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Hello,

On one thread I wrote the following:

"I'm near Detroit. DirecTV has jobbed out installation to services with limited training. And the installers have tried their best. I've had one or two -- with DirecTV themselves -- tell me DirecTV isn't lately as good with transmission on 5-LNB. Naturally there's no one at DirecTV who'll admit to this.

I do get intermittent picture interruptions. It's not every day. And it's not easily predicted by me. Sometimes I wonder if DirecTV is trying to tweak something -- especially when I'm watching not on a SD receiver but an HD one. I don't know for certain.

I think DirecTV has a definite transmission problem related to newer technology. I hope this latest press release about coming HD channels and the 2007 launches of not one but two satellites spells improvement in programming transmission."


I received responses that point to installation. And I now believe that is specifically the problem. You see, I'm not the only one on this SatelliteGuys forum who has DirecTV HD. Last February, I upgraded from my original March 1998-installed Single LNB to a 5-LNB because of a new HDTV. There have been a few people who have also complained. But I see most, with a setup similar to mine as well, pretty much say that they don't these problems that I do.

On Feb. 7, 2006, the upgrade took place. After installer left, we took notice of problems. Intermittent picture problems. On DirecTV HD and SD channels. Resolutions seemed to happen, at first, but it became apparent HD was a problem. So an installer came out again. And again. Including original date of Feb. 7, there was an installer at my house four times within a month's period. Each time, it was to look at the numbers on signal strength. And half the time, there wasn't much of a problem while the installer was at my house.

I've noticed problems on SD channels pop up in the wee hours of the morning, be it the upper-200s, lower-300s, low-500s. But on HD it's most conspicuous. Following my MLB hometeam Detroit Tigers during 2006, I was jubilant when DirecTV added regional FSN game coverage on ch. 96 last summer. Guess what happened? During many games, the picture would get broken up, a search for a satellite signal would emerge, and then I would have to revert back to watching the Tigers in SD. (Note: I was subscribing to HD programming up till October; after that, I got rid of it and figured I'd settle for the no-extra-charge scant few HD offering of my Detroit locals, HBO HD, and TNT HD is still available to me.)

I could have made calls every month to DirecTV. But you know how it is going thru a phone system; and installers seemed to do what they could during those visits. I had one or two tell me that DirecTV is so new in the HD game, they have a transmission problem that even he, himself, puts up with (don't know why?). I figured it made sense. In December, just days before Christmas, an installer was out, and he observed the H20 receiver was defective. So arrangements were made for a replacement, which did take place, and I have a new H20 receiver.

Throughout all this time, I sit in front of the TV and half-expect picture breakups because I've actually become conditioned to expect this. My fellow resident advises me to dump DirecTV because this individual estimates that DirecTV isn't equipped, at least not yet, in transmission of HD -- and this individual figures we're not the only ones experiencing such a problem, and cannot fathom others putting up with it like we have. (Where could he be wrong? If everyone experiences the problems I have, DirecTV subscribers would be leaving in droves!) I mean, really, to see SD receivers that have, from time to time, go completely black (but with sound), and other times to just reset at inconvenient times (are there any convenient moments of a receiver making a popping sound, picture turning black, and receiver resetting?).

On Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, during the 5 am/ET hour, I was watching on my HDTV The Suzy Orman Show on Ch. 355 (shown in SD, of course). What happened? More picture breakups, temporary freezing, normal motion, and intermittent troubles. I later flipped, at around 6 am/ET, to HD channels starting with HBO HD on Ch. 70. The picture was on momentarily but doing nothing but breaking up, and going black -- as well showing me a screen telling me about not subscribing to this channel (I'm an HBO sub), and instructing me to call ext. 721 (with info on receiver and card numbers). So I thought to myself, "Time to call DirecTV -- again!"

I called DirecTV. And, calmly, I explained the situation and stated that I am at a point in which I want this ongoing problem -- be it transmission from DirecTV's end…or installation that was never handled just right -- to come to an end. I'm tired of putting up with it all, and I want this upcoming visit to resolve the matter…once and for all.

DirecTV, followed by Tech, and now Rio-3, have each been put on notice by me. Rio-3, which doesn't have its offices open on Sundays but appointments are still made (from a rep in another office; this one is in one of the I-states) have set me up for Monday [Jan. 22, 2007]. And I have been advised to call Rio-3 early-Monday to insist it send its supervisor, its top guy, to come out and correct the problem.

DirecTV is a good company -- a great one, I think! Its programming slate is ahead of cable and rates the number-one reason why I've been subscribing since 1998. Add to that its other qualities. But, make no mistake, DirecTV is responsible for backing up its product. I made that call very calmly, and with respect to DirecTV, followed by its Tech rep, and lastly the Rio-3 representative. Dumping DirecTV is not what I'm really wanting to do; but if there are any more problems after this upcoming visit that relate to "ongoing" issues of the kind I've been experiencing for 11 months -- well, then, my eight- to nine-year relationship with DirecTV as a loyal customer will come to an end.

In numerous threads, over the past several months, I've described my experience. When I had the Single LNB from March 4, 1998-Feb. 6, 2006, there was never any installers coming out to my house (after than the original installation). Ever since Feb. 7, 2006, I've put up with way more than what any ordinary consumer would tolerate. In the meantime, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has ever responded to what I've explained because they've been very thoughtful, well-intentioned, and helpful.

I hope DirecTV doesn't lose me.