Question about an additional receiver

Status
Please reply by conversation.

goph2011

Member
Original poster
Nov 27, 2009
8
0
Mpls
We have a pretty standard directv dish, with two inputs from the actual dish and 4 outputs to the receivers throughout the house. We get like probably close to 200 channels plus hbo but don't know our exact package. My question is, I wanna attempt to escape the additional $80 charge for adding an additional receiver. Is there a way to do this, with a multiswitch such as the Zinwell WB68 and a receiver bought off like craigslist? I don't care about the $5 a month charge, as that's fine. If someone could explain my options of adding a 5th receiver that would be great, as I don't know a whole lot about Dishes/Directv.

Thanks
 
Call Directv and ask this question and see what they offer you. If you don't like their answer come back and reask the question. While talking to directv find out what you have for a programming package and what you have for equipment. It will be a lot easier to help you with more accurate information.
 
Ya well we asked when we first got it installed and they said it would be an additional $80 one time fee, per extra receiver past 4 and up to 6 to add an receiver. On top of the $5 per month per extra receivers over the standard 4. I know that the "splitter" looking piece that Directv installed with the dish. It has two inputs and four outputs that go to each and every receiver. I thought that if you had one of those multiswitch's out to 8 different ports you could have up to 8 different receivers. But thats why i was asking
 
You probably have just basic SD programming from your poor description of equipment. From eBay or Craigs list you should be able to buy a basic receiver from $10-50 plus a $20 fee to get a new access card from Directv. A 3X8 multi switch should cost $10-30. If you buy from an individual(eBay ETC) get the RID# and call Directv to check there is no outstanding balance owed on the receiver. You also need to check that the receiver is owned not leased, if leased you can't reactivate on your account.

If you have been a subscriber for more than 6 months Directv may give you a better offer than you might find elsewhere.
 
DirecTV is the way to go. Almost all receivers are leased now. Buying one off ebay or craigslist is a crapshoot. If you are going to try that, do as Boba said, get the RID and call DirecTV access card department and find out if there is a balance.

It sounds like you do not have HD. Correct?
 
Correct, we just have a standard definition dish i believe but we have service through DirecTV. I will look at what type of dish it is tomorrow when I get back to my house. I know we pay like $80-90 a month for 4 receivers and around 200 channels with hbo.
 
So I looked to day at what type of DirecTv dish we have and this is the information it had: Dual LNB Model # ZKF-G52N Input Frequency 12.2-12.7 Ghz and lot 001 and this is what it looks like



CIMG0048.jpg



The other thing is the current multiswitch that we have. This is what i was talking about having only four outputs, presumably for each of the 4 receivers that we currently have. I want to add one more receiver with out the large charge from DirecTv, so I was wondering my options.

CIMG0050.jpg




This is what i was thinking i could replace it with.

http://www.satpro.tv/6x8zinwellmultiswitchfordirectvhdwb68.aspx
 
Last edited:
So I looked to day at what type of DirecTv dish we have and this is the information it had: Dual LNB Model # ZKF-G52N Input Frequency 12.2-12.7 Ghz and lot 001 and this is what it looks like



CIMG0048.jpg



The other thing is the current multiswitch that we have. This is what i was talking about having only four outputs, presumably for each of the 4 receivers that we currently have. I want to add one more receiver with out the large charge from DirecTv, so I was wondering my options.

CIMG0050.jpg




This is what i was thinking i could replace it with.

The DIRECTV Multiswitch Zinwell WB68, MS6x8WB-Z is an HD satellite Multiswitch to give you the option of adding more DIRECTV Receivers.

This multiswitch is for hd use. I think it will work, but it is more than you need. Like boba said, a 3x8 should work fine, and is less expensive.
 
Alright so I found a 3x8 multiswitch from the same store. Is this something I can just unplug and plug the new one in, and its a done deal? Like I said I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this, so I am kind of learning the ropes. Also is the $5 a month service charge from DirecTv just to use their equipment, I.E. receivers?

thanks and sorry for all the questions
 
Alright so I found a 3x8 multiswitch from the same store. Is this something I can just unplug and plug the new one in, and its a done deal? Like I said I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this, so I am kind of learning the ropes. Also is the $5 a month service charge from DirecTv just to use their equipment, I.E. receivers?

thanks and sorry for all the questions

I think it is that simple, but maybe an installer can chime in here. Make sure you unplug your receiver before you start. You could short them out if you aren't careful when you make the new connections. The $5/month is for any additional receiver/dvr on your account.
 
I always thought it was first receiver is free and it's $5 or so a month extra for each additional receiver after the first one.

Yes, that's how it works. Isn't that what I posted? :confused:
 
Ya I just wasn't sure if that was like a leasing fee for using DirecTv's receivers, or if they charged that if you used your own.
 
I know what you posted. Someone else was saying something about DIRECTV charging $5/month extra per receiver after the standard 4 or something like that.

Ah, okay. That explains why I was confused!
 
That was me, because our deal gave us free installation in up to four rooms, so they gave us 4 receivers under the original monthly charge, and if we wanted a 5th or 6th installed it would be $80 one time fee for installation/extra receiver, and an extra $5 a month/extra receiver. Thats the way our deal worked out here at least
 
They typically give you four receivers for free (standard new customer deal). The package charge includes the first receiver and additional receivers are $5/month each (called leased receiver fee or additional receiver fee if you own the receivers). To add another receiver you would probably pay $69 plus a shipping charge and $5 more each month. You could also get the receiver at Best Buy and save the shipping cost (it would still be leased).
 
In the 4 room deal you are all talking about, the first recvr IS free on the account, but the 2,3 and 4th recvrs are $ 5 p/m each.
 
Oh ok, I must have been mistaken, and they are actually charging us for each of the other receivers.. But whats the additional charge for, for the extra 5th and 6th receiver for then?
 
All receivers/dvrs except the first one are $5/month. There may also be an initial lease fee for the unit itself. That amount varies depending on your length of service, payment history, and the whim of the csr you talk to. It could be as much as $99 for a receiver and $199 for an hd dvr, or as little as free.
 
Status
Please reply by conversation.
***

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

Who Read This Thread (Total Members: 1)