View Full Version : Order is placed, a few comments and questions on DFW install
Last Friday I ordered 2 HR20's. Since I have two HR10-250's, they gave them to me for free. Well, just $20 for handling... I'll need one more, but I'll get that later.
Since I like to do my own installs, I got a slimline dish off ebay for $40 and installed it this morning with my existing equipment. Works fine, but I have a feeling I'll be doing some fine tuning when I get the new equipment. I'm hoping to talk the installer into leaving me a dish which I will sell to recoup some of my money.
When I placed the order I was told an installer would call me within 72 hrs. That didn't happen, and I was out of town for a couple days. I emailed Directv this morning so I'll see what happens.
Here are the questions:
1. Are the receivers normally shipped to me, or will the installer bring them? I thought I understood they were being shipped, because when I asked about self-install, I was told they could not ship the dish, only receivers.
2. Any experiance with installer showing up and you already put your own dish up? I just want him to give me the multi-switch, hopefully a dish too, and go his way.
3. I'm hoping the HD locals are good enough me me to forget OTA. Without being able to diplex the OTA signal thru the Zinwell, I'd like to eliminate it.
4. I've read too much on the RF/IR remote thing and now I'm confused. Do these things have IR too so I can use my Harmony?
Thanks for any comment you may have!
Mike
2- HR10-250's
1 SD Tivo - hacked
Coming - 2 HR20-700's - Hope I like them!
Michael D'Angelo
07-28-07, 02:27 PM
1. Are the receivers normally shipped to me, or will the installer bring them? I thought I understood they were being shipped, because when I asked about self-install, I was told they could not ship the dish, only receivers.
The installer will bring them to you.
2. Any experiance with installer showing up and you already put your own dish up? I just want him to give me the multi-switch, hopefully a dish too, and go his way.
Some will do that and some will not. You will just have to see when he gets there. Sometimes they need to make sure everything is installed and then they have you sign for it.
3. I'm hoping the HD locals are good enough me me to forget OTA. Without being able to diplex the OTA signal thru the Zinwell, I'd like to eliminate it.
I have said this a few times. If OTA is a 10 then my MPEG4 HD locals are a 9.5+.
4. I've read too much on the RF/IR remote thing and now I'm confused. Do these things have IR too so I can use my Harmony?
The HR20's can be used with IR and RF. Just not together.
Michael D'Angelo
07-28-07, 02:28 PM
BTW :welcome_s to DBSTalk
BTW :welcome_s to DBSTalk
I really appreciate the reply and info!
tfederov
07-28-07, 02:52 PM
Welcome! DFW here too. With the exception of the one I got at Best Buy, they delivered them. I don't know about leaving you the dish as I had them replace the 3 LNB dish that was already up there. I got to keep the old dish though, went right to the trash. :D
RobertE
07-28-07, 03:08 PM
2. Any experiance with installer showing up and you already put your own dish up? I just want him to give me the multi-switch, hopefully a dish too, and go his way.
Depending on the backend computer system the tech is under will make a difference. Myself I'm under the Siebel system. I can't close the job and get paid unless the receivers are activated. So at a minimum, I have to see the boxes work. Seeing them work also gives me a small piece of mind against chargeback service calls.
Depending on the backend computer system the tech is under will make a difference. Myself I'm under the Siebel system. I can't close the job and get paid unless the receivers are activated. So at a minimum, I have to see the boxes work. Seeing them work also gives me a small piece of mind against chargeback service calls.
I can plug them both in and activate them, but one will come off again. I'm going to pilot the new unit in my office before replacing the HR20's in the den and master Bedroom. I need to be able to show the wife how well it works before removing either o fher beloved Tivo's!:)
Milominderbinder2
07-28-07, 03:35 PM
Regardless of where you live, please see the:
HR-20 Installation and Initial Setup Tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=67769)
- Craig
HDTVsportsfan
07-28-07, 03:50 PM
If it makes you feel more comfortable you can call D* and ask for the job number and order number. There are two seperate numbers. One is internal to D* and the other is for the install company. Once you get those, ask for the 800 number of the installer. Where I live I had to call the national which in turn gave me a local number. Then call the install company and go over w/ them what you are expecting etc. If it's not on the work order as D* submitted it, there is a good chance the installer will not do anything else. Simply because he won't get paid for it. Not because he is being an a$$.
RobertE
07-28-07, 04:15 PM
I can plug them both in and activate them, but one will come off again. I'm going to pilot the new unit in my office before replacing the HR20's in the den and master Bedroom. I need to be able to show the wife how well it works before removing either o fher beloved Tivo's!:)
You can do that. But, D* will want the new receiver back that you deactivate.
You can do that. But, D* will want the new receiver back that you deactivate.
Wasn't going to deactivate it, just uplug it till I was ready to use it. BUt thanks for the warning!
If it makes you feel more comfortable you can call D* and ask for the job number and order number. There are two seperate numbers. One is internal to D* and the other is for the install company. Once you get those, ask for the 800 number of the installer. Where I live I had to call the national which in turn gave me a local number. Then call the install company and go over w/ them what you are expecting etc. If it's not on the work order as D* submitted it, there is a good chance the installer will not do anything else. Simply because he won't get paid for it. Not because he is being an a$$.
Definitley will do that. This is some great help I'm getting. Thanks guys!
Regardless of where you live, please see the:
HR-20 Installation and Initial Setup Tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=67769)
- Craig
I had seen some but not all of this. Thanks!
Regardless of where you live, please see the:
HR-20 Installation and Initial Setup Tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=67769)
- Craig
Very comprehensive
Found out today I'm not scheduled for install until August 25th. Oh well, at least it's a Saturday so I won't have to leave work:(
HDTVsportsfan
07-29-07, 08:07 PM
Ouch.....a month....sounds like the way it was back at the beginning of the year.
Chuck W
07-29-07, 08:28 PM
Found out today I'm not scheduled for install until August 25th. Oh well, at least it's a Saturday so I won't have to leave work:(
WOW! That's a long time. If you want it sooner, try calling them and see if you can get it rescheduled. Sometimes things open up.
HDTVsportsfan
07-29-07, 08:31 PM
I forgot to mention alot of times you can go online and reschedule a date sooner. I'm not sure why or how that works, but other folks have posted w/ success.
I am in the DFW area too. Had my upgrade install two weeks ago. He brought the box which was DOA, Lucky he had a second one on the truck. That one lasted three days befor it died. *D sent me another one and it seems to be working ok. I would let them install the Dish -- My installer locked it in so I have 100% on most transponders and above 95% on the rest! While he put the dish up I installed the box.
I am in the DFW area too. Had my upgrade install two weeks ago. He brought the box which was DOA, Lucky he had a second one on the truck. That one lasted three days befor it died. *D sent me another one and it seems to be working ok. I would let them install the Dish -- My installer locked it in so I have 100% on most transponders and above 95% on the rest! While he put the dish up I installed the box.
I already put the dish up, but I may let him fine tune it. I just couldn't wait. Bought a dish on ebay cheap. It's working great with my exisitng equipment. Signal strength higher all around. Hope he will leave me one so I can sell it. Got a Zinwell switch coming too.
I'm a bit leary about the HR20. Even though I'm getting 2, I'm going to test drive one in my home office before I replace may main HR10-250 in the den. Hopefully I'll do well with it.
Good luck with your replacement box!
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