Questions about moving to D*

[db2]

Sorry for yet another E* customer looking to switch to D* thread...

1. Can I "lock out" channels with D*'s receiver like I can with E*? I would like to look at the guide and only see the channels that I want to see. Do I need to set up a favorites list or can I lock out?

2. Do I need to run two coax lines to each receiver in order to get OTA and the satellite signal? Right now with E* the signals are diplexed into one run to each tv.

3. How does EHD functionality work with D*?

4. If I schedule a D* install, will they take down my E* dish if I want them to?



Thanks in advance

 

[rad]

Sorry for yet another E* customer looking to switch to D* thread...

1. Can I "lock out" channels with D*'s receiver like I can with E*? I would like to look at the guide and only see the channels that I want to see. Do I need to set up a favorites list or can I lock out?

2. Do I need to run two coax lines to each receiver in order to get OTA and the satellite signal? Right now with E* the signals are diplexed into one run to each tv.

3. How does EHD functionality work with D*?

4. If I schedule a D* install, will they take down my E* dish if I want them to?



Thanks in advance

#1 - Either create a favorites list or with parental locks feature you can lock out channels you don't want.

#2 - That's a it depends. It depends on if the installer puts in a SWMLNB or not, even then diplexing OTA isn't supported by DirecTV on the SWMLNB. They do have the SWM8 module (which you'd have to buy) that has an input for an OTA connection and then you add a diplexor at the receiver to pull off the OTA signal. Also, unless you use the SWM you need two coax lines just for the satellite feed to DVR's.

#3 - It's a total replacement for the internal drive, not an addition. There is no software feature to allow for migration of programs to/from the drive and you can't move it to another receiver and watch recorded content.

#4 - That depends on the installer if they will or won't.

 

[robx46]

Sorry for yet another E* customer looking to switch to D* thread...

1. Can I "lock out" channels with D*'s receiver like I can with E*? I would like to look at the guide and only see the channels that I want to see. Do I need to set up a favorites list or can I lock out?

2. Do I need to run two coax lines to each receiver in order to get OTA and the satellite signal? Right now with E* the signals are diplexed into one run to each tv.

3. How does EHD functionality work with D*?

4. If I schedule a D* install, will they take down my E* dish if I want them to?



Thanks in advance

Yeah you can definitely lockout channels, and when you hit the guide button twice it brings up another way to sort channels (like sports, educational, ect.). Then you can also make a couple different customized favorites lists, along with the quickview thing where you can store your 9 most watched channels and access them just by hitting up on the remote.

I make one favorites list all of our HD channels (minus all the PPV junk and RSN's that we don't get, which that stuff really makes the default guide overwhelming. It's almost a must that you do that.

Then I make another favorites list that does actually include my favorites (both SD and HD channels).
Then my top 9 are on the quickview.
So if you spend a good half hour or so setting up a couple custom fav lists and the quickview, it is well worth it.

As for the E* dish, I can tell you that our installer had no problem taking our 2 E* dish's down. In fact he kinda needed to cuz they were in the spot on the roof where the D* dish needed to go, thus he just used E*'s cable run into the house to install (which made life so much easier for everyone).
We also only had a 3 TV install, but we did get the SWM LNB without even asking. He said it is standard now for him, and that he's been doing the SWM installs for 6 months now, for anybody that can benefit from it at least.

He also said that even if our E* dish's weren't in the way of where the D* dish needed to go, he still would have taken them down.
So we had a great, quick, and easy install (installer), plus our HD DVR's were HR23's! And for our standard reciever he just gave us an HD reciever instead!

 

[db2]

So how can I make sure that whoever comes out to install D* puts in a SWM8 and takes down the E* dish? Is there a certain dealer or place that I should order D* to make sure this happens?? Should I call D* directly?

 

[scarebear]

as of like 2 months ago officially D* requires any installer to remove any non functioning ODU (for FREE) unless the customer objects, if they refuse to do it call D* (they shouldnt refuse)

 

[db2]

Ok so if I do want to have OTA with the sat boxes do I need to buy AM21 modules on my own and also a SWM8? If so, should i purchase this stuff in advance and have it ready for the install??

 

[Sooner02]

Do the HRx receivers have a way to change the aspect ratio (wide, full, gray bars) like the Vip722?

 

[rad]

Do the HRx receivers have a way to change the aspect ratio (wide, full, gray bars) like the Vip722?

Yes, but it only works on SD channels, not HD channels.