How to Install DIRECTV Satellite TV Inside the House

Space constraints or a homeowners association restricting dish antenna installation may necessitate setting up the satellite dish inside your apartment or house. Follow the steps below to install a satellite dish indoors.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dish antenna
• Nuts
• Screw driver
• Concrete
• Carpenter's level
• Bolts
• GPS
• Drill
• Compass
• Mounting bracket or pole
• Internet connection
• Hammer
• Maps
• User manual

1. Read through the user manual you received with the system to understand the equipment that comes with your DIRECTV service.

2. Determine the longitude and latitude of your location. Use a GPS or go online to do so.

3. Find the satellite nearest to your location. Web sites can help.

4. Identify a location from where the dish antenna can face south without any obstruction (especially from a wall). Ideally look for some space next to a balcony, patio or window.

5. Install the satellite dish firmly. Take care that it does not move easily because of human activity.

6. Use the coaxial cable to connect the dish to the receiver.

7. Connect the receiver to your TV.

8. Switch on the TV and follow steps listed in the user manual to check if the newly installed system is catching any signal.

9. Align the dish. To do so, determine the elevation level appropriate for your location and identify the elevation indicator on the dish. Adjust the dish elevation by loosening its elevation nuts and gently moving it up and down. Elevation indicator lining up with the elevation number for your location adjusts the dish properly.

10. Compare the channels coming on TV with the channel guide to ensure that the dish is receiving a signal from the correct satellite. If the dish receives a signal from another satellite, you might end up watching programs you are not interested in.

11. Focus the picture by moving the LNB (low-noise blocker) function in and out. You might need the help of another person to check picture quality. This person can watch the television for a clear signal while you are rotating or adjusting the dish.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the toll-free number 1-888-355-7530 to call DIRECTV for any installation related queries.

• Use a signal meter to detect availability of signal while adjusting the dish for signal reception. Signal strength greater than 60% minimizes outages or poor picture during rough weather.

• Check if someone you know has set up a satellite TV system. Taking help from a person who has already successfully installed a dish will save a lot of time.

• If possible, ask for professional installation.

• Check your location coordinates before making a decision about the spot where the dish can be mounted. This will ensure that you can later properly align the dish antenna without it hitting the wall or some other object.

• After finalizing the signal, fix the coaxial cable so no one gets hurt or alters the dish alignment.

• Though it is possible to install the satellite dish inside a building, DIRECTV strongly cautions against doing so. Signal reception may become poor because of window glasses or obstructed signal path. The dish should be installed indoors only if you have restrictions on installing it outside.