[dak357]

I recently got a call from DTV telling me about their free HD swap program. I currently have a very old HR10-250, and was interested in upgrading it to a new HR21 with an AM21 tuner. So I booked an appointment...

I get my HD locals over the air. My view of the sky is obstructed and I cannot get the 2 western-most satellites. However, I still want a DVR that can record HD, so I did not want to "downgrade" to a standard def DVR. This is why I wanted the HR21+AM21 combo.

The installer showed up today and when he confirmed that I had an obstructed view, he apologized and said there was nothing he could do... I will not be able to upgrade my equipment. The new HR21 model he brought is model "HR21-NC", "NC" is "new challenge" and he said if this unit cannot see ALL FIVE satellites, it cannot be activated. He called his supervisor to confirm, which he did. I called DTV, luckily I got a good CSR, and he confirmed this too.

So it appears I can NEVER upgrade my equipment. My only option is to buy an old HR20 off eBay or something (both the tech and DTV said this was my only option), but that's not much of a difference from what I already have, so why bother. HR10s and 20s won't be around forever, so it looks like because of DTVs hardware change to require a view of all satellites, I'm pretty much screwed.

Is this the case?

 

[davring]

If an HR20 will work so will an HR21, no difference except OTA tuner. You can get an HR21 to work w/o sats 110/119, you need to find a tech that knows how to do the set up.

 

[davring]

And Welcome to DBSTalk!

 

[Grentz]

Did he say which satellites you cannot see?

If you cannot see 110 and 119 you are in luck, soon a new dish called the Slimline 3 is going to be out which will let you just pickup 99, 101, 103 (instead of the Slimline 5 that needs 99, 101, 103, 110, 119).

This will allow you to pass the test and be upgraded.

 

[Grentz]

If an HR20 will work so will an HR21, no difference except OTA tuner. You can get an HR21 to work w/o sats 110/119, you need to find a tech that knows how to do the set up.

The new receivers have installer verification that will not let installers activate unless the receiver sees ALL satellites for the dish type (SL5 = 99, 101, 103, 110, 119, SL3 = 99, 101, 103)

The only way around this is a waiver, which is supposedly hard to get.

 

[davring]

The new receivers have installer verification that will not let installers activate unless the receiver sees ALL satellites for the dish type (SL5 = 99, 101, 103, 110, 119, SL3 = 99, 101, 103)

The only way around this is a waiver, which is supposedly hard to get.

A couple of techs have posted that the waivers can be had, how difficult they are to get I'm not sure.

 

[techrep]

Do you already have a slimline or sidecar dish?

 

[dak357]

Thanks for the info. The sats I cannot see are 110 and 119. 103 is questionable, but 99 and 101 are fine. I have the old Phase III dish.
Will the SL3 work with the HR21?

In my excitement over getting new gear, I already bought a SWM-8 multiswitch to replace my old Spaun 5x8 switch. Now I'm wondering if I need to return it. Any idea if the SWM-8 will work with an SL3 dish?

 

[davring]

The SL3 will work with the HR21, but you DO need to see 103.

 

[techrep]

Thanks for the info. The sats I cannot see are 110 and 119. 103 is questionable, but 99 and 101 are fine. I have the old Phase III dish.
Will the SL3 work with the HR21?

In my excitement over getting new gear, I already bought a SWM-8 multiswitch to replace my old Spaun 5x8 switch. Now I'm wondering if I need to return it. Any idea if the SWM-8 will work with an SL3 dish?

If you get sat 101, I would be very suprised if you can't get sat 103c.

The SWM-8 will work with the Slimline 3 or the Slimline 5 dishes. You don't have to wait on the Slimline 3 dish if you use the SWM-8 as it will take care of the stacking issues associated with guide data not available (under certain conditions) when sat 119 is not received.

 

[bobnielsen]

Thanks for the info. The sats I cannot see are 110 and 119. 103 is questionable, but 99 and 101 are fine. I have the old Phase III dish.
Will the SL3 work with the HR21?

In my excitement over getting new gear, I already bought a SWM-8 multiswitch to replace my old Spaun 5x8 switch. Now I'm wondering if I need to return it. Any idea if the SWM-8 will work with an SL3 dish?

The SWM-8 will work with the SL3. When used with the SL5, it doesn't need 119 for the guide data, so should work if the installer will agree to set it up.

 

[rudeney]

The installer showed up today and when he confirmed that I had an obstructed view, he apologized and said there was nothing he could do... I will not be able to upgrade my equipment. The new HR21 model he brought is model "HR21-NC", "NC" is "new challenge" and he said if this unit cannot see ALL FIVE satellites, it cannot be activated.

I thought NC was No Cables, and was usually sent out as a replacement for failed equipment where the only thing needed is to swap the receiver.

 

[JLucPicard]

I thought NC was No Cables, and was usually sent out as a replacement for failed equipment where the only thing needed is to swap the receiver.

That certainly makes a WHOLE lot more sense than what the installer told the OP it meant! :lol:

 

[techrep]

NC..........no clue?

 

[davring]

NC..........no clue?

If we can't figure it out. how can a poor undertrained CSR

 

[dak357]

Thanks for the help guys. I called DTV and unfortunately on this time around I got no help, just a big run around. They essentially told me that my attempt at upgrading is a waste of time because I can't get anything I'm not already getting now. They couldn't (or wouldn't or didn't know how to) get me a SL3 dish, or a waiver to use the SL5 dish.

So I'm back at square 1. I guess I'll just return my fancy new useless multiswitch and keep the gear I got until DTV stops broadcasting MPEG-2 or my HR10 finally craps out...

 

[davring]

Try a local installer, you may find one who knows what they need to install your system. If successful, you could ask D* for credits to offset the cost, I know they do work with customers in this situation.

 

[kevinturcotte]

Any chance the installer would tell the receiver it was connected to an SL3? I would think that would solve the problem.

 

[davring]

Any chance the installer would tell the receiver it was connected to an SL3? I would think that would solve the problem.

The OP bought a SWM multi-switch, I don't think the installer would have a problem using a Slimline 5lnb.

 

[Grentz]

Thanks for the help guys. I called DTV and unfortunately on this time around I got no help, just a big run around. They essentially told me that my attempt at upgrading is a waste of time because I can't get anything I'm not already getting now. They couldn't (or wouldn't or didn't know how to) get me a SL3 dish, or a waiver to use the SL5 dish.

So I'm back at square 1. I guess I'll just return my fancy new useless multiswitch and keep the gear I got until DTV stops broadcasting MPEG-2 or my HR10 finally craps out...

If you are comfortable doing the install and motivated enough, you could purchase your own 5 LNB dish from some place like www.solidsignal.com, install it yourself with the SWM you got, and then order up a HD-DVR from directv or go pick one up from a store like Best Buy and activate it.

You would have to do more work, and would be paying for the dish, but it is a potential way to upgrade.