Pretty smooth install in Nashville

566 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Johnnie5000, Aug 12, 2008

JosieFB

Discussion Starter · Aug 12, 2008

I signed up on Sunday August 3rd, and my install was scheduled for this morning (Aug 12) between 8 and Noon. When I signed up, DirectTV said that the installer would call 24 hours in advance, but I never got that call.

Jeremy, the installer, called about 7:30 am and arrived at my house before 8 am. The whole install took a little over 4 hours. After discussing pole vs. roof mount, I asked him to use a pole mount. He didn't tell me it would cost more, and headed off to Lowe's to get some concrete. However, when he tried to dig in two different places, he hit big rocks about 12 inches down, so I agreed to let him mount it on the roof.

He used the existing cable wiring, and he didn't want to talk about running new wiring because the house is on a slab. That caught me off guard. Everything I had read on this website led me to believe they would run new wiring. It wasn't a big deal except I was considering moving my cable modem and router to the living room, so I could hardwire for VOD. I'll have to have the cable line run in from outside to the living room and a new faceplate installed on my own dime if I want to do that. I'll try using it via the wireless connection or D*'s internet connection kit first.

It took the installer several tries to set-up the HD DVR and HD Receiver because he was using the B-band converter module on the receiver and was supposed to be using them on the DVR.

The picture looks great on both TVs. I had Comcast HD, and I'm not discerning enough to notice any difference in the quality. I'm hoping the pixilation and freezing I had with Comcast will be a thing of the past except in bad weather.

I was supposed to have free Showtime for 6 months, but when I checked the channels, I didn't. When I called Customer Service, they activated Showtime and added HBO, Starz and TMC free for 3 months for my trouble.

I've signed up for Go Green and should get an additional $20 credit in 30 days. I also neglected to add the HD Extra Pack when I placed my order, and I'm going to add it online and get it free for 3 months.

I took the cable DVR back to Comcast this afternoon, so I've officially cut the cord!

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thespaceghost

· #2 · Aug 12, 2008

Techs don't get their routes until the night before. It is impossible for them to call you 24 hours in advance.

Standard installation covers up to 125' feet of cable. If you expect a tech to replace existing cable, be prepared to pay up to $2 a foot for cable beyond the 125' feet.... and that isn't including wall fishing.

Im glad everything looks great for you otherwise

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JosieFB

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 12, 2008

thespaceghost said:
Techs don't get their routes until the night before. It is impossible for them to call you 24 hours in advance.

So why did the person who took my order tell me three times that they would call me 24 hours before the install? It wasn't a big deal. I just expected the call and it never came.

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evan_s

· #4 · Aug 12, 2008

I believe the call is an automated call to verify the appointment not a call from the specific tech.

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jimmyv2000

· #5 · Aug 12, 2008

evan_s said:
I believe the call is an automated call to verify the appointment not a call from the specific tech.

Glad you cut the cord on (BARF) Cable

,
I have gotten an automated call the night before a service call appointment.

Then a second automated call on service call day telling me a tech will be there in less than 30 minutes

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Johnnie5000

· #6 · Aug 12, 2008

thespaceghost said:
Techs don't get their routes until the night before. It is impossible for them to call you 24 hours in advance.

Standard installation covers up to 125' feet of cable. If you expect a tech to replace existing cable, be prepared to pay up to $2 a foot for cable beyond the 125' feet.... and that isn't including wall fishing.

Im glad everything looks great for you otherwise

Exactly. We usually get our work orders here around 8pm. As far as I'm concerned, that's too late to call a random stranger, especially off the clock.

The 24hour-in-advance call comes from an autodialer, which generally doesn't work too well with voicemail or answering machines.

And our general rule for cabling is: If it's RG6 and it works, use it!

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