I want my DTV
Written: Jan 26 '00
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Pros: Crystal clear picture, many channels, programming inexpensive
Cons: need extra equipment for multiple rooms to view different channels
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| Cazzard's Full Review: RCA DS2232ND Dual LNB DIRECTV System |
I bought a 2 room system on sale at Radio Shack for $199.00 about a week ago. All I can say is Cable? What's Cable. I will never go back.
I installed my system in the middle of a snow storm without much difficulty. The unit was mounted on my roof in about 1 1/2 hrs. As long as you are handy you can tackle the installation yourself. The positioning of the dish was a little harder than the install. You need to set the Elevation(up/down)and Azimuth(right/left)in degrees to find the satellite. I went to the direct TV website and got the settings that were needed. You can also access the Menu System from the Directv unit. I did both. The numbers from the web site and the system was off a degree or two in both directions. The Install kit comes with a so so compass that will help you set the Azimuth and there are markings on the mount of the dish to set the elevation. It is very important to make sure all the mounting hardware is installed level before you attach the dish. IMPORTANT!! Before you even start You need to have an unobstructed view in the direction of where the satellite is to point. There can not be anything in the way of the dish and the satellite. I wasn't sure of this, but I took the chance anyway. I got lucky. The angle I needed from my roof was well above the trees.
I had pointed the dish to what I believed were the proper settings and unfortunately it wasn't right. I found another option in the dish pointing menu called signal meter. As you adjust the Azimuth there is a reading called Peak signal. Once you come in range of the satellite you will see a number appear under it. The folks at DTV told me I needed a reading of 65 to get a good picture. I was able to get 79. Eventually it will say setting locked adjust for strength. I had to drop my elevation 2 degrees below the setting I was told to use. I had my wife watch the TV while I made the adjustments on the roof. After about an hour of moving it around I was finally able to locate the satellite.
Now for the programming. Directv is offering a special promo till the end of February I believe. If you sign-up for basic plus they will give you all of the movie channels for free for your first two months. Boy I thought I was a couch potato before :)
My problem is that fact that they give you way to many channels. There are to many good movies on at the same time and you need to flip a coin to decide on which you are going to watch. We get twice as many channels and pay alot less than we did for cable.
The only real draw back is that in order to watch different channels in different rooms, you need a receiver for each room and a DUEL LNB system.
Duel LNB allows you to use two receivers in two rooms. If you want more than two rooms you need to buy a DSS splitter(I am told) to add the third receiver. If you want to watch the same channels in other rooms then you don't need extra receivers. The only thing you need to do than is buy cable wire and as many splitters as you need for the amount of rooms you are doing.
In the long run even after purchasing all the equipment I needed to do three rooms with separate receivers. I will have made my money back in a few months because I am spending $30.00 a month less than I was with cable.
I believe this was a great investment.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 199.00
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Epinions.com ID:
Cazzard
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Location: Saylorsburg, Pa.
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 18 members
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