Does anyone know if there are any features of the ST or Superfan package that I would get on a new MPEG4 receiver that I would not get on the HR10-250 since it is not a new receiver besides the local HD channels? In otherwords am I losing anything using the HR10-250 vs. the H10/20 HD receiver when refering to the Sunday NFL ticket and Superfan packages?

Thanks,

Kemical

Could you elaborate on that a bit, please?

From my testing back in November, before I sent it back, and from reading the current discussions over at dbstalk.com, it seems to me that the r15 is far inferior to the tivo boxes it replaced, in just about every way. If the hr20 is identical to the r15, then it, too, will be far inferior to the box it's meant to replace.
I don't think, based on my experience here, that you should rely on what someone writes about a yet to be released product, unless it is someone like Ken, with a long track record of reliability.

Thought everyone might be interested in this:



By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 8/9/2006 5:34:00 AM ...



Looking ahead, Carey said the company will:

·launch its new HD-DVR box later this month in Los Angeles and roll it out nationwide in the following weeks;

·offer HD in 25 additional local markets by year’s end for a total of 61 markets or 75 percent of all U.S. TV households;

and will launch several new products and services prior to the holiday season, including an enhanced NFL Sunday Ticket package that features new interactive services and more HD games.

Hmm... Not a peep about "HMC". I think they gave up on this.

I guess I can still hold my breath for FIOS Multi Room, but thats prob. vaporware as well. :(

I tried searching but couldn't find out what I needed...how do I tell if I've got the H20-100 or H20-600? I'll laugh if it's as simple as checking out the model number on the front. In my own defense, I'm not at home now and rarely look at the front of the unit. ;)

Is there anything else I need to know before D* comes out to install my 5 LNB dish?

the "good news" is its not being sold in retail,
and the only people who will be able to order are
existing HD(DVR) subscribers who wish to swap out receivers.How is that good news? I've held off buying the H10-250 Tivo unit for over a year PRECISELY FOR THE REASON OF GETTING AN HR20!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

How is that good news? I've held off buying the H10-250 Tivo unit for over a year PRECISELY FOR THE REASON OF GETTING AN HR20!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:
I would say that's terrible news as well, what if the thing turns out to be a brick, will DirecTV allow reactivation of the HD-TiVo, assuming this will be a service call required installation? I suppose they would have to if you owned the HD-TiVo.....in fact, what does he mean by swap-out, how many have HD-TiVo's that are leased? They are all owned, are they not?

I tried searching but couldn't find out what I needed...how do I tell if I've got the H20-100 or H20-600? I'll laugh if it's as simple as checking out the model number on the front. In my own defense, I'm not at home now and rarely look at the front of the unit. ;)

Is there anything else I need to know before D* comes out to install my 5 LNB dish?

It isn't quite "on the front", but if you open the door on the right-hand side of the front panel, it can be seen just above the access card.

It isn't quite "on the front", but if you open the door on the right-hand side of the front panel, it can be seen just above the access card.
It's also on the white label on the back of the receiver and on the label on the side of the box the unit came in, just above the UPC code. Model:H20 MFR:100 (or 600)

Thanks for the assistance, rdn and JIFISH!

Simple answer is "No". The long answer is "Maybe". Seriously, some people have complained about issues with the new HD mpeg4 receiver having audio and artifacts. If I remember right this came down to which series you got, whether it was a 100 or 600 series. If you go back through the posts you will find more information about it.

I still need to look at receiver I have, but once I do find out, which was the one that had the problems, the 100 or 600?

Thanks for the assistance, rdn and JIFISH!



I still need to look at receiver I have, but once I do find out, which was the one that had the problems, the 100 or 600?

They both do, but the problems are different. The -100 HDMI output isn't compatible with all television sets. The -600 runs somewhat on the hot side (how hot seems to vary, mine isn't really that bad). Some people have reported the -600 resetting. The latest -600 software (0F14) doesn't display signal strength for channels on the 99 sat, but they still work.

So I'm new to these forums and new to HDTV. Just recently bought an HDTV in June and called my provider regarding their HD DVR. The rep told me they would be coming out with a new HD DVR box at the end of fall and told me to wait for it so I could get more local channels.

By reading this thread, it seems as if only existing HD DVR customers will receive this new DVR box. I'm not sure what I should do, should I wait for the new HD DVR to come out in my area or just order the existing HD DVR they currently have?

So I'm new to these forums and new to HDTV. Just recently bought an HDTV in June and called my provider regarding their HD DVR. The rep told me they would be coming out with a new HD DVR box at the end of fall and told me to wait for it so I could get more local channels.

By reading this thread, it seems as if only existing HD DVR customers will receive this new DVR box. I'm not sure what I should do, should I wait for the new HD DVR to come out in my area or just order the existing HD DVR they currently have?

Your location would help, of course, answer the question better. But if you have good OTA reception now for your HD channels, you might as well get the current box. Especially if you can get D* to commit to a free exchange when the new one comes out.

Your location would help, of course, answer the question better. But if you have good OTA reception now for your HD channels, you might as well get the current box. Especially if you can get D* to commit to a free exchange when the new one comes out.


Thanks for the response. I am located in the Central Valley in CA. About an hour away from San Francisco.

So I'm new to these forums and new to HDTV. Just recently bought an HDTV in June and called my provider regarding their HD DVR. The rep told me they would be coming out with a new HD DVR box at the end of fall and told me to wait for it so I could get more local channels.

By reading this thread, it seems as if only existing HD DVR customers will receive this new DVR box. I'm not sure what I should do, should I wait for the new HD DVR to come out in my area or just order the existing HD DVR they currently have?

Here's what the D* CR rep told me yesterday. DirecTV's approach has always been that if they require a hardware swap to receive existing programming, then it is free.

However, if they require a hardware swap to receive "new" programming, then they will charge an upgrade fee.

In the case of the MPEG-4 HD-DVR, swapping will be required only to receive new HD channels, and local channels via the dish, so an upgrade fee (he figured $99) would be required though I'm sure if you bitch hard enough, you might be able to get it for free.

Folks, will the MPEG-4 HD-DVR support an OTA?

The reason I ask is that I expect that OTA HD choices will continue to be greater than that which you can recieve via D*. Is this a correct assumption?

I'm having a HD-TiVo installed this weekend - should I have an OTA put in as well?

Thanks for the response. I am located in the Central Valley in CA. About an hour away from San Francisco.
I'm guessing, Tracy? If your east of the Altamont you'll be in the Sacramento DMA. You might try the Sacramento DBS thread for programming/channel questions specific to your area. Once you know what is available it should help you to decide what equipment to go with. I believe DirecTV does have local HD in that DMA.

Equipment specific questions can of course be answered here, hopefully. :)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=669266&page=1&pp=30
Sacramento, CA - DBS - AVS Forum

I'm guessing, Tracy? If your east of the Altamont you'll be in the Sacramento DMA. You might try the Sacramento DBS thread for programming/channel questions specific to your area. Once you know what is available it should help you to decide what equipment to go with. I believe DirecTV does have local HD in that DMA.


Yup, I'm in Tracy. Thanks for the info!

Folks, will the MPEG-4 HD-DVR support an OTA?

The reason I ask is that I expect that OTA HD choices will continue to be greater than that which you can recieve via D*. Is this a correct assumption?

I'm having a HD-TiVo installed this weekend - should I have an OTA put in as well?

It will probably be a while (if ever) before DTV carries all the HD locals. Mostly it is the big 4 networks, although not all of them in all areas. Since the two existing HD receivers support OTA, it is reasonable to assume that the HR20 will also.

some areas are receiving their 'CW' local mpeg4 also now.

So I'm new to these forums and new to HDTV. Just recently bought an HDTV in June and called my provider regarding their HD DVR. The rep told me they would be coming out with a new HD DVR box at the end of fall and told me to wait for it so I could get more local channels.

By reading this thread, it seems as if only existing HD DVR customers will receive this new DVR box. I'm not sure what I should do, should I wait for the new HD DVR to come out in my area or just order the existing HD DVR they currently have?


So this is just the info I have received today about the HR20. I am a brand new DTV subscriber, had my install set up to be 8-21-06. I live in the Duluth-Superior market and they intended to install the HR10 and the corresponding dish NOT the 5 lnb. When I realized that the HR20 was being rolled out so soon, I called to see if I could get the HR20 rather than the HR10. The first CSR had no info on pricing, date of release, or upgrade fees, she was essentially worthless. After a few calls to different customer service numbers I got the info I needed. The CSR told me that the upgrade would indeed be free (now whether this is because I am so new or this is the status quo I don't know.) He also told me that the HR20 is scheduled to be released in my area (if you know where the twin ports are, you realize we are the boonies) by September 10th, opening day for NFL Sunday Ticket programming. He suggested that I cancel my order rather than push it back a few more weeks as they would still give me the HR10 if I just moved dates. I will be reordering DTV in early September to receive the new box. That is the little info I have managed to get. Hope it helps someone.

Shame to see DTV still doesn't have act together. I haven't been here in a couple months and expected the DVR to be available by now.

I had a free dish and receiver on order but glad I cancelled. I can't live without the DVR now that I have MCE.

I decided to wait for the MCE solution if it ever shows up, in the meantime I'll continue to enjoy my free HDTV (granted only locals) and free HD-DVR.

Shame to see DTV still doesn't have act together. I haven't been here in a couple months and expected the DVR to be available by now.

I had a free dish and receiver on order but glad I cancelled. I can't live without the DVR now that I have MCE.

I decided to wait for the MCE solution if it ever shows up, in the meantime I'll continue to enjoy my free HDTV (granted only locals) and free HD-DVR.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=61862
HR20-700 - The Review - DBSTalk.Com

OK, they have hardware now, in California at least.

I read the review, but can it ? -

1) Export recordings for other devices, PC, IPOD, etc. etc? I see the TIVOs are being advertised for this now.

2) Support any media center type functions, connect with PC and provide My Music, My Pictures?

I suppose that if it could do both of the above, I would go for it over MCE.

The wait for 12 hours or so to download a 14 day guide sounds terrible, MCE can download 14 day guide in a few minutes.

I still would rather have the MCE solution.

Today is the day for those of us in the LA area. I live in Orange county and I just placed my order for the HR-20-700 DVR :) . 399.00 plus tax and the two-year commitment. It will be installed with a new dish on 9/9/06. today is the first day they are accepting orders. Man, I almost gave up and went with Cox Cable. This was a long time coming. The CSR stated that the full roll out will be this fall for the rest of the USA.

Evan

OK, they have hardware now, in California at least.

I read the review, but can it ? -

1) Export recordings for other devices, PC, IPOD, etc. etc? I see the TIVOs are being advertised for this now.

2) Support any media center type functions, connect with PC and provide My Music, My Pictures?

I suppose that if it could do both of the above, I would go for it over MCE.

The wait for 12 hours or so to download a 14 day guide sounds terrible, MCE can download 14 day guide in a few minutes.

I still would rather have the MCE solution.

I doubt directv devices will ever be able to export "out of the box."

the wait for the guide is standard now on all tivos so why should we expect that it got faster ;)

50SP and no dual buffering as well as no ATSC out of the box are very disappointing. Thankfully I dont need this receiver.

Since I have been waiting for this box to come out before getting a DVR, can someone tell me what "50SP" is? And dual buffering? What benefit does it have? And since it has dual ATSC tuners (when they go active), does that mean I can record 4 shows that are on at the same time? (Not that I will ever need to.)

Also, I see how a lot of shows are airing until 10:01PM. Someone told me that this was to stop people from DVRing a show on another network that starts at 10. Can't you set a DVR to stop recording a show at 10PM? Or do you HAVE to record the whole show? That seems lame if it is the case... my VCR has that capability! For instance, can I record the first 30 minutes of Leno, the first 30 minutes of Kimmel, and the first 30 minutes of Conan?

They both do, but the problems are different. The -100 HDMI output isn't compatible with all television sets. The -600 runs somewhat on the hot side (how hot seems to vary, mine isn't really that bad). Some people have reported the -600 resetting. The latest -600 software (0F14) doesn't display signal strength for channels on the 99 sat, but they still work.

The HDMI output works fine on my set (Sammy HL-S5687W) and while I don't seem to recall how hot it gets, it has never reset. However, if I can't use my OTA antenna to pick up the other non-local HD channels, then it's no deal for me.

I might be wrong but i could have sworn i saw a foxsportnet west televising an HD game on channel 95 a week or so ago and i live in so cal. L. A. and have the hd-tivo with the3 lnb dish,also for the person that wants it verizon fios just came out with there new multi- room dvr, so you should call them to see if your area has it.

Since I have been waiting for this box to come out before getting a DVR, can someone tell me what "50SP" is? And dual buffering? What benefit does it have? And since it has dual ATSC tuners (when they go active), does that mean I can record 4 shows that are on at the same time? (Not that I will ever need to.)

Also, I see how a lot of shows are airing until 10:01PM. Someone told me that this was to stop people from DVRing a show on another network that starts at 10. Can't you set a DVR to stop recording a show at 10PM? Or do you HAVE to record the whole show? That seems lame if it is the case... my VCR has that capability! For instance, can I record the first 30 minutes of Leno, the first 30 minutes of Kimmel, and the first 30 minutes of Conan?

50 season passes and wishlists (are all on the same list). We have 60+ on each of our tivos

Dual buffering. If you start watching two 1pm nfl games sunday, you can pause the one then switch to the other.....then pause that one, and unpause the original, and go back to watching that.

I'm sure the tuners will be active soon but out of the box is kinda stupid. You can only ever record 2 things at once, regardless of OTA or satellite, then watch a 3rd.

You can do manual recording of anything. Negative padding isn't permitted with HDtivo, not sure about the new box. If you want to stop something at 10, you need to set a manual. Or if you watch back to back stuff on that channel, it's not a biggie.

I just bought a Westinghouse 42w2 and called Directv to send me out an HD DVR to replace my SD DVR. They said that if I wanted, they will send me the new MPEG 4 for $399. I declined and said that the HR10250 will do. They are sending someone out on the 9th os Sept with the HR10250 and a 5 LNB dish.

Should I have paid the $399 for the Mpeg 4? What am I missing out on?

Thanks in advance.

I just bought a Westinghouse 42w2 and called Directv to send me out an HD DVR to replace my SD DVR. They said that if I wanted, they will send me the new MPEG 4 for $399. I declined and said that the HR10250 will do. They are sending someone out on the 9th os Sept with the HR10250 and a 5 LNB dish.

Should I have paid the $399 for the Mpeg 4? What am I missing out on?

Thanks in advance.

You will be missing (for now) HD locals (other than LA and NYC) and HD RSNs. Starting next year there will be additional MPEG4 national HD channels. You might try calling again and see if a different CSR will give you a better deal--some people seem to be getting them for free. Did they charge you for the HR10-250?

did you get the HDtivo for free? perhaps you can trade for free/low price later on.

...Should I have paid the $399 for the Mpeg 4? What am I missing out on?...
If you can get local HD stations OTA, you won't be missing much. Last I looked, only two Seattle HD locals were available by satellite from D* anyway. That may have changed, though. (Check D*'s web site.)

Moreover, the new DVR does not yet have a functioning ATSC tuner, so until that is corrected by a software update, you might be missing more with the new box than with the old.

Additional national MPEG-4 HD channels are probably a year away. During that time, there's a good chance you will be able to get a better trade-up deal than $399 for the HR20-XXX.

We have a thread started on this topic over on DBS Talk. Not to drag anyone away, just seemed redundant to dupe the posts here.

Bottom line, looks like it actually is possible for H20 users and might be possible (subject to some more testing) for other receivers (DVRs).

Here's a link for anyone interested

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=62299

If you can get local HD stations OTA, you won't be missing much. Last I looked, only two Seattle HD locals were available by satellite from D* anyway. That may have changed, though. (Check D*'s web site.)

Moreover, the new DVR does not yet have a functioning ATSC tuner, so until that is corrected by a software update, you might be missing more with the new box than with the old.

Additional national MPEG-4 HD channels are probably a year away. During that time, there's a good chance you will be able to get a better trade-up deal than $399 for the HR20-XXX.


Aren't some of the regional sports networks only available in MPEG-4? I saw on another thread Comcast Sports Net in the D.C. area as one example.

I did get the new dish installed and signal levels were much higher with the 3 lnb oval antenna. i live in the Fort Wayne Market but my locals are Chicago. I cannot get HD channels 2,5,7,32. But the regular analog locals work. Is this due to a tight spotbeam for Chicago? Only on the KA band signal? I need to know the tilt setting for Zip code 46825 as well as el. and az. I am going to try to fix it myself. If any one can advise please respond.

Aren't some of the regional sports networks only available in MPEG-4? I saw on another thread Comcast Sports Net in the D.C. area as one example.
Yeah. I think they all are (other than NY and LA, perhaps.) I meant to mention that, but somehow managed not to. :o

I did get the new dish installed and signal levels were much higher with the 3 lnb oval antenna. The Ka band receivers use a different scale than older receivers to allow usable numbers for the Ka band signals. It's normal for the older Ku band numbers to be about 20 points lower than before if you are looking at an H20 readout now for example.

newbee! I have scheduled an upgrade for the 5-LNB Dish, swaping out my Samsung hd receiver for the new hd receiver with the HR10 DVR and an off air antenna. Will the HR10 still work with the new dish and receiver? I am totally confused! I might also be in the wrong thread!

newbee! I have scheduled an upgrade for the 5-LNB Dish, swaping out my Samsung hd receiver for the new hd receiver with the HR10 DVR and an off air antenna. Will the HR10 still work with the new dish and receiver? I am totally confused! I might also be in the wrong thread!

Any DTV receiver will wotk with the 5-LNB dish. Only the H20 and HR20 will be able to view MPEG4 channels (HD locals and part-time HD RSNs for now--national channels next year).

Another newbee here in the Baltimore market. I will be purchasing an HDTV this week and called D* about upgrading my equipment. They offered me the HR10-250 and the 5-LNB dish. After reading through all the posts here I am still a little confused.

1. With this combination, will I be able to record local HD channels from satellite (I do have OTA)?

2. Does anyone know if Comcast Sports Net (our RSN) is MPEG-4? If so, will I be able to watch?

3. I have seen very little written about the R15 SD DVR. Is that MPEG-4 compatable? Can I record local HD off satellite?

Thanks in advance. Really new to all this and my head was spinning after reading through everything.

1. With this combination, will I be able to record local HD channels from satellite (I do have OTA)?

No, only from your ota.

2. Does anyone know if Comcast Sports Net (our RSN) is MPEG-4? If so, will I be able to watch?

Yes, it is mpeg 4. no you wont be able to watch it with the HR10-250.

3. I have seen very little written about the R15 SD DVR. Is that MPEG-4 compatable? Can I record local HD off satellite?

No, it is a SD, mpeg 2 dvr.

Thanks dgordo, that's what I was afraid of. Another stupid question. If the H20 and HR20 are the only ones that can receive MPEG-4, can the H20 be hooked up to a standard def TV?

... can the H20 be hooked up to a standard def TV?Yes.
It has composite and s-video out jacks that output 480i analog on those jacks. If you have a really old TV with no video inputs, you'll need to run the H20 through an RF (ch 3/4) modulator or through a VCR that has one built in.

I am getting the HD 250G DVR and the 5 LNB dish from D* on the 9th, so I will be able to do everything with it since I live in LA, right?

Right now I have the HD non-DVR H20?, the 3LNB and a Terk. Should I call D* and tell them to forget the 5 LNB and just send me the 250G HDDVR since I get my locals already? I will get it much sooner if they ship it to me, and I am moving in like a month anyway, so them coming out here would kind of be a waste of time. With the 3lnb dish and the HDDVR and the locals coming through the terk, will I be able to record my locals?

Probably a stupid question since it would make sense to record them since they do go through the internal tuner on the receiver, but I must ask your guy' trusted opinions.

Thanks

dtv installer came out last saturday morning to TRY to install the new 5lnb dish but was not able to find a place to mount it. he spent a while looking around and he could not find a decent place to mount it. he called his central office person and spoke to them and they called me directly and said the guy couldn't mount it and for me to call dtv. so while i was on the phone with dtv trying to figure this out, jackass just got up in his truck and left leaving one angry non-HD upgraded customer. dtv is sending a "supervisor" out to reassess next monday. monkeys.

dtv installer came out last saturday morning to TRY to install the new 5lnb dish but was not able to find a place to mount it. he spent a while looking around and he could not find a decent place to mount it. he called his central office person and spoke to them and they called me directly and said the guy couldn't mount it and for me to call dtv. so while i was on the phone with dtv trying to figure this out, jackass just got up in his truck and left leaving one angry non-HD upgraded customer. dtv is sending a "supervisor" out to reassess next monday. monkeys.

You just answered my question. :) I will be calling them and telling them to send me my HDDVR and I will just deal with my OTA Locals since I am moving in a month and a half. Then when I move, I will go through the same mess you got there. Out of curiousity...the 5lnb dish doesnt have support arms does it? I mean, is it as big as Dish Networks' Super Dish? If it is, I am switching to cable or Dish, since Dish has Voom channels anyway. Screw that. LOL

lemur here is the dish

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=43337

...I will be calling them and telling them to send me my HDDVR and I will just deal with my OTA Locals...
Just be aware that the first HR20 DVR's were shipped with the ATSC (OTA) tuner disabled. It's supposed to be activated at some point by a software update, but I haven't seen anything to indicate that has happened yet. Until it does, you won't be able to receive your locals OTA.

Just be aware that the first HR20 DVR's were shipped with the ATSC (OTA) tuner disabled. It's supposed to be activated at some point by a software update, but I haven't seen anything to indicate that has happened yet. Until it does, you won't be able to receive your locals OTA.

Yeah, but I am not getting the MPEG 4 receiver. Im just getting the 250G HD DVR....the one that has been around for a while, Im guessing H10? So I should be fine, right?

Yeah, but I am not getting the MPEG 4 receiver. Im just getting the 250G HD DVR....the one that has been around for a while, Im guessing H10? So I should be fine, right?
Yes. That's the HR10-250, which is what I have, and it works great. Sorry, I misunderstood your post.

Yes. That's the HR10-250, which is what I have, and it works great. Sorry, I misunderstood your post.

No worries, my bad. Thanks for the help.

One last thing. With the triple LNB, are you guys able to pull in the same high signal strenght that you could with the original single LNB hitting the 101? Cuz with the triple LNB I am stuck in the 70's on all 3 sats and i have tweaked it twice. The feed looks good and doesnt cut out, but that seems low to me. Thanks again.

If you have an H20 HD receiver, the transponder readings just read lower on the SS meter than other receivers. It's just the way the H20 is calibrated - your signal strength is fine.

I get very little rain fade with the 3LNB dish, unlike the single LNB dish I had years ago.

...Out of curiousity...the 5lnb dish doesnt have support arms does it?
Yes, it does.

However, D* plans to come out with a so-called "slimline" 5LNB dish in the near future that is easier on the eyes than the current AT9. Unless you absolutely need it for local channels now, wait to get a 5LNB dish until you really need one.

If you have an H20 HD receiver, the transponder readings just read lower on the SS meter than other receivers. It's just the way the H20 is calibrated - your signal strength is fine.

I get very little rain fade with the 3LNB dish, unlike the single LNB dish I had years ago.


Nice, thanks

Yes, it does.

However, D* plans to come out with a so-called "slimline" 5LNB dish in the near future that is easier on the eyes than the current AT9. Unless you absolutely need it for local channels now, wait to get a 5LNB dish until you really need one.


Good advice, I cant wait to get home from work and call D* and tell them to just mail me the DVR already and save the install.

Thanks

Hi everyone...

Just a quick question....D* is coming to the house this weekend to install the new AT9 dish and their new HR20 HDDVR- Yes, I'm an early adopter in the L.A. area.

I don't think I have a signal strength issue from my exisiing 3 lnb dish but am wondering what are acceptable signal strenghths as they would display, say, on an H20 receiver? Several trees in my backyard have grown larger and I don't want to find out that this may interfere with the AT9 dish install. I think I'm O.K. as the existing dish points up and over these trees and, like I say, I rarely get pixelization, drop outs or "searching" indicators on my receivers...thanks.

In response to my earlier question about CSN (Comcast Sports Net, Baltimore). Since this is in MPEG-4 format, will I be able to receive programming with my older Sony and Hughes receivers, or do I need to upgrade to the H20? I haven't watched CSN in a while so haven't noticed. Thanks once again.

In response to my earlier question about CSN (Comcast Sports Net, Baltimore). Since this is in MPEG-4 format, will I be able to receive programming with my older Sony and Hughes receivers, or do I need to upgrade to the H20? I haven't watched CSN in a while so haven't noticed. Thanks once again.

You will be able to watch the SD version of CSN. I think the only HD RSN which is not MPEG4 is YES (N.Y. Yankees), which still requires a HD receiver, of course.

In response to my earlier question about CSN (Comcast Sports Net, Baltimore). Since this is in MPEG-4 format, will I be able to receive programming with my older Sony and Hughes receivers, or do I need to upgrade to the H20? I haven't watched CSN in a while so haven't noticed. Thanks once again.Any channel using MPEG4 encoding will require a receiver that can decode MPEG4. The older Sony & Hughes HD receivers only do MPEG2.

Is the HR10 compatible with a 5lnb dish? The reason I ask is because I was on DTV's site going through the process of ordering an HD-DVR and it shows a 5lnb dish would be shipped.

Is the HR10 compatible with a 5lnb dish? The reason I ask is because I was on DTV's site going through the process of ordering an HD-DVR and it shows a 5lnb dish would be shipped.
Yes.

yes.

The 5LNB dish is backward compatible with all previous multisat receivers. The only thing older receivers won't see is the MPEG4 channels. This allows connection of both HD and non-HD receivers to the new dish.

I am seriously considering dropping D*. I mean, I called them to see how much it would cost me to get a H10 250DVR, and they said...oh, your one of our A list customers so we can get you one for free. I was stoked. Well, they then told me that the earliest install date was Sept 12th, and I said, well, that is quite a ways away, can you just ship it since I already have a triple lnb dish and also I installed for DN for 5 years so getting it hooked up will never be an issue. They told me, nope...it has to be installed by them. So I asked for the retention department because I figured they would want to keep a customer and could do something as simple as shipping a receiver to me to keep me....nope. The lady actually giggled wen I told her I was considering dropping their service. She even said " I will be happy to cancel your service, sir" What kind of crap is that? Anyway, I am going to wait until the 12th, and see how the receiver looks and works, but in all honesty, I am moving in a month, and I am considering calling D* when I move and telling them that I am moving, and the place I am moving to wont allow dishes, so pound sand with your contract. Anyway, sorry for the rant guys, I am just fed up I suppose.

...The lady actually giggled wen I told her I was considering dropping their service. She even said " I will be happy to cancel your service, sir" What kind of crap is that?...
She probably had a bad day (that can be a stressful job, after all), had heard that line once too often, and decided to call your bluff. Not excusing her, and I'm sure her supervisor would be upset too.

I don't blame you for being disgusted, though. D* can be maddening (they aren't alone in that respect). They seem to try very hard to get and retain customers , but fail to properly train CSR's, resulting in frustrated, angry subscribers. Their policy of negotiating "deals" (rather than having an understandable, standardized procedure) only adds to the problem. If you win at CSR roulette, you can be very happy. If you lose, you can be very irritated.

I'm sure their installation policy was designed to cut down follow-up service calls, but sometimes it does seem ridiculous. And, unlike prices, it seems to be totally non-negotiable. It makes some sense to do this when dish installation is involved, but simply replacing a receiver using an existing dish isn't exactly brain surgery. Difficult to understand why they are so rigid about it.

Some forum members have bribed installers to just drop off a receiver, but it seems absurd to pay extra not to have work done.

I tried to speed up the installation process by contacting independent installers, but they were even more backed up, so it was just grit my teeth and wait for D*. Got a heck of a deal, though.

So is the new 5lb dish available everywhere in September?

Yeah, but I am not getting the MPEG 4 receiver. Im just getting the 250G HD DVR....the one that has been around for a while, Im guessing H10? So I should be fine, right?

Yeah, that is the HR10-250. It won't receive the 99/103 satellites anyway, so they will probably install the 3 LNB dish (which is slightly smaller than the 5).

Yeah, that is the HR10-250. It won't receive the 99/103 satellites anyway, so they will probably install the 3 LNB dish (which is slightly smaller than the 5).


Well, I am using a triple LNB right now. I don't have a built in tuner in my tv, so I decided to take my buddies Triple Lnb dish and terk antenna and hook it up last weekend. I ran over to costco and got the non DVR HD Reciever for $80 to tide me over. So basically, when the installer gets to my home, he really isnt going to have to do anything. Which still seems lame to me, since I told them that many times already. :( They just insist that they need to send someone out. I guess what ercks me the most is....when I used to install for Dish, we got paid by the job, so whenever we got to a job thinking it was one that pays a lot, we would get super pissed when we realized that it isnt going to be anything. Sorry if that doesnt make any sense, I am super busy.

Well, I am using a triple LNB right now. I don't have a built in tuner in my tv, so I decided to take my buddies Triple Lnb dish and terk antenna and hook it up last weekend. I ran over to costco and got the non DVR HD Reciever for $80 to tide me over. So basically, when the installer gets to my home, he really isnt going to have to do anything. Which still seems lame to me, since I told them that many times already. :( They just insist that they need to send someone out. I guess what ercks me the most is....when I used to install for Dish, we got paid by the job, so whenever we got to a job thinking it was one that pays a lot, we would get super pissed when we realized that it isnt going to be anything. Sorry if that doesnt make any sense, I am super busy.

Costco has DirecTV in So. Cal? They don't here in WA (which is where they are headquartered). I paid $99 at Best Buy for that same receiver last month. In fact, when I called DTV the CSR said I could save the $19.95 shipping fee by going to Best Buy.

Yeah, it makes sense. Go figure....

Costco has DirecTV in So. Cal? They don't here in WA (which is where they are headquartered). I paid $99 at Best Buy for that same receiver last month. In fact, when I called DTV the CSR said I could save the $19.95 shipping fee by going to Best Buy.

Yeah, it makes sense. Go figure....
Yeah, SoCal is the only place that Costco has D*. I have looked in OR and VA but nothing.

Yeah, that is the HR10-250. It won't receive the 99/103 satellites anyway, so they will probably install the 3 LNB dish (which is slightly smaller than the 5).

I never understood that. chances are, people will need 5lnb in a year or 2, if not sooner. Labor and materials will definitely be more then. So why not just put up a 5lnb now and also avoid making even more holes in the roof?

And disregarding any of that...isn't it just easier to install one type of dish for everyone (economies of scale)? Or is it the additional time it takes to install the new dish that they care about (but again, it will be more $$ later down the road anyway)

Installers prefer to install a 3LNB. The big honkin' AT9 5LNB is a bitch to install and align and takes longer. Since they get paid by the job....

I have the triple LNB installed on my roof, am I correct to say the installer will not be able to just swap the old dish with the AT-9, it will require additional support?

Will the installer remove the old dish...

I have the triple LNB installed on my roof, am I correct to say the installer will not be able to just swap the old dish with the AT-9, it will require additional support?

Will the installer remove the old dish...

The AT9 5LNB dish requires a 2" mast and mounting braces similar to a tripod. The 3LNB dish has a smaller mast (like 1 5/8 or 1 1/2 - not sure which). MAKE SURE you request that the old dish be removed BEFORE any work is done. Some installers will not remove old dish mounts for fear of causing roof leaks after removal.

Roofs should always be the last location choice for installing a dish.

Installers prefer to install a 3LNB. The big honkin' AT9 5LNB is a bitch to install and align and takes longer. Since they get paid by the job....
That, plus the fact D* has a "slimline" 5LNB in the works. Good chance that one will mount on on the existing supports, as well as being less unsightly.

are you positive dtv installers are required to remove old dishes?

OK, ready for this one, I asked to have the AT9 taken off my install and leave just the HR10-250, the CSR said no free HR10-250 without a 5 LNB install!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I will just ask the installer to leave the dish in the basement

OK, ready for this one, I asked to have the AT9 taken off my install and leave just the HR10-250, the CSR said no free HR10-250 without a 5 LNB install!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I will just ask the installer to leave the dish in the basement

Yeah, I bet he did that because he gets paid around $60 to install the dish and the receiver. Probably only gets $20 for installing the receiver alone. I am going to flip out if they try that crap with me when they get to my house.

This was Directv CSR who told me not installer what a bunch of HS

This was Directv CSR who told me not installer what a bunch of HS


Wow, thats hardcore. What is their problem? I spend 2 hours on the phone with them and ended up in a worse position than when i started. Unbelievable.

If it wasn't for NFL Sunday ticket I would be AMF a long long time ago

If it wasn't for NFL Sunday ticket I would be AMF a long long time ago


Same here, same here. :(

If you have an H20 HD receiver, the transponder readings just read lower on the SS meter than other receivers. It's just the way the H20 is calibrated - your signal strength is fine.

I get very little rain fade with the 3LNB dish, unlike the single LNB dish I had years ago.


I have one H20, that replaced an H10 that died. They have both been complete rubbish compared to all my other receivers over the past 11 years with DirecTV. The one I have now is actually the second one. The first H20 they sent me died within a month. They sent me out a replacement and sent someone to 'take a look at it' and charged me ~$140 for the visit. I wasn't the one that made the call about the receiver or else I never would have even allowed them to send anybody out. Anyway, the man that came out tried to claim that the signal was too low and it would cause problems, so we'd have to make an appointment for them to come out and 'realign' the dish. This would also cost us. I told him to take a hike, only more politely.

I didn't know that the H20 registered lower than the other receivers, so thanks for that bit of information. What I did know was, there was no problem with signal levels on any other box so the guy was obviously full of S***.

I have one H20, that replaced an H10 that died. They have both been complete rubbish compared to all my other receivers over the past 11 years with DirecTV. The one I have now is actually the second one. The first H20 they sent me died within a month. They sent me out a replacement and sent someone to 'take a look at it' and charged me ~$140 for the visit. I wasn't the one that made the call about the receiver or else I never would have even allowed them to send anybody out. Anyway, the man that came out tried to claim that the signal was too low and it would cause problems, so we'd have to make an appointment for them to come out and 'realign' the dish. This would also cost us. I told him to take a hike, only more politely.

I didn't know that the H20 registered lower than the other receivers, so thanks for that bit of information. What I did know was, there was no problem with signal levels on any other box so the guy was obviously full of S***.


Man, that sucks. You would think that for $140 bucks you would get some dude that knew what he was doing. I mean he comes all the way to your house just to tell you that your signal is too low? And he isnt even compotent enough to re alighn your dish for you...lame. That would make me furious.

Man, that sucks. You would think that for $140 bucks you would get some dude that knew what he was doing. I mean he comes all the way to your house just to tell you that your signal is too low? And he isnt even compotent enough to re alighn your dish for you...lame. That would make me furious.


I was furious. Actually, I got DirecTV to refund me the money. Are they insane? I knew there was nothing wrong with my dish in the first place. All of my signal strengths range from high 80's to high 90's, why would it all of a sudden be a problem only concerning the H20? :rolleyes: I also gave them an earful about the rubbish receivers they're making. In the span of 8 months or so, I have gone through three DirecTV branded receivers in the same room - an H10, and two H20s. I didn't even mention in my previous post that the second H20 they sent me just DIED ON ME AGAIN two nights ago. :mad: That doesn't even take into account the fact that I had to replace one of my two HR10-250's TWICE! :mad:

At one point they even tried to blame my television. :eek:

OK, ready for this one, I asked to have the AT9 taken off my install and leave just the HR10-250, the CSR said no free HR10-250 without a 5 LNB install!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I will just ask the installer to leave the dish in the basement

I got one better than that. After my 3rd H20 died I called D* and told them I was sending it back and did not want a replacement I would just use one of my old Sony-200s. She said NO I will send you another one. I said dont send it because the H20 is not ready for prime time yet. Guess what, two days later I got another H20. I have a free HR10-250 to be install Mon the 28th. My 3lnb is on a 4x4 post and thats where I want the 5lnb to go, not on my house. This should be fun...........

It gets better.....

I called installation again to try and convince them to hold off on the AT9 install, it turns out they where not giving me a HR10-250 but a a HR20-700 that is why they insist on the dish install, I told them I ordered a HR10-250, she said they could only give me a HR20-700 based on my zip code so I cancelled the order............................

Still confused! I am scheduled for an upgrade for HD. Here is what they will be installing.
Directv 5-LNB
HD-DVR not HR20
Off Air Antenna
They said that I won't need the H20 because the HD-DVR will be my receiver. Is that correct?

The DVR is your receiver, so unless you ordered more than one box, the DVR will do it all.

Good luck,
Al Rovner

...she said they could only give me a HR20-700 based on my zip code so I cancelled the order.....
Call D* back and tell them you wan to buy a box from the dealer of your choice, and ask for bill or programming credit to help pay for it.

Then, order what you want from **************** dot com

Good idea

LJG --

If you order from ****************, make SURE you keep a copy of everything (applicable web pages, screenshots, notes of phone conversations, e-mails, warranties, etc). If something goes wrong, you may need them.

Carl

Just got $399 credit towards purchase from any retailer

Thanks Arxaw

As Carl said, always keep all correspondence and get names, employee numbers, confirmation numbers etc. if you deal with any retailer.

The DVR is your receiver, so unless you ordered more than one box, the DVR will do it all.

Good luck,
Al Rovner
Except receive MPEG-4, if that is a concern.

Can both of them be hooked up at one time? meaning the H20 and the HD-DVR?

Can both of them be hooked up at one time? meaning the H20 and the HD-DVR?
They could be, but you still won't be able to record MPEG-4, and there is a $5/mo extra charge for a second receiver.

I'm getting frustrated here in Rochester, NY (market #75). I have googled, Yahooed and Jeevesed with every search combo I can think of and can't find any kind of a list/schedule that shows the tentative dates for the move to MPEG4 by market.

Does anyone have a link they can point me to that provides the activation schedule?

Thanks.

Probably sometime in 2007.

Probably sometime in 2007.

Isn't early 2007 what they gave as the date they planned to complete the crossover in that conference call last autumn?

I am a long-time DirecTV subscriber (for Sunday Ticket, if for nothing else) and more or less an early adopter. (I usually jump in at the 2nd generation of new stuff - and skip the 1st generation).

I was having some problems with my Hughes E86 receiver, so I had DirecTV come out and upgrade my dish (to an AT9) and my receiver (to an H10). The initial schedule was a Monday install, and the installer showed up without the dish, or the multiswitch I needed. Not the sharpest tool in the shed. The install was re-scheduled by DirecTV for Friday pm. Luckily, the guy that showed up today was of much higher caliber than "Sharpie" from Monday.

I have a fairly complex installation (one HD receiver, one HDTivo, two regular receivers, one SD Tivo), and the installer handled it with ease. What suprised me the most was that he aimed the dish in no time. He put it on the roof, but I have a part of my lower roof that is competely protected from the wind, so I'm not worried about it. The readings on all my existing receivers were higher after the AT9 install than before.

The installer was a real pro, and did a nice job. He re-did all the cables from the previous installation, to make sure the connections were all reliable.

As for my first impression of the H10 receiver, I'd give it an initial "B". I still long for the day when I could choose from designs from companies like Sony, Hughes, etc. instead of a single receiver designed by DirecTV. Some things are clunky (hence the B grade) - but I thought the response time was fine.

Hopefully it will last longer than some of the units posted on this forum...

Hi all,
I have one of this new HD boxes from Directv. I hate the thing, its hard to use when compared against the Mitsubish HD receiver that it replaced. I thinking of calling Directv, sending it back and canceling the service. I've been with directv since 1997. Our Mitsubishi HD receiver died after a lighing strike back in June.

I will be getting my FOURTH "new" hd receiver via Fedex tuesday, to replace yet another one that died after about 4 months of use. I agree, after being with D* since 1995, this HD receiver has the worst GUI of any of them so far. And also the most unreliable box yet. If this one goes toast on me, I think I'll probably thow in the D* towel and just go OTA.

The only thing keeping me from dropping DirecTV at this point (and I've been with them since the beginning) is Setanta Sports, which is only available on DirecTV at this point.

The only thing keeping me from dropping DirecTV at this point (and I've been with them since the beginning) is Setanta Sports, which is only available on DirecTV at this point.

itvn.com

The only thing keeping me from dropping DirecTV at this point (and I've been with them since the beginning) is Setanta Sports, which is only available on DirecTV at this point.

I dont even know what Setanta Sports is. For me, its the NFL sunday ticket.

itvn.com


I know all about that. ;)

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=713746

I dont even know what Setanta Sports is. For me, its the NFL sunday ticket.


Setanta Sports is a Dublin-based channel that carries international Rugby, Soccer, Hurling, and Aussie Rules. I'm a huge Rugby Union fan, so I need Setanta.

Setanta Sports is a Dublin-based channel that carries international Rugby, Soccer, Hurling, and Aussie Rules. I'm a huge Rugby Union fan, so I need Setanta.

I see, right on

I called DTV yesterday trying to get more information on the mpeg 4. A rep in the HD dept. told me that on 09/15 that the boxes will be sold in retail stores nationally such as Best Buy. He could not confirm that you could order it through them on the 15th though.

Quick question for everyone, has anyone used two 4x8 multiswitches with a 3 lnb dish before? If so, how was it connected? For example, did the installer split the cables coming out of the dish or did they cascade them?

Thanks,
Kemical

I have 2 4x8 multiswitches cascaded: 4 outputs from #1 feed the inputs of #2.

Works fine!

I have read about folks using splitters if they needed more than 12 ports. Using specialized splitters that block DC from one multiswitch and pass DC from the other seems to be the right way to do it.

I have gone through all the posts and am still a little confused. I just bought my first HDTV and will be getting the AT-9 dish and H20 receiver installed next week. I currently have an old 2 LNB dish going to 2 receivers and a TERK outside antenna with a dedicated line running to each receiver. The output from my Sony receiver (RF remote) is split and run into our BR. I also have a second H20 receiver that I bought locally. So I will be hooking up the H20 to the HDTV (basement) and maybe the second H20 to the non-HDTV (family room).

1. How should the receivers be hooked up? Don't quite understand the multiswitch.

2. How does the OTA antenna get hooked up?

3. If I decide to add the new DVR in the future, should additional lines be run?

4. Does it make sense to hook up the H20 to a non-HD tv?

5. Can an RF remote be hooked up to the H20 so I can watch tv in the BR? If not, should another line be run to the BR so I can hook up one of my old receivers?

Thanks in advance for helping out the new guy.

I have gone through all the posts and am still a little confused. I just bought my first HDTV and will be getting the AT-9 dish and H20 receiver installed next week. I currently have an old 2 LNB dish going to 2 receivers and a TERK outside antenna with a dedicated line running to each receiver. The output from my Sony receiver (RF remote) is split and run into our BR. I also have a second H20 receiver that I bought locally. So I will be hooking up the H20 to the HDTV (basement) and maybe the second H20 to the non-HDTV (family room).

1. How should the receivers be hooked up? Don't quite understand the multiswitch.

2. How does the OTA antenna get hooked up?

3. If I decide to add the new DVR in the future, should additional lines be run?

4. Does it make sense to hook up the H20 to a non-HD tv?

5. Can an RF remote be hooked up to the H20 so I can watch tv in the BR? If not, should another line be run to the BR so I can hook up one of my old receivers?

Thanks in advance for helping out the new guy.

1. The dish has 4 outputs, so if that is enough you do not need a multiswitch.

2. With the H20/AT-9, you should run a separate cable to each location for OTA (no diplexing).

3. You should run two lines to any location where you anticipate a DVR (which may require a Zinwell WB68 multiswitch). DirecTV has talked about a frequency translation module which will allow stacking and a single cable, but it doesn't exist yet.

4 You can use a H20 with a non-HD TV by setting the format to 420i. It will allow you to view any HD-only channels you receive.

5. The H20 comes with the RC24 remote, which does either IR or RF.

1. The dish has 4 outputs, so if that is enough you do not need a multiswitch.

2. With the H20/AT-9, you should run a separate cable to each location for OTA (no diplexing).

3. You should run two lines to any location where you anticipate a DVR (which may require a Zinwell WB68 multiswitch). DirecTV has talked about a frequency translation module which will allow stacking and a single cable, but it doesn't exist yet.

4 You can use a H20 with a non-HD TV by setting the format to 420i. It will allow you to view any HD-only channels you receive.

5. The H20 comes with the RC24 remote, which does either IR or RF.


I am curious. You say to run straight from the OTA to the receiver. No diplexing. If I have a dual tuner and I decide to run an OTA cable as well, I will be running 3 total. What is the benefit of this rather than diplexing? Does the bandwith really make that much difference when sending both down the same pipe? Does your suggestion stay the same when using a terk antenna which automatically diplexes itself inline with default installation? Or do you suggest running a seperate line for that as well?

Thanks

I am curious. You say to run straight from the OTA to the receiver. No diplexing. If I have a dual tuner and I decide to run an OTA cable as well, I will be running 3 total. What is the benefit of this rather than diplexing? Does the bandwith really make that much difference when sending both down the same pipe? Does your suggestion stay the same when using a terk antenna which automatically diplexes itself inline with default installation? Or do you suggest running a seperate line for that as well?

Thanks

With the older Ku-band satellites, the output of the LNB is from 950-1450 MHz. This allows diplexing an OTA signal, which is between 54 (ch 2) and 806 MHz (ch 69) using the same coaxial cable. Unless (until) you upgrade to the H20 or HR-20 receiver, this will still work.

The LNB output for the Ka satellites used for MPEG4 HD is at either 250-750 or 1650-2150 MHz and the OTA signals and satellite signals would interfere with each other. I have heard that only the 1650-2150 MHz signals are currently being used, but with future expansion (next year) the entire range will be used. To avoid interference, a separate cable should be used for OTA signals.

These Ka satellites are now used to carry local and regional sports network HD signals, but the two new satellites going up in 2007 will carry a large number of national HD signals, as well. I have heard that the capability will be on the order of 150 HD channels.

Thanks RDN, that answers all my questions, I appreciate it.

With the older Ku-band satellites, the output of the LNB is from 950-1450 MHz. This allows diplexing an OTA signal, which is between 54 (ch 2) and 806 MHz (ch 69) using the same coaxial cable. Unless (until) you upgrade to the H20 or HR-20 receiver, this will still work.

The LNB output for the Ka satellites used for MPEG4 HD is at either 250-750 or 1650-2150 MHz and the OTA signals and satellite signals would interfere with each other. I have heard that only the 1650-2150 MHz signals are currently being used, but with future expansion (next year) the entire range will be used. To avoid interference, a separate cable should be used for OTA signals.

These Ka satellites are now used to carry local and regional sports network HD signals, but the two new satellites going up in 2007 will carry a large number of national HD signals, as well. I have heard that the capability will be on the order of 150 HD channels.


Well, I am waiting fro my H10250. I will be able to use my terk then no problem, right? I wont have to run a seperate cable? I was curious...i know the terk runs in line and thus creates a diplexed signal, but can i actually split the diplex at the receiver using a diplexer ao that one cable can go into the tuner input and th eother can go into the sat input? Rather than just running two cables that carry both signals?

4 You can use a H20 with a non-HD TV by setting the format to 420i. It will allow you to view any HD-only channels you receive.
The composite video and S-video outputs always output 480i, regardless of what resolution is selected. And all outputs on the back of the H20 are always hot. No output switching necessary. BTW, there is no RF (ch 3/4) output on these receivers, so on really old TVs, you'll need an RF modulator.

That being said, a 4:3 TV may not display the image properly if "16:9" TV type is selected in the H20 Setup Menu.

Well, I am waiting fro my H10250. I will be able to use my terk then no problem, right? I wont have to run a seperate cable? I was curious...i know the terk runs in line and thus creates a diplexed signal, but can i actually split the diplex at the receiver using a diplexer ao that one cable can go into the tuner input and th eother can go into the sat input? Rather than just running two cables that carry both signals?
Yes, with your HR10-250 and a 3-LNB dish, you can use the diplxed OTA signal with the satellite signals. And yes you can use a separate diplxer between one of the satellite inputs and the OTA input on your HR10-250.

But you already know that youmay have to rearrange things to use the current 5-LNB dish, although the proposed FTM single-cable approach may not have the same issue as the 4-cable 5-LNB system.

The composite video and S-video outputs always output 480i, regardless of what resolution is selected. And all outputs on the back of the H20 are always hot. No output switching necessary. BTW, there is no RF (ch 3/4) output on these receivers, so on really old TVs, you'll need an RF modulator.

That being said, a 4:3 TV may not display the image properly if "16:9" TV type is selected in the H20 Setup Menu.
It'll work. I'm currently running a 4:3 TV in another room using a RF modulator connected to my H20 composite video output with "16:9" TV type selected to support my primary TV and as long as I tune the H20 to an SD channel it appears properly. Of course the 4:3 TV doesn't look too good if I select a HD channel. :)

Gunner

BTW its an H20-600

The composite video and S-video outputs always output 480i, regardless of what resolution is selected. And all outputs on the back of the H20 are always hot. No output switching necessary. BTW, there is no RF (ch 3/4) output on these receivers, so on really old TVs, you'll need an RF modulator.

That being said, a 4:3 TV may not display the image properly if "16:9" TV type is selected in the H20 Setup Menu.

I haven't checked, but my understanding is that the H20 doesn't output anything on the RCA video jack unless 420i is selected (the HR20 does, however).

I haven't checked, but my understanding is that the H20 doesn't output anything on the RCA video jack unless 420i is selected (the HR20 does, however).
This is not true.

All jacks on the H20 (both model -100 & -600) receiver are hot all the time. No input or resolution switching is necessary. S-vid & composite (RCA) video jacks are always 480i.

This is not true.

All jacks on the H20 (both model -100 & -600) receiver are hot all the time. No input or resolution switching is necessary. S-vid & composite (RCA) video jacks are always 480i.

I'm glad to hear that. There was apparently some misinformation on the dbstalk forum.

This is not true.

All jacks on the H20 (both model -100 & -600) receiver are hot all the time. No input or resolution switching is necessary. S-vid & composite (RCA) video jacks are always 480i.


This is correct.

I have the new direct-tv dish and I am going to remove it and install the three lnd antenna. I have too many problems with this new dish and signal strength is suffering. Pixel break ups is way too common. I have had technicians trying to re aim and no improvement. Does any one know if the three lnb dish can be connected to a switch and seperate dishes added for new satellites added? I am spending more time messing with the receiver and dish than enjoying H.D. television.

If you can get OTA, for now you may be better off with OTA for local HD and go back to a 3LNB dish, since you're having so much trouble with the AT9.

Did the installers use solid-copper-center-conductor coax for the AT9 installation? They're supposed to, but some of them do not. If not, you may have reception problems.

Hye guys, getting a 5 lnb dish installed next week. my questions

1) what are the D* installers required to do. At my last place, they did a crappy job, running wires across the roof at an agle, down the side of the house and then drilled a hole through the wall to run the cable in. IN the bedroom, they ran the cord under the carpet to get across a hallway.

Are they supposed to do a bit better job than this? In my new place, I have a tv area built into the wall next to a fireplace. There currently is a single cable wire there. I'm hoping they can somehow 'follow' the cable wire from the cable box with two cables for the hd dvr. I just don't want to take any smack fromt he installer about what they can or can't do for me.

2) I'm thinking of getting an OTA in the attic sooner or later, I imagine they aren't required to run a line up there (or are they if I want it hooked up to the hd tivo?), but maybe if I gave the guy 50 bucks or something after all the sat stuff was completed?

3) tips on what to ensure before I let them leave? I think I read they are required to stay a half hour after everything has been installed before they leave. With all the problems I hear about with the new dish, I plan on being a complete a hole if necessary in the hopes of getting it done right the first time.

thanks in advance

Hye guys, getting a 5 lnb dish installed next week. my questions

1) what are the D* installers required to do. At my last place, they did a crappy job, running wires across the roof at an agle, down the side of the house and then drilled a hole through the wall to run the cable in. IN the bedroom, they ran the cord under the carpet to get across a hallway.

Are they supposed to do a bit better job than this? In my new place, I have a tv area built into the wall next to a fireplace. There currently is a single cable wire there. I'm hoping they can somehow 'follow' the cable wire from the cable box with two cables for the hd dvr. I just don't want to take any smack fromt he installer about what they can or can't do for me.

2) I'm thinking of getting an OTA in the attic sooner or later, I imagine they aren't required to run a line up there (or are they if I want it hooked up to the hd tivo?), but maybe if I gave the guy 50 bucks or something after all the sat stuff was completed?

3) tips on what to ensure before I let them leave? I think I read they are required to stay a half hour after everything has been installed before they leave. With all the problems I hear about with the new dish, I plan on being a complete a hole if necessary in the hopes of getting it done right the first time.

thanks in advance

They are required to do what it takes (within reason/safety) to install the system, but trust me, if the job looks too hard they can very easily say "nope, sorry, not going to happen." The situation your talking about wih the tv in the wall next to the fireplace sounds similar to mine. D* is coming on the 20th to "install" the h10250 but because of the fact that the tv is in a strange place with no outside walls near it, i ran everything myself. Installers are a joke 9 times out of 10, and most of them dont even carry wallfish kits anymore. If I were you, I would start looking at your setup and see what routes you would run the cable to the tv so that the cable is the least visible. If you take some pictures of your setup im sure a few of us on here could try and give you some advice....but as far as an installer running a cable to your tv that is in the wall (assuming it is not an outside wall)...i wouldnt count on it looking that great if they actually decide to do it.

Key things to make sure they do/don't do.

1. Make sure they have a wallfish kit and use it if they need to, dont let them get away with cutting corners because you are the one who has to look at that visible cable everyday.

2. If you have an attic and the cable can be ran through it, tell them to get up in there, dont be shy, it is their job.

3. If the cable can be ran through a kitchen to hide wires, tell them that you will gladly slide out the stove so they can run the cable behind it. Also tell them to utilize cabinet space rather than just tacking the cable to the baseboard underneath.

4. Because you have 1 cable ran to the spot where your tv is, im guessing that it probably runs to your attic and was attached to an OTA at one point. If this is the case, they can always find the other end, tone it out to be sure, attach their dual cable to one end and pull it all the way through. (this would avoid wallfishing)

5. These guys usually make anywhere from $20 to $100 per install, so offering them an extra $50 is plenty if you need them to do something else. Just make sure you mention it early on, before they start doing a sloppy job. If they know you are going to give them extra right away, they may actually do a decent/clean job.

I hope you get a little help from some of the stuff i have written. Good Luck man!

thanks, I appreciate it. the cable sticking out currently goes directly to an outside cable box. And the house is currently wired for digital cable. So I imagine that the cable currently running to the bedroom and garage where i have a big screen set up can just be connected directly to the sattelite (alothough I guess they'd have to connect one line through a connector to the line leading to the dish if they did that.... would that hurt the signal?)

the big one will most likely be an ota line from the antenna, but maybe if the rest of the job is relatively easy they'll be cool about it.

Thanks for the info on the wallfish, good to know.

thanks, I appreciate it. the cable sticking out currently goes directly to an outside cable box. And the house is currently wired for digital cable. So I imagine that the cable currently running to the bedroom and garage where i have a big screen set up can just be connected directly to the sattelite (alothough I guess they'd have to connect one line through a connector to the line leading to the dish if they did that.... would that hurt the signal?)

the big one will most likely be an ota line from the antenna, but maybe if the rest of the job is relatively easy they'll be cool about it.

Thanks for the info on the wallfish, good to know.

Ok, so you have 1 coaxial cable behind your tv that goes directly to the cable box? They still need to get two lines behind your tv, right? That is the hard part uaually.

I don't really understand what you meant about having one line be connected through a connector for your garage and bedroom. If you are asking if the cable can be split from the dish to the receiver, the answer is nope. It has to be a direct line from the dish to the receiver. There is some new technology that Dish Network is using where they are capable of diplexing 2 feeds down 1 coax at the dish and then un-diplexing it at the receiver, so that way you only have to run 1 line....but i dont think D* is there yet. You cant just do it with any old diplexer, and i believe that it is a special lnb too.

I am having the 5 LNB installed on Tues. Currently have 3 DVR's but replacing one with the new HR 20-700. I have an aspen splitter now, but understand I will need a new one. Will D provide it or will the installer try to charge me for it?

Any word yet on MPEG4 Nationals...I see Best Buy has the new MPEG4 DVR on there web site!

I am having the 5 LNB installed on Tues. Currently have 3 DVR's but replacing one with the new HR 20-700. I have an aspen splitter now, but understand I will need a new one. Will D provide it or will the installer try to charge me for it?

It will be replaced with a Zinwell WB68 multiswitch. If you have need for one (and you do) it should be included.

Any word yet on MPEG4 Nationals...I see Best Buy has the new MPEG4 DVR on there web site!


These will be added when the DirecTV 10 & 11 satellites are operational next year.

I'm sorry if this has been addressed already, but it's a long thread. What is the current deal that DirecTV is offering current HD customers for the switch over to Mpeg4? I'm thinking since the new Mpeg4 DVR is coming, I might go ahead and make the switch if the deal is a good one.

As it stands now, I have 3 non-DVR HD receivers, one of them is the H20 that DirecTV sent as a replacement w/ 2-year commitment for an H10 that died on me. In addition, I have two HR10-250's and 4 SD receivers with 2 3-LNB dishes and 1 4X8 and 1 2X4 multiswitch.

I've been a customer for about 12 years, have the highest package + Setanta Sports (at an additional $12.99 a month) and have subscribed to NBA League Pass for maybe 7 years now.

Oh, one other thing, could someone post the number for a direct line to DirecTV Customer retention? I used to have it somewhere, but I've lost it.
Thanks all. :)

Direct Retention Dept: 800-824-9081 :)

Direct Retention Dept: 800-824-9081 :)

Thanks. :)

I'm sorry if this has been addressed already, but it's a long thread. What is the current deal that DirecTV is offering current HD customers for the switch over to Mpeg4? I'm thinking since the new Mpeg4 DVR is coming, I might go ahead and make the switch if the deal is a good one.




Anyone know what they are running, now that the HR20-700 is available?

hey all ... couple of q's.

1. i live in sacramento, ca. my understanding is that only three of my local's will be available in hd (cbs, nbc, abc). is that true?

2. are there any good reviews on the h20-700s? if so, can someone provide some links? i searched avs and was surprised i couldn't find one.

thanks!

hey all ... couple of q's.

1. i live in sacramento, ca. my understanding is that only three of my local's will be available in hd (cbs, nbc, abc). is that true?

2. are there any good reviews on the h20-700s? if so, can someone provide some links? i searched avs and was surprised i couldn't find one.

thanks!

Apparently i am getting a new mpeg 4 HD DVR even tho i want the h10. All i want to know is...do they have the tuner set up now so i can get OTA also? cuz if not im gonna be furious.

hey all ... couple of q's.

1. i live in sacramento, ca. my understanding is that only three of my local's will be available in hd (cbs, nbc, abc). is that true?

2. are there any good reviews on the h20-700s? if so, can someone provide some links? i searched avs and was surprised i couldn't find one.

thanks!
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=61862

Anywhere from 0 to $399, depending on who you talk to. Some people appear to be getting free upgrades, while others have paid full price (often with some discounted programming thrown in). Beach Audio and Value Electronics list them for $299 on their web sites.

I just spent an hour talking to D* (after getting cut off twice)!!! I had a HD & HDDVR installation scheduled for 9/14. I called to verify which DVR I was going to receive. I live in the Cinti market with local HD's scheduled in the fall.

1) The CSR told me on 9/6 I had to get the 5 lnb in the Cinti market, and the cost of the DVR would be $299 after the $100 mail in rebate & $15 s&h.

2) Every CSR misled me about the HR10-250 and the lnb5. I asked if they were compatible with station like NESN HD and they said "yes". I thought I had read earlier they were not. Called 9/11 to see which DVR I was to receive (I just read about the H20-700 today in this forum)

4) Told by the 2nd rep (after getting disconnected from the 1st) that the DVR is the HR10-250. I told the rep that it would not decode mpeg4 channels so I want a 3 lnb dish instead.......again got disconnected. Why the heck get that big thing if there is no benefit received from it?

5) Called the customer retention line (again found on this forum). This CSR was helpful. Switched to the 3lnb from the 5lnb, still the HR-250............and was told the DVR was free since I have NFL Sunday ticket & am upgrading to HD (no thanks to the other crappy CSRs).

6) The kicker is............the CSR said I may get the H20-700 if the installation company has already received them, and in that case get the 5 lnb dish, otherwise it's a free upgrade in the future.........and another free upgrade when the slimline dish is available. Of course the installation had to be rescheduled for next week...another week of Sunday ticket w/o HD!

This forum just saved me over $300 and a bunch of headaches. Thanks

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=61862perfect ... thanks trich. i know earl knows what he's doing ...

Does anyone know if the ATSC tuners on the HR20-700 are functional yet?

Does anyone know if the ATSC tuners on the HR20-700 are functional yet?

I don't think there is an official date, but people are saying October. I plan to wait at least until then.

Who knows now, the HR20 is now recalled

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=63907

Who knows now, the HR20 is now recalled

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=63907No it isn't. You need to read past the thread title.

Are the HR20-700's available in my area? I'm in NYC - Queens to be exact.

I don't think there is an official date, but people are saying October. I plan to wait at least until then.

If they are available in my areas, but do not have the ATSC tuners enabled, I will wait until they are. I need OTA reception. DirecTV does not carry all of the locals (PBS, where are you?) and they don't carry all of the sub-channels either. My local CW affiliate carries The Tube music network on their sub-channel, and I like to watch it.

If they are available in my areas, but do not have the ATSC tuners enabled, I will wait until they are. I need OTA reception. DirecTV does not carry all of the locals (PBS, where are you?) and they don't carry all of the sub-channels either. My local CW affiliate carries The Tube music network on their sub-channel, and I like to watch it.

You can probably find one at Value Electronics in Scarsdale, NY.

I know some locals are delaying on DirecTV carrying their HD signals because they want the subchannels included.

You can probably find one at Value Electronics in Scarsdale, NY.

I know some locals are delaying on DirecTV carrying their HD signals because they want the subchannels included.

Oh, I know VE is selling them. What I meant was, is DirecTV actively offering them in the NYC area, or are they still not considered to be 'officially' launched in NYC? :)

Oh, I know VE is selling them. What I meant was, is DirecTV actively offering them in the NYC area, or are they still not considered to be 'officially' launched in NYC? :)

Try calling the local installer for DTV to see if they have them.

DirecTV now has them available for order from their web stie ($299), so they must be past the "LA only" and "Best Buy only" issues.

I'm planning to wait until they get the OTA tuners enabled.

Directv is FORCING me to get a new HR20 HD DVR on saturday.

I just moved and set up the movers connection for today, but they cancelled becuase "they didn't have my equipment" yet. I asked what they were talking about, and they told me I was getting a HD DVR but they were out of stock today. I told them I didn't want one or ask for one and they could just hook up my HD Tivo to the new dish.

That's when things got ugly. They told me they weren't allowed to hook up HD Tivos to the 5lnb dish because it was D*'s rule. He told me the HD Tivo wouldn't work with the new wiring (which sounded like BS, but I'm no wire expert).

So I just got p*ssed off and told him I'd bring my old 3lnb dish and they could set me up with that instead.. they "couldn't" cause that meant changing the ticket order.

So one FRIGGIN hour later on hold... And they're crediting me a bunch of credits for my complaining, coming saturday to hook up the new HD DVR and a standard Mpg 4 receiver at no charge (for installation or the receivers) and they aren't taking my old HD Tivo because I own it. (and I will be promptly hooking it up to the new sat dish to see if they were full of crap)

So I guess I can't complain too much. I'll let you guys know how the HR20 compares with the 10-250

(and I will be promptly hooking it up to the new sat dish to see if they were full of crap)


They are full of crap. The HR10-250 should work fine with the new dish.

They are full of crap. The HR10-250 should work fine with the new dish.

That's what I told the guy, but he went on about some new wiring they are using with the mpeg4 equipment, and I wasn't gonna argue cause I know nothing about wiring. All I know is that the the 5lnb dish should work fine with my hdtivo if connected with normal coax.

I think it's just a line of BS they feed customers so people won't complain about their "policy"

The AT9 dish and solid copper conductor coax is backward compatible with all previous HD receivers and HD Tivos and most standard def receivers and DVRs. It would be insane to come out with a new dish that was not backward-compatible. What would people with mixed SD & HD receiver households do? Install yet-another-dish for the SD boxes?

The AT9 dish and solid copper conductor coax is backward compatible with all previous HD receivers and HD Tivos and most standard def receivers and DVRs. It would be insane to come out with a new dish that was not backward-compatible. What would people with mixed SD & HD receiver households do? Install yet-another-dish for the SD boxes?

I think the idea is to swap out their SD boxes with H10s that can air either SD or HD.

That was the impression I got talking to em on the phone. They wouldn't "allow" the installers to hook up any mpeg2 equipment with the new dish.

At one point I got "special permission" to let them hook up a 3lnb dish and reconnect my old hdtivo. But the installer told me he'd hook up the h20, an h10 and I could keep all my old equip,emt since I bought it, so I figured, I might as well have a half dozen receivers and hooke em up myself as I see fit.

sandie, a free new one...i'd take it...even for the 5/month extra charge...but of course i'm always aching for more tuners and space :)
------------
and if they are truly mandating free swaps when people move...that's really not all that bad a deal for a lot of people. If they will run all new wires plus an OTA separately for free...it's actually worth pretty much. (some people)

Before the HR20 was available from DTV's site, if I tried ordering the HD DVR, an OTA antenna was available for $49.99.

Now when trying to order the HR20, it says local channels are available in my area but there is no option for me to add the OTA antenna. With this new HR20, would I need an OTA antenna to receive the local channels?

Before the HR20 was available from DTV's site, if I tried ordering the HD DVR, an OTA antenna was available for $49.99.

Now when trying to order the HR20, it says local channels are available in my area but there is no option for me to add the OTA antenna. With this new HR20, would I need an OTA antenna to receive the local channels?

Don't know where Tracy, CA is but the answer to this is a big depends:

If you live in an area where you can receive MPEG 4 HD LIL, then you don't need the antenna for the big four (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX). Beyond those four you will need an antenna.

Here is the problem though. As of right now, the OTA tuners on the HR20 are disabled and not working, so you wouldn't be able to get anything with the ant. Supposedly D* is going to send a software update in the coming months to set them to active.

That is probably why D* doesn't have an OTA antenna option with the receiver.

I just don't understand why they would ship these things with disabled ATSC tuners in the first place. It just doesn't make sense to me. :confused:

sandie, a free new one...i'd take it...even for the 5/month extra charge...but of course i'm always aching for more tuners and space :)
------------
and if they are truly mandating free swaps when people move...that's really not all that bad a deal for a lot of people. If they will run all new wires plus an OTA separately for free...it's actually worth pretty much. (some people)

Yeah, if they would have actually showed up yesterday when I had taken the day off of work I'd have been happy. And it sounds like it won't even be a swap, I told the guy straight up that I'm not paying anything and he's not getting my hdtivo, and he said they didn't want my hdtivo (which makes sense, since they aren't going to be installing any of them around here for the most part.)

Now on saturday we'll see how that actually works out. I'm gonna hide my Tivo somewhere! :D

I just upgraded to HD TV on directv, and when I ordered I was supposed to get the old dvr (hr10-250?) with an OTA. When the guy came he gave me a choice of HR10-250 or HR20-250. I figured I'd take the new technology without really thinking about it, but I'm already second guessing that choice.

My installer didn't do the software upgrade when he installed the HR20-250, so it kept crashing. I found (on a whim) a link to how to fix the problem and force it to upgrade. Hit record and down on the DVR unit itself for 2 minutes when it hits "almost there" after hitting reset (this formats the hard drive). Then when it next rebotos when it says "almost there" punch in 02468 on the remote (this does the upgrade). The upgrade worked now, so I'm hoping the crashing issue goes away now.

I am happy to get CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX in HD, but I'm pretty annoyed that I don't get WGN or WCIU because they both play local sports. On the other hand, from what I read comcast sportsnet is supposed to go online soon in HD mpg4, and I would be mad if I didn't have that channel (for me I only want HD for sports, so it's locals, comcast sportsnet, tnt, and espn are all i need) so I guess I'm stuck sticking with the HR20-250.

Anyway, if you do get one make sure your installer does the software upgrade before doing the whole install. It took me like an hour to program all my wishlists into the thing and now I have to do it over. All in all, I say to myself there is no way in hell I'd be a DTV customer if it weren't for the sunday ticket. I'm into football less and less these days, and if things stay bad I may opt to cancel and switch to someone else once football season ends.

Before the HR20 was available from DTV's site, if I tried ordering the HD DVR, an OTA antenna was available for $49.99.

Now when trying to order the HR20, it says local channels are available in my area but there is no option for me to add the OTA antenna. With this new HR20, would I need an OTA antenna to receive the local channels?
Tracy is in the Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto DMA so your locals would from Sac.

DirecTV provides, in HD, channels-KRCA(NBC) KXTV(ABC) KOVR(CBS) KMAX(I believe this one is The CW). It appears an agreement is pending for the FOX affiliate.

Once the tuners are activated in the HR20 I don't imagine you would have much trouble getting OTA since the antenna farm is in Walnut Grove, and it's pretty flat out there where you are.

The below threads may be of more help regarding local info,

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=669266&page=2&pp=30
Sacramento, CA - DBS - AVS Forum

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8417936#post8417936
Sacramento, CA - OTA - AVS Forum

My installer didn't do the software upgrade when he installed the HR20-250, so it kept crashing. I found (on a whim) a link to how to fix the problem and force it to upgrade. Hit record and down on the DVR unit itself for 2 minutes when it hits "almost there" after hitting reset (this formats the hard drive). Then when it next rebotos when it says "almost there" punch in 02468 on the remote (this does the upgrade). The upgrade worked now, so I'm hoping the crashing issue goes away now.



Wow, this seems like a pretty important step. I'll print this out for saturday when mine gets hooked up. This should almost have it's own thread, cause I imagine others will have the same prob.

Once the tuners are activated in the HR20 I don't imagine you would have much trouble getting OTA since the antenna farm is in Walnut Grove, and it's pretty flat out there where you are.

So should I just wait or is it true that they will send out a software update to activate the tuners?

Wow, this seems like a pretty important step. I'll print this out for saturday when mine gets hooked up. This should almost have it's own thread, cause I imagine others will have the same prob.

You don't have to do the format unless the software upgrade fails btw.

There is a description of the problem on "****************" home page under HR20 firmware update. I can't post the link because I haven't made 5 posts yet or else I would.

I am hoping this solves my problems, prior to this the HR20 locked up when I left the house for a few hours, and it was locked up in the morning when I woke up. It was fine when I was playing stuff with the TV on. I've just done the upgrade this morning and so far so good, but I haven't had the TV off for a long period of time yet.

It seems like my problem was not resolved by using the update. Also, I found out it had nothing to do with the DVR locking.

The DVR remained functional, the problem was my HDMI cable will not work once I turn the TV off and on. When I turn the TV back on the HDMI signal does not come back on from the DVR. Directv said on the phone that this problem was due to an incompatibility between my TV and the HR20 and my TV (JFC 40FH97) and would be fixed by a downloadable software update some time in the future (though they didn't give any such date of when that'd be available of course).

Not too happy, but running through component cables and things now seem to work.

Through a little more playing around I found out that if I change the format of the HDMI signal that it will work on HDMI and come back when I turn off the TV. I normally have it in 1080i piller mode, but and then when I switch it to 480i it comes back. If I leave it in 480i then when I switch it to 1080 it comes back. So no matter what it goes away, but cycling it has it come back. Unfortunately this process is kind of a pain in the butt, but at least I can still get HDMI.

I don't think it's going to pass the wife test though, so I'm probably going to leave it on component and just switch to HDMI when I want to watch sports and she's not around.

I was wondering if anyone has run into the same issue I have and what D*'s response was:
I'm currently a customer in the Boston market. My 3LNB works fine with no issues. My current elevation is 27 degrees. When the installer finally came out (after two cancellations) he didn't seem too interested in doing the job. He told me that he could not put the new 5LNB dish in the same spot as the 3LNB because the elevation was only 20 degrees and trees across the street (and two houses down) were in the way. He then, by his eagle eye, looked from the ground at the other end of my house and said it would not be able to go there because some other trees, in my yard, were in the way.
I was so disgusted that I didn't even want to call D* to complain because I figured I would just drop them when I get the chance...I finally broke down today and was told that someone would be calling me back. I'm wondering if anyone else has run into this same issue and what D* did to resolve it.
I wonder how much longer I will be able continue to use my current setup and what if anymore HD channels will be available to me with everything going to MPEG-4

I don't think it's going to pass the wife test though, so I'm probably going to leave it on component and just switch to HDMI when I want to watch sports and she's not around.

Have you noticed a big difference between component and HDMI?

I think the HDMI is noticeably better if you are looking for the difference, but not so noticeable that you'd probably pick up on it if you weren't looking for a difference.

I was wondering if anyone has run into the same issue I have and what D*'s response was:
I'm currently a customer in the Boston market. My 3LNB works fine with no issues. My current elevation is 27 degrees. When the installer finally came out (after two cancellations) he didn't seem too interested in doing the job. He told me that he could not put the new 5LNB dish in the same spot as the 3LNB because the elevation was only 20 degrees and trees across the street (and two houses down) were in the way. He then, by his eagle eye, looked from the ground at the other end of my house and said it would not be able to go there because some other trees, in my yard, were in the way.
I was so disgusted that I didn't even want to call D* to complain because I figured I would just drop them when I get the chance...I finally broke down today and was told that someone would be calling me back. I'm wondering if anyone else has run into this same issue and what D* did to resolve it.
I wonder how much longer I will be able continue to use my current setup and what if anymore HD channels will be available to me with everything going to MPEG-4
The AT9 dish will work from any location the 3LNB dish works from. The only possible exception being if the 101 LNB on your 3LNB dish is looking thru a slit that is less than 4 degrees wide thereby blocking 99 and 103 while allowing 101 to get thru. The signal from the sats is still coming from the same place so how could the new dish not be able to see the sats from the same location as the 3LNB. It just makes absolutely no sense to say the line of site between the sats and the dish will be different. If the sat is at point A in orbit and the dish is at point B on the ground it is a straight line inbetween no matter which dish is at point B the line still goes from A to B it doesn't move.

My signal strength is
Satellite 101 is between 83 and 100 depending on the transponder.
Satellite 119 is between 92 and 98 depending on the transponder.
Satellite 110 is between 77 and 88 depending on the transponder.
I'm not sure how to check 99 and 103 but I don't see anything blocking the signal. The way he tried to show me that it was working was to look through a viewfinder type contraption that had a line going through it and line it up to 20 degrees. That's why I was curious why the new satellites would be so far off of the current ones that it would preclude me from getting the AT9 dish...so it sounds like a bunch of bs?
Thanks

sponge101 --

As stang351 said, if your 3lnb antenna works, so should the new one. When I plug in a zip from Boston (02130) on the DirecTV web site, it gives me an elevation of 32.7 degrees and an azimuth of 236.3 degrees -- NOT 20! Sounds like the tech didn't feel like working. If D* doesn't return your call, I'd call them back!

I suspect it will be a few years before D* drops it's "regular" digital channels, although they will eventually add some more HD choices.

Carl

My signal strength is
Satellite 101 is between 83 and 100 depending on the transponder.
Satellite 119 is between 92 and 98 depending on the transponder.
Satellite 110 is between 77 and 88 depending on the transponder.
I'm not sure how to check 99 and 103 but I don't see anything blocking the signal. The way he tried to show me that it was working was to look through a viewfinder type contraption that had a line going through it and line it up to 20 degrees. That's why I was curious why the new satellites would be so far off of the current ones that it would preclude me from getting the AT9 dish...so it sounds like a bunch of bs?
Thanks
Yep, it was a load of BS. The AT9 looks at the same three sats as your current dish plus two more, the 99 and 103. The 99 and 103 are right next to 101. The angle of the dish might be different, but the line of sight is the same so if you can see 101, 110 and 119 from you current location with your current dish then the AT9 will work just fine in the same location barring the exceptional situation I mentioned above.

Hi all. I live in the woods here in Central Arkansas. I currently use a 18" dish for the 101 sat, a 24" dish for the 110 sat, and a 3' dish for the 119 sat, all connected to a multiswitch under the house. There are no locations on my property which can see all 3 satellites at once, hence the custom install. I just purchesed a HR20, and understand I need to add two additional satellites at 99 and 103. Both those are visible from my 101 dish'es position. Can I install the 5 lnb dish at that location, and route cables from the 110 and 119 dishes to the new dish, and plug them in, in place of the two LNB's for 110 and 119, or am I out of luck on any new HD?

The only multiple dish installation for 5LNBs I know of is covered at http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=62223

2 or 3 AT9s of the correct type could do the trick for you.

Thanks Greywolf, I doubt Id be able to convince D* into giving me 3 AT9's tho. My second option is to hire a tree cutter to top off flat, a dying oak tree on the south side of my property, at about 25', and mount the dish on top of the 25' "stump". Then I wouldnt have to worry about moving the dishes around every couple years. Ill just let the installer coming Saturday do his survey, and see what he comes up with. If I can get by with just two AT9's, Ill probably just pay him for the second one. I am guessing tho, that D* will be phasing out the 110 and 119 satellites at some point, hopefully.

With my attempted install last year, they said if you can't see all the sats they wont install it. Period. I even said I''d sign a waiver. nope. After a week of hellish calls, I did it myself. So I can see why they wont install a new dish for someone if you can't get the new birds...regardless of whether you even need them or not ;)

Hey guys. I ordered the HR-20 so I have to go from an oval 3-LNB to the AT9.

The 18x24 dish is currently mounted on the south wall of my townhome. Now I wonder if the bigger AT9 will bring objections from my HOA. Anyways, I've already scheduled the install.

The CSR said the AT9 is heavier and that they might not be able to mount it on the wall, that they might have to put it on a pole. If that's the case, the HOA will really object.

What is the approx. weight difference? Anyone able to replace a 3-LNB oval on a wall mount with the AT9?

Ideally, they could use the same wall mount and not drill new holes (as they were able to do when they upgraded me from the small circular one to the oval), although I wonder if the bigger dish wouldn't cover up a portion of a window.

I just upgraded to the AT9 and H20. They would not mount the AT9 on the wall where the old 3LNB oval dish was. They said they could only pole mount or roof mount. They ended up mounting it on the roof directly above where the old dish was so they could follow same cable path. Looks fine and works fine but I'm not able to service it myself now..which I had always done in the past.

Oh that would not work for me.

Roof is a good 15 feet above the wall mount and it's a very steep pitch tile roof.

We couldn't use the roof originally which is why we used the wall mount.

And being in a townhome complex, I don't know where they would mount a pole in the ground, even if it could be high enough to clear over the buildings, which are like 30 feet high (multilevel townhomes).

Oh that would not work for me.

Roof is a good 15 feet above the wall mount and it's a very steep pitch tile roof.

We couldn't use the roof originally which is why we used the wall mount.

And being in a townhome complex, I don't know where they would mount a pole in the ground, even if it could be high enough to clear over the buildings, which are like 30 feet high (multilevel townhomes).
The AT9 is smaller and lighter than the Direcway dish and I have seen it wall mounted. Just depends on your installer I guess.

The CSR also thought it could use my existing multiswitch but it sounds like the new dish requires a completely different kind of multiswitch?

Also, do the HR20s come with HDMI to DVI adapters and cables? How about component cables?

RG6 is what they need right, so they could use the existing runs of RG6 (have two to bedroom and 3 or 4 to living room).

The AT9 weighs aboy 32 lbs and. can be mounted to a wall stud by the mast with 2 monopoles added for kind of a tripod effect. Heck, I have a 27" tube type TV I can barely lift mounted on a wall single tube wall rack. Only the Zinwell WB68 multiswitch should be used for Ka band equipment. The HR20 comes with component cables. An HDMI/DVI cable can be found for under $10. Forum Alliance members listed at the top of each page are good sources for cable. Feel free to shop for price. They all provide the same picture quality. The latest spec is for all copper RG6 cable. For runs under 100', the more typical copper coated steel center wire RG6 should work okay.

Anyone have an HR20 and have problems recording HD content on the mpg4 channels? I have just tested this, but I seen no reference in the manual about how to tell it to use the HD vs the SD version of the channel, and I just got multiple programs that were broadcast in HD recorded in SD. I've only had the HR20 for 3 days, so I haven't done extensive testing yet, but the first 2 things I scheduled to record that should have been HD on mpg4 channels were both SD when I got them.

As far as I can see there are no options for picking hd vs sd channel and they aren't listed seperately. As a side note, both programs come in HD, but were not listed as HD on the guide, so I'm wondering if that's the issue.

SD channels are two letter abbreviations for your city plus the channel number. HD channels are the channel numbers plus the station call letters. HD programs will normally say HD.

I was gona get this installed yesterday but i didnt because direct tv only had channels 24.1 & 30.1 on their stelite i have an OTA and have all channels but 24.1

they said the OTA would not work with the new HD DVR and so i would lose 47.1 and 26.1 I didnt wana lose my channels mainy because football.

Is this true you cant do that and why would D* offer all the local channels in HI DEF. I was all ready for the install and got the HD DVR for free and I had to cancel

The OTA channel software for the HR20 is still in the testing phase and isn't available yet. An October release is estimated. Release of the major channels in MPEG4 across the entire country has been given priority over getting more channels in individual cities.

The OTA channel software for the HR20 is still in the testing phase and isn't available yet. An October release is estimated. Release of the major channels in MPEG4 across the entire country has been given priority over getting more channels in individual cities.

Is it that they don't have the agreements with the local channels or that they don't have the capacity to add them?

What about Fox Sports in various cities with local teams in HD?

Is it that they don't have the agreements with the local channels or that they don't have the capacity to add them?

What about Fox Sports in various cities with local teams in HD?
OTA channel tuner does not need permission to recieve anything. Only locals carried on the sat itself.

Reggie

That was my question, why only 4 HD local channels on the satellite per market?

Is it capacity or do they have to hammer out agreements with the other stations and networks?

That was my question, why only 4 HD local channels on the satellite per market?

Is it capacity or do they have to hammer out agreements with the other stations and networks?
Both, less so capacity, more so agreements, and the fact that most all viewers are more concerned with the network stations than they are with independent locals. The rest will come later in a second or third go around. DirecTV is concentrating on getting as much of the US up and running with local Big 4 HD first, then they'll do the rest.

Some cities have more than the big 4 and I guess it's about local demand. Some don't have all the big 4 and that's where the local stations want more money.

I had heard that there is a problem using diplexors on MPEG 4 equipment.Here in Cleveland not all neworks are avilable on DTV. I am using OTA on My H20 with no problems;using 3 LNB dish. I am planning on upgrading to 5 LNB soon.
Thanks

The 5LNB has a problem with diplexing. The 250-750MHz portion of the Ka band conflicts with the 54-806MHz OTA band. That part of the Ka band hasn't gotten much use yet but it will.

Hello Wolf (or anyone),
I noticed that you are a frequent poster to the DirecTv MPEG-4 installation thread. You also seem to know quite a bit about the signals being distributed too. I thought I would ask the following...

Our building is getting a quote for an MDU installation. They did the site survey today, and the electronics designer will be calling us tomorrow to discuss the design of the system. Since we are in LA (actually Pasadena, about 8 miles away) one of the things we really want is for the system to use the new MPEG-4 signals. Robert (aka DTV Tivo Dealer) made a cryptic post a while back saying that he only knows of a single MDU installation company that has a systemn design for the new MPEG-4 signals. He hasn't as yet responded to a PM I sent asking the name of the company.

Do you know if there is a design that would suit our needs, and if the design could be used by our MDU company, or would we need to look at a different company?

We have 50 units in 17 stacks of 3, would like to piggyback OTA signals on the same wires for those looking for free TV, would like the system to support the new hr20-700 boxes in individual units, and in an ideal world would only require a single wire (3 per stack) to each unit that could then be split via multi-switch etc to allow for more than a single receiver. I'm a software guy by profession and have minimal knowledge of RF stuff, but I am on the board and was tasked to sort of keep the process moving along.

I also started up a thread over at dbstalk.com if you would like to share this with others. Any help would be appreciated:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=64301

Robert

rnowicki,

You may want to contact DirecTV themselves for advice if you have not already.

They are supposed to have a "single" wire solution coming soon. It may be worth waiting for as it should simplify the installation and cut costs considerably (my guess on costs).

There is a DirecTV web site that might help.

Go to http://www.directv.com and then click on "MDU" in the upper right-hand corner of their home page.

I would hate to see you acquire a complicated multi-wire system just before the simpler solution becomes available.

I wish I knew more details, but I don't.

I don't think there is an official date, but people are saying October. I plan to wait at least until then.
I talked to a tech from D last night and he told me the target date was the first of Nov., but to be realistic he said I should aim for the middle or end of Nov.

I was at a metro Detroit Best Buy the other day and noticed the new h20 DVR in stock…I am too afraid to buy on of these until ALL bugs are worked out (you know if it’s made by DTV the bugs will surely be there).I will wait until MPEG4 goes national until I downgrade my HD-Tivo.

Anyways anyone have any experience or reviews, I checked the board for an official thread to no avail.

4:20

I was at a metro Detroit Best Buy the other day and noticed the new h20 DVR in stock…I am too afraid to buy on of these until ALL bugs are worked out (you know if it’s made by DTV the bugs will surely be there).I will wait until MPEG4 goes national until I downgrade my HD-Tivo.

Anyways anyone have any experience or reviews, I checked the board for an official thread to no avail.

4:20

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=704067

There are rumors that Rupert is thinking of swapping his D* shares for John Malone's Liberty Media's shares in News Corp.

So who knows, there may not be future NDS DVRs.

I was at a metro Detroit Best Buy the other day and noticed the new h20 DVR in stock…I am too afraid to buy on of these until ALL bugs are worked out (you know if it’s made by DTV the bugs will surely be there).I will wait until MPEG4 goes national until I downgrade my HD-Tivo.

Anyways anyone have any experience or reviews, I checked the board for an official thread to no avail.

4:20


???

There are a thousand posts and 5 sticky threads about the HR-20 here...

http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112

My HR 20 came in the box with 2 converters . I think another forum called them "B Band converters". There are instructions on where to install them. I can not find in any instructions or forums when and why to install them. I have seen in some forums that these do not need to be installed yet. Better yet, some HR 20's arent even coming with them. So do I install them or wait for a problem? I get everything I need to now.

My HR 20 came in the box with 2 converters . I think another forum called them "B Band converters". There are instructions on where to install them. I can not find in any instructions or forums when and why to install them. I have seen in some forums that these do not need to be installed yet. Better yet, some HR 20's arent even coming with them. So do I install them or wait for a problem? I get everything I need to now.

The Spaceway satellites used for MPEG4 local and RSN HD use two frequency bands. After conversion in the LNB, these show up as 250-750 and 1650-2150 MHz (the other satellites use 950-1450 MHz). The B Band Converter will convert the 250-750 signals up to 1650-2150 which is compatible with the H20 and HR20 receivers. If you only receive signsals in the higher band, you will not see any difference, but if (when) you receive signals in the lower band the converter will be required. It won't hurt to install them now in any case.

Thank you. I had the same question about the converters.

Good question. Good answer.

The Spaceway satellites used for MPEG4 local and RSN HD use two frequency bands. After conversion in the LNB, these show up as 250-750 and 1650-2150 MHz (the other satellites use 950-1450 MHz). The B Band Converter will convert the 250-750 signals up to 1650-2150 which is compatible with the H20 and HR20 receivers. If you only receive signsals in the higher band, you will not see any difference, but if (when) you receive signals in the lower band the converter will be required. It won't hurt to install them now in any case.


Will the channels even show up with the converters off? I dont see anything I am missing. Or will new channels show up when I install the converters? I have a 3 lnb dish now , but a AT9 is on its way this week.

Looks like Im going to need a two AT9 installation, due to tree's. DirecTv supplied the first one free, anyone know where I can get a second one for less that $99 plus shipping? Local dealers want a fortune. Found a few Internet dealers for the above price.

Will the channels even show up with the converters off? I dont see anything I am missing. Or will new channels show up when I install the converters? I have a 3 lnb dish now , but a AT9 is on its way this week.

They only function with the 99/103 satellites, so you won't see any difference with a 3 LNB dish. You should see new channels with the AT9 if there are HD locals or RSNs available in your area.

They only function with the 99/103 satellites, so you won't see any difference with a 3 LNB dish. You should see new channels with the AT9 if there are HD locals or RSNs available in your area.


Funny you bring that up. I had my AT9 dish installed today. I am getting 90 - 100 across the board on the 101,110,119 sats. HOWEVER, on the 103 sat I am getting a 0,25,0,10,90,21 and on the 99 sat I am getting a 0,0,0,82,0 . Better yet, when it confirms my setup it tells me 99 FAILED. Is this because my area does not have anything being broadcasted on the 99 sat ( new orleans does not have Hd locals yet). Or should it never fail. I am using a HR20 receiver and have the B Band converters hooked up and also have the zinwell 6x8 switch they installed to replace my TERK 5x8.

Funny you bring that up. I had my AT9 dish installed today. I am getting 90 - 100 across the board on the 101,110,119 sats. HOWEVER, on the 103 sat I am getting a 0,25,0,10,90,21 and on the 99 sat I am getting a 0,0,0,82,0 . Better yet, when it confirms my setup it tells me 99 FAILED. Is this because my area does not have anything being broadcasted on the 99 sat ( new orleans does not have Hd locals yet). Or should it never fail. I am using a HR20 receiver and have the B Band converters hooked up and also have the zinwell 6x8 switch they installed to replace my TERK 5x8.

From what I understand, there are only a couple working transponders on those sats right now. So you are getting 0's because there is nothing there at the moment.

Does anyone know what channel the Sunday Ticket Super Fan HD channels are on? I know my HD channels are in the 70's and I know that my sunday ticket channels are in the 700's but what about the HD ones?

719 through 727

719 through 727

Awesome, thanks.

While I am at it, has anyone heard any more news about when the ATSC Tuner on the HR20 will be enabled? I heard October, but I do not know if that is for sure or not.

I have a 2 LNB sat and 3 receivers. And a RCA multiswitch. I just bought a HR20. It will replace one of the old receivers. I have the D* coming out next week to put in a 5 LNB dish. D* is swapping the old dish for the new one. I have a couple of questions maybe someone can answer.

1. will the old receivers still work with the new dish?

2. will the D* installer run all the cables needed even the two for the HR20?

3. is there anything special I need like a multiswitch to run the to cables to the HR20?

4. is the multiswitch that comes with the dish on the dish or is it installed somewhere else.

5. I know the old multiswicth will not work so will the D* installer run new cables to bypass the old switch?

6. I live in the Atlanta Ga. area and was wondering if I will receive my local channels in HD?


Thanks in advanced for you help.

I have a 2 LNB sat and 3 receivers. And a RCA multiswitch. I just bought a HR20. It will replace one of the old receivers. I have the D* coming out next week to put in a 5 LNB dish. D* is swapping the old dish for the new one. I have a couple of questions maybe someone can answer.

1. will the old receivers still work with the new dish?


Yes


2. will the D* installer run all the cables needed even the two for the HR20?


They will always run at least 4 total cables unless it is on their work order that they need to include a switch for more. Sometimes they will do it even if it is not on their work order, you will just have to wait and see.


3. is there anything special I need like a multiswitch to run the to cables to the HR20?


It is possible. If your other two receivers are single tuners, then no. Otherwise yes, unless you want to forfeit the dual tuner capability of those receivers.


4. is the multiswitch that comes with the dish on the dish or is it installed somewhere else.


I do not know a ton about the new 5 lnb dish, but my guess is, as with most other dishes, the switch is built into the lnb.


5. I know the old multiswicth will not work so will the D* installer run new cables to bypass the old switch?


Yeah, they will do what they need to in order to get you set up.


6. I live in the Atlanta Ga. area and was wondering if I will receive my local channels in HD?


Cant answer that one for you, thats a D* question.


Thanks in advanced for you help.


Hope that helps at least a little.

From what I understand, there are only a couple working transponders on those sats right now. So you are getting 0's because there is nothing there at the moment.


I understand that, but would that just give me zeros or would that explain my "99 sat failed" or both. I just got worried when I saw "99 sat failed"

I understand that, but would that just give me zeros or would that explain my "99 sat failed" or both. I just got worried when I saw "99 sat failed"

My H20 started doing that after the last software update. It's a known problem but won't affect your ability to receive the channels on the 99 sat.

A D* tech was here yesterday fixing a few problems (not MPEG4, we are not on the list yet). I asked about the the 5LNB dish, and he said that they could not mount it to a roof or to the sidewall of a house (as mine is now), because it is too big. They want to mount it on a post on the ground. I said that was nutty George, and that I would just cycle through D* techs until I got one who would do it the way I want (on the sidewall).
So, who is nuts, the tech or me?

They get to charge extra for a post mount and don't have to go up on a roof for the small amount D* pays installers. Roof and wall mounts can be done with proper anchoring to rafters or studs and use of monopoles for the required extra support. D* want's to know when installers are not doing the proper job so report your experience. You're informed, they're somewhat understandably reluctant, but you both are sane. If they don't want to do the job as required for the agreed amount, they shouldn't have contracted with D*.

A D* tech was here yesterday fixing a few problems (not MPEG4, we are not on the list yet). I asked about the the 5LNB dish, and he said that they could not mount it to a roof or to the sidewall of a house (as mine is now), because it is too big. They want to mount it on a post on the ground. I said that was nutty George, and that I would just cycle through D* techs until I got one who would do it the way I want (on the sidewall).
So, who is nuts, the tech or me?

They mounted mine to the side of my house back in February. That said I ended up having to totally remount it myself to get it done correctly but once I did that and aligned it properly (something else they couldn't seem to handle) it has worked without any problems. You just need to be sure that all the mounting bolts are actually fastening in to studs.

In my case the center mounting bolts and top outside bolts are directly into studs and the 2 bottom outside bolts I drilled through the composite board that is under the siding and used bolts and nuts with large washers on the inside. I also have 2 monopoles fastened to it as well so it is very securely mounted.

OK, I drew a lousy company to install the AT9 and HR-20. I'm in the South Bay Area and the company has rescheduled twice already. Some outfit called Ironwood Communications -- they have a web site.

First time, 15 minutes before appt., they say they have to reschedule. Now, about an hour before the second appt., they are saying they don't have any HD-DVRs and can't give me a date.

I called Direct TV to complain and they give me the local 800 number for the installer and they call it Mountain even though the people who called me identify themselves as Ironwood both times. So a subcontractor to a contractor probably.

I go to my account on the D* web site and they've already billed me $345.26. No programming credits to offset it yet. My automatic payment posted on 9/8 and they're ready to bill me again on 9/27. The first CSR says he can't override.

I'm transferred to another who says that's the way it works, I'm in-between the billing cycles. She offers me a month of Showtime. I said I didn't want it because I'm not interested in Showtime. Doesn't offer me anything else.

Time to think about switching altogether. Right before the Fall premiers of the new shows and right after the start of the NFL season (I don't subscribe to Sunday Ticket).

I have a 2 LNB sat and 3 receivers. And a RCA multiswitch. I just bought a HR20. It will replace one of the old receivers. I have the D* coming out next week to put in a 5 LNB dish. D* is swapping the old dish for the new one. I have a couple of questions maybe someone can answer.

1. will the old receivers still work with the new dish?

2. will the D* installer run all the cables needed even the two for the HR20?

3. is there anything special I need like a multiswitch to run the to cables to the HR20?

4. is the multiswitch that comes with the dish on the dish or is it installed somewhere else.

5. I know the old multiswicth will not work so will the D* installer run new cables to bypass the old switch?

6. I live in the Atlanta Ga. area and was wondering if I will receive my local channels in HD?


Thanks in advanced for you help.

I had my new dish and HR-20 installed yesterday in Atlanta (Duluth) and I can say that you absolutely get ABC, FOX, NBC and CBS in HD from Directv.

The local installer for D* out here is Bruister and Asoc. . THey have resceduled me 5 times!!! Each one was always the day of the install when they would call with " sorry we cant make it" another was " sorry we are out of stock of dishes" even though the next day they were out at my neighbors house (he was only resceduled 3 times) installing the AT9 dish and the installer told me "I dont know what they are talking about, I had 6 of these all week in my truck" . The 4th time , the installer called me and asked directions to my house and said he was on his way. 30 mins later the office called and said they had to cancel! But the good news is everytime they resceduled, I called customer retention and got something free. Showtime free for 6 months, Starz for 6 months, $100 credit, HD free for 6 months, etc.

BTW, they installed mine finally yesterday on my roof. My 3 neighbors are on there brick walls. So dont let them tell you they cant. My entire neighborhood has D* (Charter cable out here does not carry HD and is horrible) and every install in either roof or side wall.

Also,They wouldnt put a new zinwell switch (i had a terk) until I threatened to call D*, because he said it wasn't on the order, even though when I placed the order I told them I would need it. I had to specifically ask to put the 2 extra support legs on the dish because I saw they never did that to my neighbors.

Well, you folks have been incredibly helpful. I will push the issue to the max when when the time comes. I have one big advantage -- I have access to the inside of the wall where I want them to mount the dish, so I can put, say, a 2x8 sideways where they will mount the dish, so all the lag bolts can have a solid base.
Once again, I see how useful this forum is! Thanks once more for the ammo.

I had a very early H20 DirecTv receiver. After about 10 months, it started resetting frequently. It wold switch off, cycle through the modes, then download the satellite info. I called directv and explained the problem. They replaced the h20 with a newer version. It's taller and doesn't get nearly as warm as my older model. Working great so far. we'll see in another year or so.
Erik

Thanks for all your help guys. I do have one more question, does anyway have a way to check what the elevation will be for the AT9 dish in the zipcode 01550? If so, can you please let me know? I would like to know as much info as I can prior to contacting D* so they can't feed me their BS.
Thanks.

They mounted mine to the side of my house back in February. That said I ended up having to totally remount it myself to get it done correctly but once I did that and aligned it properly (something else they couldn't seem to handle) it has worked without any problems. You just need to be sure that all the mounting bolts are actually fastening in to studs.

In my case the center mounting bolts and top outside bolts are directly into studs and the 2 bottom outside bolts I drilled through the composite board that is under the siding and used bolts and nuts with large washers on the inside. I also have 2 monopoles fastened to it as well so it is very securely mounted.

My installer put my 5 lnb the same place my old, small, non-HD dish was. Mounted to my chimney (brick), above my roofline. I am unaware if there any studs in this, I would hope it is sufficient.

Dave

I upgraded to H20 and AT9. I'm in St. Louis. The installer would not mount on the wall where the old 3 LNB dish was. He DID mount it to the roof directly above that location. He said it is his company's policy not to mount to the wall and not D*'s.
I get local ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX via MP4 HD. The MP4 channels show much more rain fade than the MP2 HD channels (on a different satellite?). I also had an OTA antenna put up. The installer was confused on why I would want antenna. He claimed I didn't need it since I can get them all from D*. But..they don't carry PBS or CW affiliates.

The D* tech was here in the first place (Wednesday) because I could not get the 119 satellite. All else was perfect. The fellow they sent was a) unknowledgeable, and b) ill-equipped. First, he guessed it was the multiswitch in the attic.. However, I have no such beast, it is built into dish (I have four lines out of the dish, four receivers). Then he guessed it was the triple LNB unit, which he didn't have. (The curtain closes to denote the passage of hours).
Same fellow returns, triple LNB in hand, which he replaces. No change. Could the dish be aimed incorrectly? Well, maybe, but he doesn't have the device to determine that. He says he guesses that there are too many trees, but he doesn't have the sight device to determine that. I say, I will cut trees, but only if I know for sure that is the problem. OK, X (another fellow in the company) will come tomorrow. He has all the tools to determine the problem. (And the reason he didn't come in the first place?????) Now it is early Saturday AM, no D*tech yet. I will have to call D* yet again and explain all this crap. D*, at the Customer Retention number, will be nice, and credit me with $$$, but they will not actually solve the problem, and will not even have the good grace to have the service company fired or tech drawn and quartered.
Does all this sound like Larry the Cable Guy? I would probably be switching to cable already, except we are blessed with Charter here, which is only have a step above a coathanger out the window. Plus, they have zero customer relation skills.
So, I have to call D*, explain all this crap, and set up a new service call (with, hopefully, a new guy).
I feel better for the rant, and am certain I am not the only one who has gone doen this road, but my excuse is that I broke my right forefinger, and it is a bitch to type, so bear with me.

Has anyone been able to get the AT9 installed on a wall mount by the D* installers?

The one sent out here in the Bay Area by Ironwood Communications said there was a liability issue because it's supposedly too heavy compared to the triple LNB dish I have now. Said it was 35-40 pounds.

Wondering if I should try again and see if I get an installer willing to give it a go.

Aren't they suppose to come out with a smaller, lighter dish at some point which can tune the MPEG4 channels? Maybe the plan is to migrate away from the MPEG2 satellites so you don't need a 5-LNB dish? But that could be years. I thought there was some references on dbstalk.com to something in the next year.

2 of my neighbors have AT9's on the wall, and while I dont I do have a Direcway dish on the wall and it as big as the AT9.

Well, maybe, but he doesn't have the device to determine that. He says he guesses that there are too many trees, but he doesn't have the sight device to determine that. I say, I will cut trees, but only if I know for sure that is the problem. .

There is the old saying, if you cant get it done right, do it yourself :>

Go to http://www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/Satellite-Heading-Calculator.htm and click on the DirecTv sats until 119 appears in the box, then enter a city close to you in the right box. Write down the elevation and azimuth.

Grab a paper towel cardboard roll, sans the paper towels, you know, the cardboard tube inside. Insert a bent paperclip into it, so it hangs down the tubes side. Attach a small weight if needed so it moves freely. Using a kids protractor, available at any dime store, move the tube up until the angle of the tube matches the elevation of the satellite. Mark a line on the tube where the paper clip is hanging, so you can repeat the angle outside without the protractor.

Go outside to your dish. Line the cardboard tube up from your dish to the direction of the 119 satellite azimuth, using a small compass if needed. Look through the tube and rotate it up until the paper clip lines up with the line you drew inside. WIthout moving the tube, look through it. If there is a tree looking back at you, or any part of a tree, thats your problem. If you can move the tube up and down a bit, left and right a bit, and not see any trees, then the dish is probably tilted incorrectly. The 3 lnb dish rotates its tilt around SAT C, the AT9 rotates the tilt around SAT A.

The satellites are much higher that it would appear the dish it pointing, as the LNBs angle up, so just looking up the LNBs wont work.

This is a simplified method, but Ive used it to install three separate dishes in my yard, and I havent picked the wrong spot yet.

Davenlr-

Very, very clever! I will most certainly give it a try.

Hope that helps at least a little.

I just got offered the new mpeg-4 dish and an H20 dvr for free. still unsure if i want to make the switch.

i have another question related to the above. will my rca dc-10 hd receiver still work with the mpeg-4 dish. i know it won;t pick up the LIL but will it pick up the other HD channels (espn etc).

i need to check the h-20 sticky threads to see how good this dvr is...i'm used to tivo..

I am having the 5 LNB Dish installed this Wednesday. I need 6 lines. Will it hurt the signal to have the installer use a splitter or would I be better off getting two dishes. My understanding is that a maxium of 4 direct lines can be ran from the 5 LNB Dish without splitting.[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=4][COLOR=Black]

I just got offered the new mpeg-4 dish and an H20 dvr for free. still unsure if i want to make the switch.

i have another question related to the above. will my rca dc-10 hd receiver still work with the mpeg-4 dish. i know it won;t pick up the LIL but will it pick up the other HD channels (espn etc).

i need to check the h-20 sticky threads to see how good this dvr is...i'm used to tivo..

The H20 is not a DVR, it is a single tuner with OTA capabilities. I have the H20 and I really like it for what it is. The HR-20 is the DVR. I have one of those too and like it because I really wanted an HD DVR and was free. It is not the same as a TIVO at all, but it does have 2 tuners and it does record MPEG2 and MPEG4 programming. The HR20 has been out for only a month and is 2 or 3 software updates away from being stable. If you do not have time for bugs and occasional resets you might want to wait until Christmas.

Here is a comprehensive forum about the HR20 with 4000 posts and 5 sticky threads.

http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112

I am having the 5 LNB Dish installed this Wednesday. I need 6 lines. Will it hurt the signal to have the installer use a splitter or would I be better off getting two dishes. My understanding is that a maxium of 4 direct lines can be ran from the 5 LNB Dish without splitting.
No splitters, you need a 6x8 mutliswitch which your installer should provide. One dish can handle 16 receivers using 2 multiswitches so a second dish is not needed

BAHHH, I just called to get my satellite upgraded to the 5 LNB and the new DVR and they cant get me in until Oct 25th. WTF?

They did say that they are brining several new channels online by the end of the year but the rep didnt have a difinitive list.

...will my rca dc-10 hd receiver still work with the mpeg-4 dish. i know it won;t pick up the LIL but will it pick up the other HD channels (espn etc)...
The DTC-100 should work just fine for MPEG-2 HD and SD satellite channels, just like it does today. Like you said, it will also do OTA but not anything MPEG-4.

BAHHH, I just called to get my satellite upgraded to the 5 LNB and the new DVR and they cant get me in until Oct 25th. WTF?

Are you getting the LIL in Redmond now? Thanks, a lot?

They did say that they are brining several new channels online by the end of the year but the rep didnt have a difinitive list.

I expect that within a month or two they will (finally) add KOMO (ABC) and KCPQ (Fox) to the current KING (NBC) and KIRO (CBS) MPEG4 locals and possibly KSTW (CW) and/or KMYQ (MYNetwork). A new SD channel (Reelz) is also being added

No splitters, you need a 6x8 mutliswitch which your installer should provide. One dish can handle 16 receivers using 2 multiswitches so a second dish is not neededHere (http://www.sonorastore.com/510.html) is a link to a power inserter DirecTV recommends to help with the installation of two WB68s. There is a link to a PDF wiring diagram on the page. Use the inserter if any even numbered transponders ever drop out, just for peace of mind, or if you choose single port power passing splitters. Don't use the splitters referred to in the diagram though. Even Sonora says to use at least 5-2300MHz splitters and the ones they reference top out at 2150MHz.

Does the 5 LNB Dish only come with four main connections?

Several years ago before I got the 3 LNB dish, I was using a Recognition multi-switch to get four lines from the main two and I was having problems with either the signal strength or quality. Are the multi-switches better these days? I really would like 5 if not 6 lines for DVRs.