So how best to order dtv?

[seandarcy]

After a lot of help here - Thanks - I've decided to get DTV to supplement my OTA.

I want DTV to install an SWM antenna and power inserter, run it to a basement closet, install a splitter for 3 existing coax cables. ( BTW, where do I attach the coax from the antenna?). DTV also gives me 2 HD receivers. I need to buy an SWM diplexer and AM 21 for the big screen where I want OTA.

1. How do I tell DTV I want the SWM antenna? Order online, and then call? Is there an additional charge?

2. If I order online through Costco, I get $50 cash back, and a $100 visa cash card. And if I get a referral I get another $100. Then the deal is $45/mo ( 30 + 10 hd + 5 for 2nd HD receiver) for 12 months, $70 for the next 12 months.

I pay $99 upfront and $5/mo for the second HD receiver. Why? Shouldn't I just buy an HR23 HD DVR for $199.

Do I have this right? Is there a better way to order?

sean

 

[jdspencer]

Regardless of where you "buy" a receiver it is still considered a lease. The deal from DirecTV offering an HD DVR for $99 is a good deal. I believe referrals will work regardless.

For a new install, you'd be better off ordering it through DirecTV.

 

[Jimbo]

After a lot of help here - Thanks - I've decided to get DTV to supplement my OTA.

I want DTV to install an SWM antenna and power inserter, run it to a basement closet, install a splitter for 3 existing coax cables. ( BTW, where do I attach the coax from the antenna?). DTV also gives me 2 HD receivers. I need to buy an SWM diplexer and AM 21 for the big screen where I want OTA.

1. How do I tell DTV I want the SWM antenna? Order online, and then call? Is there an additional charge?

2. If I order online through Costco, I get $50 cash back, and a $100 visa cash card. And if I get a referral I get another $100. Then the deal is $45/mo ( 30 + 10 hd + 5 for 2nd HD receiver) for 12 months, $70 for the next 12 months.

I pay $99 upfront and $5/mo for the second HD receiver. Why? Shouldn't I just buy an HR23 HD DVR for $199.

Do I have this right? Is there a better way to order?

sean

I would call D* first and see what they are offering for you first.

They may not want to put a SWiM in or they may, it's kinda up to what is being used in your area.

 

[stonecold]

Note we have no way of promising equipment the system automatically decides what what to put out there.

 

[hdtvtechno]

Note we have no way of promising equipment the system automatically decides what what to put out there.

Right
I requested an R22 CSR noted my install ticket.. and install tech brought one

 

[stonecold]

Request....

But they could not promise you a r22, just like we cant promis a swim setup. Not saying he would not get one just setting the expectatons we cant order it the system dictates what we send if we can put notes but if no t availabe we are not going out of our way to fullfil the request.

 

[seandarcy]

Regardless of where you "buy" a receiver it is still considered a lease. The deal from DirecTV offering an HD DVR for $99 is a good deal. I believe referrals will work regardless.

So if I get the HD-DVR from weaknees, I still pay the $5/month?

 

[seandarcy]

I would call D* first and see what they are offering for you first.

They may not want to put a SWiM in or they may, it's kinda up to what is being used in your area.

So I shouldn't order online, but call? Are the call center operators that good?

I've assumed SWiM is only/primarily used where you also want OTA.

I'm in SW Connecticut. Anyone have a clue whether SWiM is used here?

sean

 

[Jimbo]

So if I get the HD-DVR from weaknees, I still pay the $5/month?

Yes

 

[Jimbo]

So I shouldn't order online, but call? Are the call center operators that good?

I've assumed SWiM is only/primarily used where you also want OTA.

I'm in SW Connecticut. Anyone have a clue whether SWiM is used here?

sean

SWiM and OTA are not necessarily related .
It's mainly used to get two tuners to work with a DVR without having to run another feed.

 

[seandarcy]

But I need SWiM if I want to also use an OTA feed, right?

How do I tell DTV I want SWiM? How do _I_ write on the installation ticket?
I don't want DTV without OTA. What happens if the tech shows up without SWiM? Do I just say no thanks and cancel the order?

If I only order 1 HD reveiver, can I order the second later?

sean

 

[yorktown]

SWiM and OTA are not necessarily related .
It's mainly used to get two tuners to work with a DVR without having to run another feed.

It's mainly used so you only have to run one wire from the dish into the house and one wire from the SWM splitter to each location in the house that has a DIRECTV receiver or DVR.

 

[stonecold]

But I need SWiM if I want to also use an OTA feed, right?

How do I tell DTV I want SWiM? How do _I_ write on the installation ticket?
I don't want DTV without OTA. What happens if the tech shows up without SWiM? Do I just say no thanks and cancel the order?

If I only order 1 HD reveiver, can I order the second later?

sean

CALL DIRECTV SALES they will promise you anything you want but they often cant do much other then take your order just remember that. also you dont need swim to have ota. ota is easier to deal with non swim lnb.

 

[ProWire]

The equipment you get when you order is pre-determined. In my area, if you order HD, you get SWM. The standard SWM setup that is installed now includes a SWM LNB, which means the switch is built into the dish. In order to get OTA with that setup, you'd need a dedicated line for the OTA signal.

The alternative is a SWM8 switch which is primarily used in commercial applications. That switch will let you combine an OTA signal, but it's expensive and DirecTV definately won't install one in your home.

So basically, if you want to use OTA on the same line, you need a non-SWM system. Find out what equipment you'll actually get in your area. If you call DirecTV, they mostly likely have no idea. It only shows up on the technicians work order. I would suggest finding a local retailer that does their own installations and talk to them. They can tell you what kind of equipment you're going to get when you order, and you have a much better chance of getting it done the way you want. Keep in mind, you're stepping outside the boundaries of "Free Installation", so expect to pay for additional labor.

 

[ProWire]

BTW, somebody correct me if I'm wrong on the SWM8 necessity. The last time I tried running OTA on a single line with two SWM diplexers, I was dropping transponders and had to run a SWM8 to make it work. That's been at least 6 months, so there may be a new diplexer out now.

 

[stonecold]

BTW, somebody correct me if I'm wrong on the SWM8 necessity. The last time I tried running OTA on a single line with two SWM diplexers, I was dropping transponders and had to run a SWM8 to make it work. That's been at least 6 months, so there may be a new diplexer out now.

From my understnading there is special swim diplexer for ota.

 

[seandarcy]

OK, I'm confused. I want to install DTV, and keep using my OTA setup. This isn't an exotic use case. I'd

I have both the coax from the OTA antenna and the coax leads to the TVs in the basement. I want to combine the OTA with the DTV and use the existing coax to the TVs.

I'd understood I needed SWiM to combine OTA. And I'd need to buy a diplexer and AM21 at each TV.
See https://www.weaknees.com/pdf/SWM-with-diplexer.html

But now I don't need SWiM, and in fact can't use OTA if I get SWiM??

 

[steecoe]

You can use OTA no matter what setup gets installed. The difference would be in the delvery of the signal. You may need a dedicated line for the OTA feed & seperate line for the DTV. As long as you are using the AM-21 the OTA guide info will be integrated in with the DTV info & you can record off air just like sat.

 

[seandarcy]

OK, I know I can drop a second coax to each TV, but that doesn't come close to meeting the WAF.

So how do I ( can I?) get DTV and OTA on one coax to a TV?

 

[ProWire]

Alright, you're using this as a reference. I think I understand where you're coming from now...

The box in the diagram that the OTA antenna plugs into is the SWM8 switch I was talking about. Nowadays, if you get a SWM installation, you won't get one of those. DirecTV won't install a SWM8 in your house. On the system you will get, the switch is built into the LNB on the dish and there is no OTA port.

You can't request SWM or non-SWM when you order. It's pre-determined based on your equipment and location.

If you're getting an HD DVR, you're probably going to get SWM, which means in order to do OTA over a single coax, you'll need a legacy LNB to replace the SWM LNB, and a SWM8 switch, plus 3 additional wires from the dish into the basement since the SWM LNB only requires one. You're looking at around $200-250 if you install it yourself, plus a SWM diplexer for each TV that will have OTA.

In a nutshell, to get two tuners and an OTA feed over one cable, you're going to spend some money on additional parts, and you won't get it done by the DirecTV guy, I guarantee that.