Just Ordered Service

1056 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by shovelhd, Oct 1, 2008

Nodes of Ranvier

Discussion Starter · Sep 25, 2008

Hi, I just ordered service today. They have me scheduled for and install on 10/20

. That's quite a wait. I called DTV and they gave me the sub contractors phone #. I'll call and see what I can find out. DTV told me that is the earliest date for my area(Southeastern MA). The subcontractor's name is Halsted. Any thoughts on getting install sooner??

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premio

· #2 · Sep 25, 2008

Nodes of Ranvier said:
Hi, I just ordered service today. They have me scheduled for and install on 10/20 . That's quite a wait. I called DTV and they gave me the sub contractors phone #. I'll call and see what I can find out. DTV told me that is the earliest date for my area(Southeastern MA). The subcontractor's name is Halsted. Any thoughts on getting install sooner??

It's comforting to know they are as bad at offering quality customer service to new installs as well as existing - and that it isn't even region specific (California here). I was told 2 months wait to re-place my dish on my house after a new roof install. At least solidsignal.com and a fair bit of handiness will get my signal back up some day.

Fortunately when they get SWM mainstream, all the tech will have to do is install a dish right above the pre-drawn cable box - run 1 wire and call it a day. This should free up a lot of labor.

Of course they treat their techs terrible - to where the good ones on this board are constantly cautioning any motivated soul to NOT become an install technican.

It's really quite sad. I know DirecTV reads this, but they choose to either ignore it or they have some financial matrix devised that does not consider deltas from install related issues. Their service really is top notch - so hopefully they fix this before other providers compete on quality.

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shovelhd

· #3 · Sep 25, 2008

Halsted did my new customer installation back in August, before the hurricanes and the ST rush. I called on a Tuesday and the installer came on Saturday morning. They sent a senior installer (1.5 years experience) because I had five receivers, two HD, one DVR. I had run all fresh RG6Q for him ahead of time so all he had to do was set up the dish, run the four cables and ground to the block, and terminate all the inside cables. It took him about 4.5 hours. Signal levels are fantastic. I've had one instance of rain fade during the remnants of Hannah. That's it. I pay about $130/month for the Choice Extra HD DVR package, DSL, and Freedom landline via the Verizon Triple Bundle.

Good luck.

spartanstew

· #4 · Sep 25, 2008

check item #7 in THIS THREAD

Nodes of Ranvier

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 25, 2008

shovelhd said:
Halsted did my new customer installation back in August, before the hurricanes and the ST rush. I called on a Tuesday and the installer came on Saturday morning. They sent a senior installer (1.5 years experience) because I had five receivers, two HD, one DVR. I had run all fresh RG6Q for him ahead of time so all he had to do was set up the dish, run the four cables and ground to the block, and terminate all the inside cables. It took him about 4.5 hours. Signal levels are fantastic. I've had one instance of rain fade during the remnants of Hannah. That's it. I pay about $130/month for the Choice Extra HD DVR package, DSL, and Freedom landline via the Verizon Triple Bundle.

Good luck.

That is very encouraging. I hope my install goes as smoothly. Appreciate the feedback.

Nodes of Ranvier

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 25, 2008

Well, I called the Sub-contractor(Halsted) this morning. They put me on a cancellation list. If someone cancels I can be moved up. Not what I wanted to hear but better than nothing. If there are no cancellations, its looks like I have to wait until 10/20.

Nodes of Ranvier

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 29, 2008

After checking the DTV website every day, I was able to get my install date pushed up to 10/15. Not great, but better.
One other question I had was I originally ordered an HD receiver. Now I am thinking of changing my mind and going with the HD DVR. Now the install is on one TV and with just the HD receiver I would only need one coax coming in. Now I will need two for the DVR. Regarding install will they split the coax once in the home? I don't want another hole in the wall, or will they run two coax through existing coax jack?

RACJ2

· #8 · Sep 30, 2008

Nodes of Ranvier said:
After checking the DTV website every day, I was able to get my install date pushed up to 10/15. Not great, but better.
One other question I had was I originally ordered an HD receiver. Now I am thinking of changing my mind and going with the HD DVR. Now the install is on one TV and with just the HD receiver I would only need one coax coming in. Now I will need two for the DVR. Regarding install will they split the coax once in the home? I don't want another hole in the wall, or will they run two coax through existing coax jack?

The answer is, it depends. If they install the new SWMline dish, you only need 1 cable. If they install the traditional Slimline, you will need 2 cables, one for each tuner. Unless you install a SWM8, which you would probably have to pay extra for. The SWMLine dish is not typically installed unless you have 5 or more tuners (2 HD DVR's + 1 Receiver). Also, it depends on the area you live in whether or not they even offer the SWMline option.

Nodes of Ranvier

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 30, 2008

RACJ2 said:
The answer is, it depends. If they install the new SWMline dish, you only need 1 cable. If they install the traditional Slimline, you will need 2 cables, one for each tuner. Unless you install a SWM8, which you would probably have to pay extra for. The SWMLine dish is not typically installed unless you have 5 or more tuners (2 HD DVR's + 1 Receiver). Also, it depends on the area you live in whether or not they even offer the SWMline option.

Thanks for clearing that up, much appreciated. Also, I am currently repairing a TV in my basement, so I don't need cabling(RG6) or receiver just yet. After TV is repaired I would want another receiver for the basement. During initial install would they run another line of Coax from the Dish to basement for future use? Or will they charge me for that?

shovelhd

· #10 · Sep 30, 2008

They will charge you for anything more than a standard installation. They will not fish inside of the walls for free. Some won't do it at all. That's why I ran all my cabling myself ahead of time.

Shades228

· #11 · Sep 30, 2008

Nodes of Ranvier said:
Thanks for clearing that up, much appreciated. Also, I am currently repairing a TV in my basement, so I don't need cabling(RG6) or receiver just yet. After TV is repaired I would want another receiver for the basement. During initial install would they run another line of Coax from the Dish to basement for future use? Or will they charge me for that?

I would change that order and have a standard added on now. Right now as a new customer you get discounts on the equipment. Ordering equipment after that order is completed will have costs associated with it.

Nodes of Ranvier

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 30, 2008

Shades228 said:
I would change that order and have a standard added on now. Right now as a new customer you get discounts on the equipment. Ordering equipment after that order is completed will have costs associated with it.

You mean a standard receiver for the basement, right? Why not another HD receiver, the additional receiver fee(4.99) is the same for SD or HD receiver, correct?

Shades228

· #13 · Sep 30, 2008

Nodes of Ranvier said:
You mean a standard receiver for the basement, right? Why not another HD receiver, the additional receiver fee(4.99) is the same for SD or HD receiver, correct?

If your basement TV is HD then I would just call and add the HD DVR to the order. You're correct that the monthly cost is the same but there is a charge for another advanced receiver but not for a standard.

skylox

· #14 · Sep 30, 2008

be careful when adding different equipment from your original order.....i had ordered 1 hd drv and 1 hd non dvr.....My wife wanted a second dvr, so I called back and it changed my install date to a week later......which has been rescheduled again and again, now its on Friday, oct 3rd.

Nodes of Ranvier

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 30, 2008

Shades228 said:
If your basement TV is HD then I would just call and add the HD DVR to the order. You're correct that the monthly cost is the same but there is a charge for another advanced receiver but not for a standard.

Well here's the thing: The basement TV I am repairing is HD. It likely will not be fixed by the time they install my system. I have an SD set down there now. Not sure to get another standard receiver or another HD one. Do not want the HDDVR right now. What do you mean there is a charge for another advanced receiver? I enrolled with AAA member discount, I think you can get two HD receivers free.

shovelhd

· #16 · Oct 1, 2008

You can always use the HD receiver with the SD TV while you get the HDTV fixed.

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