[pippa]

So I'm looking into getting either Dish or Direct satellite service, finally, and I'm talking to the companies and it turns out they both want to charge me double, or like two separate agreements, for setting up service at two buildings on the farm that are a little too far apart to run a line between them. Both are residential and belong to only me. So, this is what I'm thinking. I'm sure I can find another receiver dish somewhere and mount it, align it, and run a feed line inside one of the buildings. So what if I got them to set up for two TVs in one building, then I just move the tv and equipment to my second building, hook up, and voila! Quite sure I'm not the first to come up with this one.

So, reason I'm writing in is I believe one of the two companies has a HD-DVR that can control two televisions, and I want to avoid that one because I want both TVs to have their own HD-DVR. Based on what you know about how each company's equipment works, which co, Direct or Dish, would the best to go with considering what I'm trying to do?

Thanks

 

[west99999]

How many power meters do you have? Is there one for each building or both served by the same? If served by one then you can have one account but the free install only covers one dish so you would have to find a tech to install the second place for you and pay them.

 

[davring]

Why would two meters make a difference? I have two, one for my barn and another for my house. I have two dishes on two different buildings and one account with D*.

Edit: the second dish was a self install.

 

[pippa]

Both buildings served by one meter.

Talking with the companies has surprised me because I've heard of other people in my same situation being able to get it all done with just one account, with possibly paying a little extra for a second DVR. Maybe there's been a change of policy since then? Plead my case every way I could to more than one operator at both cos and got the same thing every time. Stupid.

 

[west99999]

Why would two meters make a difference? I have two, one for my barn and another for my house. I have two dishes on two different buildings and one account with D*.

Edit: the second dish was a self install.

The unofficial policy is more than one meter then they need 2 accounts because they are billed seperatly by power company. I say unofficial because I have never seen this written anywhere but I know this is what most installers are supposed to follow.

 

[veryoldschool]

"Garbage"
One family, one address, one account. [/report]

 

[veryoldschool]

The unofficial policy is more than one meter then they need 2 accounts because they are billed seperatly by power company. I say unofficial because I have never seen this written anywhere but I know this is what most installers are supposed to follow.

You're describing a leased unit, where a second family is residing. Two families, two accounts.

"A house" broken up into separate units, do require multiple accounts.

 

[Davenlr]

How far apart are you talking? They make line amplifiers for that. Installing a second dish is about the same price if you do it yourself (its not that hard). Just have them install whatever you want for both places in the house, then move one of the DVRs to the barn and install another dish there. If they are both at the same physical address, and use the same electric service, the only reason they are refusing you is more than likely because they wont install a second dish for the same account.

 

[veryoldschool]

How far apart are you talking? They make line amplifiers for that. Installing a second dish is about the same price if you do it yourself (its not that hard). Just have them install whatever you want for both places in the house, then move one of the DVRs to the barn and install another dish there. If they are both at the same physical address, and use the same electric service, the only reason they are refusing you is more than likely because they wont install a second dish for the same account.

I'd say both companies are getting locked into "the free install", since I know DirecTV will install two dishes, right next to each other, when they don't know how to use splitters to feed 2 WB616s.

"In another life", if I had enough land to have a main house and a house "down by the lake", and I wanted TV in both places, there would be two dishes, and everything on one account.

 

[JoeTheDragon]

I'd say both companies are getting locked into "the free install", since I know DirecTV will install two dishes, right next to each other, when they don't know how to use splitters to feed 2 WB616s.

"In another life", if I had enough land to have a main house and a house "down by the lake", and I wanted TV in both places, there would be two dishes, and everything on one account.

there is a sports bar near me that was like 20+ boxes and 2 dishes.

 

[litzdog911]

there is a sports bar near me that was like 20+ boxes and 2 dishes.

Commercial accounts are a whole different animal.

 

[jamieh1]

My family has service at home and we have a vacation home on the other side of the state. One charge. I have a dish and reciever at the second home also which I installed my self.

 

[peds48]

My family has service at home and we have a vacation home on the other side of the state. One charge. I have a dish and reciever at the second home also which I installed my self.

Exactly. and this is the dilemma the op is going through. as advised on this post, if the OP gets two receivers installed on the main house, and then self installs another dish on the barn house everything be alright. but what I gather is that the OP wants both properties wired by DirecTV.

 

[DogLover]

I would think that this is a situation where you would want to go to a DIRECTV authorized retailer. They usually have the same or similar new customer offers as going directly to DIRECTV.

I would think they are much better prepared to handle unusual installs such as this one. There will likely be a charge for the second dish install. After all, whatever incentives they get from DIRECTV are going to be the same as other customers, but their expenses will obviously be more installing two dishes.

If you don't want to try self install, that's the way I would recommend.

 

[texasbrit]

Exactly. and this is the dilemma the op is going through. as advised on this post, if the OP gets two receivers installed on the main house, and then self installs another dish on the barn house everything be alright. but what I gather is that the OP wants both properties wired by DirecTV.

Yes, I have two separate buildings on my property but the second dish was self-installed. DirecTV won't install two dishes on one property.
The approach the OP suggested would be fine. Get DirecTV to install a system in the main building, with one more HD-DVR than you really need in that building. Then after the install is complete, either get a local DirecTV retailer to install a dish on the other building, or get the same type of dish (probably an SL3 SWM or an SL5 SWM, with power inserter) from one of the reputable ebay suppliers and install it yourself. Move the "spare" HD DVR to the second building.

 

[Cyber36]

I've got 2 words for ya: SLING BOX...........

 

[carl6]

Do the two DVRs in the first/main house approach, and when the installer is there ask him if he would like to earn a few extra $$ by putting up and aligning a dish on the other building. He may well be able, and willing, to do so.

 

[Rich]

I'd say both companies are getting locked into "the free install", since I know DirecTV will install two dishes, right next to each other, when they don't know how to use splitters to feed 2 WB616s.

They didn't balk at all about putting two dishes up on my roof after multiple attempts to parallel my two WB616s. I know how to do it, you'd think an installer would know.

Rich

 

[Rich]

Yes, I have two separate buildings on my property but the second dish was self-installed. DirecTV won't install two dishes on one property.

Where did you get that idea from? I had two dishes on my roof from '08 until my DECA system was installed. Authorized and installed by D* and it's merry group of installers.

Rich

 

[Tech_1438]

Do the two DVRs in the first/main house approach, and when the installer is there ask him if he would like to earn a few extra $$ by putting up and aligning a dish on the other building. He may well be able, and willing, to do so.

+1 on this approach. I would bet most installers would be happy to comply if compensated for their time & effort.

Worse case scenario, you have 2 HD-DVRs installed at the main house and will need to self-install or hire locally for the outbuilding connection.

Good Luck!!