This is done by lazy installers. It's the easy way to do things. The best way is to run the cables from the dish to a central location. Then distributed to the various rooms. This makes it easy to make changes and expand the system. So with this in mind, try to do some of the wiring work yourself
I disagree, to a certain extent.
It's NOT always a LAZY installer, although it does happen.
Sometimes there are no other ways to do it.
esmeet,
Do you have a basement ?
If so, any that you want on the first floor would be relatively easy provided it's not a finished basement.
This about it this way.
You have to get the feed from the dish to your centrally located box.
Can you get a signal setting up the dish right next to the box, if so, great.... if not, you'll need to get the line from the dish to the box (without attaching it to the house ?)
Think about ways to feed a line from the box to each location you need a rec., is this a possibility.
I don't know because I cannot see your home, only you would know for sure.
Would YOU be able to run these lines without being seen ?
If so, great, talk with the guy ahead of time and let him know what you want and expect ahead of time.
Sometimes this can be done, other times not.
2nd flr, often times you can tuck the wire behind siding corners or stuff like that.
Be flexible.
Jimbo