[Jwkde]

I know this has been answered before but i could not piece together all my concerns and get it to be consistent wth Directv advice.

1. I have my original single LNB self installed dish - which I put in 1996
2. Changed the reciever to a RCA DVR 2 years ago.
3. I just bought a HD TV . I want HD DVR
4. Directv is running to only 1 tv
5. Directv says I need a new 5LNB dish and they could ship it to me
6. They told me they strongly recommend i replace my coax cable because it is 10 years old.
7. They say I only need 1 coax from dish to reciever
8. They said self install is not dificult - my dish is on a pole next to house
9. But i read that aiming the 5LNB is not a real do it self project.
10. I would not mind paying for install but doubt that install tech would go through the trouble i have done to snake the cable in and through the walls to the receiver.
11. Is there really only 1 coax coming in to the house? I guess i could put the new cable in myself and let install tech do the dish aiming but I guess that is going to cost me.
12. My dish is in 19702 zip and i have a decent site line for the single LNB. But i have trees in the general area. Would I have trouble point the 5lnb (if that is real question.
13. It is begining to think that cable is easier but I hate comcast

Thanks for bothering the group

 

[naijai]

Well unsure who you talked to but let me give you right info

Well good luck on the new venture but first there is no way for Directv to ship you the dish or just the receiver you can purchase the dish online(www.solidsignal.com) and the hd-dvr or you can go online to (www.directv.com) and set up the install and tech comes out with all the equipment and sets it up for you and the HD-DVR does require 2 line you can use one but why would you

 

[JLucPicard]

Jwkde,

Welcome to DBSTalk! :welcome_s

To get the full dual recording capability of the HD DVR you need two cables run from the dish to the DVR. You can run four cable lines from the dish, and if you're going to the trouble, it may not be a bad idea to do that now, unless you're pretty sure you won't be expanding beyond the DVR.

The 5LNB dish is designed for use with the H20 (HD receiver) and HR20 (HD DVR). These two units are the only ones that currently handle MPEG4 signals, and the 5LNB dish is the only dish that handles the MPEG4 signals. D* is currently using MPEG4 for all of their High-Definition local broadcasting, and any future expansion of HD offerings will be MPEG4 as well. I have not heard of them being willing to ship dishes or receivers for self-installs, but I guess anything is possible.

It really wouldn't be a bad idea, especially if you have to run additional cables anyway, to replace the cable you've got now. 10 years is a pretty good run, but if you're going high-def, you might as well use newer cable and avoid potential problems with the old one - especially if the installation is free through D*. If you purchase the HR20 (HD DVR) through DirecTv, it should include free standard installation. If there is much snaking of cable, that could be extra, but if you do that yourself, the tech should take care of all the aiming, etc.

Good luck with your new HD stuff!!!

 

[cybrsurfer]

I know this has been answered before but i could not piece together all my concerns and get it to be consistent wth Directv advice.

1. I have my original single LNB self installed dish - which I put in 1996
2. Changed the reciever to a RCA DVR 2 years ago.
3. I just bought a HD TV . I want HD DVR
4. Directv is running to only 1 tv
5. Directv says I need a new 5LNB dish and they could ship it to me
6. They told me they strongly recommend i replace my coax cable because it is 10 years old.
7. They say I only need 1 coax from dish to reciever
8. They said self install is not dificult - my dish is on a pole next to house
9. But i read that aiming the 5LNB is not a real do it self project.
10. I would not mind paying for install but doubt that install tech would go through the trouble i have done to snake the cable in and through the walls to the receiver.
11. Is there really only 1 coax coming in to the house? I guess i could put the new cable in myself and let install tech do the dish aiming but I guess that is going to cost me.
12. My dish is in 19702 zip and i have a decent site line for the single LNB. But i have trees in the general area. Would I have trouble point the 5lnb (if that is real question.
13. It is begining to think that cable is easier but I hate comcast

Thanks for bothering the group

I'm surprised DirecTV has not offered to install the AT-9 for you for free, since your an established customer and need it for the equipment to operate properly. If your upgrading your equipment to the new HR20 HD DVR or H20 HD receiver, you will need 2 cables running from the dish to the receiver. If you only have one set then 2 will be fine until you add another set. It is possible for you to setup the AT-9 yourself but it is trickier to align it correctly. In a couple of months the newer slimline (second generation ka/ku) dish is replacing the AT-9 and would be easier to install yourself. Call retention and tell them you want them to install the dish for free or you will jump to cable tv. I bet they will do it for you.

Hope it works out for you, read posts for tips and good luck.

 

[carl6]

Also, by having the installation done, the installer will make sure you have the proper line of sight for all 5 satellites. Your current round dish is pointing at 101. You need just a tiny bit of clearance to the east of where your dish is pointing, and a fair amount of clearance to the west of where it is pointing. The 5 satellites you need to be able to see are at 99, 101, 103, 110 and 119 degree orbital positions. Thus, you are going to need about 18 to 20 degrees of clearance to the west of where your round dish is pointing.

If you do not have that where your round dish is currently at, then the installer will have to find an alternate location that does have sufficient clearance.

Also, the pole your dish is mounted on is too small for the new 5 LNB dish. You need a 2" diameter pole for the new dish. There are adapters that can be purchased, but most installers will not have one. You will either need to arrange for a new pole to be installed, or arrange for an adapter to be brought out.

I fully agree with running 4 lines from the dish to, or into, the house. Some convenient location from where you could run additional lines to other locations if you elect to have DirecTV in other locations in your house (SD or HD). Then extend two of them to your primary location. Again, let the installer do this.

And lastly, the 5-LNB dish is more difficult to install than the round dish. If you are good at it, you could do it yourself. If not, it is best left to someone who has been trained on it. Having a signal meter is strongly recommended.

If they argue with you about running the extra lines, you can always order two additional SD receivers to start with, then turn them off after a month if you don't want them. That will force them to run the 4 lines from the dish.

Carl

 

[naijai]

I'm surprised DirecTV has not offered to install the AT-9 for you for free, since your an established customer and need it for the equipment to operate properly. If your upgrading your equipment to the new HR20 HD DVR or H20 HD receiver, you will need 2 cables running from the dish to the receiver. If you only have one set then 2 will be fine until you add another set. It is possible for you to setup the AT-9 yourself but it is trickier to align it correctly. In a couple of months the newer slimline (second generation ka/ku) dish is replacing the AT-9 and would be easier to install yourself. Call retention and tell them you want them to install the dish for free or you will jump to cable tv. I bet they will do it for you.

Hope it works out for you, read posts for tips and good luck.

Well i'm sure there is a sweet deal waiting just call and talk easy youll get what you want

 

[Jwkde]

Thanks all - How do i get in contact with retention and not just sales

 

[naijai]

1-800-347-3822 and ask for retention

 

[911medic]

I know this has been answered before but i could not piece together all my concerns and get it to be consistent wth Directv advice.

1. I have my original single LNB self installed dish - which I put in 1996
2. Changed the reciever to a RCA DVR 2 years ago.
3. I just bought a HD TV . I want HD DVR
4. Directv is running to only 1 tv
5. Directv says I need a new 5LNB dish and they could ship it to me
6. They told me they strongly recommend i replace my coax cable because it is 10 years old.
7. They say I only need 1 coax from dish to reciever
8. They said self install is not dificult - my dish is on a pole next to house
9. But i read that aiming the 5LNB is not a real do it self project.
10. I would not mind paying for install but doubt that install tech would go through the trouble i have done to snake the cable in and through the walls to the receiver.
11. Is there really only 1 coax coming in to the house? I guess i could put the new cable in myself and let install tech do the dish aiming but I guess that is going to cost me.
12. My dish is in 19702 zip and i have a decent site line for the single LNB. But i have trees in the general area. Would I have trouble point the 5lnb (if that is real question.
13. It is begining to think that cable is easier but I hate comcast

Thanks for bothering the group

Aiming the AT9 dish is more difficult than the previous ones. Here's a link to the installation videos, if you want to see what's involved: http://www.solidsignal.com/satellite/at9_install_videos.asp

 

[JLucPicard]

Thanks all - How do i get in contact with retention and not just sales

Retention's direct number is 1-800-824-9081.

 

[bonscott87]

Just ask for the $99 upgrade to HR20 deal. You'll get the HR20, new AT9 5LNB dish and the 6x8 switch (if needed) all installed for free. Running of cable is included in the install although replacing cable you have now may not.

If you are cabable of running cable yourself then I'd suggest you replace the cables you have now yourself and even run all the lines you need. Then the installer can just double check your work and proceede with the install.

 

[Kapeman]

Just ask for the $99 upgrade to HR20 deal. You'll get the HR20, new AT9 5LNB dish and the 6x8 switch (if needed) all installed for free. .

I called and talked to retention and the best they were willing to give me was $399.

I told them that I was interested in what Charter was offering and asked them what they could do for me. I even mentioned that I had heard about people getting better offers and the rep still said $399.

I don't really feel like playing CSR roulette at this stage. I guess I'll wait for some of the bugs to get worked out of the HR20 before I try again.

 

[paulman182]

Are you sure you talked to Retention 1-800-824-9081?

Nobody is paying $399. Even full price at Best Buy or Circuit City is $299.

Unless...I hate to bring this up...the CSR thinks you have a poor payment record? I made sure I had paid the last two bills very early, electronically, before I called!

 

[Kapeman]

Are you sure you talked to Retention 1-800-824-9081?

Nobody is paying $399. Even full price at Best Buy or Circuit City is $299.

Unless...I hate to bring this up...the CSR thinks you have a poor payment record? I made sure I had paid the last two bills very early, electronically, before I called!

I may have been $299. It's been a few days.

Your question is a legit one, but my payment record is fine. It was just a bad spin of the CSR roulette wheel.

 

[ClubSteeler]

I may have been $299. It's been a few days.

Your question is a legit one, but my payment record is fine. It was just a bad spin of the CSR roulette wheel.

Kapeman, you have a private message...

 

[Jwkde]

Thanks for all the input

HD upgrade scheduled for 10/27. $99 for the upgrade, and first 4 months of HD service is free.

Will let you know