How do I get DirecTV to install a SWM?

3207 Views 12 Replies 11 Participants Last post by swire, Sep 24, 2008

WooPoo

Discussion Starter · Sep 23, 2008

I've been using the HD Tivo (HD10-250) for the past 4 years and DirecTV contacted me last week about a free HD swap. So, I scheduled for the install and they brought out a new HR22 yesterday and they're shipping an AM21 on the way since they don't offer HD LiL in my area.

The new box works great, except for the fact that diplexers don't work quite right with the new Ka band signal. When I built my house, I wanted to cable everything up correctly for DirecTV, so I have 2 RG6 lines going to every room back to my media hub. The 2 lines going to my main HDTV also carried a diplexed OTA signal over one of the lines.

So, here's my question. How do I get DirecTV to authorize a SWM for my location? I was on the line with three different CSR reps yesterday and none of them were able to get a SWM for me. The reasons varied, but basically they told me it's only for select markets and they didn't even see the option on their screens. I calmly explained that I've be a customer since 1996 and would love to stay, but if they couldn't provide me an option to get the broadcast channels in HD, then I couldn't imagine sticking around. If I had an SWM then I could just use one of my lines for satellite and one for OTA.

Oh yeah, and I have one of the Slimline dishes. Thanks for any help

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Mertzen

· #2 · Sep 23, 2008

SWM switches are only reserved for new installs [ most of them commercial ] and only if you live in the roll out area and are eligible.
If you really need a SWM8 switch, DIY. You're going to have a hard time getting it from D*

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Doug Brott

· #3 · Sep 23, 2008

Mertzen said:
SWM switches are only reserved for new installs [ most of them commercial ] and only if you live in the roll out area and are eligible.
If you really need a SWM8 switch, DIY. You're going to have a hard time getting it from D*

I would agree, and the SWM switches aren't as expensive now as they used to be.

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davring

· #4 · Sep 23, 2008

You can get one here:

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=02&CAT=&PROD=SWM-8

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BattleZone

· #5 · Sep 23, 2008

WooPoo said:
How do I get DirecTV to install a SWM?

DirecTV does not install SWM-8's *anywhere*, other than the few they installed in a couple of test markets to test the technology. Authorized MDU providers who get contracts with building owners or HOAs install them in the buildings they provide service for (along with other related infrastructure), and priviate individuals who choose to purchase them individually can install them. DirecTV does NOT install SWM-8's for residential use at all.

DirecTV DOES install SWM-LNB Slimline dishes for residential use. To get one, you must qualify.

You must:

be a NEW customer
be in an area that SWM equipment is being installed (soon to be everywhere)
order an HD-DVR
order a total of 5-8 tuners

At this time, DirecTV is not installing SWM-Slimlines for existing customers for a number of reasons. They are in short supply (priority is always new customers), they are behind in new installations in most markets, and they don't have the infrastructure or inventory to handle upgrading non-SWM-compliant receivers on a wide-scale basis. So, they have created business rules that limit where SWM is provided, and the ordering system used by CSRs to create work orders is designed to enforce those business rules.

So, as others have said, as an existing customer, if you want a SWM-8 or SWM-LNB, you must purchase them yourself at this time. Months from now, if and when SWM-LNB supply has ramped up, the restrictions will probably be relaxed, but no one knows how long that might be.

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WooPoo

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 23, 2008

Ok, so the consensus is that I'll most likely have to purchase the SWM on my own. That sucks. Do you guys think that I'll need to get a new LNB? This is the dish and LNB (Can't post a URL, but it's the AU9 from solidsignal) that my installers put in.

Anybody think that I could basically get DirecTV to reimburse me the cost of the SWM through various credits, etc?

Stein

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evan_s

· #7 · Sep 23, 2008

There are 2 options the SWM8 is a multiswitch and will work with your existing dish just fine. It has 2 ports for SWM tuners that can be split and should work with diplexing but it isn't technically supported. Since you have 2 lines run and would only need 1 to run both tuners with SWM you wouldn't even have to bother diplexing if you didn't want to. There are several options for supporting older equipment with a swm8 including 3 legacy ports on the SWM8.

The SMM-lnb is a replacement lnb. You should be able to just pull the current LNB and slide in the swm one. This only supports SWM capable receivers with no legacy options and no support for more than 8 tuners.

You might be able to get off setting credits but wouldn't go into things expecting this.

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BattleZone

· #8 · Sep 23, 2008

If you have an AT-9 dish, then you must either use the SWM-8 module or you'd need to replace your dish with an AU-9 Slimline dish and use that with the SWM-LNB, which only works on Slimline dishes. The SWM-8 will work with both dish types with their standard LNBs.

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Kansas Zephyr

· #9 · Sep 23, 2008

WooPoo said:
Ok, so the consensus is that I'll most likely have to purchase the SWM on my own. That sucks.

I think it's worth it.

If you can run four lines from the dish, without a major hassle, and have a nice place to mount a SWM-8, I'd go that route. Since, you can add another one later, if you exceed 8 SWM capable tuners. Plus, the 3 legacy ports for SD IRDs...and the OTA port, if you wish to diplex (...although not supported by D*).

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TigersFanJJ

· #10 · Sep 23, 2008

You can run an extra line for OTA if you can gain access above or below the wall through the attic/crawlspace. It will save you some money if you are able to do it. If not, buying a SWM from a third party may be your only option.

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gator1234

· #11 · Sep 24, 2008

Mertzen said:
SWM switches are only reserved for new installs [ most of them commercial ] and only if you live in the roll out area and are eligible.
If you really need a SWM8 switch, DIY. You're going to have a hard time getting it from D*

I had existingservice moved to a new house (Movers special). I told them I had two wires coming into the house and it was prewired. I was going to be using 3 HD DVRs and 2 Reg DVRs. I requested SWM and they installed SWMs.

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Cmnore

· #12 · Sep 24, 2008

Kansas Zephyr said:
I think it's worth it.QUOTE]

TOTALLY worth it. Mine showed up today via USPS. I installed it about an hour ago. Took me about 20 minutes, making sure I dotted my "I's and crossed my 'T's. Already had an HR21-700 and a slimline dish. My AM-21's(2) will be here in two days, and my new HD-DVR and R22 ill be here on October 18. I'll be entirely SWM at that point.

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swire

· #13 · Sep 24, 2008

I've been with Directv for years and just upgraded to HD last week. I got a new slimline dish, a 6x8 multiswitch, 4 new lines run, and two HR22s installed, all for $19.95.

That was for an HD upgrade. I don't know if the same would be available to an existing HD customer but it should be.

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