Looking to subscribe to D*

[Nucleartiger]

I am a cable customer and I am looking to switch to Directv. I just had a few questions about things.

1. I don't currently have a home phone line I just use my cell phones. Is that a problem?

2. I plan on getting 2 HD DVRs and 2 regular boxes, which boxes should I ask for and which dish model?

3. I will be keeping my cable for high speed internet so I will need a new cable run. Will the installer run that cable for me?

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[harshness]

1. I don't currently have a home phone line I just use my cell phones. Is that a problem?

Only if you're inclined to order PPV using the remote control. Most other functions work fine without a phone line.

2. I plan on getting 2 HD DVRs and 2 regular boxes, which boxes should I ask for and which dish model?

You don't get choices. You get what you get and that depends entirely on what your area installer has in inventory. Chances are pretty good that you'll get two HR21 HD DVRs and two D12 receivers along with a Slimline dish. The various models of each receiver are functionally very similar. Don't be surprised if you get some refurbished gear.

3. I will be keeping my cable for high speed internet so I will need a new cable run. Will the installer run that cable for me?

Yes. If you have a pre-wired house, there may be some fussing, but that's the installer's problem.

 

[ShaqDan]

1. I don't currently have a home phone line I just use my cell phones. Is that a problem?

You don't need a phone line. The only thing you need a phone line for is ordering PPV movies from your box. You can still call and order PPV movies if you want to watch them.

2. I plan on getting 2 HD DVRs and 2 regular boxes, which boxes should I ask for and which dish model?

I could be wrong, but I don't think you ask for boxes, you just get what they send you. I'd assume the dish model will be the Slimline.

3. I will be keeping my cable for high speed internet so I will need a new cable run. Will the installer run that cable for me?

The installer should run cable for you. Be prepared for them to tell you why they will have to charge you a fee to run a line to a particular area, however. Then just tell them to piss off when they do.

 

[ShaqDan]

er.. yea, I said pretty much what the dude above me said.

 

[Nucleartiger]

I thought I had seen somewhere that there was no charge for an installer to run cable to a room if necessary. Just wanted to make sure though. Anything else I need to know or think about before I call to make my installation order?

 

[jcrandall]

In most situations there is no charge for wiring. Unless very long runs or multiple wall fishes.

 

[Tom Imp]

3. I will be keeping my cable for high speed internet so I will need a new cable run. Will the installer run that cable for me?

Sorry to piggyback off of your thread, but I just read this and I have a concern.

I am planning on dropping my cable TV service, but am keeping my Internet through them. I just assumed that the existing cable would still be used and would be active. I don't understand what you mean by running a new cable. What's wrong with our existing ones?

Can someone help clear this up for me so I know what to expect?

 

[Jimbo]

Sorry to piggyback off of your thread, but I just read this and I have a concern.

I am planning on dropping my cable TV service, but am keeping my Internet through them. I just assumed that the existing cable would still be used and would be active. I don't understand what you mean by running a new cable. What's wrong with our existing ones?

Can someone help clear this up for me so I know what to expect?

D8 will use the existing coax when practical, they will run new if nessasary.

Jimbo

 

[Zynergi]

ou don't need a phone line. The only thing you need a phone line for is ordering PPV movies from your box. You can still call and order PPV movies if you want to watch them.

Or to use game lounge or to use the Caller ID functions.

I am planning on dropping my cable TV service, but am keeping my Internet through them. I just assumed that the existing cable would still be used and would be active. I don't understand what you mean by running a new cable. What's wrong with our existing ones?

Generally not a whole lot is wrong with them, unless they are RG59. But, if you plan to keep your cable modem you will need a new line if you plan to have a D* receiver installed in that room, if not the Tech will just locate that line and reconnect it to the 3db output on the splitter and use your existing. Also if you have DVR's (HD or not) they use 2 lines so new runs would have to go to those rooms as well. DirecTV doesn't work with splitters. (SWM8/SWMLine are another story but I wont get into that just yet)

The tech gets paid to run a line for each receiver in his work order unless, like stated it needs to be wall fished. Generally if it needs to be fished over a great distance and drywall needs to be cut open to do the fish, most techs will have you call an electrician or AV company to get the work done to avoid damage.

 

[Tom Imp]

Generally not a whole lot is wrong with them, unless they are RG59. But, if you plan to keep your cable modem you will need a new line if you plan to have a D* receiver installed in that room, if not the Tech will just locate that line and reconnect it to the 3db output on the splitter and use your existing.

Where my computer and cable modem are located is not in a room where I have a TV.

 

[Nucleartiger]

I will be keeping my internet through the cable company so I will have to have 2 lines run into that room for my HD DVR that is going in there and then I will have to have one new line run into my living room for my HD DVR that will be going in there.

That should all be free of charge but I will just have to wait and see.

 

[Zynergi]

It shouldn't be an extra charge if the tech can go through an exterior wall or the floor into a crawl space or basement with unfinished ceiling or a drop ceiling. But if you want it fished down from the attic or through the wall into the crawl space there will be extra charges for that payable to the install company.

 

[Nucleartiger]

It shouldn't be an extra charge if the tech can go through an exterior wall or the floor into a crawl space or basement with unfinished ceiling or a drop ceiling. But if you want it fished down from the attic or through the wall into the crawl space there will be extra charges for that payable to the install company.

Well The 2 lines upstairs that he will have to run should be easy, coming straight off the satellite dish under the eaves and then through the wall right to my DVR.

The cable run for my DVR downstairs is a different situation, my house sits on a slab and there is no attic access that I am aware of so I really don't know how he will be able to run the one cable that I need to go there. Other than using the SWM8 for splitting, he might be able to come in through the outside wall and then through the sheetrock to the DVR.

Thanks for the help Jef, let me know what you think about these scenarios.

 

[harshness]

Many installers are pretty industrious and they can figure something out. There will be much rejoicing when DIRECTV finally starts making the SWM standard equipment.

 

[Matt9876]

Many installers are pretty industrious and they can figure something out. There will be much rejoicing when DIRECTV finally starts making the SWM standard equipment.

Amen !! Turned down many installs over DVRs and no home runs.

 

[Nucleartiger]

Many installers are pretty industrious and they can figure something out. There will be much rejoicing when DIRECTV finally starts making the SWM standard equipment.

The Mastec installer that came out said that he would have to bring the 2nd line in downstairs through the outside wall. As soon as I pointed out the DVR setup upstairs the tech said the exact same thing that I was thinking that it would be very easy to run those two lines.

The only problem we ran into and therefore the reason that I don't have the system installed right now is that the note I left with the CSR that a 40ft ladder would be needed didn't make it onto the work order so the installer didn't have one. So we rescheuled the installation for Monday and then he walked through where everything would be installed and how he would run the lines so that they would not be visible. The installer was awesome and I hope that he is one of the guys that comes back out on Monday.