Is it possible to reuse the previous house owner's Dish's satellite dish?

[Ant]

Hello.

A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
it not compatible?

Thank you in advance. :)
--
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[Lloyd]

In article <TtmdncLic6yS5vrS...@earthlink.com>,

ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

> Hello.
>
> A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
> Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
> DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
> it not compatible?
>
> Thank you in advance. :)

Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.

[Charlie Hoffpauir]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:29:35 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>Hello.
>
>A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>it not compatible?
>
>Thank you in advance. :)

Most probably not. Besides, a new dish, LNB, and cables come included
with your installation of a new system.

[Mike Vincent]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:29:35 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>Hello.
>
>A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>it not compatible?

The short answer is that Dish and Direct don't use compatible
equipment.

[Ant]

> > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
> > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
> > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
> > it not compatible?
> >
> > Thank you in advance. :)

> Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
> installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.

How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor? I did notice one coax
cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
that for?

[Ant]

> >A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
> >Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
> >DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
> >it not compatible?

> The short answer is that Dish and Direct don't use compatible
> equipment.

Thanks! So coax cables are OK to reuse?

[GMAN]

In article <lNCdneDTIfCIEPrS...@earthlink.com>, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:
>> > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>> > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>> > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>> > it not compatible?
>> >
>> > Thank you in advance. :)
>
>> Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
>> installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.
>
>How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor? I did notice one coax
>cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
>that for?

For a powered multiswitch

[Mike Vincent]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:47:49 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>> >A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>> >Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>> >DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>> >it not compatible?
>
>> The short answer is that Dish and Direct don't use compatible
>> equipment.
>
>Thanks! So coax cables are OK to reuse?

"It depends."

If I were doing the new installation, I would inspect the existing
coax and if there is any question at all, I would replace it. That
goes especially for coax that runs outside of the building.

[Lloyd]

In article <lNCdneDTIfCIEPrS...@earthlink.com>,
ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

> > > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
> > > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
> > > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
> > > it not compatible?
> > >
> > > Thank you in advance. :)
>
> > Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
> > installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.
>
> How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor? I did notice one coax
> cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
> that for?

No telling what the power plug is for.

But since both DirecTV and Dish do free installs, you shouldn't even be
concerned about the wiring.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:29:35 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>Hello.
>
>A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>it not compatible?
>
>Thank you in advance. :)

Don't screw around with an old setup since DTV will give you a new one
and install it for you. They may use the coax if it is still good.
When I switched from cable, they ran a new line from the dish to the
box on the outside wall and left everything inside as it was.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with DirecTv and the installation.

[Dr. Personality]

In article <qv8fm7poocg5nrqqs...@4ax.com>, Ed Pawlowski

Ant, listen to Ed. Let them give you a new dish and run new coax for
you. You'll be paying for it, one way or another, so you might as well
get it.

My house was built in 1977. By 1999, when I had DirecTV installed, the
coax (which had been run during construction and was inside the wall)
had already seriously degraded, so I had them run new lines along the
baseboard to the two rooms in which we have TVs. Only ten years later
rain had gotten to *that* coax (I found that out when we went HD and
got the new dish), so I had them pull the 1999 coax and run even newer
stuff. No extra charge. Like you, originally I thought I might just
use the old cable company's coax for DTV (I wasn't keen on having coax
outside the wall), but using it turned out to be impractical.

BTW my understanding is that either Dish or DTV can use the dish, but
they have to swap out the LNBs (the bits that face the dish) to change
from one service to another. It's just not worth it. The dish itself
is considered disposable these days; in fact, when they pull the old
one of your roof, they generally just throw it to the ground, not
caring about any damage.

But never mind any of that. Get new stuff.

[Ant]

> > > > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
> > > > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
> > > > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
> > > > it not compatible?
> > > >
> > > > Thank you in advance. :)
> >
> > > Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
> > > installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.
> >
> > How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor? I did notice one coax
> > cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
> > that for?

> No telling what the power plug is for.

Yeah, it was weird.

> But since both DirecTV and Dish do free installs, you shouldn't even be
> concerned about the wiring.

Ah OK. :)

[Ant]

> >> > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
> >> > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
> >> > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
> >> > it not compatible?
> >> >
> >> > Thank you in advance. :)
> >
> >> Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
> >> installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.
> >
> >How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor? I did notice one coax
> >cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
> >that for?

> For a powered multiswitch

Multiswitch? What's that about?

[Ant]

Ah. That will be pain and tedious for the installer(s). I will let
them do that before my family move in then! :)

[Ant]

> Ant, listen to Ed. Let them give you a new dish and run new coax for
> you. You'll be paying for it, one way or another, so you might as well
> get it.

> My house was built in 1977. By 1999, when I had DirecTV installed, the
> coax (which had been run during construction and was inside the wall)
> had already seriously degraded, so I had them run new lines along the
> baseboard to the two rooms in which we have TVs. Only ten years later
> rain had gotten to *that* coax (I found that out when we went HD and
> got the new dish), so I had them pull the 1999 coax and run even newer
> stuff. No extra charge. Like you, originally I thought I might just
> use the old cable company's coax for DTV (I wasn't keen on having coax
> outside the wall), but using it turned out to be impractical.

> BTW my understanding is that either Dish or DTV can use the dish, but
> they have to swap out the LNBs (the bits that face the dish) to change
> from one service to another. It's just not worth it. The dish itself
> is considered disposable these days; in fact, when they pull the old
> one of your roof, they generally just throw it to the ground, not
> caring about any damage.

> But never mind any of that. Get new stuff.

OK. Then, Dish/DirectTV/Time Warner Cable will need to remove all the
old coax cables. Dish/DirecTV will need to remove the dish too.

I forgot to mentiont hat I will be getting Time Warner Cable for its
Internet service since there is no DSL and FIOS.

[Mike Vincent]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:09:40 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>> Ant, listen to Ed. Let them give you a new dish and run new coax for
>> you. You'll be paying for it, one way or another, so you might as well
>> get it.
>
>> My house was built in 1977. By 1999, when I had DirecTV installed, the
>> coax (which had been run during construction and was inside the wall)
>> had already seriously degraded, so I had them run new lines along the
>> baseboard to the two rooms in which we have TVs. Only ten years later
>> rain had gotten to *that* coax (I found that out when we went HD and
>> got the new dish), so I had them pull the 1999 coax and run even newer
>> stuff. No extra charge. Like you, originally I thought I might just
>> use the old cable company's coax for DTV (I wasn't keen on having coax
>> outside the wall), but using it turned out to be impractical.
>
>> BTW my understanding is that either Dish or DTV can use the dish, but
>> they have to swap out the LNBs (the bits that face the dish) to change
>> from one service to another. It's just not worth it. The dish itself
>> is considered disposable these days; in fact, when they pull the old
>> one of your roof, they generally just throw it to the ground, not
>> caring about any damage.
>
>> But never mind any of that. Get new stuff.
>
>OK. Then, Dish/DirectTV/Time Warner Cable will need to remove all the
>old coax cables. Dish/DirecTV will need to remove the dish too.

I doubt it. I've never heard of having the previous provider come and
remove their stuff. In my experience, it's always up to the new
provider to take down the old dish and/or replace the old coax.

>I forgot to mentiont hat I will be getting Time Warner Cable for its
>Internet service since there is no DSL and FIOS.

Why not use TWC for TV then, too? Has that been ruled out?

[Mike Vincent]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:06:01 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>> If I were doing the new installation, I would inspect the existing
>> coax and if there is any question at all, I would replace it. That
>> goes especially for coax that runs outside of the building.
>
>Ah. That will be pain and tedious for the installer(s). I will let
>them do that before my family move in then! :)

It may be a pain and tedious, but it's what installers do. They can do
it with or without people living there.

[Mike Vincent]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:04:40 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>> > > > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>> > > > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>> > > > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>> > > > it not compatible?
>> > > >
>> > > > Thank you in advance. :)
>> >
>> > > Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
>> > > installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.
>> >
>> > How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor? I did notice one coax
>> > cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
>> > that for?
>
>> No telling what the power plug is for.
>
>Yeah, it was weird.

Not weird at all, it's just a power inserter for the multiswitch
and/or LNBF's. The dish has multiple LNBF's, and the house presumably
has multiple receivers. There has to be a way to connect the proper
LNBF to the requesting receiver. That's the role of the multiswitch.
Satellite receivers can frequently provide enough power for the switch
and LNBF's, but when they can't, a power inserter is used.

[Seth]

"Ant" <ANT...@zimage.com> wrote in message
news:lNCdneDTIfCIEPrS...@earthlink.com...

>> > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>> > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>> > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>> > it not compatible?

The older stuff was often interchangeable between DiSH and DirecTV. When
both companies went to multi-orbit layout things deviated quite a bit.
These days at most you can often recycle some cabling and the mount. The
dishes and switches are usually different.

>> Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
>> installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.
>
> How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor?

Often times it is written right on the cable.

> I did notice one coax
> cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
> that for?

Some of the DiSH network external switches used a coax feed to send power
outside to power the switch. Some of the switches had power requirements
that exceeded what the receiver could output, especially when you have like
an old 4x00 receiver and an SW64 switch (for example).

You're going to be a new customer. Most of this stuff you are talking about
(dish, wire, any needed switches) are included at no cost as part of your
new customer installation so don't worry about it.

[Ant]

On 3/19/2012 5:38 PM PT, Mike Vincent typed:

> Not weird at all, it's just a power inserter for the multiswitch
> and/or LNBF's. The dish has multiple LNBF's, and the house presumably
> has multiple receivers. There has to be a way to connect the proper
> LNBF to the requesting receiver. That's the role of the multiswitch.
> Satellite receivers can frequently provide enough power for the switch
> and LNBF's, but when they can't, a power inserter is used.

Interesting. I assume modern satellite receivers still use them today. I
don't know how old the previous owners' Dish equipments and setups are.
--
"When the ant grows wings it is about to die." --Arabic
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| |o o| |

\ _ / If crediting, then use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.
( ) If e-mailing, then axe ANT from its address if needed.
Ant is currently not listening to any songs on this computer.

[Ant]

On 3/19/2012 6:04 PM PT, Seth typed:

>>> > A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>>> > Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>>> > DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)?
>>> Or is
>>> > it not compatible?
>
> The older stuff was often interchangeable between DiSH and DirecTV. When
> both companies went to multi-orbit layout things deviated quite a bit.
> These days at most you can often recycle some cabling and the mount. The
> dishes and switches are usually different.

Interesting history.

>>> Depends on how old that installation is. Some of the older
>>> installations didn't use the coax cable that is needed today.
>>
>> How can I tell the coax cable differences indoor?
>
> Often times it is written right on the cable.

OK, I will look for the labels assuming they (still?) have texts. I have
no idea if they are old or not. :)

>> I did notice one coax
>> cable had a power plug in one of the small rooms which was weird. What's
>> that for?
>
> Some of the DiSH network external switches used a coax feed to send
> power outside to power the switch. Some of the switches had power
> requirements that exceeded what the receiver could output, especially
> when you have like an old 4x00 receiver and an SW64 switch (for example).
>
> You're going to be a new customer. Most of this stuff you are talking
> about (dish, wire, any needed switches) are included at no cost as part
> of your new customer installation so don't worry about it.

OK cool. However, they will have to remove all the old stuff. :O
--
"The ant's a centaur in his dragon world. Pull down thy vanity, it is
not man... Made courage, or made order, or made grace,... Pull down thy
vanity, I say pull down. Learn of the green world what can be thy
place... In scaled invention or true artistry,... Pull down thy
vanity,... Paquin pull down! The green casque has outdone your
elegance." --Ezra Pound's poem
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

[Ant]

On 3/19/2012 5:34 PM PT, Mike Vincent typed:

>>> If I were doing the new installation, I would inspect the existing
>>> coax and if there is any question at all, I would replace it. That
>>> goes especially for coax that runs outside of the building.
>>
>> Ah. That will be pain and tedious for the installer(s). I will let
>> them do that before my family move in then! :)
>
> It may be a pain and tedious, but it's what installers do. They can do
> it with or without people living there.

OK and thanks. We will do that before we move in. :)
--
"Don't step on ants... they're people too." --a quote from ANTZ movie.
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

[Ant]

On 3/19/2012 5:32 PM PT, Mike Vincent typed:

>> I forgot to mention that I will be getting Time Warner Cable for its

>> Internet service since there is no DSL and FIOS.
>
> Why not use TWC for TV then, too? Has that been ruled out?

TWC's cable TV service costs way more than satellite and picture isn't
good as satellite's for HD:

TWC (one bill and company, but most expensive and maybe worst HD picture
quality for TV service; no contract):
$52.99 (regular Internet package)
$24.50 (local broadcast TV channels + extras [mostly music])
$19.99 (whole house HD (backward compatible with 4 CRT TVs) DVR rental)
$44 (DVR service; 4 * $11 for each TV)
$49.99 for installation charge
Total per month = $141.48 ($88.49 per month for TV service)

With satellite and their whole house DVR (four TVs), it is over 60
bucks. Also, satellite gives me more channels for their lowest HD
packages. Example with DirecTV with its two years contract:
Entertainment Package (140+ HD channels)
$54.99 regular price per month after its $29.99 promotion.
$5.99 protection plan
Includes free 1 HD DVR + 3 HD receivers (advanced receiver service; $99
for another if needed), and 4,000+ VoD access.
Free installation.
Total = $60.98 per month

I save $27.51 per month with the non-promotion prices between cable and
DirecTV! :/

--
"Don't step on ants... they're people too." --a quote from ANTZ movie.

/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

[Mike Vincent]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:57:30 -0700, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/19/2012 5:32 PM PT, Mike Vincent typed:
>
>>> I forgot to mention that I will be getting Time Warner Cable for its
>>> Internet service since there is no DSL and FIOS.
>>
>> Why not use TWC for TV then, too? Has that been ruled out?
>
>TWC's cable TV service costs way more than satellite

<snipped cost comparison>

In my area, cable is cheaper than satellite after the respective promo
periods have expired. It looks like you've done your homework and
found that it's the reverse where you're at.

>and picture isn't good as satellite's for HD:

If true, it's most likely a problem that's local to your area and not
true overall. I'd say in most areas you'd be hard pressed to see a
difference either way.

[Ant]

On 3/19/2012 11:15 PM PT, Mike Vincent typed:

>>>> I forgot to mention that I will be getting Time Warner Cable for its
>>>> Internet service since there is no DSL and FIOS.
>>>
>>> Why not use TWC for TV then, too? Has that been ruled out?
>>
>> TWC's cable TV service costs way more than satellite
>
> <snipped cost comparison>
>
> In my area, cable is cheaper than satellite after the respective promo
> periods have expired. It looks like you've done your homework and
> found that it's the reverse where you're at.

Interesting. Does that include DVR, HD, and stuff? Which cable provider
and city?

>> and picture isn't good as satellite's for HD:
>
> If true, it's most likely a problem that's local to your area and not
> true overall. I'd say in most areas you'd be hard pressed to see a
> difference either way.

Ah OK. I kept reading that cable has the worse picture quality compared
to satellite TV services. However, cable TV is still expensive even if
its HD is fine. :(
--
"Ants die in sugar." --Malawi

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:57:30 -0700, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>for another if needed), and 4,000+ VoD access.
>Free installation.
>Total = $60.98 per month
>
>I save $27.51 per month with the non-promotion prices between cable and
>DirecTV! :/

After 30 years I dumped Metrocast because they did not offer as much
as DirecTv, especially a couple of HD station I wanted. Cable would
be about $25 higher for the same package now that they upped the
offerings. I see a lot of dishes on my street.

[Ed Pawlowski]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:36:52 -0700, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>
>Ah OK. I kept reading that cable has the worse picture quality compared
>to satellite TV services. However, cable TV is still expensive even if
>its HD is fine. :(

I could see the difference. Cable was OK, but satellite is better.

[Mike Vincent]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 23:36:52 -0700, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/19/2012 11:15 PM PT, Mike Vincent typed:
>
>>>>> I forgot to mention that I will be getting Time Warner Cable for its
>>>>> Internet service since there is no DSL and FIOS.
>>>>
>>>> Why not use TWC for TV then, too? Has that been ruled out?
>>>
>>> TWC's cable TV service costs way more than satellite
>>
>> <snipped cost comparison>
>>
>> In my area, cable is cheaper than satellite after the respective promo
>> periods have expired. It looks like you've done your homework and
>> found that it's the reverse where you're at.
>
>Interesting. Does that include DVR, HD, and stuff? Which cable provider
>and city?

Yes, the comparison was as similar as I could make it at the time.
Comcast was a little over $30/month cheaper than Dish and a little
over $40 a month cheaper than Direct.

>>> and picture isn't good as satellite's for HD:
>>
>> If true, it's most likely a problem that's local to your area and not
>> true overall. I'd say in most areas you'd be hard pressed to see a
>> difference either way.
>
>Ah OK. I kept reading that cable has the worse picture quality compared
>to satellite TV services.

Keep in mind that satellite TV is a national service, so it's
essentially the same across the entire country. Cable, on the other
hand, varies from one area to another. Not all cable systems are
alike. Cable PQ is generally acknowledged to be slightly better, or at
least as good, as satellite in most areas, but that doesn't do you any
good if it doesn't apply to your area. You've probably already read
what people have to say about TWC in your area over at the provider-
and region-specific areas of dslreports.com.

It's wrong to generalize that one delivery system is consistently
better than the other, regardless of which is being promoted, but it
would be 'less wrong' to say that cable has the better PQ. It's the
exceptions to that rule that you have to worry about, but only if they
apply to your area.

>However, cable TV is still expensive even if
>its HD is fine. :(

They're all expensive, if you ask me.

[Ant]

On 3/20/2012 2:56 AM PT, Ed Pawlowski typed:

>> Ah OK. I kept reading that cable has the worse picture quality compared
>> to satellite TV services. However, cable TV is still expensive even if
>> its HD is fine. :(
>
> I could see the difference. Cable was OK, but satellite is better.

Hence, what I read as well from other people. Why pay more for worse
service? :)
--
"Yeah, what's left of it. I was in the militia -- national guard...
That's good! Wasn't any war any more than there's war between men and
ants." --stranger; "And we're eat-able ants. I found that out... What
will they do with us?" --Pierson from H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds

[Ant]

On 3/20/2012 2:54 AM PT, Ed Pawlowski typed:

>> I save $27.51 per month with the non-promotion prices between cable and
>> DirecTV! :/
>
> After 30 years I dumped Metrocast because they did not offer as much
> as DirecTv, especially a couple of HD station I wanted. Cable would
> be about $25 higher for the same package now that they upped the
> offerings. I see a lot of dishes on my street.

Same in my area. Many dishes, but then I don't know how many are
actually active since satellite companies don't take them down when
unsubscribed.
--
"You know what you are Earl? You're a little, tiny, busy ant. You too,
Mike. Both you guys, with your mortgages and your term life insurance
and your webber kettles(??). Ant. Ant. All of you, you're all a bunch of
little, busy, blind ants. All you all. Saving up for your rainy days.
Scratching up your acorns for the winter. You look at me and you think,
"What a piece of pathetic trash out there in that leaky trailer." No
spoon, no fork, no prospects. But, you know why? Cause I'm a
grasshopper. Ant. Grasshopper. Ant. Grasshopper. Ant. Grasshopper. Ant.
Grasshopper. Ant!" --Chris in the bar, before being thrown out in "Jaws
of Life"."

[Mike Vincent]

There are quite a few dishes in my neighborhood, as well, but as of
late last summer an awful lot of them had no LNBF's, indicating no
current satellite service. Unfortunately, cable subscribers aren't as
easy to spot from the street. We have over 35 OTA channels available
here, so that may have an impact. I'm sure things will improve as the
economy improves.

[Ant]

On 3/20/2012 6:44 AM PT, Mike Vincent typed:

> Keep in mind that satellite TV is a national service, so it's
> essentially the same across the entire country. Cable, on the other
> hand, varies from one area to another. Not all cable systems are
> alike. Cable PQ is generally acknowledged to be slightly better, or at
> least as good, as satellite in most areas, but that doesn't do you any
> good if it doesn't apply to your area. You've probably already read
> what people have to say about TWC in your area over at the provider-
> and region-specific areas of dslreports.com.

Actually, I was unable to find comments about it for my upcoming
location. :(

> It's wrong to generalize that one delivery system is consistently
> better than the other, regardless of which is being promoted, but it
> would be 'less wrong' to say that cable has the better PQ. It's the
> exceptions to that rule that you have to worry about, but only if they
> apply to your area.

Yeah, the problem is if it does apply to me. Everyone seems to have
satellite. :O

>> However, cable TV is still expensive even if
>> its HD is fine. :(
>
> They're all expensive, if you ask me.

Yeah. I will miss free OTA. :(

--
"Yeah, what's left of it. I was in the militia -- national guard...
That's good! Wasn't any war any more than there's war between men and
ants." --stranger; "And we're eat-able ants. I found that out... What
will they do with us?" --Pierson from H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds

[Mike Vincent]

But you're not comparing satellite to "cable", you're comparing
satellite to your specific cable provider in your specific area.

Regardless of the delivery system, when everything is working properly
and the receiving equipment is of reasonable quality, the viewing
experience should be very good either way.

[Mike Vincent]

On Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:45:16 -0700, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/20/2012 2:56 AM PT, Ed Pawlowski typed:
>
>>> Ah OK. I kept reading that cable has the worse picture quality compared
>>> to satellite TV services. However, cable TV is still expensive even if
>>> its HD is fine. :(
>>
>> I could see the difference. Cable was OK, but satellite is better.
>
>Hence, what I read as well from other people. Why pay more for worse
>service? :)

His experience doesn't apply to you...

(Different cable provider, different area, completely different
infrastructure, nothing in common at all.)

[Mike Vincent]

On Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:46:04 -0700, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/20/2012 2:54 AM PT, Ed Pawlowski typed:
>
>>> I save $27.51 per month with the non-promotion prices between cable and
>>> DirecTV! :/
>>
>> After 30 years I dumped Metrocast because they did not offer as much
>> as DirecTv, especially a couple of HD station I wanted. Cable would
>> be about $25 higher for the same package now that they upped the
>> offerings. I see a lot of dishes on my street.
>
>Same in my area. Many dishes, but then I don't know how many are
>actually active since satellite companies don't take them down when
>unsubscribed.

They usually pull off the LNBF's, so you can frequently tell that way.
Another clue is when the dish is obviously pointed the wrong way.

[Mike Vincent]

On Tue, 20 Mar 2012 06:50:54 -0700, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/20/2012 6:44 AM PT, Mike Vincent typed:
>

>> They're all expensive, if you ask me.
>
>Yeah. I will miss free OTA. :(

I would miss it too! Much of what we watch at my house is on the major
networks, including PBS, so we use OTA primarily.

[GMAN]

In article <qv8fm7poocg5nrqqs...@4ax.com>, Ed Pawlowski <e...@snet.net> wrote:
>On Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:29:35 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:
>
>>Hello.

>>
>>A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>>Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>>DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>>it not compatible?
>>

>>Thank you in advance. :)
>
>

>Don't screw around with an old setup since DTV will give you a new one
>and install it for you. They may use the coax if it is still good.
>When I switched from cable, they ran a new line from the dish to the
>box on the outside wall and left everything inside as it was.
>
>Overall, I'm very satisfied with DirecTv and the installation.

Even if the coax is OK, make them redo the RF connectors.

[Lloyd]

In article <9F1ar.193619$rV3.1...@en-nntp-11.dc1.easynews.com>,

Every time I've switched, during the install they have replaced all the
connectors without me even asking.

[Ant]

Oh. :(

--
Quote of the Week: "When you have seen one ant, one bird, one tree, you
have not seen them all." --Edward O. Wilson, 1992

/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail. If crediting,

( ) then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.

[Ant]

> >>> I save $27.51 per month with the non-promotion prices between cable and
> >>> DirecTV! :/
> >>
> >> After 30 years I dumped Metrocast because they did not offer as much
> >> as DirecTv, especially a couple of HD station I wanted. Cable would
> >> be about $25 higher for the same package now that they upped the
> >> offerings. I see a lot of dishes on my street.
> >
> >Same in my area. Many dishes, but then I don't know how many are
> >actually active since satellite companies don't take them down when
> >unsubscribed.

> They usually pull off the LNBF's, so you can frequently tell that way.
> Another clue is when the dish is obviously pointed the wrong way.

Don't people usually not fiddle with the dishes? How often does one have
to reposition them?

--
Quote of the Week: "When you have seen one ant, one bird, one tree, you
have not seen them all." --Edward O. Wilson, 1992

/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.home.dhs.org (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

\ _ / Please nuke ANT if replying by e-mail. If crediting,

( ) then please kindly use Ant nickname and AQFL URL/link.

[Ant]

> > >>A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
> > >>Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
> > >>DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
> > >>it not compatible?
> > >

> > >Don't screw around with an old setup since DTV will give you a new one
> > >and install it for you. They may use the coax if it is still good.
> > >When I switched from cable, they ran a new line from the dish to the
> > >box on the outside wall and left everything inside as it was.
> > >
> > >Overall, I'm very satisfied with DirecTv and the installation.
> >
> > Even if the coax is OK, make them redo the RF connectors.

> Every time I've switched, during the install they have replaced all the
> connectors without me even asking.

Interesting. I remember when Adelphia did this too with my old cables
from 2001 and then in 2005(?).

[Mike Vincent]

At about a minute apiece, it's cheap insurance and removes a common
failure point.

[Mike Vincent]

On Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:18:25 -0500, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>> >>> I save $27.51 per month with the non-promotion prices between cable and
>> >>> DirecTV! :/
>> >>
>> >> After 30 years I dumped Metrocast because they did not offer as much
>> >> as DirecTv, especially a couple of HD station I wanted. Cable would
>> >> be about $25 higher for the same package now that they upped the
>> >> offerings. I see a lot of dishes on my street.
>> >
>> >Same in my area. Many dishes, but then I don't know how many are
>> >actually active since satellite companies don't take them down when
>> >unsubscribed.
>
>> They usually pull off the LNBF's, so you can frequently tell that way.
>> Another clue is when the dish is obviously pointed the wrong way.
>
>Don't people usually not fiddle with the dishes? How often does one have
>to reposition them?

Active customers rarely fiddle with their dishes, and don't often have
a need to. Reasons for correcting the aim include storm damage and
other physical damage. Ex-customers, on the other hand, have been
known to be 'mean' to the equipment. I've seen dishes that look like
someone took a baseball bat to them, and in my neighborhood there are
two within a block that are pointed oddly down toward the ground.

[Mike Hunt]

On 2012-03-20, Ant <ANT...@zimage.com> wrote:
>> >>> I save $27.51 per month with the non-promotion prices between cable and
>> >>> DirecTV! :/
>> >>
>> >> After 30 years I dumped Metrocast because they did not offer as much
>> >> as DirecTv, especially a couple of HD station I wanted. Cable would
>> >> be about $25 higher for the same package now that they upped the
>> >> offerings. I see a lot of dishes on my street.
>> >
>> >Same in my area. Many dishes, but then I don't know how many are
>> >actually active since satellite companies don't take them down when
>> >unsubscribed.
>
>> They usually pull off the LNBF's, so you can frequently tell that way.
>> Another clue is when the dish is obviously pointed the wrong way.
>
> Don't people usually not fiddle with the dishes? How often does one have
> to reposition them?

I've done dish repositioning 0 times in the last 10 years.

[Ed Pawlowski]

This is true, but our cable company did do a major upgrade of the
system just weeks before I switched. Making a comparison even more
difficult, it is from memory, not a true side by side at the same time
since one had to be stopped for the other to work.

The problem with generalities is that they are generally wrong or
incomplete.

[Mike Vincent]

And just like that, we're on common ground. Thanks. :)

[Ant]

On 3/20/2012 1:43 PM PT, Mike Vincent typed:

> Active customers rarely fiddle with their dishes, and don't often have
> a need to. Reasons for correcting the aim include storm damage and
> other physical damage. Ex-customers, on the other hand, have been
> known to be 'mean' to the equipment. I've seen dishes that look like
> someone took a baseball bat to them, and in my neighborhood there are
> two within a block that are pointed oddly down toward the ground.

Ha! Office Space movie, but with satellite dishes. :D
--
"Have I told you how much I like ants, huh? Especially fried in a subtle
blend of mech fluid and grated gears?" --Rampage to Inferno,
"Transmutate" in Transformers (Beast Wars)
/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

[Ant]

On 3/20/2012 1:45 PM PT, Mike Hunt typed:

>> Don't people usually not fiddle with the dishes? How often does one have
>> to reposition them?
>
> I've done dish repositioning 0 times in the last 10 years.

Nice. :)

--
"Have I told you how much I like ants, huh? Especially fried in a subtle
blend of mech fluid and grated gears?" --Rampage to Inferno,
"Transmutate" in Transformers (Beast Wars)

/\___/\ Ant(Dude) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)

/ /\ /\ \ Ant's Quality Foraged Links: http://aqfl.net
| |o o| |

[GMAN]

In article <V9qdnYfBBJfle_XS...@earthlink.com>, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:
>> > >>A satellite TV newbie question. The previous house owner used to have
>> > >>Dish satellite TV service and left his coax cables and dish. If I get
>> > >>DirecTV, then can I reuse the dish (assuming coax cables are OK)? Or is
>> > >>it not compatible?
>> > >
>> > >Don't screw around with an old setup since DTV will give you a new one
>> > >and install it for you. They may use the coax if it is still good.
>> > >When I switched from cable, they ran a new line from the dish to the
>> > >box on the outside wall and left everything inside as it was.
>> > >
>> > >Overall, I'm very satisfied with DirecTv and the installation.
>> >
>> > Even if the coax is OK, make them redo the RF connectors.
>
>> Every time I've switched, during the install they have replaced all the
>> connectors without me even asking.
>
>Interesting. I remember when Adelphia did this too with my old cables
>from 2001 and then in 2005(?).

Its just a smart thing to do. The connectors get oxidized from being outside.

[do...@09.usenet.us.com]

Mike Vincent <mvin...@whetstonenone.com.invalid> wrote:
> Yes, the comparison was as similar as I could make it at the time.
> Comcast was a little over $30/month cheaper than Dish and a little
> over $40 a month cheaper than Direct.

Cable here was cheaper for one set and no DVR, for the first few months.
For three sets, after the initial cable discount expired, DirecTV was quite
a bit cheaper.

--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5