How often will I lose service? (DirecTV)

[Crudes]

I'm hoping you guys are the best source for this information. I recently signed up for DirecTV, I live in Manhattan and am fed up with Time Warner Cable.

Of course, I am extremely excited for all that DTV has to offer (Sunday Package!) but I have some major concerns. I'm sure you're all not blind to the many, many complaints around the internet regarding DirecTV's reception, Customer Service, and Billing.

My biggest fear is that I'll lose service frequently. In Manhattan we don't have to worry about many trees affecting our service, and my building is tall enough that I won't have to worry too much about line-of-sight being interrupted. However, New York has many different seasons of weather. We'll certainly be hit with our rain/snow storms, and we'll also have our days of abundant sun. If I start to lose service because it rains, then I will not be happy with DirecTV. Please advise.

Thanks for your help

 

[Crudes]

Additionally, I read that there are referral incentives. If some kind board member would like to explain how it works and provide me an account number to use as the referral, I am sure it would benefit us both.

 

[teachsac]

I have only temporarily lost service with Direct once during a really severe hail and thunderstorm. As soon as it let up, it was restored. Never with just a rain storm. Same thing with Dish. I have never had a problem with Direct's CS or billing. I had way more problems with Dish's billing system over a twelve year period.

S~

 

[raoul5788]

I'm hoping you guys are the best source for this information. I recently signed up for DirecTV, I live in Manhattan and am fed up with Time Warner Cable.

Of course, I am extremely excited for all that DTV has to offer (Sunday Package!) but I have some major concerns. I'm sure you're all not blind to the many, many complaints around the internet regarding DirecTV's reception, Customer Service, and Billing.

My biggest fear is that I'll lose service frequently. In Manhattan we don't have to worry about many trees affecting our service, and my building is tall enough that I won't have to worry too much about line-of-sight being interrupted. However, New York has many different seasons of weather. We'll certainly be hit with our rain/snow storms, and we'll also have our days of abundant sun. If I start to lose service because it rains, then I will not be happy with DirecTV. Please advise.

Thanks for your help

to Satelliteguys!

I have had Directv for over 10 years and haven't lost service for longer than a few minutes at a time. A very heavy thunderstorm may interfere, but normal rain has no noticeable affect. As to the service and billing, like any big company, you have to keep up. This is a great place to do it!

 

[Joe Diamond]

You will have less outages with Directv than with a cable company.
Your big problem is getting an installation done in Manhattan. I would suggest finding a Directv retailer....let him come look and sign you up ...IF an installation is possible.
You are going to need written permission from your landlord to mount the dish. Any other Directv customers in your building? Talk to them.

Joe

 

[Crudes]

I spoke with DirecTV and they said there were 6 other people in the building with DirecTV service. I already have the installation scheduled, though I have no idea how they will do the install. Do I need to worry of those details, or will that be more of the installers responsibility?

I was writing an email to my Co-op management this morning but decided against it since they are usually unresponsive and likely won't care that I'm having something installed unless they can figure out how to charge me a fee for it. Considering there are 6 others already with service, do you still think I will have a problem?

 

[tvropro]

I loose Direct almost anytime a storm comes through (don't even need to be raining just dark clouds) . Most here will say they don't.. It depends on the storms intensity and the angle it comes from at your location. Ku and ka have an issue with moisture and signal scatter its a fact.

 

[Crudes]

I loose Direct almost anytime a storm comes through (don't even need to be raining just dark clouds) . Most here will say they don't.. It depends on the storms intensity and the angle it comes from at your location. Ku and ka have an issue with moisture and signal scatter its a fact.

If you lose service that often, why keep it? You seem to be an avid member of the community (6,650 posts). Losing service is simply unacceptable. Cable does have its momentary glitches, but it is very very very rare that I out-right lose service.

 

[CK SatGuy]

Well if you don't see any dishes on any part of the your building, your landlord may have signed up to have it be a Directv connected property. More info here: DIRECTV: FOR BUILDING OWNERS

 

[JerseyMatt]

If you lose service that often, why keep it? You seem to be an avid member of the community (6,650 posts). Losing service is simply unacceptable. Cable does have its momentary glitches, but it is very very very rare that I out-right lose service.

Because if he canceled it he'd have nothing to bitch about. He thinks his C-band (6-12 foot dish) is the be-all end-all of satellite TV, and trashes Directv ("Pizza" as he calls it, referring to the mini dish's resemblance to a pizza pan, har har) every chance he can.

It doesn't go out just with dark clouds or rain, it only goes out during the time a really thick tall thunderstorm is in the way. In most cases it's a few minutes. I've had outages go 30 minutes though due to a stubborn storm cell that just didn't want to get the hell out of the way. But those are rare. Usually it's 2-3 minutes tops.

 

[tvropro]

If you lose service that often, why keep it? You seem to be an avid member of the community (6,650 posts). Losing service is simply unacceptable. Cable does have its momentary glitches, but it is very very very rare that I out-right lose service.

I'm in a contract and refuse to pay Direct ETF fee's. I lost direct for a good half hour yesterday while dark storm clouds and minor rain passed.

 

[tvropro]

It doesn't go out just with dark clouds or rain, it only goes out during the time a really thick tall thunderstorm is in the way. In most cases it's a few minutes. I've had outages go 30 minutes though due to a stubborn storm cell that just didn't want to get the hell out of the way. But those are rare. Usually it's 2-3 minutes tops.

I invite everyone that thinks my Direct don't go out that often to come on over here and see for themselves it does go out too much. I have neighbors with Direct also and we all loose it at the same time. Offer stands, Come on Down! If you don't take me up on the offer and say different your telling only your side of the story without proof. The door is always open...

 

[Joe Diamond]

I would look into it by asking other neighbors.

If the installation is already scheduled,,,,,,,you will need written permission to mount the dish. You need a line of sight (LOS) to the SW....towards Philly.
If your unit faces elsewhere you are screwed.

Report how it goes,

Joe

 

[raoul5788]

I invite everyone that thinks my Direct don't go out that often to come on over here and see for themselves it does go out too much. I have neighbors with Direct also and we all loose it at the same time. Offer stands, Come on Down! If you don't take me up on the offer and say different your telling only your side of the story without proof. The door is always open...

I don't doubt it goes out that often. That can only mean that the installation was done incorrectly. Who installed it? "Dark storm clouds and minor rain" as you put it aren't enough to disrupt a properly installed system.

 

[Crudes]

I would look into it by asking other neighbors.

If the installation is already scheduled,,,,,,,you will need written permission to mount the dish. You need a line of sight (LOS) to the SW....towards Philly.
If your unit faces elsewhere you are screwed.

Report how it goes,

Joe

My apartment certainly faces north. I am just confused as to why this is my responsibility, and not DirecTV's. They were adamant that they can do the install, but I shouldn't be surprised that they were just blowing smoke up my butt so they can get a sale.

 

[teachsac]

I'm covered with fog, clouds, and rain for a good two to three months during the winter, and didn't lose service once.

S~

 

[isaacmorseMI]

I don't doubt it goes out that often. That can only mean that the installation was done incorrectly. Who installed it? "Dark storm clouds and minor rain" as you put it aren't enough to disrupt a properly installed system.

Tvro installed the dish himself. He is using a Primestar dish as a "Soggy Pizza Buster". If he would of let the D* Tech install the system with a D* Dish he wouldn't have all of these problems.

 

[Mr Tony]

I'm in a contract and refuse to pay Direct ETF fee's. I lost direct for a good half hour yesterday while dark storm clouds and minor rain passed.

and I already told you three times now how you can get around that...but I guess you'd rather bitch about it

 

[Bill_KY]

When cable goes down, often it is for hours. Direct TV its only for a few minutes if that. Ask your neighbors about their Direct TV service. Direct TV has more channels, for less money than what my cable company can provide. The cable company doesn't even carry some of the channels I watch. Anyway...Good Luck, I been with Direct since 2001.

 

[raoul5788]

Tvro installed the dish himself. He is using a Primestar dish as a "Soggy Pizza Buster". If he would of let the D* Tech install the system with a D* Dish he wouldn't have all of these problems.

I know the back story. I wanted to see if he would admit to it here.