New to Satellite - Strategies for good deals?

[Slack]

Contemplating a satellite package - since discovering the HD-PVR could get the HD goodness into SageTV, while I get to maintain control of the content and user experience.

I am fairly adept at the mechanical aspect of the installation. And quite adept at the electrical side. But I see all these package deals with 'professional' installation and 4 receivers etc....

I was wondering of the companies and their representatives are prone to haggle if you say you can do the install yourself, and you decline a PVR capable receiver? I'm guessing not. But have no clue.

What about picking up a recevier or two from Ebay? And just getting it activated after the self-install? Can you negotiate at the time of activation? Say no contract for a term of service. Or get HD tier thrown in on activation?

Or is all this not worth it? Just let them do the install? I am a bit leary that they will attempt a hole in the roof - whereas I am thinking mount dish to chimney and come into attic via the soffet, and on to the closet in my office on the second floor where I plan to move my sage box to. And locate the sat receiver(s) and the HD-PVR(s).


Edit:
Any recommendations for which receivers do the best job with the HD PVR?
Do these receivers require a phone line? Or are the new ones dailing the 'mothership' via ethernet.