[njblackberry]

Probably the biggest mistake I've made was taking up DirecTV's offer and switching to HD. It has been nothing short of a mess since we switched in December.

Installer problems, missed visits (and credits), LOS, dish installed twice from scratch before they got it right, poor signal quality, pixelation, satellites not found and now basically I am getting no channels. Just did an RBR on an HR21-700 and it can't find anything. One other HR21 is getting signals on 101 from 50-0 and NOTHING on 99(c). Oops - no HDTV.

As much as I dislike to local Cable company- and I do - I'm ready to pack it in. No one from DirecTV or their subs can ever come out and fix anything. I am totaly disgusted and fed up with them - and this is BEFORE we get high winds tomorrow. Maybe that will realign things. Wonder when I call when the first appointment is - 2 weeks?

I am NOT a do it yourselfer. I don't align dishes or check switches. I just want it to work (need a computer network - that's no problem).

I know when I paid for the DVRs (and they are leased) that my DirecTV contract extended.

How do I get out of it?

Thanks for listening to my rant. I'm just a little upset. Too bad I can't advantage of the NFL Sunday Ticket - MY REASON FOR GETTING DIRECTV YEARS AGO...

 

[paulman182]

Sorry about your bad experience, but your best route really would be to try a little do-it-yourself if you are physically able.

It sounds like an LNB, multiswitch, or aiming problem.

I don't think you can get out of your contract without paying the early termination fee ($20 per month left on your 24-month contract.)

 

[njblackberry]

a) I wouldn't know where to start
b) I shouldn't have to trouble shoot LNB or multiswitch issues

$20 per month? Is that per receiver or for the contract itself. If it is $20/month total then I'm out tomorrow...

 

[lonewoolf]

a) I wouldn't know where to start
b) I shouldn't have to trouble shoot LNB or multiswitch issues

$20 per month? Is that per receiver or for the contract itself. If it is $20/month total then I'm out tomorrow...

Per Month

 

[inkahauts]

Email this person with all the details of your situation...

VP of Custopmer Service
email... Ellen Filipiak at [email protected]

 

[njblackberry]

Thanks.

 

[rudeney]

If you upgraded in December, then your ETF’s will be $180-$200. You’d also “lose” the money you paid in up-front lease fees for the receivers. Honestly, I’d have a hard time dealing with that, especially since wherever else you go, you’ll likely lose picture quality and not gain anything in customer service. I’d push this to make D* fix it.

 

[BKC]

Cancel your credit card you gave them and tell them to pick up their stuff. lol

 

[njblackberry]

If you upgraded in December, then your ETF's will be $180-$200. You'd also "lose" the money you paid in up-front lease fees for the receivers. Honestly, I'd have a hard time dealing with that, especially since wherever else you go, you'll likely lose picture quality and not gain anything in customer service. I'd push this to make D* fix it.

I've "written off" the cost of the DVRs. So be it. All of the HDTVs I bought will work just fine, and that's my biggest expense.

I can't lose much more picture quality than I have now - I have nothing.. This is the second time I've lost all HD audio and video.

I am pushing - nicely, by the way - I never give Customer Service a hard time because they aren't (usually) part of the problem.

Let's hope they come through. Repair call set for Thursday. I went for Thursday AM rather than Wednesday PM because I've yet to see DirecTech make an afternoon call..

And I sent an e-mail to Ellen Filipiak (just so I'd feel better).

I am bummed because I was REALLY looking forward to my first NFL ST in HD on Sunday.

I really like DirecTV (and our old Tivos), and I dislike our local cable provider. But it can't get much worse than no signal....

 

[bonscott87]

Have you had your actual cables replaced? Sounds like the Dish itself has been replaced already, if so then the LNB is probably fine. And it sounds like your switches have been replaced as well?

Then I would honestly think it's a bad cable(s) or maybe an old cable splitter in the line if you're using the cables you used to use when you had cable.

 

[njblackberry]

All new cables. Death to splitters I have no splitters in the house.

New cables were run to the switch when we went from the old dish (on the roof) the the pole mounted 5LNB. It could of course be cables, but too many DVRs (including those with fresh cables) are impacted. Could definitely be the switch.

 

[Incog-Neato]

This would probably be one of the only ways: http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=826839

Actually there is one other way. If you are in the military and you are shipped out to Iraq they will let you out of your contract (but you have to send them copies of the deployment papers).

How do I get out of it?...

 

[kroche22]

I am NOT a do it yourselfer. I don't align dishes or check switches. I just want it to work (need a computer network - that's no problem).

Is there a local satellite contractor that could trouble shoot it for you?

 

[carl6]

You mention a multiswitch. Verify it is the correct wideband Zinwell WB68. Older switches will not work with the new HD.

Try bypassing the multiswitch. Use barrel connectors and cross connect the two lines to the DVR directly to two of the lines coming from the dish. Try all 4 of the lines from the dish in pairs.

Good luck. DirecTV HD does work, and works very well. Once they find and fix your problem, you should expect to enjoy a lot of new HD. It is unfortunate you are having so much trouble getting to that point.

Carl

 

[njblackberry]

Is there a local satellite contractor that could trouble shoot it for you?

Very few locally; we used one to do the original install and I had the same one come out to fit out the basement. Called them; they are going to call back Monday.

 

[tds4182]

You mention a multiswitch. Verify it is the correct wideband Zinwell WB68. Older switches will not work with the new HD.

Try bypassing the multiswitch. Use barrel connectors and cross connect the two lines to the DVR directly to two of the lines coming from the dish. Try all 4 of the lines from the dish in pairs.

Good luck. DirecTV HD does work, and works very well. Once they find and fix your problem, you should expect to enjoy a lot of new HD. It is unfortunate you are having so much trouble getting to that point.

Carl

Ditto what carl6 said. Bypass the multi-switch and hook the bypassed lines up to your HR unit. Go into the menu and go through satellite set up again.

That should get you a HD picture on that unit unless your dish is so badly out of alignment that it can't see the satellite(s).

Sorry for all your trouble and good luck!

 

[njblackberry]

Thanks for all the advice and help; I will wait for a professional to come out and take a look. It's just not something I want to get started with. Especially today, with Hanna right over us (oh, Rain Fade?)...

 

[mx6bfast]

How many times have you called D*, and how many times has someone come out? How long has it been since you upgraded and then you started having problems? I think if you have had a big number of problems and people out you should be able to get out of your contract if D* doesn't deliver for you. I'm not going to tell you to check anything because you said you don't want to, but I would get those instances all together for some ammo in case you do need it.

Hopefully emailing that person will take care of the problem for you.

 

[njblackberry]

I really have no desire to switch - I just want it to work.

Hopefully we can get the right people out this week to fix it.

Surprisingly, in the middle of heavy rainstorms, I am getting the best signals (still terrible) that I've had in days. 99(c) is still all zeroes (as are some other satellites) but at least I can view some channels.

 

[gquiring]

Waiting for the 'pro' is like winning the lottery. The folks D* contracts to are clueless. They don't pay these contractors much money so you get the bottom of the barrel. I would try bypassing the multiswitch, it really is easy.

As for your issues I know what your going through. I am getting pretty fed up also. I had a friend realign my 'pro aligned D*' dish because D* could not get it over 60. My friend got it to high 80's/low 90's. I still get super pixaleted video when I record on Tuner 2 for Mpeg4 stuff. They are coming next week to replace whatever is broke. Well it will be interesting to see what they do...... Considering all the tuner 2 issues on these forums I don't think D* knows what the issue is.