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purchasing a 2nd tivo....need some help with the answers I got from installer
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Posted by: sparks

I purchased the 3 unit setup. 1 directivo and 2 receivers and a 3 lnb dish

I am going to upgrade one of the receivers I just got for a tivo unit.
The installer said that no matter where I purchased it I need to call
directv and they would set up an install date...the install is free and it would not add anything new to the monthly charges to my bill.

He then said I would need an 8 way multiplexer (hope I spelled that right) and a new cable to the unit...all this would be free as well.

IS the upgrade free?

No additional charges on my monthly bill?

I looked at weak for receivers. I want a big one...yes a tivo too LOL
phillips, hughes, samsung..
same menus?
any reason to pick one over the other?

Do I keep the old receiver? (so if either of the tivos goes out I can put it in its place)

thanks for any info..

sparks

Posted by: Robert S

I think it would make more sense to ask this question in the DTiVo Forum as it has nothing to do with upgrades.

Posted by: clark steward

When my first install was made the installer ran 2 cables to the location where my Tivo was going to be. This was fine, however I soon discovered that I needed 8 cables not the 4 that came with my triple LNB dish. I purchased the 8 way multiplexer about $90. As far as the tivo upgrade from a standard receiver goes, as long as your swapping a standard receiver for a Directivo ther is no additional receiver fee. There is a Tivo monthly fee of $4.99 unless your level of programming qualifies for the Direct TV DVR Premier Bonus. This applies to the first DirecTivo unit only. If you add a receiver to the number you currently have there is of course the $4.99 additional receiver fee each month. As for any fees involved in the install of the extra cable or the new Tivo unit, that is between you, Directv, and its installer.

Goodluck!

Posted by: steuert

Sounds to me like your installer was correct. The 3 LNB dishes have a built-in multiswitch with four outputs, but you need an additional "cascadable" multiswitch if you have more than 4 tuners.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth - call DTV and tell them you are ready to take advantage of the free deal the installer described to you. If the CSR argues and tries to get you to pay something, ask for "Customer Retention."

Not really any significant difference among the various brands of DTiVos; in fact they are often made side by side in the same factory. And, you should be able to keep your old receiver. Finally, as mentioned above, there should be no addition to your monthly bill, as DTV charges the same $5/mo. "mirroring fee" for your plain receiver as they will for the extra DTiVo.

Posted by: sparks

thanks to everyone for your reply...
I am calling directv and make sure what if any charges will be.

Robert S
sorry I was in this forum and followed a link to upgrades and then posted without paying attention where I was.

sparks

Posted by: Robert S

I wasn't complaining, so much as pointing out that 'upgrade', in this context, means fitting a bigger disk to your TiVo.

If you want to ask about wiring up a DirecTV system, you're much more likely to find people who know about such things in the DTiVo forum than here.

It looks like you got lucky, though.

Posted by: Chris Gerhard

quote:
Originally posted by sparks
He then said I would need an 8 way multiplexer (hope I spelled that right) and a new cable to the unit...all this would be free as well.

You want a 5x8 multiswitch. I have not gotten it for free from DirecTV but I have read that many have so it appears to be possible. Terk makes a good multiswitch if you end up having to buy one.

Chris