Home Improvement thread 2: Direct TV discussion

[GN One Day...]

I was talking to my neighbor about his DSS. He told me to check a site: www.expertsatellite.com. They're offering 4 rooms/receivers, free install, free equipment and an optional TIVO for $50.

I only need 3, but with the package starting at about $40/mo, that's right at what I pay for cable. I'm thinking they may tack on some for each receiver over 1, but I don't see that here yet. It does pick up my local channels now.

Is there any reason not to go for this? Our cable system sucks and has about a quarter of the channels. I could get SPEED!

Discuss please!

EDIT: yep, $49.97 with 3 rooms, plus sales tax.

 

[turbot2112]

direct tv is great , but if you pay for it , it can get expensive. i think they charge you like 5 bucks for each additional receiver, its been a long time since i paid for it, i mean had it.

 

[RossGN]

The only drawback, I know of, is that you'll loose the signal if it is raining very hard. Other than that, I have been very satisfied with it.

 

[GN One Day...]

I'm familiar with the rain thing. Not crazy about that, we do get some rain here. No snow, so that's a small consolation. Line of sight for the dish isn't an issue either.

Went ahead and ordered. They're also doing a free DVD player at that site, along with the free receivers/dish, shipping rebate and free installation. Add'l charges so far: $20 for triple LNB dish to get local channels, extra $25 for a receiver upgrade. Still, not bad.

Still up for any opinions or things to look out for, especially if they're prone to any "catches" on the installation.

 

[tjthorson]

Remember that with any satellite system, its much more finicky then cable tv is in terms of connections. Because of the nature of the technology, you will need a "home run" of RG-6 (not regular RG-59) from EACH reciever back to the dish (or a central multi-switch location). Thats usually where they zing you for installation charges. Your existing RG-59 cabletv cable that has splitters all over the house will not work.

FYI!

 

[striker_29]

Whats the deal with line of sight on these things? I've been interested in going this route as well, but I have been told the dish has to face Southwest I believe, an my apt balcony faces Northeast

 

[GN One Day...]

Thanks for the heads up on the cable. I know the free installation has limits on length of cable, but I didn't know the type of cable was an issue. I think it should be an easy install, from where the dish would be mounted is pretty straightforward to the rooms.
We're only going with 2 rooms, and they are closest to where the dish will be. Not sure how they get the cable inside the house though, maybe a hole by the window? If they go inside and down a wall to a new outlet that may cost extra.

Mark,
The Direct TV satellite is over Houston, so you have to have it clear in a SW direction. Watch out for installing in a place that may have leaves blocking in when Spring comes. Would your landlord let you put it on the roof or a tree that would still give you a clear shot?

 

[TurboDave]

Originally posted by striker_29
Whats the deal with line of sight on these things? I've been interested in going this route as well, but I have been told the dish has to face Southwest I believe, an my apt balcony faces Northeast

Because the satellites are in a geosynchronous orbit over the Equator. You (the dish) must be able to see the southern sky, unobstructed.

 

[TurboDave]

Don't forget to mention the mandetory one year contract.

 

[David65]

I've had Dish for about 3 years now and have experienced rain fade maybe 5 or 6 times, even with all the rain we had here this year. I'm looking at upgrading to a new receiver they have now that includes a high def tuner for off the air broadcasts since the area stations are just now going to that. Might be something else to look at.

David

 

[GN One Day...]

I don't think there's much you can get out there now without a year commitment these days.
Worth it for the free equipment. I remember selling these things in college when they first came out. $799 for the deluxe model that would allow you to add a 2nd receiver, at a cost of $199. Then installation was another $200. LOL! Times have changed. Programming charges on this don't seem to have gone up like local cable has though.

I don't have a HD/16:9 setup, so I'll wait until the TV's go down (a LOT) before worrying about the HDTV. I think the dish is going to look sweet on my new 32" Panasonic flat tube though!



EDIT: Is Top Gear on BBC America now? DL'ing gets old.