Multiswitch/Cabling Questions

[jtgayton]

Greetings. I'm a long-time lurker who's been reading and enjoying the forums a lot. I've learned a lot from everyone, but still have a couple of questions.

I'm going to be getting DirecTV with the HR20 soon, and am a bit confused about multiswitches and cable runs (I'm doing that part myself because the wiring has to go through my attic). For now, all I have is one TV, so as I understand it, all I really need to do is to pull two RG6 lines from where the Slimline dish is to the HR20. This will let me record one program while watching another. However, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to prepare for having more than one TV with DirecTV service. What would be the best way to go?

1. Pull 4 lines from the dish to a DirecTV-approved multiswitch and go to the TVs from there. If so, how close does the multiswitch have to be to the dish? Does it have to be close or can it be about 50 feet away, which would be MUCH better for me, as that's where all my cable runs converge.

2. Pull 4 lines from the dish, connect two to the HR20, and leave the other two dangling? My idea here is that when SWMs become available, I could get them, remove one of the lines from the HR20, and have three lines available to run to other TVs in the future.

A couple of other questions about multiswitches.

1. Is there such a thing as a 5x8 DirecTV-approved multiswitch that supports the HR-20's HD channels? All the approved switches I've seen are 6x8/12/16, which as I understand it, won't let me connect my OTA antenna.

2. In case I need an amplified multiswitch because of the distance between the dish and where I want to put the multiswich, is there a DirecTV-approved amplified multiswitch?

Thanks so much for any assistance you can provide.

[HDTVsportsfan]

1. I would run four RG6 solid copper core cables from the Slimline to the the Zinwell WB68 multi-switch. This will future proof your setup a bit. 50 feet is fine. Total cables runs ideally should not be over 125. But many have longer runs. You will get many different responses on that one. No one knows for sure when SWM will be widely available, so i wouldn't count on it as a soon to be resolution.

In reference to your OTA/multi-switch question. I do not incorporate OTA in my setup. I will let someone more familiar chime in for that.

Good luck and welcome to DBStalk.

[Kiteflyer]

To jtgayton: Welcome to the boards.

To HDTVsportsfan: mark4mich reported that his install yesterday outside of Detroit got an SWM with 3 hd-dvrs. Talked to local installation company here in Oklahoma. They said they expect to recieve their first bulk shipment of the SWMs by 12/16. They've had a few trickle in, but it appears that they will shortly be available for regular installs.

[HDTVsportsfan]

Thanks for the info kiteflyer. I know that the SWM is being used in select areas w/ specific/select installs. I just hadn't seen anything indicating that it would be widely available as say the WB68 is. I'd hate to see the OP or others hanging around for months waiting for it. You never know for whatever reason if any new product will be delayed.

Also, to the OP, IMHO you can never run enough cable. It's cheap enough, and it your going to run 1, then running a second is not that much more difficult.

Good Luck.

[veryoldschool]

I guess I'm left with the OTA question. :lol:
"Most" don't diplex OTA in to the SAT feed(s) and use a separate coax.
"Some" have been able to move the BBC from the back of the receiver to after the multi-switch and then diplex OTA in [and out just before the receiver].
SWM doesn't need [use] BBCs and the SWM8 has an OTA input, so you only need to diplex it out at the receiver.

[carl6]

I guess I'm left with the OTA question.

To add just a touch and specifically answer the OP's question...

You cannot use one of the older multiswitches to combine OTA. You must use the Zinwell WB68, Zinwell WB616, or the new Single Wire Multiswitch, with the new HD signals.

The OTA signals occupy the same frequencies/spectrum as the new satellite signals from the dish. If you put both on the same coax, they will interfere with each other.

Carl

[jtgayton]

Thanks so much for the quick and useful responses, and the welcome too! It sounds like the SWM might eventually work for me, but the best "futureproof" option would be to pull 4 lines and use an approved multiswitch. As for OTA, my original plan was to use a separate line, as I'd gotten the impression that I can get a better signal that way. I just though that if there were a multiswitch that could handle OTA, I'd be able to distribute that signal as well. Guess not.

That said, will DirecTV provide me with a mulitswitch if I'm only buying one receiver? If not, I'm inclined to pull two lines directly to the HR20 and leave the other two lines dangling where I could install a multiswitch later.

Thanks again.

[HDTVsportsfan]

They will provide the 5-LNB SLimline Dish and install at no cost. They will not provide the multi-switch right out of the gate unless you have the requirement for it (ie; more than 4 tuners).

If in the future you lease more receivers and go beyond the 4 outputs of the Slimline dish, then they will provide for free at that point.

You have a decision to make i guess.

[vlhgsd]

To add just a touch and specifically answer the OP's question...

You cannot use one of the older multiswitches to combine OTA. You must use the Zinwell WB68, Zinwell WB616, or the new Single Wire Multiswitch, with the new HD signals.

The OTA signals occupy the same frequencies/spectrum as the new satellite signals from the dish. If you put both on the same coax, they will interfere with each other.

Carl

I thought that was why you couldn't put an OTA on the wb68. I am planning on having my 3 lines disconnect from existing switch, connect those into the wb68, with the output for the 3 going to the receivers. Connect a couple output ports from the wb68 to the old switch's input and have the ota going into the old switch with the output from those going to the tv tuners.

Will this work?

[carl6]

I thought that was why you couldn't put an OTA on the wb68. I am planning on having my 3 lines disconnect from existing switch, connect those into the wb68, with the output for the 3 going to the receivers. Connect a couple output ports from the wb68 to the old switch's input and have the ota going into the old switch with the output from those going to the tv tuners.

Will this work?

Technically yes. However I would suggest two options to consider.

1. Simply use separate diplexers on each of the non-HD feeds, rather than a separate multiswitch.

2. If you do want a second multiswitch, I would recommend a powered multi-satellite switch such as the Terk BMS-58. That would require four outputs from your WB68, but would have the effect of practically turning your WB68 into a powered switch, which can improve reliability. Or, alternately, connect the two in parallel using high frequency splitters that pass power on one port (hooked to the Terk).

Carl