Should I pull new cables myself before DIRECTV installation?

[chrismal]

I am getting DTV installed this coming Saturday and I currently have RG59 ran to 3 locations that I'm using for cable tv. I am getting a HD-DVR in one room, a HD Receiver in another room and a SD Receiver in the last room. I thought about running new RG6 cables myself to these 3 locations prior to the installation to save the installer time and me $$$ since it will require fishing the walls. But what I'm wondering now is if I need to run more than one cable to each location, especially for the HD-DVR? Should I let them put the connectors on the ends? Also, does each run have to be long enough to reach the dish or can I run them up into the attic and let the installer splice/connect to run the rest of the way to the dish?

Thanks for any help and suggestions!!!

Chris

 

[randyk47]

It's been several years since I've run cable but if it were me I'd run the cables myself. If you can run two cables to each location I'd do that now to give yourself flexibility in the future but I'd definitely run two cables to the location I knew I was going to have an HD DVR. As for where to terminate the new cables....I guess I run them long enough that the tech can connect them to the grounding block which will probably be placed somewhere close to where the cables will enter the house. Personally I like doing my own connectors, especially inside the house, so I'd finish up to the point where all the tech had to do was connect to the wall plate. For the outside stuff I'd let the tech do those.

 

[jdspencer]

Do you know if you might be getting an SWM installation?

In any case, I'd designate a central/common location to run all internal cables and the cables from the dish. This where connections to a multiswitch (non-SWM) or the SWM8 or splitter would be done for connection to your rooms.

For replacing the RG59 with RG6, you might be able to use the RG59 to pull the RG6 (unless the RG59 is stapled inside the walls).

 

[chrismal]

Thanks guys. I probably will try to go ahead and pull the new cables myself. I don't know if I'll be getting a SWM or not. I haven't seen anything that says I will or will not, so I'm guessing not. I don't know a lot about the SWM's or multiswitches, but from what I've read I would have to get something on those lines if I ever needed to feed more than 4 tv's at some point in the future. Is that right? As of right now we just have 3 tv's but with 2 kids I'm sure that will change in the next few years...

As far as purchasing the RG6, should I just go to Lowe's or Radio Shack or where would be the best local chain place to pick that up? Is there any difference in quality of RG6 or is it all pretty much the same?

 

[HDinCincy]

Thanks guys. I probably will try to go ahead and pull the new cables myself. I don't know if I'll be getting a SWM or not. I haven't seen anything that says I will or will not, so I'm guessing not. I don't know a lot about the SWM's or multiswitches, but from what I've read I would have to get something on those lines if I ever needed to feed more than 4 tv's at some point in the future. Is that right? As of right now we just have 3 tv's but with 2 kids I'm sure that will change in the next few years...

As far as purchasing the RG6, should I just go to Lowe's or Radio Shack or where would be the best local chain place to pick that up? Is there any difference in quality of RG6 or is it all pretty much the same?

Before my install (Aug. 07) I ran new lines to the more difficult locations. Plus they were the ones that required getting in the attic, etc. I ran two lines everywhere I could. I'm only using them in one spot. FYI-- I am using RG59 in one location where I couldn't get to. It's fine. The installer was appreciative and did a great job for me plus the lines were where I wanted them, not where it was easiest to put them. Lowes and HomeDepot have it. I believe they would be more reasonable than RS, but I don't know that for a fact. Good Luck and welcome to D*.

 

[jdspencer]

You can buy RG6 off the roll (probably at Home Depot too).

To reiterate, since you don"t know if you'll get SWM, put two lines to each location needing a receiver. Also, note that each DVR requires two lines, so you could easily run short quickly if you add receivers/DVRs. And, if you need more than 8, you don't want the SWMLine dish installed, as it can only handle 8 tuners.

 

[Zynergi]

Dont bother putting ends on, chances are high he will just cut them off to use PPCEX fittings. and Lowes/HD charge way to much for them anyways. Also unless you want like a red or purple or some color other than white wall plate dont bother with those so he will use F81 Barreled Wall Plates. Make sure the RG6 is 2.4ghtz.. though 3ghtz is recommended and dont bother with quad shield or flooded. Leave about 2' at the walls and 4' outside so he has stuff to work with. Since you need 5 Tuners and are in the south chances are high that it will be a SWM install. If it is, you could always use the other lines to back feed the DVR's to other rooms later (another topic)

Suggestion, since you will be in your walls.. run Cat5/6 to network the boxes to your home network. Lowes/HD make Wall plates that have Dual FConnections and Network on them, but you would have to add ends to those as I doubt the tech ill have the tools for that.

 

[Johnny_TV]

Pull new cables. The loss on RG 59U is to high at the frequencies Direct is using. Also get a Quad Shielded Cable RG6U. The shielding will keep out interference. Many people think you should use a copper center conductor cable because the amount of current going through the cable. I am not sure on this one, the shielding is aluminum and the current is going through it also. The standard center conductor is copper clad steal, which is fine for the signal because of the skinning effect at the high frequencies. Also make sure you crimp the connectors with a crimper, using pliers will keep them on but can cause them to act like a frequency trap, by changing the impedance of the cable. Good Luck

 

[Johnny_TV]

BTW, I have over 35 years of experience in the field.

 

[chrismal]

Update...

I went ahead and ran cables before my install this past Saturday. I ran 2 Quad Shielded RG-6 cables to 2 of my 3 TV locations... I ran out of time to do the 3rd, which already had one RG-6 cable anyway.

So my installer came Saturday and I already had these cables ran with plenty of extra cable in the attic to run to any possible dish location. I left both ends unterminated since I didn't know exactly what kind of ends to use or have a crimper tool. I had pulled all my TVs & entertainment centers away from the walls and was ready for him. I also color coded each of the new wires I pulled on both ends.

When the installer got there I showed him what I had done and he was very happy. He said that if all his installs were as prepared as me that his life would be so much easier. The install went very well, he was very nice and helpful, answered all my questions and even gave me his personal number so that I could call him directly if I had any problems or needed anything.

Also, it turned out that I only needed one cable to each box, including the HD-DVR because of the switch he used? I guess this was one of the multiswitches you guys were talking about. But the spare cables are there now if I ever want to or need to use them for something else.

But I just wanted to update everyone on my experience and thank you for all the advice! BTW, the HD signal is AWESOME and I don't know how I ever lived without a DVR!!!

Chris M.

 

[HDinCincy]

Update...

I went ahead and ran cables before my install this past Saturday. I ran 2 Quad Shielded RG-6 cables to 2 of my 3 TV locations... I ran out of time to do the 3rd, which already had one RG-6 cable anyway.

So my installer came Saturday and I already had these cables ran with plenty of extra cable in the attic to run to any possible dish location. I left both ends unterminated since I didn't know exactly what kind of ends to use or have a crimper tool. I had pulled all my TVs & entertainment centers away from the walls and was ready for him. I also color coded each of the new wires I pulled on both ends.

When the installer got there I showed him what I had done and he was very happy. He said that if all his installs were as prepared as me that his life would be so much easier. The install went very well, he was very nice and helpful, answered all my questions and even gave me his personal number so that I could call him directly if I had any problems or needed anything.

Also, it turned out that I only needed one cable to each box, including the HD-DVR because of the switch he used? I guess this was one of the multiswitches you guys were talking about. But the spare cables are there now if I ever want to or need to use them for something else.

But I just wanted to update everyone on my experience and thank you for all the advice! BTW, the HD signal is AWESOME and I don't know how I ever lived without a DVR!!!

Chris M.

Way to go Chris... I hope you like it!