Is an order with 5 tuners a "lock" for getting a SWMLNB install?

[dishbd]

I am starting to see more and more on here that you won't get a SWM LNB unless you have at least 5 tuners on your order. So if I placed an order with D* for a HD-DVR, a DVR, and a standard receiver, am I certain to receive a SWM install?

I ask because having to have 2 cables to the TV would be a deal breaker for us. The way our home is configured and with how it is wired, no sane installer would want to run that second cable, without some major headaches. And my wife would not allow cabling to come in through the window and run along the wall.

I had originally just planned to order 3 tuners, but if 5 tuners will get the SWM, I am willing to add a TV or two to the mix.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dishrich]

There's really NO guarantee which you'll get - a lot of it depends on what the techs have in stock. I've seen a couple of 2 DVR installs (4 tuners) where the tech DID use an SWiM, but 5+ installs where they did NOT, particularly if all it was was an HD upgrade of existing equipment using all existing coax. (replace old switch w/WB68 & all coax in place)

 

[dishbd]

Thanks for the reply. We would be a new customer. We have RG6 all throughout the home, but only one drop to each room. Clearly the house was wired while still under construction, because it would be a royal pain to add cable now. We had Dish up until recently, but am ready to switch to Direct, assuming they can install it. I guess I'll have to try to find out from the local installer, because I'd hate for the guy to come out only for me to tell him "no thanks, I need to cancel my order".

 

[dishrich]

Why were you originally only ordering ONE DVR anyway??? (I assume this, since you say you really only wanted 3 tuners) You DO know there is NO additional monthly charges to have more than 1 DVR on an account over a non-DVR box - & you WILL most certainly regret it AFTER it's all installed.

Just order 2 DVR's & most likely, the tech WILL install an SWiM, just so he doesn't have to pull a 2nd coax to each location.

 

[dishbd]

Wasn't planning on the second DVR, because we will likely upgrade the second TV to HD in the next couple of years and I was just counting on the multi-room dvr functionality coming online soon, so I was thinking of going with an HD receiver for the second room. But we will just go with the DVR for the second room (more DVR storage ) and then perhaps upgrade it to a HD-DVR down the road. Thanks again.

 

[jcrandall]

My advice, get the HD DVRs you will want for the "future tv upgardes" now. It is much easier to get equipment when you are a new signup (and a better price on that equipment if you call instead of do it online) than anytime after. You'll have a bit more pull when your two year contract is up, but it is still easier to do it up front.

SWM is a crapshoot, but the traditional hardware will work too, and the installer will do the work, that's why they're there.

 

[JosephB]

SWMs aren't based on how many tuners you get (the only consideration there is that you won't get a SWM if you have more than 8 tuners). It depends on where you live, there is a problem with SWM LNBs and cold weather. Not sure if they've lifted the install restriction. If the installer has one on the truck you can probably talk him into it if your house is pre-wired. It'll mean less work for him.

 

[msajeff]

I was told by the installer here in IL that they've fixed the SWM issue and are back to installing them.

 

[harshness]

Consider buying an SWM-8. If they don't bring an SWM dish, you'll have a fallback. It has legacy outputs in the event that they bring a non-SWM SD receiver.

 

[dishbd]

Consider buying an SWM-8. If they don't bring an SWM dish, you'll have a fallback. It has legacy outputs in the event that they bring a non-SWM SD receiver.

That sounds like a good backup. Is it something that I could install myself, or would I need to call an installer back out? Can the SWM-8 be outside or does it need to be inside? All of the cables come out on the side of the house and connect to the satellite cabling there.

I'm pretty sure the installer is not going to be looking to fish another cable, given our wiring setup. So my guess would be either he brings a SWM-LNB to the install and we're all good, or he just hooks up one tuner, and I look into the SWM-8 option.

Thanks.

 

[jcrandall]

The SWM 8 you could install yourself, as long as the directv installer did everything else with the traditional switch. You would replace the switch with the swm8 and the splitter. The directions tell how to hookup the power supply as well. This would let you only have one line to the room you said would be difficult.

One issue will be getting the installer to agree with doing the install of the DVR there temporarily with only one wire.

 

[JosephB]

you could buy a SWM LNB and have it there and just have him install it when he shows up. If he does a SWM install off the truck, just send the LNB you bought back (in other words, don't tell him you bought the SWM until you find out if he's going to give you one)