HR21-100 upgrade question

821 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by HDTAXMAN, Oct 10, 2008

HDTAXMAN

Discussion Starter · Oct 10, 2008

As usual, I'll ask the question here for a good answer rather than take it to D*..\

I received a "refurbished" HR21-100 two days ago to replace a D11-500 since I now have an HD tv in the bedroom. TV works fine with the D11, other than picture quality and clarity as expected.

I had asked an earlier question about connecting it up and received good response, but when I hooked it up last night, I unhooked the standard receiver and cables, plugged in the HR21-100, hooked up the HDMI cable, called D* and activated the unit..All that went fine..

I currently only have one cable coming in so I hooked that into the #2 position in back as was indicated. I did not receive a BBC with my order (of course) so I went on the website and ordered 1 to be sent.

I attempted to go through the onscreen setup..It said I had a 5 LNB dish, multiswitch and dual tuners..the first two are correct, the dual tuners I assume references the HR21-100 dual tuners..I said ok and then clicked on to continue..it wentt through the usual gyrations and said could not find a signal, dishes show no strength, etc.

I called D*, and with all due respect, twice I got in touch with two people who seemed to be short a few brain cells, both towards courtesy and common sense.

One did not know what a BBC was, and the second said I needed two of them, they came with the order and I did not know what I was doing..As a reasonably intelligent person, I said thanks, hung up before I said something I did not want to , and thus here is my question..

All of my other tv's work fine, 4 D11's and the HR20-700 in the den works fine..

My question(s):

Do I need 1 or 2 BBC's to properly use the unit?

Do I have to have the BBC in order to be able to complete the setup (as a big warning note appears at bottom of the setup screen saying BBC required)? Or should I be able to run the cable directly to the #2 postion in back and get a signal? If all the other tv's work, then certainly it should not be the satellite dish alignment?

Again, it is not a problem to run another cable as the Zinwell switch is downstairs right below the bedroom and it will take 5 minutes to get the cable in place, but I will need to order anothe BBC if two are required since I though only 1 was needed..

Just out of curiousity, I ordered the HD receiver on line and it was $199..I saw some other threads that they are $99 bucks? Should I be able to get a credit for D*?

Again, thanks to this forum and the members who respond..It is a great resource..

Thanks

Dale Cooper

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David MacLeod

· #2 · Oct 10, 2008

if you don't have swm then bbc's are needed on both tuners for some hd channels. isn't it supposed to go into sat1 for just 1 cable? never tried the setup using only 1 feed.

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davring

· #3 · Oct 10, 2008

Back during your initial set-up, when asked for dual tuners, you should have indicated you are using only one and connect it to "sat in 1". After you make this change and your HR does not find a signal, reboot it and it will locate only the one input. As David stated if you are using a single wire multiswitch you will not need the BBC's. If your -700 has them attached, you will need them on your new unit as well.

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HDTAXMAN

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 10, 2008

Thanks fellas:

So if I can summarize what I see here, then expand on it in a two questions summary..

The BBC are not an absolute to receive a signal, but rather certain HD channels need them to be seen, so that is why they are required. From htis , I take it they do not have an issue on my setup, but rather it is the dual tuner issue that I need to modify since I currently only have the one cable.. In this respect, if I were to run a second cable, could I leave it on dual tuner (this is without any BBC since when it comes I will hook up as required) and run both cables directly into the sat in 1 and sat in 2 connections?

My current situation, with one cable, means that in the setup, I need to tell it one tuner, not dual, hook the cable into the sat in #1 spot, reboot and then it should be recognized and I should be able to use the HR21..and yes, I do have the BBC's on the 700 as I do not have SWM. This means that when I do receive the BBC (and do I need just one?) , I would hook it up, go back into the setup, change it back to dual tuners, reset the cables to sat#1 and sat#2 connections as prescribed when using the BBC, and then continue from there?

Thanks again..

Dale Cooper

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Mike Bertelson

· #5 · Oct 10, 2008

You need a BBC for each cable connected to your receiver.

If you only connect one cable you only need one BBC.

I'm surprised that the BBCs didn't come with the receiver as they are necessary to receive the HD. Rather weird. :scratchin

Mike

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ticmxman

· #6 · Oct 10, 2008

I'll let others give you the tech answers. But I know you will need 2 BBCs and be sure not to just order them from the website...this doesn't work for some reason. Also if you are in good standing with D*, have been with them a while etc... $199 seems to high a price and now you have recieved a box without BBCs. You should call and explain this and kindly ask for some credits to compensate you for this mistake. You should also ask for some free package for a few months. I recently recieved 2 different shipments from D* without BBCs and after some calls I have HBO for 3 mo free and enough credits to almost pay for the HR22 i ended up getting from Best Buy.

Now when I recieved my first HR without BBCs and called D*, I was told that I should have gotten a new HR* not a refurb as this was not to replace another HR on my account but was a second HR* for the account and refurbs should only go out to replace another HR* that has broken. So you may want to bring that up as well. This lack of sending BBCs to many customers ordering new HRs is dumb.

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HDTAXMAN

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 10, 2008

I thought no BBC's was weird particularly when they are a must..I'll get another one..I know a local installer here in Atlanta that I should be able to get them from..appreciate the comments on the pricing..I'll give D* a call and see what we can work out..I'll particularly check on the refurbished vs new issue..

thanks again

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Mike Bertelson

· #8 · Oct 10, 2008

ticmxman said:
I'll let others give you the tech answers. But I know you will need 2 BBCs and be sure not to just order them from the website...this doesn't work for some reason. Also if you are in good standing with D*, have been with them a while etc... $199 seems to high a price and now you have recieved a box without BBCs. You should call and explain this and kindly ask for some credits to compensate you for this mistake. You should also ask for some free package for a few months. I recently recieved 2 different shipments from D* without BBCs and after some calls I have HBO for 3 mo free and enough credits to almost pay for the HR22 i ended up getting from Best Buy.

Now when I recieved my first HR without BBCs and called D*, I was told that I should have gotten a new HR* not a refurb as this was not to replace another HR on my account but was a second HR* for the account and refurbs should only go out to replace another HR* that has broken. So you may want to bring that up as well. This lack of sending BBCs to many customers ordering new HRs is dumb.

That is ture for dual tuner operation.

However, if the OP is only going to use the DVR in one tuner mode he only needs to connect one BBC. He will need the second BBC when ever he decides to go with two tuners.

Every coax cable connecting to a HR20, HR21, HR22 must have BBC.

Mike

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ticmxman

· #9 · Oct 10, 2008

MicroBeta said:
That is ture for dual tuner operation.

However, if the OP is only going to use the DVR in one tuner mode he only needs to connect one BBC. He will need the second BBC when ever he decides to go with two tuners.

Every coax cable connecting to a HR20, HR21, HR22 must have BBC.

Mike

Yep. I can't imagine not using the 2 tuners though. Sounds like running the extra line is very simple for the OP.
"Again, it is not a problem to run another cable as the Zinwell switch is downstairs right below the bedroom and it will take 5 minutes to get the cable in place, but I will need to order anothe BBC if two are required since I though only 1 was needed.."

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David MacLeod

· #10 · Oct 10, 2008

fwiw, call d* tell them you need 4 bbc's. tell them you want 2 spare due to their history of breaking, they usually 2 day deliver them to you and it is free.

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HDTAXMAN

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 10, 2008

Thanks for the advice..

D* is sending me the 2 BBC's and they should be here Monday..I'll live with the standard picture till then..the D* rep was actually very friendly, very helpful, gave me 3 mths on premium channels due to the issues having..all in all, came out okay..

I do appreciate the quick responses of everyone..I can put this issue to rest..

Ya'll have a good day and a better tomorrow..

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