Installation Question Re: DirectTV

[Eaglesfan27]

As you might know, we closed on our house today. I'm looking at getting DirectTV so that I can finally see all of the Eagles' games while living down here in Louisiana. I frequently see the various deals for installation of 4 DirectTV Boxes with installation. I plan on at least one of these boxes being both a DVR and HD capable box. This might be a really stupid question, but do I need to already have 4 TV's in the house for these boxes to be hooked up by the professional installer? Do I have to have at least 1 TV in the house for them to hook up the boxes?

This becomes tricky because we aren't moving into the house until May 20th, but ideally would like to have TV service set up when we get there. Also, my wife wants us to buy and have delivered the various furniture and the big screen TV we are going to get. Circuit City offers delivery and set up of the TV, but they won't be able to set it up optimally if there isn't any signal for them to connect, so I'd like them to hook it up to the DirectTV.

I'm rambling, but I'm fearing that it might be a catch22 with the TV needing the box to already be there for optimal hookup, and the box needing a TV to be already there. Can anyone clarify the process?

[primelord]

You have to have at least 1 TV for DirecTV to setup your service. They need to be able to use the box to determine if you are getting proper signal strength. Outside of that you really just need to know where you want the other boxes to go.

[Eaglesfan27]

You have to have at least 1 TV for DirecTV to setup your service. They need to be able to use the box to determine if you are getting proper signal strength. Outside of that you really just need to know where you want the other boxes to go.


Thanks for the info. I'm guessing we'll just pre-move a spare TV, get that hooked up, and then have the TV delivered.

[primelord]

Thanks for the info. I'm guessing we'll just pre-move a spare TV, get that hooked up, and then have the TV delivered.

That would probably be the easiest way to do it. The tech really only needs it for about 15 minutes max.

[Raiders Army]

You have to have at least 1 TV for DirecTV to setup your service. They need to be able to use the box to determine if you are getting proper signal strength. Outside of that you really just need to know where you want the other boxes to go.
/concur

We're moving this Summer. If DirecTV didn't have the monopoly on the NFL Ticket, I'd dump them since we get cable internet and have to get basic cable as well.

[Samdari]

A professional installer should not need a tv for the install. He should be checking the signal strength with a meter. The tv is for us home install schlubs.

As for the HD and DVR capable box, be careful. The only one currently available is not capable of recieving the HD local channels (which are sent on new sats, with MPEG-4). I know that DirecTV now leases boxes rather than selling them, but have heard some nasty rumors that starting a new lease brings a 2 year commitment. You don't want to get the non MPEG-4 HDTivo, and then want a new box in June.

[primelord]

A professional installer should not need a tv for the install. He should be checking the signal strength with a meter. The tv is for us home install schlubs.

Whether they should be able to or not they won't. A signal meter does not determine if there are any issues with the multi-switch or if there are any cabling issues between the multi switch and the box. I have had multiple friends try to get dishes installed before they moved in and were refused because a TV wouldn't be there yet.

I guess it is possible that some installation companies might do it. DirecTV farms out their installs. So you could probably call and ask, but without a TV they will not be able to garauntee that the install was successful. Since an unsuccessful install would require them to come back out at their cost I am fairly certain they will require a TV to be present.

[Ksyrup]

I've got to call DirecTV about my situation - we're leaving our house at the end of May but probably not moving into our new house until the end of June. I better not have to pay for DirecTV for a month without getting to use it. I'm not sure how they will handle that.

I'm also looking to upgrade my receivers, since it looks like we'll be getting a flat screen TV to go above the fireplace, and I figure I might as well go HD and join the DVR/Tivo crowd.

EF27...you and I have an awful lot in common right now. It's scary, ain't it?

[saldana]

A professional installer should not need a tv for the install. He should be checking the signal strength with a meter. The tv is for us home install schlubs.

As for the HD and DVR capable box, be careful. The only one currently available is not capable of recieving the HD local channels (which are sent on new sats, with MPEG-4). I know that DirecTV now leases boxes rather than selling them, but have heard some nasty rumors that starting a new lease brings a 2 year commitment. You don't want to get the non MPEG-4 HDTivo, and then want a new box in June.


i went through all this a couple months ago...in order to receive your local channels in HD, you need a 5 LNB dish, and an H20 receiver, which DOES NOT have a DVR. You can get an H10-250 (i believe is the right number), which will record in HD, but it wont receive the locals, so you can record all you want from TNTHD, HBOHD,etc but cant even watch cbs, nbc, nbc, or fox in HD. they are reportedly coming out with and MPEG-4 capable dvr in june or july.

[Eaglesfan27]

I've got to call DirecTV about my situation - we're leaving our house at the end of May but probably not moving into our new house until the end of June. I better not have to pay for DirecTV for a month without getting to use it. I'm not sure how they will handle that.

I'm also looking to upgrade my receivers, since it looks like we'll be getting a flat screen TV to go above the fireplace, and I figure I might as well go HD and join the DVR/Tivo crowd.

EF27...you and I have an awful lot in common right now. It's scary, ain't it?

I think it's kind of cool.


Thanks for the info on HD channels and the DVR boxes. At least for now, HD local channels are not available where I'm moving. I'm not sure how soon they might have them, however, local channels are available.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

If you don't mind me asking, how heavy is the TV you are thinking about getting? I keep debating on the merits of hanging vs stands vs recessed in an entertainment center (particularly since my wife is falling in love with the idea of HDTV and wants to eventually get a 2nd one for our living room after we get the 1st one for the media room.)

[Raiders Army]

I've got to call DirecTV about my situation - we're leaving our house at the end of May but probably not moving into our new house until the end of June. I better not have to pay for DirecTV for a month without getting to use it. I'm not sure how they will handle that.

I'm also looking to upgrade my receivers, since it looks like we'll be getting a flat screen TV to go above the fireplace, and I figure I might as well go HD and join the DVR/Tivo crowd.

EF27...you and I have an awful lot in common right now. It's scary, ain't it?
It'll be no problem moving. We moved in early April 2004 and didn't start it back up until September 2004. Didn't have to pay anything inbetween.

[Ksyrup]

Dola -

If you don't mind me asking, how heavy is the TV you are thinking about getting? I keep debating on the merits of hanging vs stands vs recessed in an entertainment center (particularly since my wife is falling in love with the idea of HDTV and wants to eventually get a 2nd one for our living room after we get the 1st one for the media room.)

I have no idea. I probably need to start a separate thread about this. We've still got the old tube TVs which have been just fine, but this is an opportunity to move up, and we're going to do it. The way our family room is situated, hanging it over the fireplace is really the only way to make the room look right and take advantage of the space. If you can picture it, we've got the back wall, which is almost all windows, a partial wall where the fireplace is (big, but not a full wall) on the left, a full wall immediately across from the fireplace on the right, and open space with two columns leading into the formal dining room and foyer toward the front of the house.

If we put the TV against the full wall, our backs would be to the fireplace, or the couch/loveseat would have to face each other and everyone would have to be turned to watch TV. I've convinced my wife that a TV over the fireplace is the only configuration that makes sense. Finally, my training as a lawyer has paid off! :D As far as specifics...I have no idea what kind of TV to get or how heavy it should (or shouldn't) be.

[Subby]

Okay, so I was considering moving to the HD DirecTV service w/ tivo and just adding an antenna to the house to receive local HD channels - but I think I hear you guys saying that if I wait until July I can skip the antenna and get the local HD channels via satelite...correct?

[Samdari]

Okay, so I was considering moving to the HD DirecTV service w/ tivo and just adding an antenna to the house to receive local HD channels - but I think I hear you guys saying that if I wait until July I can skip the antenna and get the local HD channels via satelite...correct?

You can get local HD channels in many markets right now. Most of the rest of the country is expected before the end of this year or next. Their website has a list of which are currently available and what are announced for the rest of this year.

What is not available is a receiver that can get the HD locals and has a DVR. That is supposed to be coming in June. You never know when it might really show up.

If anyone gets new service from them, I'd appreciate if they could post the details of the equipment lease. I am especially interested in knowing if they have a service commitment.

[Subby]

Cool - I just checked for our area and it looks like they are available (http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showthread.php?t=49149).

I'll just sit tight and wait for the new receivers to come out.

[Eaglesfan27]

You can get local HD channels in many markets right now. Most of the rest of the country is expected before the end of this year or next. Their website has a list of which are currently available and what are announced for the rest of this year.

What is not available is a receiver that can get the HD locals and has a DVR. That is supposed to be coming in June. You never know when it might really show up.

If anyone gets new service from them, I'd appreciate if they could post the details of the equipment lease. I am especially interested in knowing if they have a service commitment.

We are certainly getting new service from them, as I want to finally be able to see all Eagles' games. I'll post details of the equipment lease when I have them.

[Subby]

Interesting - I just read here (http://www.weaknees.com/ota-hd.php) that the HD local channels sent by the satelite are much lower quality than what you would get via an antenna.

The current HD DVR (http://www.directtv.com/imagine/PDF/HD_DVR.pdf) has an integrated ATSC tuner which allows you to tivo shows from your over-the-air antenna.

So I guess the question is - how much worse is the HD signal sent by DirecTv in comparison to what you would get via the antenna?

[Ksyrup]

Local HD channels aren't available where I'm going to be moving. I'll probably look into getting an antenna. We'll see.

[gstelmack]

Interesting - I just read here (http://www.weaknees.com/ota-hd.php) that the HD local channels sent by the satelite are much lower quality than what you would get via an antenna.

I'd love to get confirmation of whether or not that applies to their MPEG-4 stuff. Their MPEG-2 HD stuff is downrezzed, but I thought a key point of the MPEG-4 was more bandwidth to do more and better HD. If they are doing "HD-Lite" on MPEG-4 as well, that's disappointing.

[primelord]

Interesting - I just read here (http://www.weaknees.com/ota-hd.php) that the HD local channels sent by the satelite are much lower quality than what you would get via an antenna.

The current HD DVR (http://www.directtv.com/imagine/PDF/HD_DVR.pdf) has an integrated ATSC tuner which allows you to tivo shows from your over-the-air antenna.

So I guess the question is - how much worse is the HD signal sent by DirecTv in comparison to what you would get via the antenna?

One thing to keep in mind is that the use of an antenna can be a major head ache. Obviously if you invest in a good roof mounted one or something along those lines it won't be as much of a problem, but interferance on HD antennas is not like on a normal antenna. You don't get a snowy picture. You get a choppy garbled digital signal that is literally unwatchable.

Again that may not be much of a problem with a good antenna and clear lines of sight, but I would make sure you have the option to bring the antenna back before you buy it just in case. A slightly inferior picture coming over the satellite that doesn't have these issues may actually be the better chice for some.

[Subby]

I'd love to get confirmation of whether or not that applies to their MPEG-4 stuff. Their MPEG-2 HD stuff is downrezzed, but I thought a key point of the MPEG-4 was more bandwidth to do more and better HD. If they are doing "HD-Lite" on MPEG-4 as well, that's disappointing. From that link I posted:
Digital, high-definition (HD): This is the highest quality signal broadcast from antennas, and it's also generally higher than the compressed signals from both DirecTV and Dish Network. Local stations broadcast these ATSC signals in every major metropolitan areas and many smaller ones. They sometimes carry more than one stream of HD signal allowing for more programming options. It is these channels that DirecTV is adding to its new satellite and broadcasting in the MPEG4 format. But the DirecTV and Dish Network rebroadcasts of these channels are down-rezzed so that the HD image loses much of its clarity and sharpness. In many cases the differences are enormous. For that reason, even if you have DirecTV or Dish Network equipment that can get these locals, you'll be better off with an antenna pulling these stations in from the local towers. Also, getting the signal this way is much more imperious to weather conditions especially rain-fade.

[gstelmack]

From that link I posted:

I read that, but it could just as easily have been confused about the MPEG-2 vs. MPEG-4 thing. They don't make it clear that they've verified DirecTV is ALSO down-rezzing the MPEG-4 stuff like they did the MPEG-2. They may be right, I'd just like to hear from another source that the MPEG-4 stream they are getting today is still downrezzed like the MPEG-2 streams were.

[jbmagic]

So the Hd Pacakage is $9.99 a month with locals if available in your area?

[Samdari]

So the Hd Pacakage is $9.99 a month with locals if available in your area?

No, you need one of the Total Choice packages, which are ~$40 to get anything. The 9.99 HD package is only a set of 6 or 7 national HD channels, and is in addition to the basic service.

[Subby]

Doing some more reading, I just realized that the MPEG-4 box that is coming out is not a TiVo device. That sucks, because the current DirecTV DVRs that are out are not getting very good reviews.

Also - I can't find anywhere that confirms that MPEG-4 picture is any horrible compared to antenna hd reception.

[jbmagic]

No, you need one of the Total Choice packages, which are ~$40 to get anything. The 9.99 HD package is only a set of 6 or 7 national HD channels, and is in addition to the basic service.

cool thanks

I already have total choice plus which include regular locals channels

The hd package will include the HD locals if available in my area?