DirecTV Question

[HDCheeseHead]

I'm a current TWC subscriber who's planning on making the leap back to D*.  I only have TWC TV services, so for my package, it's $115 / month.  I have DigiPic 1000, HD package, HD DVR, 2 standard DVR's.  This same package at D* is $70.  The only way to reduce this is to bundle TWC services.  I switched to DSL, so, I have no bundling options.

I was a previous D* subscriber and kept all of my equipment: HR10-250, 2 DVR's & 1 regular STB.  I have a couple of questions for you guys before I make the call to D*.

1) Can I use my current equipment?  I ask because for the new HD DVR, you have to pay for it, even though it's discounted, I'd rather not outlay any cash.

2) I know that CBS HD is not part of the D*'s local HD programming (nor is 24HD & 18HD), so I'll need an OTA antenna.  That's cool with me.  My question is, what kind of antenna will I need?  I'm in Tosa, basically Capitol & Mayfair.  

3) For an installation, I need 8 runs of cable (2 for each DVR and 1 for the regular STB and 1 for OTA), does the standard installation cover this?

[murdoc]

I'm a current TWC subscriber who's planning on making the leap back to D*.  I only have TWC TV services, so for my package, it's $115 / month.  I have DigiPic 1000, HD package, HD DVR, 2 standard DVR's.  This same package at D* is $70.  The only way to reduce this is to bundle TWC services.  I switched to DSL, so, I have no bundling options.

I was a previous D* subscriber and kept all of my equipment: HR10-250, 2 DVR's & 1 regular STB.  I have a couple of questions for you guys before I make the call to D*.

1) Can I use my current equipment?  I ask because for the new HD DVR, you have to pay for it, even though it's discounted, I'd rather not outlay any cash.

Of course!  

2) I know that CBS HD is not part of the D*'s local HD programming (nor is 24HD & 18HD), so I'll need an OTA antenna.  That's cool with me.  My question is, what kind of antenna will I need?  I'm in Tosa, basically Capitol & Mayfair.  

You should be able to pull in all the stations with a small indoor antenna facing due east.  Go to RadioShack and pick up a decent powered antenna.  You have 30 days to try it out, or swap to a new antenna.  I know a bunch of people here love the double bow-tie antenna, but I think they discontinued it.  If you want to go with an outdoor antenna check antennaweb.org (link on the main page) for your antenna size and type.

3) For an installation, I need 8 runs of cable (2 for each DVR and 1 for the regular STB and 1 for OTA), does the standard installation cover this?

Standard installation will not cover your OTA antenna.  I paid my installer $30 to run the coax with my D* lines to a splitter.  From the splitter I was on my own to install the lines.  Your D* lines should be covered under standard install.  I would call D* to see what they can do for you.  Don't make mention of an OTA antenna install when talking to them.  Bring that up directly to your installer.  They are usually more than happy to do it for a bit of cash.

[Chinatown]

Have a  $ 50.00 Radio Shack antenna on the roof. Mirrored the neighbors coordinates.

Crystal clear.

Did try an indoor. Did not hold the signal.  I would try to do it sometime this week while the weather is good.

[HDCheeseHead]

Thanks for the info.  I've got D* coming over tomorrow to install the 3 DVRs and standard STB for $20.  I'll talk to the installer about running an OTA antenna cable.

[Blitzburgh]

How is this working for you?

[HDCheeseHead]

Well, after 9 hours Friday, I'm all setup, at least from the D* perspective.  The only remaining task is to hook up a OTA antenna.  I've tried a non-amplified and an amplified antenna from Radio Shack.  They both worked ok, but not great.  It looks like I need a more robust OTA solution.

They couldn't do a house mount and my garage is not attached, so they mounted it on the garage and ran the wires thru the yard to the house.  I had the guy run an extra wire for my OTA antenna.  The only minor issue I had is that they ran the wires a little short into the house, so they aren't buried as much as they should have right at the house.  The install was free, but I had to pay for the extra OTA wire and the trenching of the wire from the garage to the house.  The trenching was $70 and the OTA wire was $20.  I felt bad it took so long, but outisde of the minor trenching issue, they did a great job.

An interesting thing though, was that I initially tried to get Dish to do an install, but they couldn't do a house mount either and they didn't even consider to do a garage mount.  I was going to E* because of packaging discounts I could get with AT & T, as well as there HD offerings.  But, when I was talking to D* to get hooked up, they indicated that sometime early '07, they would be offering over 100 HD channels.  The rep didn't indicate what, so, I'm not sure what she was referring to.

Oh, not to ramble, but, I hooked up all of my old equipment, except for an old SAT-T60 that I "upgraded" :rolleyes: to the new DirecTV + DVR.  Wow, what a piece of crap.  I don't even know where to begin.  When I initially signed up with TWC from D*, I thought their DVR was bad, but this thing from D* is awful.

Anyway, my next task is to find a suitable OTA antenna now before all of the shows start back up, especially when Jack starts kicking a$$ Sunday!!!

[Blitzburgh]

The new DVR's are nice just takes time to get used to them.

This antenna rocks for HD. I live by Lake Geneva and get all the station's (except for 10) excellant.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103088&cp=&origkw=uhf&kw=uhf&parentPage=search

[HDCheeseHead]

I've tried
this one first then this one and neither are great.  I thought the powered/amplified would do the trick.  So, I'll be returning it and checking out the one that Blitzburgh recommended.

Quick hijack...

The issues I have with the new D* DVR:

1) Response is slow from the DVR when using the remote.  I'll bring up menus, press buttons and it takes a few seconds for the DVR to respond and then it process all commands at once.
2) Series records all episodes, even though I have it set to first run only
3) I don't know how to change between the tuners.  On the Tivos, you just hit the down arrow.
4) All new season passes to go the top of the priority list.  It's just a pain because then I HAVE to reset the priorities.
5) Occaisonally, the MyVOD list isn't visible.  I have to switch to the Showcases tab and then back again.
6) FF'ing doesn't auto correct itself like the Tivo and the TWC DVR.

Anyone have a site that will give me tips & tricks on this?  I quickly checked AVS, but didn't see anything.

[Todd Wiedemann]

The issues I have with the new D* DVR:

1) Response is slow from the DVR when using the remote.  I'll bring up menus, press buttons and it takes a few seconds for the DVR to respond and then it process all commands at once.
2) Series records all episodes, even though I have it set to first run only
3) I don't know how to change between the tuners.  On the Tivos, you just hit the down arrow.
4) All new season passes to go the top of the priority list.  It's just a pain because then I HAVE to reset the priorities.
5) Occaisonally, the MyVOD list isn't visible.  I have to switch to the Showcases tab and then back again.
6) FF'ing doesn't auto correct itself like the Tivo and the TWC DVR.

Anyone have a site that will give me tips & tricks on this?  I quickly checked AVS, but didn't see anything.

Try //www.dbstalk.com

[Matt Heebner]

You know it is too bad that Radio Shack doesn't have the double bow-tie antenna any more. That thing is worrth it's weight in gold for bringing in OTA channels. Try doing a search and see if you cant find one of them around.....I am using one in Wauwatosa (60th and Wells area) and all my signals are at 90+ signal strength.

Matt

[Blitzburgh]

I've tried
this one first then this one and neither are great.  I thought the powered/amplified would do the trick.  So, I'll be returning it and checking out the one that Blitzburgh recommended.

This one is even better if you want to spend more cash and it should bring in channel 10:


http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANC4228