[seanmcgpa]

(reposted here by the request/advice of peeps, I posted in the Legacy forum which they said was underutilized).

Advice needed - I have two HR10-250's in a self install I did years ago.

I live in downtown Philadelphia - "Center City" as well call it. When I originally ordered Directv in 2001, I had two installers come out that basically said :

"No way, you'll never get a dish on your roof."
"You'll never get a satellite signal in center city Philly."
"You'll never get an installer to go up there." ... etc etc.

Directv offered to send me the dish and multiswitch to do a self install - so I try it : I get a ladder off my third floor deck onto my 4th floor roof, mount a dish on my fireplace stack facing the southern sky, and viola! I have Directv. Later I upgrade to a HD dish, OTA Antenna, multiswitch - I did it all myself. I have enjoyed high def Directv for years.

Fast forward to July 2008 : multiple calls from Directv. They are switching to Mpeg4, I need to upgrade.

I schedule an installer who comes out, doesn't even COME inside the house, and says basically the SAME THINGS as they did 7 years ago: "You'll never get Mpeg4 in center city, you'll never get a dish up there, etc". I explain I already have Directv, I already have a dish, etc. No joy - he doesn't even apologize - just says he needs to "talk to someone", leaves and never comes back. No calls, no follow ups.



Disgruntled, I call Directv, and the apathetic CSR bascially tells me "tough ****" and now I am furious - I call Comcast, make an appt for their crappy high def boxes. I go up, manually disassemble my dish, cables, multiswitches, and just called Directv to cancel service.

Now they tell me "of course I can get Mp4", but want to charge me for each Mpeg 4 DVR receiver. I *own* two HR10-250's, why would I pay for two leased units? Comcast will bring out two leased units and install the high def for FREE. She offers me some lame freebies, but I don't care about any of that : I shouldn't have to buy equipment that's leased when I am being forced to upgrade from owned equipment.

As far as asking them "how do I get an Mpeg4 dish and equipment if the installers won't install it?" The CSR tries to assure me that every installer can upgrade to the new system. "Not if they won't even come inside the house."

I am at my wits end with DirecTV, and am unsure what to do next. I called Comcast and put a hold on their installation - so now I have only OTA high def atm until I figure out what to do.

What should I do guys? Give it all up and take up reading? Go with crappy Comcast and wait for FIOS (years away).

I really appreciate some feedback, I am at a loss. Cheers.

 

[Ken984]

Sounds like your best option is to do another self install. The CSR can say all day that the installer will do it, but when the installer sees it they will all probably say no way.

They should give you 2 new HD DVR boxes to replace the 2 tivos though, that is standard practice these days, as long as they are active and you haven't already gotten any upgrade deals for them.

 

[tcusta00]

You have a few options as I see it:

1. Self install the Slimline
2. Call the installation company and explain the situation.
3. Call and tell them you are going to cancel unless you can get all the HD that they have to offer. If that doesn't work, send an email to [email protected] and explain the situation.

As far as upgrading the legacy boxes is concerned, you ought to be able to get them upgraded for free.

Just be calm and polite, but firm, when you speak with anyone and you should be able to get this situation taken care of.

 

[seanmcgpa]

Thanks for the reply.

Since I disassembled everything in anger, I'll need to reinstall everything from scratch. I am reading online that the new Mpeg4 satellites are much more difficult to tweak - and I do not have a meter. Has anyone done this successfully? Comments on advice on self installs welcome - unsure if I can do this myself.

 

[tcusta00]

Thanks for the reply.

Since I disassembled everything in anger, I'll need to reinstall everything from scratch. I am reading online that the new Mpeg4 satellites are much more difficult to tweak - and I do not have a meter. Has anyone done this successfully? Comments on advice on self installs welcome - unsure if I can do this myself.

Check this thread out, just started a few days ago, about this very subject:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=134830

 

[Doug Brott]

All I can suggest is keep giving them your story .. As far the "the High Def Dish" are you referring to the old Phase-3 Dish? That was required in the past for getting HD on your HR10s. There is an even newer dish as the old phase-3 will no longer get all of the HD .. In fact, probably by the end of the year, there will be zero generally available HD on those birds (except maybe the Big-4 in LA & NY).

You will certainly need to get a dish capable of receiving both Ka and Ku bands .. The AT9 or AU9 are such beasts, and there are others. They retail for around $100, and if you get that installed prior to an installer coming out, then you may be set.

 

[seanmcgpa]

Thanks for the advice. I did email Elen, we'll see what happens. Again, I don't really want to leave DirecTV but am at a loss on what to do next. I could try and install it myself, I am reading it's a lot more difficult to get an accurate beam - and I live in downtown Philadelphia, buildings everywhere. Is the signal from the satellite on the horizon much further east/west?

You have a few options as I see it:

1. Self install the Slimline
2. Call the installation company and explain the situation.
3. Call and tell them you are going to cancel unless you can get all the HD that they have to offer. If that doesn't work, send an email to [email protected] and explain the situation.

As far as upgrading the legacy boxes is concerned, you ought to be able to get them upgraded for free.

Just be calm and polite, but firm, when you speak with anyone and you should be able to get this situation taken care of.

 

[MIAMI1683]

If it were me. I would call and try one more time. The recievers should be free and owned per the swap offer. The dish also. Maybe you can buy your own dish and get reimbursed. If so I would by the SWMLine. Single wire into your home. If no joy. Switch to cable. Don't sign a contract though. I would be if you did "switch" D* would be calling with great offers to "win you back". I would bet that install gets done.

 

[seanmcgpa]

I have been looking around for the SWMLine dish but can't find it (I have googled). Is it for sale or is it just for Directv installers only?

Thanks again for all your advice, guys.

 

[harsh]

I don't think the SWMLine is generally available yet. You need to carefully consider if it will meet your needs.

SWMLine "disadvantages":

1. No legacy support
2. No OTA input (can be worked around)
3. No flex input (international channels)
4. Only five tuners supported (this is a snag for those used to large series link lists)

Remember also that your OTA days are over with the HR21 alone, so you'll likely have to campaign for AM21s after you find out what they sent you.

Perhaps as DIRECTV buys up their major installation companies, this kind of run-around will abate.

 

[seanmcgpa]

Well, I don't need legacy support, or flex input. And I'd be willing to drop OTA for over satellite HD locals since I live in downtown Philly, surrounded by Skyscrapers and get a LOT of dropouts.

You say five tuners supported - so that's 3 (dual tuner) DVRS and space for 2 more?

By the way - adorable puppy!

I don't think the SWMLine is generally available yet. You need to carefully consider if it will meet your needs.

SWMLine "disadvantages":

1. No legacy support
2. No OTA input (can be worked around)
3. No flex input (international channels)
4. Only five tuners supported (this is a snag for those used to large series link lists)

Remember also that your OTA days are over with the HR21 alone, so you'll likely have to campaign for AM21s after you find out what they sent you.

Perhaps as DIRECTV buys up their major installation companies, this kind of run-around will abate.

 

[Doug Brott]

Remember also that your OTA days are over with the HR21 alone, so you'll likely have to campaign for AM21s after you find out what they sent you.

Yes, but most folks with HR10s just ask and get a "No Problem."

 

[harsh]

You say five tuners supported - so that's 3 (dual tuner) DVRS and space for 2 more?

No, that's five tuners as in two dual tuner DVRs and up to one single tuner receiver. Dual tuners count as two tuners.

Legacy support for one of your DirecTiVo units may be something you have a wish for at some point. An SWM also makes wiring the two receivers easier as it has two outputs and you wouldn't have to centralize your cabling. I think it a whole lot cleaner and easier if you don't have to install an outdoor diplexer and splitter. It may even be cheaper. Either way, you must use a power inserter (PI)

 

[RobertE]

No, that's five tuners as in two dual tuner DVRs and up to one single tuner receiver. Dual tuners count as two tuners.

Legacy support for one of your DirecTiVo units may be something you have a wish for at some point. An SWM also makes wiring the two receivers easier as it has two outputs and you wouldn't have to centralize your cabling. I think it a whole lot cleaner and easier if you don't have to install an outdoor diplexer and splitter. It may even be cheaper. Either way, you must use a power inserter (PI)

Sorry your wrong. It's 8 tuners total.

So you could have
8 non dvrs
7 non dvrs
6 non dvrs 1 dvr
5 non dvrs 1 dvr
4 non dvrs 2 dvrs
3 non dvrs 2 dvrs
2 non dvrs 3 drvs
1 non dvr 3 dvrs
0 non dvrs 4 dvrs

The SWM LNB has no support for OTA, the international dish or the 72.5 sat for SD locals.

The external SWM 8 has an OTA input (poor quality though), has three legacy outputs for supporting older equipment and also supports the international and the 72.5 sat inputs.

 

[harsh]

Yes, but most folks with HR10s just ask and get a "No Problem."

Just a heads up that they won't send you an AM21 until after you've received an HR21 (on the off chance that they send you an HR20 in the first place). Remember that the CSR doesn't know (and cannot promise) what you're going to get.

Until DBS has 100% coverage of local channels in all weather conditions, OTA isn't a write-off.

 

[harsh]

Sorry your wrong. It's 8 tuners total.

The SWMLine review that I read said that it was a 5 channel device. The single output port pretty much confirms it.

 

[tcusta00]

The SWMLine review that I read said that it was a 5 channel device. The single output port pretty much confirms it.

OP - If it were me, I'd believe the DirecTV installer (RobertE) over the Dish customer.

 

[Doug Brott]

Just a heads up that they won't send you an AM21 until after you've received an HR21 (on the off chance that they send you an HR20 in the first place). Remember that the CSR doesn't know (and cannot promise) what you're going to get.

Until DBS has 100% coverage of local channels in all weather conditions, OTA isn't a write-off.

And I was just trying to point out that it was unlikely to be a "Campaign" .. more likely an ask and ye shall receive. But it is true that the installer would not bring an AM21 in either case.

 

[evan_s]

The SWMLine review that I read said that it was a 5 channel device. The single output port pretty much confirms it.

Being a single output device has nothing to do with it. A swm8 can have all 8 devices run off a single port with out a probelm. A SWMline lnb supports 8 tuners. Heck DirecTV won't install one in the areas it is installing them at unless you have at least 5 tuners.

 

[seanmcgpa]

Well I just got a call from Cory from Directv. Another subcontractor to come out on Tuesday. No promises, he hinted I should "work something out" with the installer. The two DVRs would be free, though.

And when I asked about me installing my own dish - he told me no, Directv won't supply any hardware whatsoever. Too many liability issues, they've had "nightmare" experiences from customers and don't allow it.

I've already had an installer come out... I'll wait till Tuesday but my hopes aren't high. Should I ask him point blank if he'll leave the boxes and the dish and just let me do the install?

If Directv won't supply the new dish, then I guess I can either cancel Directv or purchase the new dish myself? Will they reimburse me for the purchase cost?

I have also had a passing thought on just cancelling 100% and then having a "new install" done.

Thanks for the ear, guys ... the saga continues ...