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goaliebob99
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
The Phone Call to Directv.

So, I called up the number on the letter saying that I got in the mail saying that Directv wanted me back. I was hooked up with the 4 months free with the purchase of the NFL Sunday ticket,Free super fan, Free Nascar Hot pass, and Free install. I Was also told that I would be getting brand new equipment as Dish network gives out refurbished equipment, when I asked why cant I get a free HDDVR. When asked what model I would be getting they specifically said an HR20-700, the latest and greatest. Cool, scheduled the install for that Saturday, for a two room HD install. Over all the call went really well.

THE INSTALL

My install was scheduled for 12-5. I call Directv up to get a better estimate on when the installer would show up so I could Begin talking down my dish 1000 and making way for the installer to run new wiring. BTW the installation company that showed up was All American Direct I think was there name, I know there the HSP for My area in southern Chicago area. Directv calls up the HSP with me on the phone, they contact the tech, and he says he can make it here between 2-3.

Its now 4pm and the tech hasn't shown. I get on the horn with Directv and 15 min later the tech finally shows up. He gets here, I show him the two rooms and we do a walk through. I show him the two room and show him the existing wiring outside. While doing the walk through I have him the OK to run an additional wire to each location, and use the existing dish line for the 2nd tuner on the HD DVR. So I'm outside with the tech and hes installing the dish on the pole and I ask him what receivers he brought. He said a refurbished HR20-100.

Wait a minute.. If we look up at the CSR call that Is totally different than what I was told. So I get on the horn with Directv and The HSP. It turns out that Directv sent the HSP nothing but refurbished HR20-100's and no new models. Well since I'm getting a refurbished model, I want it for FREE since that was the excuse that I was given for on why dish can give out there equipment for Free. So 4 calls later and I'm talking with customer retention. Customer retention apologized and they are sending me an HR20-700 as I was supposed to get new equipment and the work order even stated it.

So with that taken care of, they put in the refurbished model to get me in service, until they can send me a 700. At this time my wife decides that she wants one in the bedroom too as she cant live without her HD DVR in the bedroom. I ask the installer if he can run another line to the bedroom as well and I will pay for labor since he's here. He says no problem and that he will bill me for it, so he runs the line to the bed room. So were all set. He puts the -100 model in the bedroom and installs and activates it and all the lines are ran for the HD DVR that will be going in the Living room.

He asks me If I know how to use the HD DVR, and I say yes. He then says he wants me to sign the work order. Wait arnt you going to show me where all the channels are and the features of the DVR? So he does a quick run down on that, and trys to get me to sign the work order again. Wait lets do a walk through real quick. So I look in the bed room, and there is a mess all over the place where he drilled the hole, I didn't say anything, but it would have been nice if he cleaned up his mess. Then I noticed the bushing. WHAT THE HELL IS THIS? Why isn't there a wall plate up? He says he's out and wont get any in until Monday. Well, can you drop one off and put it in or get another tech out here to give you one? NOPE. WTF. So we look in the living room. OK beige on white. LOOKS horrible. Dont you have white wall plates? No, beige was the only color I had. OK. What about taking the screw out of my other plate and putting it on yours? oh I don't have any screws. By this time I'm getting pretty heated.

We go outside... I notice the fact that none of the holes are sealed with silicone. Mentioned that, and he sealed them but without bushings. We go out to the ground block, the dish is grounded to the ground block but the block itself is not grounded. Don't you think thats an important thing? So he runs the ground. By this time its dark, and I notice that he never attached the ground block to the building. So we go to his truck, I sign and annotate the work order with the stuff he failed to do. He takes off, not giving me a copy of the work order and annotations. WTF.

So, I call up Directv and schedule another tech to come out here on Monday morning. Attached below is pictures of the install, They speak for them selfs. You can notice the difference where I did my own dish network install and Directv's install.

So now its off to best buy and my wife and I are off to get my other HD DVR.


24 hours later with Directv.

So I hook up the lines in the living room to the HR20-700 and do the setup. My first impression is while Dish does have a better DVR, This little puppy is not far from the 622. I don't like the setup of the off air antenna. I like dish's method of scan and a list of your channels pop's up instead of by zip code and and what Directv gives you. I noticed that there are a few sub channels missing that I did get with dish. Directv needs to add them in the system or let the receiver add them as per the OTA station is sending. Directv needs to take a note of this.

I would like to see features like external hard drive archiving and VOD support. Which from what I hear is coming. I did have the opportunity to download the CE release and am still waiting on VOD to appear in my guide. I don't know exactly whats going on with hard drive support but someone can let me in on it. I'm using a usb hard drive BTW.

Now, the quality of programming on DIRECTV is allot better than dish. Do not get this confused with the quality of picture which I will be covering in a moment. Last night I had the opportunity of viewing the Jeff Gordon channel of the Nascar Hot pass. I literally felt like I was in the car with him when he won and that was the first time in a long time that I was excited about a Nascar race. WOW is all I can say. I will be renewing my subscription for this, for next year. The NFL Sunday ticket is way cool, along with all the mix channels.

Now to The HD lite portion of the review. Directv needs to bring all there mpg2 channels out of HD lite mode and into full glory mpg4 mode. This was noticeable with the mpg2 version of HBO and the mpg4 version of it. Now to the movie channels in MPEG4. WOW, WHERE WAS THIS ON DISH! I AM VERY IMPRESSED! This is literally the most beautiful picture that I have seen since the days of pre hdlite. IF this is directv's future then Directv subs have a very bright future. DIRECTV'S HD PICTURE ON THESE CHANNELS BLOWS DISH NETWORK RIGHT OUT OF THE WATER! That was a side by side comparison on the same TV, same resolution between dish and Directv. My wife even said she noticed a major difference. With Directv the picture seems sharper where as dish is softer. Also, I gained double the movie channels in HD than what I had with dish.

Over all I'm very impressed with Directv as a whole, minus the installation company. I would give Directv a grade of A and the installation company a grade of F---.

Now if I can only see some VOD! :)
26 Replies · 6173 views
goaliebob99
ATP thanks for the update. That totally sucks.. That was one feature that I liked about dish, and the usb hard drive support in conjuction with the recivers hard drive. Is there any way to transfer programs from one to another?
charper1
I HONESTLY think that more than the pay scale being at fault, that the contracting company fails to do quality training and/or evaluations of the people they employ. Now I have no direct info on the contract vs contract employee pay for DirecTV, but I do when it come to contract labor in general. How much does DirecTV and Dish pay per install to the contract company vs what the company passes along to the person they hire to do the actual work? I think the BIGGEST part of the problem lies here; between the contract company and THEIR hired employee.

AND, I still agree with the above that the majority of these people do great work, and ONLY the bad installs find their way here.
grydlok
You guys kill me. You stand on soapbox and preach to who?
The people who do this aren't here.
Charper is you think Double talk D* is clean of this you are crazy. Where the hell do you think the Refurb HR20 come from. Not the HSP or MSP. Upper management knows full where. The only thing you 300 buys you is the right to use their equipment. You don't own it and if it goes bad they are going to replace it with a refurb. That is D* policy period. Equal blame where equal blame lies.
S
How much does DirecTV and Dish pay per install to the contract company vs what the company passes along to the person they hire to do the actual work? I think the BIGGEST part of the problem lies here; between the contract company and THEIR hired employee.

Don't know about Dish but we get a little less than half. If you want a raise, become a hack and pump out jobs. Our management worships the guys that pump out the work. And what do you get for quality work? Home late, smaller checks, repeat TCs from hacks, and maybe once or twice a year a kudos letter that hangs in a dark corner. I almost forgot personal satisfaction of a job well done.
charper1
You guys kill me. You stand on soapbox and preach to who?
The people who do this aren't here.
Charper is you think Double talk D* is clean of this you are crazy. Where the hell do you think the Refurb HR20 come from. Not the HSP or MSP. Upper management knows full where. The only thing you 300 buys you is the right to use their equipment. You don't own it and if it goes bad they are going to replace it with a refurb. That is D* policy period. Equal blame where equal blame lies.


For the 100th time I have NEVER said any of the DBS providers are clean although I bet likely less than 50% of the issue (note I am talking about install quality and such not the issue of refurbs or not), but on the flip you guys think they (DBS cos)are 110% of the issue. You guys preach just as much, but just on the opposite side.
ShaqDan
I never had a bad experience with installers (3 separate trips).
S
ATP thanks for the update. That totally sucks.. That was one feature that I liked about dish, and the usb hard drive support in conjuction with the recivers hard drive. Is there any way to transfer programs from one to another?

Well, that is quite a bummer... the hardware for cable lets you integrate the harddisk with the internal one and E* lets you use those USB drives. Is D* planning changes to how the externald disk will be used in the future or is there any rumors about the possibility of USB drive support?
goaliebob99
I never had a bad experience with installers (3 separate trips).

The 2nd installer just left here. He even said that I had a dud installer. He fixed everything right on up and im very happy now. I wish I had this dude as my origional installer, everything would have been awsome!
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
117 Replies · 1862 views
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Foxbat
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
rvvaquero
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.
M
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:

Can we expect to see a new coach if we say "pretty please?"
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Foxbat
Jeeez, Week 6, no lead is safe…
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b4pjoe
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.
Yes the Cowboys owner needs to fire the general manager (himself), co-owner, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Executive Vice President, Director of Player Personnel, and President of AT&T Stadium (his son) and then he should jump off of a cliff. Only then can they recover.
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Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne


Get it?


An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68540 Replies · 2673818 views
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dishstaller
Little Wing - Jimi Hendrix
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long_time_Dish
With A Little Luck - Wings
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H
LITTLE Willy-Sweet
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ClarkGable
Little Deuce Coupe - The Beach Boys
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gms49ers
The Boys of Summer - Don Henley
T
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
8 Replies · 280 views
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dishdude
I like the new look, it's a lot cleaner. I'm using it on one of those Onn streaming devices when I travel.
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T
I like the new look, it's a lot cleaner. I'm using it on one of those Onn streaming devices when I travel.
Yes a lot cleaner, glossier, and less functional. Someone trying to justify why they are making a big salary. "See look shiny"
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navychop
"Big salary." Charlie. "?Big?"
Tampa8
Seems in some ways better. Nicer layout, as others said maybe cleaner. Moving ahead in the guide is better.
S
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
I think most are using it on a firestick or other device as an extra receiver, rather than their phone. Just a guess based on how I use it. 99% thru my firestick, 1% phone.
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dfergie
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Stargate SG-1 cancelled, Atlantis renewed
clear.gif

Monday - August 21, 2006 | by Darren Sumner
clear.gif

The future of Stargate is in question today, as SCI FI Channel has cancelled the long-running Stargate SG-1, Multichannel News reported today and a GateWorld source has confirmed. The news regrettably follows the airing of the show's milestone two-hundredth episode on Friday.

Stargate Atlantis, meanwhile, has been renewed for a fourth season, with the network hoping to see that the spin-off series can stand alone, according to a source.
Source Gateworld
2034 Replies · 184182 views
R
I have gotten back into watching SG-1 and I have recorded most of the episodes to binge watch. What episodes are about the Antarctic or was this a movie? Also where could I watch the SG-1 movies?
osu1991
long_time_Dish
I have gotten back into watching SG-1 and I have recorded most of the episodes to binge watch. What episodes are about the Antarctic or was this a movie? Also where could I watch the SG-1 movies?
Well, there are a couple involving the Antarctic. "Solitudes", S1 E17 (one of my favorites), Then, "Lost City', S7 E21 and E22. Then, in the SGA pilot, "Rising", S1 E1 and E2, it starts out in the Antarctic for about the first 20 minutes or so.
R
Well, there are a couple involving the Antarctic. "Solitudes", S1 E17 (one of my favorites), Then, "Lost City', S7 E21 and E22. Then, in the SGA pilot, "Rising", S1 E1 and E2, it starts out in the Antarctic for about the first 20 minutes or so.
Which one has O'Neil being Ancients? I am at the end of Season 8 now.
long_time_Dish
Which one has O'Neil being Ancients? I am at the end of Season 8 now.
If I understand your question, O'Neill had the Ancient's knowledge in the "Lost City" two-part episode. That was when Anubis attacked Earth and there was a big battle over Antarctica.
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R
If I understand your question, O'Neill had the Ancient's knowledge in the "Lost City" two-part episode. That was when Anubis attacked Earth and there was a big battle over Antarctica.
Those are the episodes I am looking for. They are referred to a lot in the episodes I just recently watched.
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T
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion
Picked up a sweet directv dish, mount, twin lnbs and a short cable.
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
6 Replies · 296 views
B
would probably also work well for NHK on 101W and possibly for PBS on 99W. I used one for a while on 30W. Just keep in mind that because it's undersized for those satellites, it might work fine in clear weather but won't have much margin to account for signal degradation during rain/snow
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O
If you can find one, the Shaw / Star Choice 75e ellipticals are great for use on 97, 99, and 101W. They are really just rebranded ChannelMaster 75 cm reflectors and use linear LNBFs by default out of the box.

Everyone else's mileage may vary.
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T
I have read that some have converted this type dish but after giving it a good look, it's the lnb conversion that is the bottleneck. Does anyone have a picture of their attempt to configure the lnb? I watched a video on youtube from the save it for parts guy and he used duct tape! Guess it worked but I'm thinking something a bit more permanent!
Thanks to all for your interest and replies...
Titanium
Many of us have used a universal LNBF mount (or get creative with L brackets and plumbers tape - perforated metal strapping). Use a few inches of aluminum tube (or a piece of 1x2" lumber) to extend the support arm (replacing the plastic mount used by DirecTV and Dish) to place the LNBF throat opening at the correct distance from the reflector, the correct height and at the correct angle. Nothing magical... simply place the new linear LNBF in the center at the same distance, height and angle as the current combo.
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2
LNBF mount.webp
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k4otl
To add: 101W Ku seems to be (one of if not the) strongest for me, and if I only had Ku I definitely want 101W for the music mux, it's robust FEC and strong signal help a lot. I've thought about using a used Dish/DirectTV dish at my Dads to supplement his OTA (mainly for my benefit when I visit :) )
Peter Parker
Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
No idea what improvements might be involved.
24 Replies · 1122 views
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N
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
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jsmit86
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.
It's a known issue.
For a temporary fix, go into the menu, Audio, and turn Dolby Audio "OFF". You will have PCM stereo audio.

I was able to give the tech ops team some data logs so they could diagnose the problem, and they rolled me back to H708 temporarily. It fixed that issue.

They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
long_time_Dish
They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
Oh, you mean "soon"? :biggrin
Almighty1
It's a known issue.
For a temporary fix, go into the menu, Audio, and turn Dolby Audio "OFF". You will have PCM stereo audio.

I was able to give the tech ops team some data logs so they could diagnose the problem, and they rolled me back to H708 temporarily. It fixed that issue.

They let me know that they understand what caused the issue, and it will be fixed within a few weeks in a new update.
I guess they will be busy when lots of people start asking for rollbacks to H708 now that you mention that downgrades of software does exist because it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner and the IR Remote problems in H710-H713.
navychop
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner

:popcorn
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dishstaller
it will likely fix the OTA Single Tuner
🤣

Oh....you were serious
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teachsac
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Hondo is back with a new squad 9/25 only on Starz.


View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/b0gPzA8KHEQ
7 Replies · 128 views
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K
Never watched the previous shows, so doubtful.
teachsac
Started watching yesterday. Not too bad.
Scott Greczkowski
Wife likes it.
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teachsac
I like Zyra from La Brea (one with the prosthetic).