Install DIRECTV Satellite TV
DIRECTV provides satellite-based television services to customers in the United States. Since October 2005, the company has offered high-definition (HD) service through its Slimline satellite dishes. A professional from DIRECTV can come to your home and install a new satellite for you. The company's website also provides instructions for those with prior household electrical or installation experience who want to install the satellite themselves. Use these methods to install DIRECTV satellite TV.
Contents
Steps
Have DIRECTV Install a Satellite
- Call DIRECTV to make an installation appointment for a new satellite receiver. The number to order their service is 1-888-777-2454. You can also try calling 1-800-DIRECTV (347-3288).
- If you want to upgrade your existing DIRECTV satellite receiver to a Slimline to receive HD television, call 1-800-531-5000 and say "order new equipment." You should be routed to an appropriate contact. Installing the upgraded satellite receiver is free if you already have a H20 or HR20 model of a DIRECTV HD receiver.
- Have the receiver installed in a location with an unblocked view of the southern sky. Most satellite receivers are installed on a roof or balcony. If possible, trees and buildings should not block the receiver.
- Install your TV card, so you can watch TV.
Install a DIRECTV Satellite Receiver Yourself
- Download the self-installation guide from the DIRECTV website. You may need a software program such as Adobe Reader to view the file.
- Follow national and local guidelines for installing your dish. There may be requirements or codes that restrict the size of your satellite dish or how high you can mount it. DIRECTV offers 6 satellites in sizes from a round 18-inch (45 cm) dish to a 36 by 22-inch (90 by 55 cm) oval dish.
- Find an appropriate location for your satellite receiver. Look for a clear, southern-facing area with a high vantage spot.
- Find coordinates for pointing your dish to get reception. Connect your satellite receiver to the TV as specified in the receiver's manual.
- Connect 1 end of a coaxial cable to the satellite receiver through the jack labeled "OUT TO TV." Connect the other end to the antenna's "IN" jack on the television.
- Connect both the television and satellite receiver to a power outlet. Turn them both on.
- View the receiver's menu by tuning the television to channel number 3 or 4 if the back of the receiver has a "CH 3/CH 4" switch. If there is no switch, turn to UHF channel 14 or channel number 65 on cable.
- Navigate the menu using buttons on the receiver's front panel and the receiver's manual to find the correct azimuth (horizontal) and elevation (vertical) coordinates.
- Determine and survey the dish's exact mounting site. Using the receiver's pointing coordinates, find the mounting site for your dish.
- Measure the number of feet (meters) of cable needed to finish the installation.
- Start assembling the satellite receiver dish. Bolt or screw in the satellite's plastic or metal reflector to its support arm. This lets you preset the satellite to its correct elevation.
- Set your dish to the correct elevation.
- Mount the mast, or pole, for the receiver. Multiple options exist for this step depending on where you install the dish (roof, hollow wall, on brick or concrete, etc.). Consult the self-installation guide to see instructions and the necessary tools for each option.
- Make sure the mast is level to get a satellite signal. Use a bubble level to help you determine it is even.
- Put the satellite receiver dish on its mast. Hook up the RG-6 coaxial cable to the Low Noise Block converter (LNB). Attach the LNB to the receiver's support arm.
- Position a grounding block as closely as you can to the place where the dish's cable will run into the house. Run the receiver dish's cable to the grounding block. The connection to the block binds the dish to an acceptable grounded point in the main building ground, such as an enclosure for electrical service equipment or a metallic service raceway.
- Run the RG-6 coaxial cable to the back of the receiver inside the house. The RG-6 cable should also be connected to the grounding block.
- Hook up the RG-6 coaxial cable to the "SATELLITE IN" jack on the receiver's rear panel.
- Make sure a landline phone is off its hook to avoid getting an electric shock from any incoming calls. Connect the receiver to a phone jack with the phone line.
- Check for a signal using the "Dish Pointing" menu's signal meter displayed on your TV screen. Adjust the dish's pointing to achieve your maximum signal strength.
- Call DIRECTV at 1-800-883-8772 to active your new satellite's programming.
Things You'll Need
- Phone
- Professional satellite installer
- Dish location
- Satellite receiver
- Receiver's manual
- Self-installation guide for DIRECTV satellite
- Pointing coordinates
- Coaxial cable
- Satellite dish
- Support arm
- Reflector and included hardware
- Wrench or screwdriver
- Mast
- Bubble level
- Grounding block
- Grounding wire
- RG-6 coaxial cable
- Phone jack
- Phone line
