[vict]

Hi,

I've had unsupported WHDVR running on my home network for a little while now, with pretty good success, though not perfect (some stuttering, dropped connections, etc). I had an HR20 and an HR22 connected with a traditional (non SWM) setup, and recently decided to add another reciever, which obviously meant upgrading to SWM. Since I was doing that, I decided I would upgrade to DECA as well. I was able to get a SWM setup with a 1x8 splitter, and a BB DECA setup with 2 adapters (all green label) for right around $100. It took me about an hour to replace my old multiswitch with the new SWM and connect all the DECA modules and power it up. So far it's working flawlessly, using WHDVR without a single stutter, and able to access VOD and TV Apps fine. Oviously, I'm still "unsupported" by D*.

I just thought I'd post a successful installation story. No issues at all, thanks to researching this forum on how to do it correctly. Again, the wealth of information on here is incredible. D* should require their techs and CSRs to subsribe to this forum.

Now, I need to get a new reciever, and after looking around, I decided to call D* to see what they would offer. At first they said $199, and I laughed and asked if that was really true for a 12 year customer without a current commitment. She then put me on hold and came back and said they would kick me down a new HD DVR for the cost of an installation ($50), which she could not waive. I figured, I could use the guy to run a cable for me to the new room, and possibly fine tune any dish alignments, but in reality, I don't need this visit.

Here's where my question comes from: I'm a little suspicious that D* gave me this deal because I'm currently unsupported, and they think I don't have a SWM, and they'll be able to upsell me the $199 installation. That's not going to happen, but I'm curious if they'll want to mess with my current system? Also, what are the chances that they'll move me to "supported" in the system, once they've had a technician see that I'm on a SWM/DECA setup, and that it's working correctly?

Thanks,
Vic

 

[vict]

Installer came by the house with a new HR24, and his first question was if I had a SWM. I told him I did, and that I also had DECA installed. He asked to see the SWM and the splitter, which I showed him, and explained that all I really needed was a cable to extend another 20 feet to the new room, and to have it run into the wall into the bedroom.

Long story short, he did a fantastic job. The cable was almost entirely hidden, and looked very professional. Then when he installed the DVR, he noticed my dish was a little out of alignment, and went and fixed it (although I haven't noticed any picture quality or reception issues). He then made sure everything was working before he left (VOD, WHDVR, etc). Finally, I told him my HR20's remote was on the fritz lately, and asked if he had one I could buy. I had been using RF with my HR20, and he brought me an IR remote. It didn't work at first, and I remembered I was using RF, which I told him. So he went and got an RF remote, set it up, and gave them both to me for no charge.

A lot of critiques about D* CSRs and Technicians on these boards, just thought I'd share another perspective.

However, I forgot to ask him if I now had a "supported" system now that I'd had a technician see that I'm setup correctly. Doh!

How have others gone from "unsupported" to "supported"?