Directv setup quesions

[saint]

I'm looking into directv when we move into our house. I have a few questions about setup.

Will they send someone out to explain what the setup will entail (wiring, etc)? In other words, if setup is going to have a lot of exposed wires and drilling into my house I'm not sure I'd go with the directv. Is it 'normal' for them to send out someone and then have the customer decide it's not for them?

Also, can they use the existing cable that's wired into the rooms now? The house was built in 2006 and I've read that if it's a newer type of cable they can. Also, for the HD-DVR in the past they needed two lines going in, but supposedly there is a new one where it only needs one. Any idea if it's available?

I've tried to find these answers on that AVS forum dr. strangelove recommends but that is the most detailed forum I've ever visited.

I guess it's different now that I own the house I'm questioning someone drilling holes all over the place. How much is required? For now we will have one tv with the hd-dvr and just one other with a receiver.

 

[THE KOD]

the wiring is just like a alarm system . If you have a basement and or attic they can do it and conceal the wiring.

I would call directv 800 number and ask them.

If you wait until they get there , they will probably charge yu a service call .

I wouldnt worry about a few wires showing in any case. Its worth it to have HD

 

[DoubleDown]

If your house was built in '06, then it should be wired with RG6. That's good news.

You can have them install a 'quad' set-up. That will run 4 RG6 wires into the central location where all of the cables from each room centralize.

From there, you can decide which rooms to tie the satellite into.

Also, if you use diplexors, (very cheap on EBAY), it lets you combine a cable & satellite signal on one RG6 cable, and then separate it on the other end with another diplexor. ( For those of us that like satellite & cable in the same room.

The only thing that could possibly screw this up, is if some moron put a splitter inside of a wall or something. This is not common, but I've seen it happen.

If you have them mount the dish on the side of the house where the main cable goes in, then you will only have the 4 RG6 wires from the dish , into the house.

Is you house a 2 story ? Do you have a basement ? Any trees or obstructions ? The satellites all sit above the Gulf of Mexico, to give you an idea of the clear path that you need.
Almost due SOUTHWEST from Cincy.

On newer house installations like yours, I always used a galvanized fence post about 8 foot high. I would use a post hole digger, and dig down about 3 foot, smash the end of the post with a hammer, ( so it's not round anymore), and pour in an 80 lb bag of quickcrete with a couple gallons of water. As long as the post is PERFECTLY level and plumb, it is the best set-up.

I never liked mounting a dish to the roof or side of a newer house.

I'll keep an eye on this post to see how you do.

PS. Most installers aren't as meticulous as the homeowner, so you're better off to do it yourself, or stand over them like a drill seargant !!

If I were still in Massillon, I would make a 'roadie' and do your install for you !!

In the pic is my TAILGATE SETUP !! I used to run a utility trailer with Dish Network to 4 separate TV's. Then during all day saturday Massillon Tiger tailgates , we could watch 4 different college football games !!

The pic is fronm the '05 State Title game against Cincinnati St Xavier. It was a 36 hour tailgate , with low temps of 7 degrees. Oh how I miss Ohio HS football !!!

~DD

 

[Mags]

Also, if you use diplexors, (very cheap on EBAY), it lets you combine a cable & satellite signal on one RG6 cable, and then separate it on the other end with another diplexor. ( For those of us that like satellite & cable in the same room.
~DD

Most people use the dixplexor to combine the OTA antenna and Satellite - the OTA gives you much better HD (non compressed) than D* with with the locals.

I believe that you can also diplex cable and satellite - although I don't know many that do, due to the high cost of keeping satellite and cable (and few advantages of doing so).

DIPLEXING NO LONGER WORKS with Directv! This is due to D* using a b-band converter at the box itself...

They are supposed to be coming out with a DVR that only requires one RG6 - I don't know though if it came out yet.

 

[marine]

the installers are not directv employees. they are their own business that sub the work from DTV. When he shows up, he'll walk through the place with you and ask where you want things - if you have a preference.

Same boat as you... new house and got HD DVRs put in around here... i've got three of them.
wires everywhere, but we took the time to walk thru things the first time and i have no complaints and the wires are well hid on the backside of the house and not an eyesore at all.

Other helpful hint, after you walk thru it with him and show him where you want stuff, slip him a 20 or 50 and a pat on the back and tell him you hope he does a great job.

 

[saint]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll keep you updated. DD I'm heading back down to NC, no more Ohio for us but I did enjoy it here.

I guess the new house is probably like a new car. The first ding on the car is like a punch to the gut, but with each successive ding and scratch you kinda care less and less. I'm sure it will be the same with our house but right now it's hard to picture it.

 

[jer-z jock]

Also, if you use diplexors, (very cheap on EBAY), it lets you combine a cable & satellite signal on one RG6 cable, and then separate it on the other end with another diplexor. ( For those of us that like satellite & cable in the same room.

Mags is EXACTLY correct about diplexors, not they dont work with DirecTV as they do, they DONT WORK with the HD setup as the frequencies that the HD uses doesnt fit the secs of the diplexors and you will lose signal regardless of how close or well the dish is tuned in.

Most people use the dixplexor to combine the OTA antenna and Satellite - the OTA gives you much better HD (non compressed) than D* with with the locals.

I believe that you can also diplex cable and satellite - although I don't know many that do, due to the high cost of keeping satellite and cable (and few advantages of doing so).

DIPLEXING NO LONGER WORKS with Directv! This is due to D* using a b-band converter at the box itself...

They are supposed to be coming out with a DVR that only requires one RG6 - I don't know though if it came out yet.

this is CORRECT also only drawback will be you WILL have to run new wires for 1 or the other, you may use rg6 wire to run 2 of the 3 signals but if using cable,satellite, and Off Air antennea another line will be neccessarry, to me if you have Directv and HD off air, no need for cable....you're gonna spend a fortune, gonna have to decide what less of the evils you wanna deal with, outages during storms or to prevent that wires maybe being exposed as I personally used to charge $75 per hour to fish walls and depending on where the tv set it may not be possible to fish(hide in the walls) outside or exterior walls being the MOST difficult to do.

the installers are not directv employees. they are their own business that sub the work from DTV. When he shows up, he'll walk through the place with you and ask where you want things - if you have a preference.

Same boat as you... new house and got HD DVRs put in around here... i've got three of them.
wires everywhere, but we took the time to walk thru things the first time and i have no complaints and the wires are well hid on the backside of the house and not an eyesore at all.

Other helpful hint, after you walk thru it with him and show him where you want stuff, slip him a 20 or 50 and a pat on the back and tell him you hope he does a great job.

Marine GREAT advice, and also theres NO NEED TO HOPE THEY DO A GOOD JOB....these guys SHOULD BE PROFESSIONALS...if ANYTHING is not to your liking you may request a compensation through the COMPANY and they will levy any penalties needed to refund you or re imburse you for any damages that were done to your property, also IF they installer doesnt look,act, or show competence....politely ask him to leave your property and request another installer explaining to the company why you did so, they will have no problem rescheduling you and SHOULD send a different installer to satisfy your request.....most importantly would be to fully explain WHAT YOU WANT DONE, NOT EXCEPT WHAT A SAID INSTALLER CAN DO....some of us/them only want to make the easy money and not want to take the time (or spend an hour in the heat in the attic if needed to fish the walls) but this is your INVESTMENT and your house should have done what you want as you may want to ask what a CUSTOM install is versus a installation that is done for free(where for free drilling and running exposed wires is totally in the realm of what is done) let them know UPFRONT that if you have no problem with it, you are willing to spend the money needed to have the installaton done to your specs BUT you want a HARD NUMBER on the price and you want NO DEVIATION from that, a customer willing to pay with a wide open wallet is asking to get hammered......whereas a competent installer can guesstimate how long and how much money it will cost the customer before pulling a wire off the truck. BOL and hope you get a qualified and competent installer and dont forget them exlaining to you is THIER JOB, you may tip him out of courtesy if work isnt performed for taking his time to explain to you, but in NO WAY can DirecTv or any sub contracting company charge you for a installer coming to the house WITHOUT PERFORMING WORK!!!!! Also when someone mentioned the polemount option great idea, but a regular galvanized fence post WONT work for the HD satellite, the mount of the 18' dish and the HD dish is different and it is utmost important to start that correctly that is where your signal will start any rocking or un level pole will cause signal fade and or lose of channels, doing the polemount yourself isnt recommended because that is a built in excuse to why something isnt working right, UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN DOING PROFESSIONAL POLEMOUNTS....pay the extra money and be happy once a GOOD installer has completed his job in full!!!! BOL