[HuskerHarley]

I currently have TWC Signature, 2 HD-DVRs, 2 HD Boxes, Phone & Internet.

I'm fed up with the Tiling issues on TWC (some people incorrectly call it pixelation or pixelated).

I want the best equipment (HD-DVRS) + the best package that will deliver the most sports and HD programing, I've read a few threads here, I can't seem to figure what I should order, equipment wise, I'm guessing to go with the top programing package but I don't know which HD-DVR is the GOLD standard.

Help me make the right decision,,,the one you would make, now that you have had experience with DTV's equipment, in other word's, the stuff you would order now, if you were a newbie like myself to Satellite TV.

Any and all advice, you have, that will help me become a satisfied customer, will be most appreciated.

HH

 

[Davenlr]

You want one HR34 (Home Media Center) DVR which comes with 5 tuners and PIP for your main unit. Then you want an HR24 two tuner DVR. This will match your current setup with two TWC DVRs but give you 3 extra tuners to record with for a total of 7 at once.

For your two receivers, if they are HDMI sets you are connecting them to, you want two H25 receivers. If they are component/HDMI you want the H24 receiver if possible. The H25 is smaller, but its component connection sucks (my opinion). I prefer the H24, but you cannot request specific models unless you order through a retailer online, or a local installer, so that really doesnt matter. The HR34 you can specify, however.

So, that gives you your two DVRs and two receivers, but 3 more tuners than you had with TWC, and lots more disk space.

Then you want the Cinema Connection Kit (wired or wireless), Whole Home DVR service. The HMC+DVR+2 receivers will insure you get the latest multiswitch (SWM16) as well.

Package you want is Choice Ultimate if you are not a premium movie fan, or Premier if you want all the movies channels. Then you can selctively add the sports packages you want as they become available. You might be able to get Sunday Ticket football package free when you sign up if you ask. Also ask them about waiving $10/mo of your add on fees for the HD service for a year if they will do that.

Then find another DirecTv customer, and get their account number, and call 1-800-4-100-each (check that number to make sure its the right one) and you will get an additional $10 a month off for 10 months, as will the person whos account number you use.

Any other questions, just ask.

Phone and Internet you need to keep with TWC, or find an alternate serivce (I use Comcast and Vonage). Directv has some arrangements with phone bundling, but that would be specific to your area.

 

[samrs]

^^^What Dave said. You will have to pay some up front but it should be well worth it in the long run.

 

[HuskerHarley]

The H25 is smaller, but its component connection sucks (my opinion). I prefer the H24, but you cannot request specific models unless you order through a retailer online, or a local installer, so that really doesnt matter.

Then you want the Cinema Connection Kit (wired or wireless), Whole Home DVR service. The HMC+DVR+2 receivers will insure you get the latest multiswitch (SWM16) as well.

Any other questions, just ask.

First, thanks for the swift reply + excellent info.

Two of my TVs are component, do you mean it's hard to HOOK UP or it delivers a bad signal via component?

Would I get better service + help out our local economy, if I use a local installer VS I do it myself, through a retailer online?

What/How does the multi-switch (SWM16) hook up to the system?

((Any other questions, just ask)) What questions am I not asking that I should be?

HH

 

[dpeters11]

Paying a good local installer is pretty much always better, there aren't issues with being supported by DirecTV and you generally do get better service as the installer gets more money from you than DirecTV would pay.

I had my parents go through a local installer, and thy were told to call that company directly if they had any hardware issues, not to call DirecTV first.

I think Davenlr is talking about the fact that for component, the H25 requires an adaptor, which is a proprietary cable. Not the most ideal solution, was probably done to make the unit smaller, and they figured most used HDMI.

 

[peds48]

unfortunately you wont be able to do it yourself, unless you want to spend a lot of $$$ since you only get the equipment discounts if you order through DirecTV and/or an authorized DirecTV dealer. note that besides the HR34 (HMC) you wont or cant speciacy which receiver model you would get

 

[Davenlr]

The H25 uses a dongle cable for component, and the connector is like an old S-video connector. Bump it, and colors disappear, sound cuts out, etc. For component and a more robust box, I would choose the H24 if you have the choice. Its a little bigger, but more solid.

The difference between a local installer and DIY is just a matter of money, although the last I heard, DirecTv will not allow self installs on the initial setup of the service anyway. Not sure if you can get that waived or not, so you might not even be allowed to set up an account on a DIY installation. Would have to check. Solid Signal will lease you the boxes, and set up an install usually, if you cant find someone local.

The SWM16 is a single wire multiswitch. It has two 8 tuner outputs. You can hook up to 8 tuners (not boxes, tuners) to each side for a total of 16. It also allows the multiroom video to pass from one port to the other. So you would hook the HMC (5 tuners) and two receivers (1 tuner each) to a 4 way splitter off one port of the SWM16. The remaining DVR would hook directly into the other port without a splitter (2 tuners). This would leave you 7 available tuner spots for expansion later.

Cant think of any questions you are leaving out.

 

[HuskerHarley]

I've already learned more from the replies, than I did trying to weed out info from the threads,,,Thanks.

With 7 Tuners available, will I be able to program recording from any Box or will I have to do it from the two DVRs?

I hate to give up on TWC, but, they have gone down hill too far, I just have to try satellite.

What kind of upfront fees should I expect to pay?

HH

 

[Davenlr]

The up front lease prices for the equipment leases are posted at SolidSignal.com
A local installer might be able to get you better prices, might not. DirecTv for sure can get better prices, but no guarantees would wont be getting old refurbed boxes. Just have to check all the sources, and decide from there.

You CAN program the DVRs to record from the receivers, however, you CAN NOT program the DVRs to record from each other. You can play recorded programming from either DVR to either DVR or receiver, however.

 

[Davenlr]

Another option might be to get DirecTv to install the HR34 (HMC) and dish, and then you get the H24's, HR24, and SWM16 yourself, and DIY. Might be cheaper if you can get the HMC ($399) and install, free from DirecTv.

 

[HuskerHarley]

You CAN program the DVRs to record from the receivers, however, you CAN NOT program the DVRs to record from each other. You can play recorded programming from either DVR to either DVR or receiver, however.

I use an app to program our DVR's, when I'm on the road, does DTV have one as well?

I've seen --> D* <-- used in threads and posts here, does that mean DTV?

HH

 

[Davenlr]

Yes, you can program them from ipad/ipod/their website/windows phone app. Lots of choices.
D* is short for DirecTv on here.

 

[HuskerHarley]

Yes, you can program them from ipad/ipod/their website/windows phone app. Lots of choices.
D* is short for DirecTv on here.

That's what I thought,,,Thanks.

OT: I see in your signature you have (Tivo Premier & TivoHD) is Tivo better than the D* DVRs?

HH

 

[Davenlr]

That's what I thought,,,Thanks.

OT: I see in your signature you have (Tivo Premier & TivoHD) is Tivo better than the D* DVRs?

HH

My Tivo's are for cable. DirecTv offers them, and I like Tivo's, but for DirecTv they lack ability for whole home, and leave off features the cable Tivo's have.

 

[HuskerHarley]

I'm looking on 'SolidSignal' at the satellite dish's,, which one of them is the ONE to get?

HH

 

[wallfishman]

The H25 uses a dongle cable for component, and the connector is like an old S-video connector. Bump it, and colors disappear, sound cuts out, etc. For component and a more robust box, I would choose the H24 if you have the choice. Its a little bigger, but more solid.

Having installed a bunch of them I find them to be exactly as you say. That connection is shaky and you touch it , or move it and its going out. Engineering needs to take a look at that. So you are right , the regular H24 would ben a better oiption if component only were to be used.

 

[dpeters11]

I'm looking on 'SolidSignal' at the satellite dish's,, which one of them is the ONE to get?

HH

The slimline SL3 is generally the one to get, without SWM on board in your case if you go with 9 tuners, get the SWM16 separately. I'd highly recommend an installer, DirecTV doesn't really allow self installs on new accounts anymore.

 

[Davenlr]

I'm looking on 'SolidSignal' at the satellite dish's,, which one of them is the ONE to get?

HH

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...-Programming-SL5-(AU9S)&c=DIRECTV Dishes&sku=

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...-Programming-SL5-(AU9S)&c=DIRECTV Dishes&sku=

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...witch-With-Power-Supply-(16-Channel)-(SWM-16)

 

[dpeters11]

But other than some sonic tap channels, he doesn't really need an sl5 does he? According to the map, his locals are at 103.

Of course a 5 doesn't hurt if there's no LOS issues to 110 and 119.

 

[Davenlr]

But other than some sonic tap channels, he doesn't really need an sl5 does he? According to the map, his locals are at 103.

Of course a 5 doesn't hurt if there's no LOS issues to 110 and 119.

I didnt check. I always recommend the "5" in case they want the sonic taps channels, or have some SD only LIL channels still carried on 119. I havent checked to see if his SD locals are on 101, but being in Nebraska, Im kinda doubting it.

You are right about LOS though...but if he has channels on 119, and installs a SL3, I dont think it will pass the Directv install tests, and they wont create the account??? Not sure how that works, but I seem to recall another thread where the guy was griping cuz D* wouldnt approve his installation because he had no LOS to 119, and wouldnt allow him to use a SL3. Things might have changed tho, that is kind of stupid.