I know I have been interested in how UTV'ers have taken to the switch to other DVR's but haven't seen a whole lot. It is my intent to keep ya'll posted on the progress and satisfaction as I go from my UTV's to the current offerings. Could get long could get boring. Guess I will know how it is received by the number of views. Anyway
Here I start
I got an upgrade installed yesterday, giving up UTV service for good. In the deal I got one HD-DVR (HR22-100C-R) and one SD-DVR (R16-300), installed. See previous thread for details on the deal'.
The tech arrived right on time and was friendly and knowledgeable (although he knew nothing about a UTV called it a TiVo).
First problem: I have had my 18 dish mounted to a masonry fireplace for almost 15 years. He called his boss to confirm but they don't mount a fireplace anymore. The dish, an AU9-SL3 (I think) is about twice the physical size of the 18 dish. The tech indicated that high winds may be the reason for the restriction but didn't agree. I asked what my options were and he said mount to roof' I said not an option or mount to a pole. He had the pole and quick setting concrete. I asked when you leave, is there anything preventing me from mounting the dish to the fireplace? He said No. After I leave you can do what you want and pretty much agreed that mounting on the fireplace was the best location. More on that future change later.
We agreed on a location for the pole 10 or so feet from the house knowing I was going to move it later. He had the hole dug and set in a short time. The dish, although quite light, has a very substantial base. There are dials, adjustment screws and more bolts than a Ford pickup. There girth comes from the base not the dish! With his signal meter he twisted, turned and tightened all the bolts and was done in short order. The dish is canted' to one side. My research indicates that the dish is receiving the signal from 3 satellites so, aiming is not for the faint of heart!
With the dish aimed, he turned his attention to the wiring. I have 2 RG-6 runs from the dual LNB 18 dish to a 2x4 multi-switch. From the multi-switch I had 1 RG-6 and 1 RG-59 running to each of my two UTV's. Never had a signal problem. Well, they have a new system that only needs one RG-6 from the LNB. They call it the SWiM system. So the final configuration = Dish with SWiM LNB > Single RG-6 to SWiM Splitter. From the first receiver there is a coax running to a power supply. This power supply supplies power to the splitter (according to the tech very important to make sure the correct coax is input to the correct connector on the splitter). The other receiver is on the other side of the splitter. He was able to use the existing RG-6 runs to the HR-22 and R16 he said it didn't matter which receiver had the power supply. So, one RG-6 from the dish to the splitter and one RG-6 to each receiver. I know this may be confusing research SWiM' for more information or ask away. I am very impressed!
It took just as long for the updates' to come down as it did for all the outside work. Finally both receivers were up and going. He provided the HDMI cable for the HD-DVR and programmed each remote for the monitors at the receivers.
My appointment was from 8~12 pretty much every bit of it was used.
Before he left, I asked if I could get the hardware to mount to the fireplace. Expecting only the mount/pipe I was provided with the mount/pipe and the necessary concrete anchors to boot. I hope ya'll get a tech as great as this one!
Final thoughts = as far as the installation goes I was disappointed in the ability to mount on the fireplace. I was very impressed with the current technology of the SWiM system. Having been with the same system for 15 years, I have been out of the loop on current technology and what is available especially in the HD area. I will be doing more research on my configuration in the future!
Next time Power On First Impressions.
Later = the 18 dish is mounted on the road side of the fireplace and can't go on the other side. The wife thinks it looks unsightly, so we are undetermined on the final resting place for the dish. I may have to have a sight survey done, with her presence, to see where it will land. I know it can't stay where it was installed!
Here I start
I got an upgrade installed yesterday, giving up UTV service for good. In the deal I got one HD-DVR (HR22-100C-R) and one SD-DVR (R16-300), installed. See previous thread for details on the deal'.
The tech arrived right on time and was friendly and knowledgeable (although he knew nothing about a UTV called it a TiVo).
First problem: I have had my 18 dish mounted to a masonry fireplace for almost 15 years. He called his boss to confirm but they don't mount a fireplace anymore. The dish, an AU9-SL3 (I think) is about twice the physical size of the 18 dish. The tech indicated that high winds may be the reason for the restriction but didn't agree. I asked what my options were and he said mount to roof' I said not an option or mount to a pole. He had the pole and quick setting concrete. I asked when you leave, is there anything preventing me from mounting the dish to the fireplace? He said No. After I leave you can do what you want and pretty much agreed that mounting on the fireplace was the best location. More on that future change later.
We agreed on a location for the pole 10 or so feet from the house knowing I was going to move it later. He had the hole dug and set in a short time. The dish, although quite light, has a very substantial base. There are dials, adjustment screws and more bolts than a Ford pickup. There girth comes from the base not the dish! With his signal meter he twisted, turned and tightened all the bolts and was done in short order. The dish is canted' to one side. My research indicates that the dish is receiving the signal from 3 satellites so, aiming is not for the faint of heart!
With the dish aimed, he turned his attention to the wiring. I have 2 RG-6 runs from the dual LNB 18 dish to a 2x4 multi-switch. From the multi-switch I had 1 RG-6 and 1 RG-59 running to each of my two UTV's. Never had a signal problem. Well, they have a new system that only needs one RG-6 from the LNB. They call it the SWiM system. So the final configuration = Dish with SWiM LNB > Single RG-6 to SWiM Splitter. From the first receiver there is a coax running to a power supply. This power supply supplies power to the splitter (according to the tech very important to make sure the correct coax is input to the correct connector on the splitter). The other receiver is on the other side of the splitter. He was able to use the existing RG-6 runs to the HR-22 and R16 he said it didn't matter which receiver had the power supply. So, one RG-6 from the dish to the splitter and one RG-6 to each receiver. I know this may be confusing research SWiM' for more information or ask away. I am very impressed!
It took just as long for the updates' to come down as it did for all the outside work. Finally both receivers were up and going. He provided the HDMI cable for the HD-DVR and programmed each remote for the monitors at the receivers.
My appointment was from 8~12 pretty much every bit of it was used.
Before he left, I asked if I could get the hardware to mount to the fireplace. Expecting only the mount/pipe I was provided with the mount/pipe and the necessary concrete anchors to boot. I hope ya'll get a tech as great as this one!
Final thoughts = as far as the installation goes I was disappointed in the ability to mount on the fireplace. I was very impressed with the current technology of the SWiM system. Having been with the same system for 15 years, I have been out of the loop on current technology and what is available especially in the HD area. I will be doing more research on my configuration in the future!
Next time Power On First Impressions.
Later = the 18 dish is mounted on the road side of the fireplace and can't go on the other side. The wife thinks it looks unsightly, so we are undetermined on the final resting place for the dish. I may have to have a sight survey done, with her presence, to see where it will land. I know it can't stay where it was installed!
