Just had DirecTV installed....

[x3ro]

......And I must say I was impressed with the installer.

After lurking around the D* forum, and reading the numerous complaints about crappy installs and stuff, I was scared that I'd have a similar experience.

My alotted 4 hour block was 8am-12pm. The guy showed up at 9am, and apologized about being late He said they had some meeting they had to go to, or he would have been there earlier. I told him no problems, and he came inside. I showed him where all the boxes were to go (the night before I had gotten everything ready and made sure they had easy access to everything). He then went outside, and got right to work mounting the new dish..

When he got here, I had asked him if they were going to run two wires per box, or use the SWM. He said for my install they were going to use the SWM. They went ahead and used the SWM LNB for my install. While this guy was working on mounting the dish, another D* installer came and started working on installing the boxes on the inside. On my main tv in the living room, he saw I had all the wires ready for him to plug in, thanked me, and offered to leave the HDMI cable for me (I had component cables hanging out for him to hook up).

All in all, it only took the pair of them an hour and a half total to do the entire job, and get on their way.

I was very impressed. They were courteous, prompt, didn't screw around at all (they were younger guys too, in their late 20's), and overall did an excellent job.

The company that came out was MasTech, if that matters.

 

[Ira Lacher]

I'm happy that yours went well. Because D* operates with independent contractors, they're all over the board. I did have trouble getting someone out for my install; we later found out that they had run the cables over the gutter, causing it to sag. Call went out to them, they came out and took care of it. But it's a crapshoot. Undoubtedly, the installers are D*'s weakest link.

 

[atp1313]

MasTEC is the primary HSP in my area, and I have never had any "real" complaints. Last guy who installed the slimline was the best of them all and he did an excellent job...even cleaned up previous installers' wiring jumbles. When he left, it all looked better than it did before.

But yes, it is a roll of the dice. I wish everyone could have the experience I had with my last install/tech visit.

 

[markfp-1]

Glad it worked out for you. I've never had a problem with installation either. The thing with forums like this one is that the vast majority of people who have good experiences never bother to write in while those who've have had problems do which gives the impression that everybody seems to have issues.

 

[x3ro]

Glad it worked out for you. I've never had a problem with installation either. The thing with forums like this one is that the vast majority of people who have good experiences never bother to write in while those who've have had problems do which gives the impression that everybody seems to have issues.

That's the problem.

If more people would post about their positive experiences, less people would be afraid of switching.

 

[Rey]

is the swm lnb available for all areas already?

 

[NutFlush920]

is the swm lnb available for all areas already?

The SWM is not available in all area's yet. It is looking like 2009 before it will be widely used in all install's. Til then, there's always other sources to get the the SWM equipment for a price.

 

[Rey]

The SWM is not available in all area's yet. It is looking like 2009 before it will be widely used in all install's. Til then, there's always other sources to get the the SWM equipment for a price.

thank you:up

 

[x3ro]

is the swm lnb available for all areas already?

I was lucky that my area market is one that they're testing out the SWM stuff in

 

[Rey]

I was lucky that my area market is one that they're testing out the SWM stuff in

yeah it looks like if i want a one wire install i'll have to buy the lnb myself. on saturday when they finish i will get one online immediately. want to wait till they get here just in case i'm wrong and they do have it but it looks bad.

 

[rad]

yeah it looks like if i want a one wire install i'll have to buy the lnb myself. on saturday when they finish i will get one online immediately. want to wait till they get here just in case i'm wrong and they do have it but it looks bad.

Or you could use the sponsor deal http://www.satelliteguys.us/frontpage-news/139337-satelliteguys-welcomes-weaknees-com.html and get a SWM8 for $219. An advantage is that the SWM8 would allow you to expand past 8 tuners at some future date (if needed). It also has a built in diplexer for connecting an OTA to it.

 

[Rey]

Or you could use the sponsor deal http://www.satelliteguys.us/frontpage-news/139337-satelliteguys-welcomes-weaknees-com.html and get a SWM8 for $219. An advantage is that the SWM8 would allow you to expand past 8 tuners at some future date (if needed). It also has a built in diplexer for connecting an OTA to it.

excellent!