Directv HD setup - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pixelbend · 10-23-2007, 05:38 AM

I just got my first HDTV (37" Vizio, nice set btw) and I'm thinking of moving from our old Directv box to Directv HD. Now I know I'm going to need a new dish (the 5lnb job) and the new HD20 receiver.

My question is: Should I just get the equipment through Directv and have the installer come and set it up or can I save a little money and buy the equipment myself and setup the hardware? Anyone have any experience with this? I have set up several mini dishes so I don't think I would have a problem with that (unless the HD setup is a lot different).

guthmund · 10-23-2007, 07:00 AM

I recently made the swith to Dish-HD, so maybe my experience will apply. I had the installer do it and bought all the equipment through them for two reasons: 1-I was hesitant like you are as I had never messed with this HD stuff before and new very little what the process entailed and 2- I got a pretty good deal.

That being said, if I could have gotten the better deal doing it myself, I think I certainly could have. I was there for the whole shebang and it didn't look like the installer did anything all that special. I mean, certainly the equipment was different, but the process seemed the same. He changed the dish, ran new cables, replaced the receiver and with a few minor adjustments in the back with a pair of wrenches, I had HD programming.

[edit]I forgot to point out that my installation is a fairly simple one. Pre-existing mount, which isn't on the roof or hanging off the side of the building. Pre-existing holes both in the crawlspace below the house and through the floors.

The_Jazz · 10-23-2007, 07:19 AM

I just did this too, and I never seriously considered doing it myself for several reasons. The first is that our house is 3 1/2 stories tall and getting on the roof is difficult and dangerous. I leave that stuff to professionals. The second is the equipment. I don't have the line testers to sort out the various signals, and the guys that did the job were up there for an hour finding the right lines.

Finally, this was a 6 hour job, and that's way too much time to be worth it for me.

Your experience may vary, though.

MPower · 10-23-2007, 11:26 AM

Depends on the price. Sitting on the roof, fiddling with the dish to get the best signal is a pain in the butt. Plus the pros do a better job of cabling and if anything goes wrong you can have them come back and fix it. Also go to someplace like monoprice.com and get a hdmi cable for about $5 and don't waste your money on a monster.

pixelbend · 10-23-2007, 11:43 AM

Thanks guys. Way ahead of ya on the cables. Already got 2 hdmi and 2 component cables through monoprice.com

I'll probably just go with the pro install after all. Hate to fall off the roof and miss all that HD goodness while in traction.

10-23-2007, 05:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	Directv HD setup I just got my first HDTV (37" Vizio, nice set btw) and I'm thinking of moving from our old Directv box to Directv HD. Now I know I'm going to need a new dish (the 5lnb job) and the new HD20 receiver. My question is: Should I just get the equipment through Directv and have the installer come and set it up or can I save a little money and buy the equipment myself and setup the hardware? Anyone have any experience with this? I have set up several mini dishes so I don't think I would have a problem with that (unless the HD setup is a lot different). __________________ But I don't want ANY Spam!

10-23-2007, 07:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	I recently made the swith to Dish-HD, so maybe my experience will apply. I had the installer do it and bought all the equipment through them for two reasons: 1-I was hesitant like you are as I had never messed with this HD stuff before and new very little what the process entailed and 2- I got a pretty good deal. That being said, if I could have gotten the better deal doing it myself, I think I certainly could have. I was there for the whole shebang and it didn't look like the installer did anything all that special. I mean, certainly the equipment was different, but the process seemed the same. He changed the dish, ran new cables, replaced the receiver and with a few minor adjustments in the back with a pair of wrenches, I had HD programming. [edit]I forgot to point out that my installation is a fairly simple one. Pre-existing mount, which isn't on the roof or hanging off the side of the building. Pre-existing holes both in the crawlspace below the house and through the floors. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously. Last edited by guthmund; 10-24-2007 at 07:59 AM..

10-23-2007, 07:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	I just did this too, and I never seriously considered doing it myself for several reasons. The first is that our house is 3 1/2 stories tall and getting on the roof is difficult and dangerous. I leave that stuff to professionals. The second is the equipment. I don't have the line testers to sort out the various signals, and the guys that did the job were up there for an hour finding the right lines. Finally, this was a 6 hour job, and that's way too much time to be worth it for me. Your experience may vary, though. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

10-23-2007, 11:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
pixelbend Too hot in the hot tub!	Thanks guys. Way ahead of ya on the cables. Already got 2 hdmi and 2 component cables through monoprice.com I'll probably just go with the pro install after all. Hate to fall off the roof and miss all that HD goodness while in traction. __________________ But I don't want ANY Spam!

10-23-2007, 11:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
MPower Psycho	Depends on the price. Sitting on the roof, fiddling with the dish to get the best signal is a pain in the butt. Plus the pros do a better job of cabling and if anything goes wrong you can have them come back and fix it. Also go to someplace like monoprice.com and get a hdmi cable for about $5 and don't waste your money on a monster.