[emayracing]

It's been a while since I've posted here - glad to see it's still alive!

I have the D* installers coming over on Monday and I want to make sure they do everything they need to do.

I ordered my equipment directly from D* and the CSR seemed sort of clueless, so I'm worried the work-order isn't going to be written up right.

Here is what I currently HAVE :

- Dual LNB Oval Dish (both LNBs installed and enabled)
- 1 old fashioned non-Tivo/non-DVR Receiver
- 1 Sony T-60 DirecTivo (dual tuners enabled and active)

Here is what I am ADDING :

- 2 new DVRs (dual tuners)

So, before I had 3 physical cables (2 to the DirecTivo and 1 to the old-fashioned receiver).

Now, i will have 7 physical cables (3 existing, 2 for the 1 DVR, and 2 for the other DVR).

To me, it sounds like I am going to need a Multiswitch - but the CSR said "well, if you do it's covered in the installation price". Which seems odd to me - considering the price of those things.

So, before the installer gets there - can someone tell me what equipment they think I might need that I don't already have?

Thanks

 

[HogarthNH]

To me, it sounds like I am going to need a Multiswitch - but the CSR said "well, if you do it's covered in the installation price". Which seems odd to me - considering the price of those things.

The CSR is accurate.
If you order any receivers requiring a multiswitch, they're supposed to include one.
That having been said, some installers don't, or try to skimp. (For example, two 3x4 multiswitches instead of a 5x8 or 6x8.) I expect they'll bring a 5x8. I'm surprised they're not upgrading your dish, too.

It's not your responsibility to have materials for the installers.

With that in mind, sign NOTHING unless/until you're happy and do NOT let them leave without your happiness OR a call to DirecTV customer service that makes you content.

If they have ANY trouble at all, DO NOT LET THEM MAKE YOU SPEAK TO DIRECTV unless it's time to set up payment or activation.
Many times, installers will have the customer call. If an installer calls for help and asks a dumb question, it will go on their record.

H

 

[emayracing]

When you mentioned the dish upgrade? What upgrade are you suggesting? Isn't the Oval dish the upgrade from the round one?

I understand that it's not my responsibility to provide the equipment, but I don't want the installer showing up and either

1) not having the equipment
2) trying to charge me for something that is covered
3) trying to give me something I don't need

I'm not here to rip on installers, but my friend just had a similar service call (his was for HD though) and he had to explain to the installer how to install things.

Then the installer said he didn't bring the right equipment and had to reschedule.

I'm trying to avoid that scenario.

(oh, and thanks for the quick response!)

 

[HogarthNH]

When you mentioned the dish upgrade? What upgrade are you suggesting? Isn't the Oval dish the upgrade from the round one?

The Oval dish is the Phase III dish.
(http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=2&CAT=&PROD=OD1820-BX)
The new dish is that AT9, which is set up to talk to the new Spaceway satellites. (The MPEG-4 ones that only the H20 can't see.)
(http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=02&CAT=&PROD=AT59)

The AT9 is basically "Oval + 2". It is, however, the newest dish, and if you ever plan on getting HD, I would think it to be the best option.

Each one has a built-in 4x4 multiswitch and to be used with another multiswitch, all four lines must be run from dish to 2nd switch.

Then the installer said he didn't bring the right equipment and had to reschedule.
I'm trying to avoid that scenario.

Hard to avoid. Good installers will bring the right stuff -- providing the work order is correct. (Which it is, an overwhelming majority of the time.)
You could call D* and ask them to verify the work order, but I wouldn't get additional hardware in lieu of what he's supposed to supply.

H

 

[emayracing]

Cool. Thanks for the info on the dishes. At the moment I don't plan on going to HD, but if I do I'll know to expect a new dish.

I had the D* CSR put down my current configuration on the work order, plus mentioning the need for wall fishing - so I think the installer should bring the right stuff.

 

[ironchef]

The installer won't do much wall fishing, they pretty much just stick to the outside walls and drill through. They also only include a limited cable footage for the install that D* will cover, beyond that they want more money.

Slip him a few bills to run the dual coax to all you locations, sooner or later you will get the DVR for the last location.

 

[scalo]

The installers will not do any wall fishing, that is considered a custom install and the price for that is worked out between you and the installer. They are required to provide 125' of cable and they will drill through the outside wall into the room you want or they will run the cable into the attic and you can fish the cable down the inside walls which is pretty easy to do, you will also have to install a rework box and dual jack outlet cover which the installer will not do.

 

[emayracing]

I don't mind having to pay for the wall-fish, I just want to make sure it gets done. A friend of mine just had the installer flat out refuse to do the wall-fish (even for money) because it wasn't on the work order.

I just called D* and double checked my work order and it mentions 2 wall-fishes in the the notes - so I should be okay, even if I have to pay for it.

Ironchef - I was thinking the same thing, asking him to run a dual cable to the remaining location while he's there, even if it costs me a few extra bucks.