So here's my situation, and I'd like some opinions on what you guys feel is the best way to move forward. Currently my grandfather has a 3-LNB dish with built in multi-switch and one single tuner non-DVR directv receiver. I'm going to be moving in with him and will definitely be upgrading the system. I currently have one HDTV and two SDTVs. I plan on adding at least one HDTV very soon. I want to get a DVR on each HDTV, and a regular tuner on the two SDTVs (non-DVR).
Here's the rub. Currently, the cable from the dish isn't buried. It was an install that got interrupted by us (not the installer's fault) and we've just left it unburied because it's relatively close to the house. It runs into a Primestar box that has been there forever with a grounding block which then goes to the living room. The rooms I want to install the new boxes in cannot be drilled through the floor, and the best option is going through the window with a flat coax cable (that's fine because the windows are very near the grounding block).
What I want to do, and you guys let me know what you think:
slimline dish with SWM lnb/switch built in. One coax to the grounding block, which I would replace with a 4-output SWM splitter. Run one line into each room, three of which would use flat coax through a window, and the other one is already run. Put the power inserter on the one that wouldn't use flat coax.
Questions:
What are the current deals for current customers that aren't under contract to get upgraded? Would it be better to upgrade a current account or sign up for new service and get everything we want that way?
Can we specify which dish to get? Can we at least specify that we want the swm setup, even if it isn't the one with the built in switch? Or, can we buy the SWM dish separately (I'm willing to pay for it) from weaknees and have the installer install that one instead of a non swm setup that directv might mandate? If I am able to do that, I would probably run & bury all the cables myself. I'm comfortable with all of the setup except setting up the dish itself. I do not have any meters, etc. and would rather have it peaked by an actual installer.
Other suggestions would be welcomed as well
Here's the rub. Currently, the cable from the dish isn't buried. It was an install that got interrupted by us (not the installer's fault) and we've just left it unburied because it's relatively close to the house. It runs into a Primestar box that has been there forever with a grounding block which then goes to the living room. The rooms I want to install the new boxes in cannot be drilled through the floor, and the best option is going through the window with a flat coax cable (that's fine because the windows are very near the grounding block).
What I want to do, and you guys let me know what you think:
slimline dish with SWM lnb/switch built in. One coax to the grounding block, which I would replace with a 4-output SWM splitter. Run one line into each room, three of which would use flat coax through a window, and the other one is already run. Put the power inserter on the one that wouldn't use flat coax.
Questions:
What are the current deals for current customers that aren't under contract to get upgraded? Would it be better to upgrade a current account or sign up for new service and get everything we want that way?
Can we specify which dish to get? Can we at least specify that we want the swm setup, even if it isn't the one with the built in switch? Or, can we buy the SWM dish separately (I'm willing to pay for it) from weaknees and have the installer install that one instead of a non swm setup that directv might mandate? If I am able to do that, I would probably run & bury all the cables myself. I'm comfortable with all of the setup except setting up the dish itself. I do not have any meters, etc. and would rather have it peaked by an actual installer.
Other suggestions would be welcomed as well
