Install is scheduled....now how will it go?

itsamikey · 08-05-2007, 05:21 PM

I have been laughing and learning over the last few years of all the problems people have had getting a new install. Well, my day has come, or is coming August 15. New HD Slimline, one new HD reciever, and one new install to a new room in the house, making for a total of 4. I tried to be as specific as I could about what is expected, and what he should bring. And my total cost is $21 and change, for shipping. They say every 6 months I qualify for a free upgrade, and I haven't upgraded in 10 years....lol. So, I will post a follow up when it happens. Take care!

HondoHDTV · 08-05-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsamikey

I have been laughing and learning over the last few years of all the problems people have had getting a new install. Well, my day has come, or is coming August 15. New HD Slimline, one new HD reciever, and one new install to a new room in the house, making for a total of 4. I tried to be as specific as I could about what is expected, and what he should bring. And my total cost is $21 and change, for shipping. They say every 6 months I qualify for a free upgrade, and I haven't upgraded in 10 years....lol. So, I will post a follow up when it happens. Take care!

Best of luck... "You'll need it"

ownage312 · 08-06-2007, 04:54 AM

I just had my new dish installed, he had a very good signal meter... Came home, noticed that I couldn't see anything, it was rain loss. The signals were only at the 50%s. I went up to the roof and fixed it with a 5 $ signal meter. now it's at 80's.

cjberk · 08-06-2007, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsamikey

I have been laughing and learning over the last few years of all the problems people have had getting a new install. Well, my day has come, or is coming August 15. New HD Slimline, one new HD reciever, and one new install to a new room in the house, making for a total of 4. I tried to be as specific as I could about what is expected, and what he should bring. And my total cost is $21 and change, for shipping. They say every 6 months I qualify for a free upgrade, and I haven't upgraded in 10 years....lol. So, I will post a follow up when it happens. Take care!

The reality is, it all depends on who comes out, I've had some great techs and some lousy ones. Hopefully you'll get one of the good ones...good luck

BadVCDguy · 08-06-2007, 09:08 AM

It depends on who you get like the above poster said. Usually, whoever comes out is bitchy and doesn't want to do the work (for me at least). You just have to make sure you get them to do everything you want them to do before they go.

roscoe93 · 08-06-2007, 10:53 AM

As soon as he backed over the mailbox and killed the cat I knew there was gonna be problems...I've said enough.

itsamikey · 08-16-2007, 02:29 PM

He has been here and gone. He was on time, arrived at 8:30 for a between 8A and noon appointment. He did a nice job on the install. For me it was easy, he just put it on a patio post that I had used for my original. He did a nice job of running all the coax, grounding, etc. There was one problem with one of my original recievers. It was a nearly 10 year old sony that had been pixelating really badly lately. Well, with the new dish, it won't work at all. There is a replacement on the way. And the only other glitch. The tech did not know that I would recieve my locals in HD. I am in the Los Angeles area. He was convinced that it would take the new sats for that to happen. But, of course, I do recieve them along with my local RSN, Prime. So, as I get to know the new menu, I am a happy HD lover now. I will upgrade all of my tv's over the next few months.

flgulfbum · 08-16-2007, 02:38 PM

I lay my shotgun on my kitchen table and never had a problem.

boomstick68 · 08-16-2007, 03:16 PM

Guys, I used to be an installer for a KY based outfit. I can assure you that all the techs use good meters. I still have mine. It's called a Birdog. Ask your installer to let you check it out. Also, you have every right to be out there with the installer, I never did mind if the owner observed. Basically, the installer will arrive on site, go to the door and greet you (showing ID), discuss the installation procedure and if you have any preference for dish location. If you want the dish mounted in the ground and there is LOS, it will cost you $100. If you can't have a roof or structure mount because of non LOS, a ground install is free. Don't let the Tech rip you off and try to sell you extra cable. I believe you are allowed 500', after that it's $50 per 100'(may have changed) Also, Tech are to ENSURE that phone lines are run to each receiver so if you want a phone line now is the time. Don't let your Tech rush the job. Nine times out of ten, you have poor dish alignment because the tech rushed the install to get to his other 5 installs that day! I always checked dish alignment and signal meter one last time before I left and let the customer verify both on the meter(if possible) and on the IRD. You'll have good tech and bad. Like I said, don't be afraid to observe and ask questions, doing so may make them actually do their job, the right way. Hope this helps.

buzd · 08-16-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomstick68

Guys, I used to be an installer for a KY based outfit.

hehe, KY - I know what that's for..

roscoe93 · 08-16-2007, 04:38 PM

After my install which didn't cost anything but shipping charges the Dvr temp runs around 105' the numbers on the receivers are 100% or close and I'm a happy customer.
I hope the last two installers stay in the trade both were great.Maybe I should hve haggled for free shipping and a years worth of popcorn from the CSR. She was great also.
They ain't all bad. ( now watch as my DVR catches fire tonight

)

itsamikey · 08-16-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsamikey

He has been here and gone. He was on time, arrived at 8:30 for a between 8A and noon appointment. He did a nice job on the install. For me it was easy, he just put it on a patio post that I had used for my original. He did a nice job of running all the coax, grounding, etc. There was one problem with one of my original recievers. It was a nearly 10 year old sony that had been pixelating really badly lately. Well, with the new dish, it won't work at all. There is a replacement on the way. And the only other glitch. The tech did not know that I would recieve my locals in HD. I am in the Los Angeles area. He was convinced that it would take the new sats for that to happen. But, of course, I do recieve them along with my local RSN, Prime. So, as I get to know the new menu, I am a happy HD lover now. I will upgrade all of my tv's over the next few months.

The replacement reciever arrived the day after my phone call. Can't complain about that. All in all, my upgrade has been a pleasure! It can be done....lol.

k8dxx · 08-16-2007, 08:59 PM

I agree with KY that they're not all bad. Also agree that most rush the job, don't check their work and know or care nothing about the technology they're installing. If they understood the basics, they might understand why it is important to work carefully and precisely. I've also experienced attempted surcharges for extra cables or "I charge extra if I have to climb on the roof."

The basic problem is that there's simply too much to go wrong with DirecTV. Particularly with the 5 LNB antennas, they have to be aimed precisely. There are a lot of connections. They need to be weatherproofed. Bolts have to be tightened so wind and weather don't take their toll.

I can't say that our local techs have welcomed me watching as they work. I try to keep my mouth shut. I don't question everything they do or try to find fault. Thing is, it is my home and my roof they are working on. I doubt most of them own or maintain homes.

IMHO... give 'em 7 - 10 years. DirecTV will be relegated to the TV delivery service of last resort, used only in rural areas where cable is not feasible. With almost default unreliability and lack of real two way capability, how will they ever survive against fiber optic cable. Their ongoing poor local service with hasten the process.

08-05-2007, 05:21 PM	#1
itsamikey HD, Here and Now! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: southern California Age: 63 Posts: 300	Install is scheduled....now how will it go? I have been laughing and learning over the last few years of all the problems people have had getting a new install. Well, my day has come, or is coming August 15. New HD Slimline, one new HD reciever, and one new install to a new room in the house, making for a total of 4. I tried to be as specific as I could about what is expected, and what he should bring. And my total cost is $21 and change, for shipping. They say every 6 months I qualify for a free upgrade, and I haven't upgraded in 10 years....lol. So, I will post a follow up when it happens. Take care! __________________ Mitusbishi 65734 DLP TV Denon 2708 AV Reciever Oppo 970 DVD Harmony 880 Remote

08-16-2007, 02:29 PM	#7
itsamikey HD, Here and Now! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: southern California Age: 63 Posts: 300	He has been here and gone. He was on time, arrived at 8:30 for a between 8A and noon appointment. He did a nice job on the install. For me it was easy, he just put it on a patio post that I had used for my original. He did a nice job of running all the coax, grounding, etc. There was one problem with one of my original recievers. It was a nearly 10 year old sony that had been pixelating really badly lately. Well, with the new dish, it won't work at all. There is a replacement on the way. And the only other glitch. The tech did not know that I would recieve my locals in HD. I am in the Los Angeles area. He was convinced that it would take the new sats for that to happen. But, of course, I do recieve them along with my local RSN, Prime. So, as I get to know the new menu, I am a happy HD lover now. I will upgrade all of my tv's over the next few months. __________________ Mitusbishi 65734 DLP TV Denon 2708 AV Reciever Oppo 970 DVD Harmony 880 Remote

08-16-2007, 08:59 PM	#13
k8dxx I'd rather be sailing! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Detroit suburbs Age: 61 Posts: 114	Not all bad but below average I agree with KY that they're not all bad. Also agree that most rush the job, don't check their work and know or care nothing about the technology they're installing. If they understood the basics, they might understand why it is important to work carefully and precisely. I've also experienced attempted surcharges for extra cables or "I charge extra if I have to climb on the roof." The basic problem is that there's simply too much to go wrong with DirecTV. Particularly with the 5 LNB antennas, they have to be aimed precisely. There are a lot of connections. They need to be weatherproofed. Bolts have to be tightened so wind and weather don't take their toll. I can't say that our local techs have welcomed me watching as they work. I try to keep my mouth shut. I don't question everything they do or try to find fault. Thing is, it is my home and my roof they are working on. I doubt most of them own or maintain homes. IMHO... give 'em 7 - 10 years. DirecTV will be relegated to the TV delivery service of last resort, used only in rural areas where cable is not feasible. With almost default unreliability and lack of real two way capability, how will they ever survive against fiber optic cable. Their ongoing poor local service with hasten the process. __________________ Mitsubishi 6515 Diamond Series 65" RP CRT Kenwood 5.1 electronics JBL 5.1 speakers (selected, not from a package) Wide Open West Cable (formerly DirecTV) Philips BD 7200 Blu-Ray player Harmony 880 Remote & IR repeaters Bill / K8DXX (formerly WA8UVW, WN8PKV)

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08-06-2007, 04:54 AM	#3
ownage312 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 55	I just had my new dish installed, he had a very good signal meter... Came home, noticed that I couldn't see anything, it was rain loss. The signals were only at the 50%s. I went up to the roof and fixed it with a 5 $ signal meter. now it's at 80's.

08-06-2007, 09:08 AM	#5
BadVCDguy High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 96	It depends on who you get like the above poster said. Usually, whoever comes out is bitchy and doesn't want to do the work (for me at least). You just have to make sure you get them to do everything you want them to do before they go.

08-06-2007, 10:53 AM	#6
roscoe93 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 140	As soon as he backed over the mailbox and killed the cat I knew there was gonna be problems...I've said enough.

08-16-2007, 02:38 PM	#8
flgulfbum My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 9	I lay my shotgun on my kitchen table and never had a problem.

08-16-2007, 03:16 PM	#9
boomstick68 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Age: 45 Posts: 157	Guys, I used to be an installer for a KY based outfit. I can assure you that all the techs use good meters. I still have mine. It's called a Birdog. Ask your installer to let you check it out. Also, you have every right to be out there with the installer, I never did mind if the owner observed. Basically, the installer will arrive on site, go to the door and greet you (showing ID), discuss the installation procedure and if you have any preference for dish location. If you want the dish mounted in the ground and there is LOS, it will cost you $100. If you can't have a roof or structure mount because of non LOS, a ground install is free. Don't let the Tech rip you off and try to sell you extra cable. I believe you are allowed 500', after that it's $50 per 100'(may have changed) Also, Tech are to ENSURE that phone lines are run to each receiver so if you want a phone line now is the time. Don't let your Tech rush the job. Nine times out of ten, you have poor dish alignment because the tech rushed the install to get to his other 5 installs that day! I always checked dish alignment and signal meter one last time before I left and let the customer verify both on the meter(if possible) and on the IRD. You'll have good tech and bad. Like I said, don't be afraid to observe and ask questions, doing so may make them actually do their job, the right way. Hope this helps.

08-16-2007, 04:38 PM	#11
roscoe93 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 140	After my install which didn't cost anything but shipping charges the Dvr temp runs around 105' the numbers on the receivers are 100% or close and I'm a happy customer. I hope the last two installers stay in the trade both were great.Maybe I should hve haggled for free shipping and a years worth of popcorn from the CSR. She was great also. They ain't all bad. ( now watch as my DVR catches fire tonight )