[MarkMac]

I've got an appt scheduled tomorrow AM to swap out an old HR10-250 with an HR21. I told the rep I was using OTA for some HD locals, and I was told that an AM21 would be provided by the installer if need be. I don't see anything on the order, though, so is this something techs normally have with them?

(I have a feeling I'll be without OTA come tomorrow PM).

 

[evan_s]

Install techs never have AM21s. The only way to get one from directv is after your hr21 is installed. Then you can order on the website or call in and they can order one for you. It is always shipped out for a self install not installed by the techs.

 

[rhambling]

this reminds me of when they (csr's) told customers that the installers would have those stupid portable dvd players on the truck.

marcmac. once you have the hr21 activated call D*tv and complain about the am21 and you can probably get a free one.

 

[RunnerFL]

this reminds me of when they (csr's) told customers that the installers would have those stupid portable dvd players on the truck.

marcmac. once you have the hr21 activated call D*tv and complain about the am21 and you can probably get a free one.

He doesn't need to complain, he just needs to explain that he had OTA with his HR10 and needs it with his HR21. No complaining required.

 

[MarkMac]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'll see what I end up with this morning. If it's just an HR21, then I'll call CS, and see what I can get worked out.

 

[MarkMac]

Well, the installer showed up with an HR20-700. So, I guess that solves that problem.:lol:

 

[BrandonH]

I called DirecTV on Sunday to inquire about the cost of upgrading my remaining HR10-250 and was told I was eligible for a free upgrade. Great. I asked the CSR to include an AM-21 on the order and she could not find it in her system to order. She placed the order for the upgrade anyway and then transferred me to technical support for them to order the AM-21. Tech support can't find it in the system either to order and tells me that it may not be available in my area (odd, can't imagine that is true), then tells me to wait until the receiver gets upgraded and if if the receiver I get is not an HR20 then to call back for the AM-21. The other odd thing is if I look up the order on DirecTV.com it is listed as Swap Replace HR20 IRD, not swap replace HR10-250. Maybe the installer will show up with an HR20 but I doubt it. Too bad because I'll probably end up having to wait a whole week at least after I get the new receiver before I'll be able to get an AM-21.

 

[AreBee]

I called DirecTV on Sunday to inquire about the cost of upgrading my remaining HR10-250 and was told I was eligible for a free upgrade. Great. I asked the CSR to include an AM-21 on the order and she could not find it in her system to order. She placed the order for the upgrade anyway and then transferred me to technical support for them to order the AM-21. Tech support can't find it in the system either to order and tells me that it may not be available in my area (odd, can't imagine that is true), then tells me to wait until the receiver gets upgraded and if if the receiver I get is not an HR20 then to call back for the AM-21. The other odd thing is if I look up the order on DirecTV.com it is listed as Swap Replace HR20 IRD, not swap replace HR10-250. Maybe the installer will show up with an HR20 but I doubt it. Too bad because I'll probably end up having to wait a whole week at least after I get the new receiver before I'll be able to get an AM-21.

I just swapped out my HR10-250 this weekend and my on-line statement also said Replace HR20 IRD. I received an HR21 and called called late Saturday to get a AM21. It was free and the call was completely painless, no complaining necessary. The AM21 will be here Wednesday.

 

[evan_s]

Unfortunately there is no way to order a AM21 from directv until you have an hr21 (or hr22 I assume) active on the account. You may end up getting lucky and getting a HR20 but if you don't call back in and get the AM21. It is shipped out fedex and usually gets there pretty quickly. It's setup that way because they can't control what receiver you are getting so don't want to send out an am21 for a receiver that doesn't need and can't use it.

 

[BrandonH]

Unfortunately there is no way to order a AM21 from directv until you have an hr21 (or hr22 I assume) active on the account. You may end up getting lucky and getting a HR20 but if you don't call back in and get the AM21. It is shipped out fedex and usually gets there pretty quickly. It's setup that way because they can't control what receiver you are getting so don't want to send out an am21 for a receiver that doesn't need and can't use it.

Thanks, that makes sense. Too bad they couldn't just fedex me the new receiver as well, the CSR tried but it would only let he do the free upgrade by having an installer do it. I guess it is setup that way to make sure people have the correct dish and what not, but I had that upgraded last year.

 

[weadjust]

I ordered an AM-21 on Sunday night using the web site. It was delivered by Fex Ex around noon on Tues.

 

[AreBee]

I ordered an AM-21 on Sunday night using the web site. It was delivered by Fex Ex around noon on Tues.

Just checked FedEx and mine will arrive today, one day early.

 

[bakers12]

How did you get so lucky? It took a week for DirecTV to get my AM21 out of the warehouse. FedEx is great and they only took two more days.

Oh, well. I saved about $15 ordering from DirecTV instead of Solid Signal.

 

[mattthias]

I was upgraded Saturday morning . I too faced the hr20 or hr21 issue. The installer showed up and he had an hr21 or me. He never even heard of the am21. I printed out the specs. on it and gave it to him as an fyi. He said that he couldn't even diplex the ota into the lines as it would interfere with the new hd channels?? He would have to run a dedicated antenna line. I told him that it wouldnt be possible to run the line as it is impossible to get one where it needed to go.

He said "well you could wait until the 20th when your hd channels are launched by dtv". I said "cool". Hopefully will see tomorrow.

 

[BrandonH]

He said that he couldn't even diplex the ota into the lines as it would interfere with the new hd channels?? He would have to run a dedicated antenna line.

I have my HR20 in my bedroom diplexed and it works fine with both the HD channels OTA and over the sat, the trick is to put the bbc on the line before where the antenna gets diplexed in. On my setup the bbc is hooked to the multiswitch via a very short cable, then the diplexer is hooked to the bbc and the antenna goes into the other input on the diplexer. Then I have another diplexer on the other end at the receiver to separate everything back out again. Works great.

 

[evan_s]

Diplexing can be done with a SWM or my moving the bbc before the diplexing but neither is supported by DirecTV and obviously moving the BBC doesn't work for units that don't need a bbc. I wouldn't really expect an installer to be familiar with a AM21 since they will never see one on the job. At best they might know it exists and what it lets you do.

 

[Rob Dawn]

I was scheduled for an HR2x and AM21 install on 8/19. The installer showed up without an AM21 and he said they have never had them and said you have to get them directly from DirecTV.

So I was quite irritated with DirecTV at that point knowing I would have to leave the HR10-250 hooked up until the AM21 came and then switch all the cables around to the HR2x - gotta see the Olympics!

Well, after the installer got the dish up, when he was hooking up the HR2x, he went, "Hey, there's an antenna input on here!" He looked at the box and noticed that it was an HR20 and remembered that they had just gotten a bunch of those in.

So I was torn between being happy that I wouldn't have to wait for an AM21 and move a bunch of cables around when it came and wondering about getting a 2 year old model. So now I'm glad to see that I'm not the only person having a 2 year old models installed!

Anyway, after 3 days I have had no problems and am very happy with the HR20-700.