chronicle my VOOM experience

[jbtcajun]

Hi all started this thread as I am very excited.

Called VOOM this am 5/21 install scheduled 6/1.
Installer refused to give # for installs.

As you will see in the installations thread I have several Questions.
This is my first time for other than OTA television.

Help with these Questions will be appreciated.

1) Can I use 2 large directional antenna pointed at different clusters and amplified together to make 1 feed? How much extra in install?

2) If not what is the best antenna turner, and should I purchase or have installer provide. How much would be fair for this?

3) In another thread someone is talking of 4 leads needed for the DVR is this true. If so how much should I pay to have the 3 extra pulled?

 

[Ilya]

Hi jbtcajun,

I can't help you much with 1 and 2, but I really doubt that DVR will require 4 leads. Where did you see that?

 

[jbtcajun]

4 leads mentioned in several threads this forum.

 

[jbtcajun]

help

someone please help! can 2 directional antennas be combined, then amplified through one amp and passed on to the voom box?

 

[andrzej]

someone please help! can 2 directional antennas be combined, then amplified through one amp and passed on to the voom box?

Yes, they can. But, you should also consider a decent multidirectional antenna if your local transmission towers are at different locations.

 

[jbtcajun]

According to antenna.org they are clustered in both directions at approx. 50 mi. is there a omni directional antenna to handle this?

 

[jbtcajun]

5/21 received call from install co. changing date from 6/1 to 6/2 no problem I am self employed and flexible. Asked for their # and they refused stating the installer would call before coming. To me this is a bad sign. They are not customer service oriented and like to take better care of themselves than me. We will see.

 

[TechCop]

Just take it easy...

If they do what they are supposed to do, you don't need his number, do you?
If they don't, then contact a Voom CSR.

I felt a little of the same anxiety before my install, but the experience turned out to be a very positive one. There are man, many good installers our there, you just tend to hear more about the bad ones.

 

[jbtcajun]

There will be no holes placed in my roof so I hope he brings the pole mount.

 

[PSB]

When/if he calls you better mention you need/want a pole mount, also mention you will need to see his SBCA 1+2 certificate, VoOM certificate, and state license if needed, cross check it with a picture ID, follow these steps for trouble free installation!

 

[jbtcajun]

Called VOOM 5/28 to have a notation added to my account that VOOM was ordered and then upgraded to VAVAVOOM. The csr didn't understand the reasoning but agreed to make the notation.

She then offered the installers phone # and confirmed an install date of 6/1. I told her they had changed it to 6/2. Now having two install dates called Emerald Coast installers to confirm (they are 2 sates away), 6/2 confirmed. Then the csr stated they had no Voom equipment to install. My question was why did someone call and change the date to 6/2. She said let me put you on hold and check (my job is already on her screen). I waited 15 min making it 11:05 here hung up and called back. No answer (lunch there) Called back at 11:45 still no answer. Then my day got busy and wasn't able to call again. Guess will call Tuesday 6/1 to find if I should stay home or take care of Business. If I were not flexible with my work schedule I would be ferrous!

Anything worth something is a hassle I guess.

 

[Sean Mota]

I suggest you to send an email to "Wilt Hildenbrand" <wilth@optonline.net>. He will put you in contact with someone that will not give you the run around. Email him the details of your pre-installation....

 

[jbtcajun]

it is early for that.
If things go well on 6/1 or 6/2 I will be happy.

 

[jbtcajun]

6/1 called emerald coast. They said there was no equipment to install and they would contact me later to set up install date.

Later the same day Emerald coast called me wanting to install 6/2 as they have just received some equipment from VOOM.

In our conservation I discovered that the installation was scheduled with an installer as far away as possible and still be in this state. Lucky for me as she made a mistake in locating my town and switched me to another installer. The csr had me wait on phone while she made the appointment for the install. Everything was set for 6/3.

A couple hours went by and ring ring. Emerald coast calling asking to switch the date to 6/4 as ups couldn't get the package to the installer timely. Now we are all set for 6/4.

Well guys it is the eve of my install and no call from the installer. I told the csr that map quest will get them lost on a dead end road and call for directions. We shall see!!

Like a kid on Christmas eve here.

 

[iceshark]

6/1 called emerald coast. They said there was no equipment to install and they would contact me later to set up install date.

Later the same day Emerald coast called me wanting to install 6/2 as they have just received some equipment from VOOM.

In our conservation I discovered that the installation was scheduled with an installer as far away as possible and still be in this state. Lucky for me as she made a mistake in locating my town and switched me to another installer. The csr had me wait on phone while she made the appointment for the install. Everything was set for 6/3.

A couple hours went by and ring ring. Emerald coast calling asking to switch the date to 6/4 as ups couldn't get the package to the installer timely. Now we are all set for 6/4.

This story is getting exciting!
Let us know what happens!
Your going to love VOOM!

 

[jbtcajun]

6/4 I am VOOMING now!

SORRY FOR THE DIARRHEA OF THE KEYS

It was a hectic day. Grandmother is with me (93 ) for a few days. She is in general good health but needs help occasionally. Cousin is driving through wants to visit for 8 or 10 hours as her friend does a job locally; due to arrive at 8 am. Installer calls at 7:15 am asking to do install today as his scheduled install wasn't home. My response was well yea you are scheduled today at 8 am. Brick Mason calls wanting to do mailbox the 13 year old neighbor kid ran over totaling their truck; PS they are suing me as they have no insurance. (our street is so narrow the box is completely on my property off the right of way)
The VOOM installer arrives without any additional calls. This is a rare thing as I had to go meet the mason and my cousin and escort them here. He was a polite man that seemed to know his business so we began the install. When I mentioned the desire for 2 runs he wanted an extra charge. This was countered by me stating I would run the cable through the attic and down to the stb. ( i don't trust people in my attic and I have several strings in the wall for this kind of thing to the built ins.)
I stuck with him politely quietly and off about 15 ft. He installed the antenna in the wrong direction and began tuning it to dish. I said it was wrong and south was over there. He did as he pleased. We ran the wire. Connected to the box and nothing. With me trying not to smile I told him he was on the wrong satellite. He responded that he needed a new compass. lol Luck for us that he installed on a 3" pipe that supports my ota. I simply loosened and turned the pipe allowing him to re tune. While he did I convinced him to put a 3rd self tapping screw as the dish was wobbly. (When I mentioned this earlier he ignored me.)
We swapped my heavy component cables that were run to the DVD. 1 year old Mitsubishi and no dvi. I will buy an optical cable but for now we are using my heavy audio cable to the Sony es amp. He made the calls. Things are up and running now. No ota signal, so my ota was swapped. Everything working now.
He packs up and asks me to sign some papers. I read them and it stated there were no unresolved issues. What about my ota? It works, ya on my antenna I want VOOM independent and at $120 a year rent thats what I will have. The installer goes to his truck and pulls out a booster installs it. Can you believe this little antenna is receiving most the channels. I made a notation on the form and signed it. The rest of the day I was busy so left the VOOM box off.
Saturday morning I am ready to VOOM. Wow all ota here and mapped. VOOM seems much crisper I was disappointed and could not tell the difference between HD and other. After looking around for a while and deciding there is a small difference between HBOhd and HBO decide to watch something. We picked out a program starting in 20 min. The HD movie starts and 5 min in it begins to sprinkle. There goes the pic. I say no problem and switch to ota channel, no picture just a freeze frame thing. No way I call VOOM. Using a speaker phone and watching my ota direct to TV we wait the 38 min. The csr comes on hearing the problem ask me to ck the signal strength. As luck would have, it stopped drizzling as I was stitching back to VOOM. The strength was 93 causing a laugh . The csr says to put RAIN X on the dish. (will this help?)
VOOM if i cannot watch in the drizzle I will cancel. Voom I would like a better ota too. The more HD we watch the more the subtle differences are noticed. It is not the clarity I was expecting as the difference between 480p DVD and 480i ota was. Is there that much a difference? Am I truly viewing 1080i?
Summing my install up I would have to say it was about standard for American service today. Had I not stayed on top of it, or I not been very outgoing, or willing to speak up when things were wrong it would have been very different. No "welcome kit" was left. All I have is 1 page allowing him to get paid. Thinking paperwork and spare cables were in the box I allowed him to leave. Box is empty; could have used the spare cables to rewire my system. Called VOOM the kit is on the way.
At this point I am concerned about the drizzle problem, the ota problem, and the no pvr problem but I will try this $90./month service for a while. VOOM is new to the business and I am new to purchasing programming we will grow together or apart.

I will keep posting on my experience.

 

[kawdog]

Thanks for keeping us updated on how things are going. Are you in Louisiana? I live in North Louisiana and am still waiting on my install (I ordered the same day you did). They told me it could even be a month longer before they have the equipment. Good luck with everything.

kaw

 

[jbtcajun]

6/9 it was cloudy today and Voom pixilated. It wasn't even raining. MY ota rarely work now. Called to report problem and Voom made arrangement for me to get the upgraded ota but not upgraded dish.

Today I noticed a white spot on the screen and thought was in the movie. Then changed channel and it was there. Did the freak thought was fault of the TV. Mashed the red button all the way through back to the top light and it was gone.

 

[jbtcajun]

6/18
Been vooming for a while.
Love the true hd stuff.
My voom goes out with a dark cloud. Called and the CSR basically said thats the way it is.
Yesterday no cloud and voom went out. Think was heat from the roof.

Voom promised a upgrade to my ota and no one has called to set up the install yet. When voom goes out I have no TV AT all!!!!!

The audio quality varies at times coming in and dropping out. My Sony es amp has light to indicate true 5:1 Dolby. Lately it has been coming on and going off like a stitch being toggled back and forth.

Yesterday a Quality control guy form Installs Inc came to inspect the job. He stated I would be getting a new stab, and my install was done improperly as the dish was not tuned to the stab and TV.

All I know is at $100.00/month things must get better as it is upsetting to watch something for 1.HR and miss the end; Not have TV when it is raining. Hell it is causing me to read. lol

will keep post going.

 

[jbtcajun]

7/22

Wow didn't know what we were missing with fancy purchased programming.

The story continues.

Guys I defecate you not; if rained every day in June and until middle of last week. Several times a day and night too. With my system that has no OAT and looses sat signal with a dark cloud.

Several times sat signal was lost due to the Humidity making those waves lines coming off the roof.

I have made numerous calls to Voom, been switched to installs and put on hold there. Then Voom started holding with you and coming back ever few minutes. Well what havens after 10 min they give the number to install and you are on you're own. Getting though to install is a trick.

Got set up for a service call. No one showed.

Several rains and calls to Voom later someone said they would credit my account for 1 months service. Hell I want the system working not the credit.

Have made several attempts to re schedule and no avail.

The CSR allowed me to install my OAT as they will not supply one that will work here. That has fixed the OAT problem but still need the sat tweaked.

Those OAT programs can be crisp!!!!




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Having trouble because my favorite OAT will not work with the natural mode must have on 1080. Is there a Way to stitch with the remote??????
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Is there a way to make the volum button on the remote controll the Amp, not the tv???
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I have decided it is worth buying programming. Waiting for October and the Recorder to decide who will provide the programing for the long haul.
If by then the rain and heat problems have been worked out, and there is a fair deal on the recorder I will be settled in and a faithful customer.

VAVAVOOMing

Sorry for the long update.
take care and let the good times roll.