Questions about Movers Connection

[TiVolunteer]

Hi folks,

I just got off the phone with the Mover's Connection folks and didn't get a lot of information that I couldn't get off the web ("Just take your receivers and we'll do the rest"). I know I should have come here first. I'm sure someone here will know the answers.

We are moving (really moving -- not "moving") and I have some questions about the Mover's Connection deal before I commit to it.

Background

a) I have 5 DirecTivo's (HD-TiVo, 2 series 2, 2 Series 1).
b) Currently using a 5 X 8 multi-switch (not all have dual-tuner connected)
c) Moving from Morgan Hill, CA to Raleigh-Durham, NC
d) Currently getting HD networks via DNS waivers and/or Network O&O's

Questions

a) Will the Mover's connection cover all 5 of the DirecTivo's with dual tuner. If so, do they provide a 5x16 or two 5x8's?
b) Will they be installing the new 5 LNB dish? (Raleigh is slated to go on-line with MPEG4 in June).
c) What is included in the standard installation?
d) I've had problems with installers before, because of homeowners association restrictions I can't have the dish put in the "easiest" spot for the installer but I've found a place that has clear line of sight and meets the homeowners association requirements (down low, back of house but opposite side of house from the location for the multiswitch). Will they install where I require it or is that "non-standard"?
e) Do they fish cable in the "standard install"? One of my locations is 2nd story in the middle of the house.

The new house was already wired for cable and the cable company is beginning to look more attractive with the coming of the Series 3. I'm not sure I want to shell out a bunch of money to get the house rewired if I'm only going to jump ship in a few months. Hence all the questions above.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[wicked_installer]

All 5 receivers should be covered in your move. I dont know for sure but since you have HD equipment you should get the Ka/Ku dish. The multi switch used will be for what your need, thus if you had extra wires run before and want them again better woprk out a deal with the installer. They should put the dish where its allowed, if there are no restrictions its totally the installers choice. I have done them in communities with restrictions and havent hassled the cstomer. Now on the other hand if you dont have restrictions and I can get a LOS from ground level, thats where Im trying from. Wall fishing is not standard. You might get lucky and get a tech who doesnt know or really needs the work and will fish for free. Usually it runs around $75 an hour to have fishing done, unless you work something out between you and the tech. Standard installation of cable is giving you the # of lines you need to that room, thus we arent going to run 2 or 3 lines to a room. Routing of the cable is done by going thru an outside wall or into an unfinished basement via the floor. When you start needing multiple holes for one cable run thats where its the installers option to charge. Sometimes we do get a job that should be custom labor but we need the work and the customer doesnt want the additional charge.

[TiVolunteer]

Thanks Wicked -- exactly what I was looking for.

[Marc]

This is all based on my experience with the Mover's Connection from about two years ago.

a) Will the Mover's connection cover all 5 of the DirecTivo's with dual tuner. If so, do they provide a 5x16 or two 5x8's?
I had 4 DirecTiVo and a standalone box (which I had just connected before moving solely to get the extra multiswitch) and the installation included two 4x8 multiswitches.
b) Will they be installing the new 5 LNB dish? (Raleigh is slated to go on-line with MPEG4 in June).
First, I suspect that you'd have to have equipment to support that dish. Since the DirecTiVos don't, it's kind of a moot point. Also, from the tech who stopped by my house, he said that DirecTV won't let the third-party installers put in the Ka/Ku dishes yet, so that would probably restrict its availability from the Mover's Connection. That said, if you were to purchase a receiver capable of supporting that dish, DirecTV would probably include a new dish and installation.
c) What is included in the standard installation?
The DirecTV web site used to include details about what's included. I think it's 100' of cable per line, with two lines for DirecTiVo receivers. There are restrictions to how much effort they'll use in mounting the dish or running the lines. I think they will go up to the second story roof, but not higher.
Will they install where I require it or is that "non-standard"?
This mostly depends on the installer and how much effort they are willing to put into your installation. I had a great installer who did a lot of effort trying to do a clean installation and was able to mount the dish where I wanted on my roof.
e) Do they fish cable in the "standard install"? One of my locations is 2nd story in the middle of the house.
Fishing cable is definitely not part of the standard installation.

[Stanley Rohner]

They usually won't fish cables in the walls for free. If the rooms you want each of the units in have an outside wall the installer will just punch a hole right thru the outside wall anyplace they feel like it to run the cable into that particular room.

Be sure to keep an eye on what they are doing.