have confidence in to install the TV the DVR and all at the same time.

[sbl]

You could fib about having an HDTV.

DirecTV will not provide you (it's a lease) the equipment without an install. You can obtain the HR20 from other sources (such as Costco) and do a self-install, but you'll pay more for the privilege.

[Michael D'Angelo]

You would be able to order everything you need from solidsignal.com.

[ajwillys]

When I ask the Directv reps, they all say that the HDTV must be in before they will install the DVR. How does one get around their requirement?

Don't tell them. Let the installer figure out when he gets there. He won't care what kind of tv he's hooking it up to as long as it works. Just make sure you tv has composite and/or component hookups.


Also, can I get Directv to sell me the equipment, including the dish, hr20, multiswitch, etc., and leave the installation to me to arrange? I would rather pay someone that I have confidence in to install the TV the DVR and all at the same time.

I 'installed' all my equipment before the guy even got there. This basically meant all the wires were run already and all he had to do was connect the dish, multiswitch, and receivers to the proper coax's that I told him to. Your installer will be very happy to oblige this kind of install I'm sure.

As far as installing the actual dish, I let him do that but you might be able to just buy the mounting pole and have someone install it for you in a location that will work (see the right part of the sky) and the installer can just put the dish on top and point it. They don't seem to have a problem with you saving them some work as long as you do it right.

[miksmi21]

I'm getting ready to move into the world of HD. I currently have the old SD setup and wanted to get DirecTV to upgrade me to the new 5LNB dish w/ the HR20. The catch... I don't have my new HD set yet. I've been holding off on getting it, because I'm waiting for the stand to arrive (which is about 4-6 weeks away). However, I really would like to get the install taken care of ASAP so that I am all ready before football season begins. My question...will DirecTv come out and do the install even though I don't have an HD set to hook up to at the moment? If so, will I be able to verify that the HD channels work without an HD set?

Also...another question. Is it worth getting an OTA antenna even if I can my locals from DirecTV (DC Metro area). Is there any difference in picture quality to make it worthwhile?

I had the same problem....and the CSR said it's preferred that the TV is there...but they can verify everything is working without it. Install went smoothly. Though I ended up having the TV the day before the D* install....which I didn't think would be the case.

Maybe I got the CSR who really didn't care? I'm not sure. But I clearly remember him saying "preferred".

[RobertE]

As others have stated, just make sure you have a TV there that has componet/composite/s-video inputs. Without a Tv there will be no way to run through the setups and make sure that the boxes are working correctly.

I won't do an install without a TV. Doesn't need to be one at each location, just need one. Don't care if its a 2 inch screen as long as I can plug into it to make sure things work.