Sean Mota said:
Rick,
that's a good idea. Right now we are short handed but if you want to start the FAQ, it is yours. I will look at it as well and we'll add more. How about it?
Uh-oh,
This is like when I'm at work and I open my big mouth in a meeting and ask a question, then before I know it, I have a new assignment
OK ... well... maybe we can make this thread a brainstorming session where Voomers can contribute ideas of what should be addressed during the ordering / installation process. Then someone could take the best of the advice and put it in FAQ form.
Below is something I cut and pasted to a .txt file that helped me when I was getting ready to be installed back in December. I can't give proper credit to whoever composed this list 'cause I didn't save that part. I thought it was pretty good. Maybe we could use/build on this:
Guide to getting a successful VOOM installation:
1. Talk to your installer (the actual person), before he shows up at your door. Confirm what he is bringing, and find out his level of experience with VOOM installation. Make sure of: the type of OTA antenna, Voom box, 8vsb module. He should also have installation instructions which can be downloaded from the web.
2. If you have any doubts about getting a clear view of the antenna at 61.5 degrees, figure out the antenna elevation and azimuth beforehand, and try to figure out whether and where you have a clear view. Also figure out the path for cable run(s) to your TV.
3. Educate yourself in all matters related to a VOOM instllation before he shows up - especially tricky issues such as OTA antenna, channel mapping, diplexor, DVI connections, how to change the connection resolution, ....
4. For an OTA antenna, it is quite possible that the antenna installed as part of VOOM doesn't pick up far away stations that you want to receive. You may want to consider investing in another supplementary deep fringe UHF antenna such as Channel Master 4228. If you do, have all equipment ready beforehand.
5. As soon as the installer shows up, he should first validate/figure out the location of the antenna, and make sure there is a clear view. In my case, it turned out to be not on the roof, but on the ground in a corner of my property (too many trees.)
. Insist on having the installer use the signal strength meter in the satellite receiver. I've seen too many reports where the installer is using a hand held signal strength meter for alignment. This is not providing an accurate alignment according to reports in the field.
6. Don't let him touch your equipment. Make all the connections between the VOOM box and your home theater equipment yourself.
7. Observe every step that he is performing. Ask questions when you dn't understand what is happening. Stop him when it appears that the installation is going astray.
8. Don't let him make any irreversible changes to your place that you don't specifically approve. Don't approve any changes unless you are sure that the installation is going to succeed (mainly the satellite clear view issue.)
9. Don't let him leave when the download starts. Wait till it completes (20 minutes). Make sure that everything works before he leaves. To make sure you are not in an endless wait sate, hook up the composite out (or RG output) to view the software downloads.
Make sujre the RF remote controll input from the satellite antenna from the back of the STB is removed. The system resets, downloads, everything works. If your box doesn't work after trying the initial download, Mark Rubin had posted a procedure to get the box up & running. Try that.
10. Even with all this preparation, things will go wrong. Deal with it.
11. Make sure the dish is properly grounded - it's the law.
