Newbie Questions

829 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Dbadone, Dec 2, 2006

Blowfish06

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2006

I have been a DirecTv subscriber for 2 years and recently decided to buy a HDTV and upgrade my service to HD. I called customer service and asked if I would be able to receive a HD signal in my area (southern Maryland). The CSR told me that if I was receiving a good signal now, I would be able to get HD.

I ordered a H20-700 and was put on the waiting list for several months. I was finally notified that the boxes were in stock, and set up an appointment to have it installed. The guy shows up 3 hours late and tells me he doesn't think it will work because there is a tree in the way and the satellites are below the tree line. He said it may work if he uses a 2 dish set-up, but after a quick call to home base he changes his mind, then leaves.

I call DirecTv and explain what happened. A CSR told me it should have worked. They set up another appointment for a senior technician to come out several days later. The second guy doesn't even get on the roof. He say's the same thing. I call DirecTV and canx the order.

At this point I have no other choice but to make the call to the local cable company and set-up a cable install because it's the only way I'll get HD service. When the cable guy comes, I tell him the story and he said that he installed satellite for 8 years, before switching to cable, and there's no reason it should not work.

How am I supposed to know who's telling the truth? Any suggestions? Did I get a couple of lazy installers? DirecTv still thinks I should be able to get HD service, but wants to send the same sub back out , and unfortunately it's the only sub they use in my area.

After 2 weeks with cable I can say that HD is great, but I hate the cable service and miss DirecTv.

Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

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noneroy

· #2 · Dec 2, 2006

They may both be telling you some forms of the truth.

Some of the HD channels (locals) come off of different birds that you might not be able to see even if you can get the standard def birds. Is the tree line to the left or right of your current line of site to the sky?

Also, they may be putting in the KA/KU dish and may not be able to put it in the same place as your old dish. I know that my installers simply would NOT attach it to the house because it was so big. So they may need a new location.

Larry The Cable Guy may be just telling you things based on old information. He could have very well installed Dishes for 8 years but not ever have dealt with KA/KU before (since it is kinda new).

It sounds like you may just be S.O.L. Esp if they sent someone with expierence back to look at it. I've noticed that DirecTV and installers are not in a habit of telling people they can't have dishes or programming. They wont stay in business that way.

Any chance you could trim the tree or whatever is blocking the line of site?

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wtrax

· #3 · Dec 2, 2006

How much do trees actually effect signal strength? I know someone who lives in basically a pine forest and thier dish doesn't have any unobstructed view in any direction and they get reception. They aren't using an AT9 or AU9 but I was surprised they were able to get anything.

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harsh

· #4 · Dec 2, 2006

Blowfish06 said:
They set up another appointment for a senior technician to come out several days later. The second guy doesn't even get on the roof. He say's the same thing. I call DirecTV and canx the order.

I think you have three options:

1. Thin the trees
2. See what brand E* has to offer
3. Go with cable

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harsh

· #5 · Dec 2, 2006

wtrax said:
How much do trees actually effect signal strength?

Quite a bit. With a large enough antenna, you can cut through more vegetation than with the regular dish that is designed to handle thick clouds.

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wtrax

· #6 · Dec 2, 2006

harsh said:
Quite a bit. With a large enough antenna, you can cut through more vegetation than with the regular dish that is designed to handle thick clouds.

I believe they are using a single LNB dish. I haven't personally watched TV at their house but I have always been curious. Must be they got lucky and are pointing through a thin spotin the trees.

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Blowfish06

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 2, 2006

The tree line is to the right of the current line of sight. According to the first installer, there is a tree on the far right of the reception area that is in question.
Apparently, just part of the tree would be blocking the line of sight. I told him I had no problem trimming that side, but he still said no.

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll let you know what happens.

Paul

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wtrax

· #8 · Dec 2, 2006

Blowfish06 said:
The tree line is to the right of the current line of sight. According to the first installer, there is a tree on the far right of the reception area that is in question.
Apparently, just part of the tree would be blocking the line of sight. I told him I had no problem trimming that side, but he still said no.

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll let you know what happens.

Paul

You could always try a self install. You'd have to pay for the dish and cables and multiswitch if you need one but you would find out if you actually need to trim the tree. I personally haven't quite figured out what angels are actually needed for the different LNB's. I don't think that it as simple as the direction the LNB support tube is in relation to the dish with these multi-satellite dishes.

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Dbadone

· #9 · Dec 2, 2006

You also need to be aware that when they do the site survey, the also take into consideration future tree growth, construction etc. If the tree is already blocking the signal obviously it would only be worse in a few more years. There are lots of things they have to make decions on and obviously your cable installer wasn't around when the ka/ku dish came out and it weighs more so as it has been pointed out earlier they might not be able to install it where it is now. Even though D*'s CSR's are telling you that you will get them they have no clue on where your house is positioned and what kind of line of sight you might or might not have.

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