DIRECTV Installation Guide - What You Should Know

After you order your DIRECTV service you'll receive a free satellite TV system including free installation in up to four rooms of your home by a professional installer. Your DIRECTV installation will be scheduled anywhere from one to five days after you place your order.

Here's the equipment you get for free:

DISH Network Satellite TV System

* A satellite TV dish - captures the satellite signal broadcast from a DISH Network satellite.

* An LNB (low noise block) converter - converts the signal and transmits it to a receiver.

* A Satellite TV receiver - amplifies and decodes the satellite signal then sends it to a TV.

DIRECTV Installation

The first thing you need to do is to make sure you have a clear line of sight to the southern sky so your satellite dish can capture the satellite signal. If you don't, you'll have to clear any obstructions to prepare for the installation. (Call your installer if you're in doubt about this.)

After your installer determines the best location for your dish, he or she will do the following:

* Mount your satellite TV dish on the roof, a porch, or an exterior wall of your home.

* Ground the dish in order to prevent lightning damage.

* Install the cable through an outside wall and run it through your inside walls to your receiver locations.

* Connect your receivers to the satellite dish and connect a phone line from a receiver to a telephone jack.

* Aim your dish at the DIRECTV satellite, checking azimuth (direction), skew (rotation), and elevation (angle) in order to get maximum reception.

* Activate your DIRECTV satellite TV account for you.

* Check the satellite TV receivers and remote controls to make sure they work properly.

* Explain how your system works, show you how to operate your receiver and your remote controls, then answer any questions you may have.

Note: A telephone connection is necessary in order to receive pay-per-view broadcasts and some sports programming. Complicated installations such as installing long runs of cable, drilling through more than one outside wall, or installing special purpose dishes may result in additional fees.

Visit http://www.thesatellitetvguide.com for more information on DIRECTV installation. Click on the following link for current ordering information and the latest special offers from DIRECTV. Click on this link to compare DIRECTV vs. DISH Network.

The author, Brian Stevens, is the senior editor for TheSatelliteTVGuide.com and has written extensively on DIRECTV installation.