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Last reply · posted in DIRECTV General Forum
I apologize for being such a novice in the area, but I'm considering a switch from Cox Cable to DirecTV. I've never had satellite TV before, but I'm finding that DirecTV can offer better programming for cheaper rates (I did see the AAA thread...will definitely use that).

One major hangup I've had with switching to satellite is that I'm not a fan of drilling holes in the walls and running coax cable around the house when it already exists. My house (built around 1995) has coax running into each room of the house where we'd want receivers, so I don't understand why a satellite dish inevitably requires new holes to be drilled in the wall. Could someone explain why the dish can't simply tie in to the cable box on the side of my house and send the signals through the house in the same way the cable company's signal goes through? If I want three receivers in my house in different locations, how is the installer likely to get the coax lines there? (I have a one-story house with vaulted ceilings...tough to fish wires from ceiling.)

I've read some threads about SWM cables that would eliminate the need to have two coax cables running to each DVR or HD receiver. I plan on having 2 HD/DVR receivers, so how can I minimize the holes drilled and the wires run around the house?

Finally, I'm curious about people's experience with the protection plan ($5.99 per month). This supposedly protects your equipment and allows you to have free maintenance or repairs, as needed, versus paying for someone to come out and help if something goes wrong. Is this worth paying for, in your experience? Could I have it for the first 2-3 months to make sure things are running smoothly and then drop it if it seems things are going OK?

Sorry this ran on a bit...I'm excited about the idea of having DirecTV programming, but I'm reluctant to have ugly wires and drilled holes all around my house. The DirecTV sales rep told me no new holes would need to be drilled if I have coax in each room where I want receivers, but I have trouble believing her when every single house I've seen with a dish has the wires running into holes in the wall. If I currenlty have a cable TV receiver in each room where I want a new DirecTV receiver, how likely is it that I can simply swap receivers without drilling new holes?

Thanks in advance for the help!
13 Replies · 2605 views
E
I'm having three DVRs installed (2 HD-DVRs, 1 standard DVR), so I'll hope the installer goes with the SWM.

I know this is probably a simple question, but how can I tell if the coax I have is RG6 or RG59 (assuming I can't pull out the cable from the wall and look at the imprint on the side of it)?
E
Thanks for the info, Jimbo. I don't mind having the dish installed on the side of the house (they don't put them on roofs here in Vegas with the ceramic tile roofs), I just didn't want them to run RG-6 cable along the sides of the house and then drill holes into each room where the receivers would be.

I'd prefer the SWM so they can (as I understand it) send the satellite signals into the cable box on the side of house and not drill any new holes for running cable. I've never understood why most - if not all - houses I see with a satellite dish have the cables running from the dish straight into a new hole drilled in the wall.

As for a pole mount, I don't think I can do that. In Vegas, though, we don't worry much about snow...wind is the bigger problem.
jdspencer
Thanks for the info, Jimbo. I don't mind having the dish installed on the side of the house (they don't put them on roofs here in Vegas with the ceramic tile roofs), I just didn't want them to run RG-6 cable along the sides of the house and then drill holes into each room where the receivers would be.

I'd prefer the SWM so they can (as I understand it) send the satellite signals into the cable box on the side of house and not drill any new holes for running cable. I've never understood why most - if not all - houses I see with a satellite dish have the cables running from the dish straight into a new hole drilled in the wall.....
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
Jimbo
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
sundude90
I'm having three DVRs installed (2 HD-DVRs, 1 standard DVR), so I'll hope the installer goes with the SWM.

I know this is probably a simple question, but how can I tell if the coax I have is RG6 or RG59 (assuming I can't pull out the cable from the wall and look at the imprint on the side of it)?

It should say right on the side of the cable what it is. I only know of RG 6, not RG59.
Jimbo
It should say right on the side of the cable what it is. I only know of RG 6, not RG59.

Sundude,
There is Rg58, 59, Rg-6 RG -11 and others I'm sure as well. think there was a RG 57 prior to the 58 as well.
E
Unfortunately, they don't build houses in Vegas like they do back east. We do not have a basement, and we live in a single-story house with vaulted ceilings throughout the house. It's nearly impossible to access much of the crawlspace (since it's all vaulted), and there are no basements to use for sub-floor access.

Given that every room in the house that could use a receiver currently has coax cable running to it, I don't think we'd worry about further expanding the system, and I don't see any benefit of running additional cable myself. If the installer can use a SWM to tap into the existing cables, I would think the installation would be short and sweet.

As for the type of cable, I may try crawling up into one of the crawlspaces (it only accesses a small portion of the house) to see if I can look at the cable. (Would the installer be able to run some sort of diagnostic test when he comes to test the type of cable?)
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....
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dishstaller
Owner Of a Lonely Heart - Yes
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long_time_Dish
Lonely Street - Kansas
dishstaller
Lonely is the Night - Billy Squier
long_time_Dish
Lonely People - America
H
PEOPLE Are Strange-The Doors
JSheridan
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I know HipKat said that they were working on conversions but we got the official news yesterday right from Dish that starting next month all DMA's will be on the western arc, and all customers will be assigned to that. That's gonna mean a lot of customers around here aren't gonna get Dish unless there are exceptions. Too many mountains and trees.
171 Replies · 4748 views
MikeD-C05
I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH and then if you can't see the western arc you go with streaming versions and then they could keep customers if they had good internet speeds. I mean Sling TV could be changed to Streaming DISH TV if they wanted since both companies are under Echostar. Then you would still be able to use your ota antenna with Air TV devices like I do with Air TV Anywhere with 4 ota tuners.
Scott Greczkowski
I don't know why DISH doesn't just start a streaming version of DISH
I have the same wish.
S
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
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Jimbo
Even if you are broadcasting old SD-only shows, I would think advertisers would still want their commercials to look good.
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
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Mister B
Advertisers on SD channels are probably Far and Few, very hard to find, they have very few viewers to watch them.
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
S
I watch mostly SD channels (H&I, Start and ION, etc.). There are plenty of advertisers, this time of the year it is mostly Medicare Advantage plans, auto extended warranties and the occasional walk-in-tub. They know who is watching.
can't forget the little blue m&m's
charlesrshell
can't forget the little blue m&m's
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
B
I have the same wish.
Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite
NYDutch
Why?
A lot of people do not have fast internet.
That is why they use satellite
DISH will happily sell them a Starlink system and service.
T
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
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Foxbat
Why didn't Charlie end up launching starlink
Because he didn't have a fleet of reusable rockets. Starlink works because SpaceX is able to launch hundreds (thousands?) of their Starlink satellites for what a single geostationary Internet satellite costs to build and launch on a disposable launcher.
T
But how is it reusable if it's disposable
S
That's what my wife calls my Viagra!!
My gf is 29 years younger than me :shh
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
RIP dude. Always liked his music. He was 83


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Arbm47IQ
1 Replies · 16 views
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
This video was put up shortly after I was able to take my family out to Yosemite in 2011. No AI.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6-2fVsFV8E
0 Replies · 8 views
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
Love this guy's channel. Looks like Walmart has thrown in the towel when it comes to conventional car batteries.

I bought a new AGM battery from Walmart about a year ago, it is already needing replacing. I thought about just buying a regular battery but from what I've read, that might not be a smart move. Might check my Forscan program and see if I can change the battery type from AGM.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awe7kY5nvdU
18 Replies · 198 views
harshness
When you need a battery, you need a battery.

If you can wait, new technologies are on the not-too-distant horizon.

You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.
dishstaller
You're probably doing something wrong if you're only getting a year out of an AGM battery. Heat and infrequent charging both significantly reduce lifetime.
Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.


The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.
Jimbo
Huh? How can I be doing something wrong.....I took out the original battery, that was 6 yrs old and put in a new one.....kinda hard to screw that up. I figure it was just a bad battery....it happens.


The biggest takeaway I got from this video was the Walmart batteries only had something like 85% of battery life left even though they were brand NEW. The ones from O'Reilly all tested 100% of life left.
And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.

My last AGM (using now) I got from O Rielly's, its the Super Start ... I got the Platnium, they had several to choose from.
T
He sounds like he's trying to sell me a pocket hose.

I just had to replace a car battery this week and thought I'd look into LiFePo4. Amazon has plenty of them, but all have top posts and only one 'also' has side connections (Group 75).Then I read that they're really lousy in the cold. So, an AGM, but again, almost nothing with side terminals instead of top. In researching that, I read that most mfrs in recent years have dropped side terminals and gone back to the old top posts, which is surprising to me since those are more corrosion-prone, cause the battery to need more space and are generally more hazardous. Finally I just threw up my hands and bought a regular lead-acid at Sam's Club. They had a Group 75 "Duracell" with side terminals only. It was virtually the only such battery with side posts on their shelves
arlo
Had a Die Hard in my folks cellar for over 6 years. Pulled it out, slapped it on a charger for a day. Put it in my 'Cuda and drove it around for a week of my vacation. Next year, the same. But my dad kept it topped off for me.It was a mid 80's battery in early 1990.

Flooded acid batteries like a float voltage of around 13.5-13.8 voltage.
AGM needs a float of 14.2 volts. So if you slap an AGM in where a flooded was. It never gets a full charge.
"Why do they die so fast?" Question answered. There are folks who sell voltage regulators for alternators that are designed to boost float voltage for AGM batteries.
The other way around? Flooded will gas-off a little at 14.2 volts. But seems to tolerate it pretty good.

Lithium car/bike/atv batteries. After 3 batteries in my Harley. The OEM flooded and two AGM's (before the 14.2 volt float requirement to let them live was learned). I bought a lithium for it. 4 year, no gripe warranty after having it tested by an approved store.
The thing started like Thor himself sent a bolt from the sky. Except......try to start it around freezing? Nope. Needed a heating pad.
And I usually like to park it around events in the evening with the parking light on. Looks cool like that.
We could traipse around for a few hours no worries. Hop on, fire it up, and go putt around.
Lithium? A Dakota Lithium at least. The BMS shuts it right down if it discharges below <something>.
Come back. Parking lights off. Won't start. And you know the rest. But it lasted 6 years. A lot better than 'new every two'. And the fact that powersports batteries are warranted for six, maybe nine months. Ludicrous.

I called Noco. Asked all of the right questions. Great warranty. Save some bucks ordering directly, faster service that the wally world alternative.
They addressed (or claimed over the phone) that the shut down was addressed. Sure. The BMS keeps it form being damaged. But if it is shut down because it does become low. Shut down any load (key on, parking or headlights left on) for 10-15 minutes and you get a second try to start your rig. Not a bad thing if it really works. Right?!

Exide, Interstate? Be very afraid. They ain't what they used to be. In Florida my '70 Cutlass had an Interstate (early 90') that lasted 6 years until it dropped its plates at an intersection and boiled over. In Florida, mind you. The last Interstate.....done in 2. Guys down there would suck out the acid and put water in shortly before the warranty ran out. Make it to the auto parts, get them tested. And get a new one pro rated. No more pro rating.
You can't beat an Odyssey. Napa, AC Deco (the better ones). Yup.
The mom and pop Car Quest only sells Die Hard. For a reason, the old man says. So they convinced that a Die HArd Platinum was the hot ticket for me. l will see. Stand by!

You can't cut Mr. Project Farm down. He does great tests of all sorts of things. Not sponsored and pressured to slap a little sugar on his comparisons and reviews. Compared to the Brits and Aussies with their constant overzealous and same sounding (Dave from EEVblog) rant. I like P-Farm a lot. Of course I like AvE (Boltr) too.
Reminds me to beware when wearing shorts around the garage vice.


Opinions may vary.
harshness
And the Walmart ones mostly had very little warranty.
The days of the 84-month warranty appear long gone, regardless of brand or where you acquired it. Warranties tend to be shorter, with much greater dependence on quick prorating.

The big problem for lead-acid batteries (whether flooded or AGM) is that the US no longer produces lead (the last smelter closed in 2013) and must import it.

Recycling covers a good chunk of the need (~70%), but it isn't free.
EarDemon
I've always got regular OEM Ford Motorcraft batteries from the dealership and have never really had an issue. On my old Lincoln Aviator (the SUV from the early 00s, not the CUV of today), I had some phantom drain and went though a few batteries, but that was an anomaly and with the standard warranty I got free replacements. Taking the Aviator out of the picture, I've bought two batteries in my 24 years of driving. One battery replacement in my Mountaineer, one in my Navigator. But I probably would have had another one had I kept it around longer. Didn't have the Bronco long enough, and so far still on the factory battery for my Expedition.

I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner. I'm in Buffalo, 90 degree summers and 0 degree winters. Once in a while in the dead of winter I'll get an alert from the Ford app saying remote features have been disabled to conserve battery, but it starts right up.
dishstaller
I run more than the average bear. Dash cam, two radar detectors (yes, I'm aware that can be problematic when using simultaneously), laser jammers and a police scanner.
warrior.webp
Ramy
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
168 Replies · 2382 views
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Jimbo
AI Overview


College Football Playoff bracket, schedule, scores, rankings ...

The 2025–26 College Football Playoff concluded with the Indiana Hoosiers winning the national championship by defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27–21. [1, 2, 3]

Playoff Results Summary
The 12-team playoff bracket featured the following key results across each round: [1]
    • First Round: Alabama defeated Oklahoma (34–24), Miami (Fla.) beat Texas A&M (10–3), Ole Miss topped Tulane (41–10), and Oregon defeated James Madison (51–34) at higher-seeded campus sites.
    • Quarterfinals: Miami (Fla.) upset Ohio State (24–14), Oregon shut out Texas Tech (23–0), top-ranked Indiana rolled past Alabama (38–3), and Ole Miss edged Georgia (39–34) across the New Year's Six bowls.
    • Semifinals: Miami (Fla.) advanced past Ole Miss (31–27) in the Peach Bowl, while Indiana dominant-defeated Oregon (56–22) in the Fiesta Bowl.
    • National Championship: Indiana secured the title with a 27–21 victory over Miami (Fla.) at Hard Rock Stadium. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Unfortunately, there was not rankings listed in this summary
AZ.
AZ.
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
Jimbo
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
I think they are actually discussing the Top 8 get a Bye this time, if they go to 24.
Then again, I heard something about Play in games for the 16-24 teams ...

Nothing is official yet, so lots of moving parts ...

Can't wait, lets do 24, 3 years later they will want 32 :sick
Y
And no teams deserve a bye! Injuries are the largest part of the game that you cant practice for them. Any team can suffer the worst injury at any position on any play. No favorites.
While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.
Jimbo
While the bye can help the top four teams and those the Cartels would like to protect in the playoff, I think the bye is also about making the Cartel championships mean something. One problem with a playoff is it does diminish the conference title a bit.
Once the 24 gets here, there won't be anymore Conference Championships .... or so they say.

Oh what the hell, we really don't need Conferences anymore either ...:coco:(
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dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
· posted in The Chit Chat Club
0 Replies · 26 views
osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club
4 Replies · 65 views
Bobby
Rest in peace. Together again with Spock, Doc, Uhura, and Scotty...
long_time_Dish
Rest in peace, Checkov, and Bester too...
FTA4PA
Rest In Peace 😢
Foxbat
Rest in Peace…