dnm123
join:2005-01-08
Hayward, CA
| newbie question: DirecTV
I have directv service and i want to add an additional receiver in my den. I called directv but they said that i have to order a new service from them because the den is not part of the house ($49.99 a month). I only want to watch tv in the den a certain time (every sunday) so i dont really want to spend $49 bucks a month for something im only gonna use every sunday. My question is can i extend the cables running in the back of my box by using cable connectors and cable wires or is it more complicated than that? |
|
Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
 ·Comcast
 ·Vonage
·Insight Communicat..
| Purchase a Multi-Switch, and purchase another receiver. I would contact the company that installed the orginal system and have them quote for the addition if they can.
--
One man's customer loyalty is another man's misguided arrogance. |
|
jmpenguin
Jmpenguin
Premium
join:2004-01-16
Labelle, FL | reply to dnm123
How far is the den from the house? |
|
DJ
Premium
join:2001-06-13
Columbus, GA
·Knology
| reply to dnm123
As an installer, I will not install a receiver in a room that's separate from the main building if it'll add an unreasonable amount of time to the job. If running a line to the separate dwelling won't take but a few extra minutes, sure, I'll do it. Customer's happy, and I get paid. And DirecTV doesn't need to know the specifics!
--
Mediacom Online: $45.95 3000/256. Yep, I'm satisfied. |
|
dnm123
join:2005-01-08
Hayward, CA
| reply to dnm123
The den is in the backyard about 20 feet from the house. I called directv and they have an offer for an additional receiver for $4.99 more a month but this only applies to rooms in the house. I was wondering if i can get this and just transfer it to the den but i dont know if i can make the cables longer or if they would actually work if i did. |
|
DJ
Premium
join:2001-06-13
Columbus, GA
·Knology
| reply to dnm123
For me, 20 feet would be questionable. It would have to be a straight shot, with nothing blocking my way. And, the central point for the cable connections from the dish would have to be nearby. If I had to wrap a cable all around the house, AND have to bury 20 feet of cable, I'd probably turn down the job due to time constraints.
Where are the connections from the dish located in relation to the den?
--
Mediacom Online: $45.95 3000/256. Yep, I'm satisfied. |
|
Satguy183
join:2005-01-08
| reply to dnm123
Just call a local installer and get a price to run the line to the den. As long as the address is the same it will only be billed at 4.99. No need to tell directv its not in the main house. As for being time constraining DJ I hear ya, but did you ever think you could make some extra loot by quoting the customer a price to do it. More than likely they would be willing to pay for it and you make some extra dough. Most customers want it all done at once so quote a reasonable price and they will have you do it. |
|
DJ
Premium
join:2001-06-13
Columbus, GA
·Knology
| I always give the customer the option to have me come out and do it later for them. The company I work for will throw hell if they find out I accepted money "on the side" while on their "time." The customer usually understands where I'm coming from, and is willing to wait for me to come back out on my time.
Then again, there's always a few who think they should get everything for free, because they've been with DirecTV for 20 years!  Yes, a couple of customers have told me that! For them, I give their options and leave.
I consider myself a quality installer, but I don't work for free, either.
--
Mediacom Online: $45.95 3000/256. Yep, I'm satisfied. |
|
Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
edit:
January 9th, @12:23AM
| reply to DJ
said by DJ  : AND have to bury 20 feet of cable, I'd probably turn down the job due to time constraints. For that I would too... but how hard is it to sling it building to building through the air? (20ft shouldn't be a weight/anchoring issue really... my old cable drop is longer than that)... that's to "ugly" for them then let them pay for it, for it to be hidden.
--
»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
|
|
DJ
Premium
join:2001-06-13
Columbus, GA
·Knology
| said by Hayward :
but how hard is it to sling it building to building through the air? (20ft shouldn't be a weight/anchoring issue really...
Aerial runs are forbidden. QC would have a field day if they caught us doing that. I've seen how aerial runs look without the proper anchoring, and they look like crap. I don't know of one professional installer who'd use an aerial run.
--
Mediacom Online: $45.95 3000/256. Yep, I'm satisfied. |
|
Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
edit:
January 9th, @01:39AM
| Did I say anything about improper... the proper anchors are pretty cheap, easy to install at least on wooden structures, a crimped cable retainer clamp/wire and an anchor bolt/lag screw.
Actually in northern climates, a shallow (above the frostline) burried cable could in the end be much more problematic.
--
»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
|
|
ilikeme
I live in a van down by the river.
Premium
join:2002-08-27
Houston, TX
clubs:   | reply to dnm123
As long as the building is on your property and you own it you only have to pay the additional $4.99 a month. If you don't want to run a wire from the main house you could just install a second dish near the den. |
|
DJ
Premium
join:2001-06-13
Columbus, GA
·Knology
| reply to Hayward
said by Hayward :
Did I say anything about improper...
No, just trying to remain civil. Aerials are frowned upon almost as harshly as a non-grounded install. I could actually lose my job. That's why I don't do it. We aren't even supplied the materials to do aerial runs, so we have no excuse either way.
said by ilikeme :
you could just install a second dish near the den
That's one of the options I give the customers, but they'd have to reschedule the job for that to happen. Otherwise I'd get paid for an "upgrade" while the actual job is a full installation. I'd lose money a big chunk of money, and my company wouldn't get compensated for the dish and extra cable and materials required for a full installation.
--
Mediacom Online: $45.95 3000/256. Yep, I'm satisfied. |
|
Satguy183
join:2005-01-08 | DJ you mentioned QC, just curious you work for Installs Inc.? |
|
DJ
Premium
join:2001-06-13
Columbus, GA | reply to dnm123
PM sent |
|
