Dummies Guide To 721 & 50x Connections...

[toddjb]

I have a 501 and am thinking of buying the 721 since it does seem pretty stable and I don't know how long I'd have to wait for the 508 (which I'd prefer).

I have one Dish 500.

If I have 2 receivers (3 tuners total) can I do this with one Dish? I believe so, I'm just not sure of the switch I'd have to buy. :confused:

If I don't want to mess with the wiring on my own (depends on the hassle) is it worth having Dish or another installer sell me the 721 AND installation or will I find the costs pretty high? :money:

Thanks!
-todd

[FlyingDiver]

What LNB do you have on the Dish 500? A pair of duals? A Twin? A Quad? How many cables to you have from the dish to your connection area (wiring closet)?

If you have two dual LNBS, then you need either an SW44 or SW64, and you'll be able to feed up to 4 tuners.

If you have a Quad LNB, then it has a SW44 built in, and you don't need anything else.

If you have a Twin LNB (only two cables coming out), then you can't feed three tuners without changing something. Either you need to upgrade to a Quad (and run more wires), or you need to switch to a DishPro LNB and then also get a DP34 switch.

joe

[toddjb]

Looks like I have a dual LNB. They only ran one wire from the dish to the 501. The other is stuffed back inside the LNB housing at the Dish.

Does that mean I have a pair of duals or a twin? The Dish was installed about 18 months ago.

Now...perhaps its in my best interest to get the free 2nd Dish installed...at least that'd give me some new hardware and maybe I can get them to make it more 721/501 compatible in the process?

Its too bad Dish doesn't have better upgrade deals for existing customers. I would have actually added additional tuners a while back if I had the same free installation my original kit came with!

I also have a complete DirectTV oval dish (w/ LNBs) although I don't know if that is any use to me. ?!? (in box, not installed)

Thanks,

-todd

[BobaBird]

Sounds like you have a Twin. See http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/switchinfo/ for an explanation of the switch and LNB names with matching pictures. Like Joe said, the Twin will have to be replaced since it can't feed more than 2 tuners.

[toddjb]

Great link, thanks!

I tell ya, my Dish looks like I have what he calls 2 Dual LNBs, but I do only have 2 cables coming out of the dish. One of these LNBs is connected to my 501 now and it does seem to access more than one sat at a time, correct?

The switch information was very useful.

-todd

[Lee L]

Here is a question. I have 2 RG6 runs to my HT rack. I currently have a DishPlayer and a 6000. If I decide to get a 721 and Dish Pro LNBF's and switches, can the signal be split or a switch put in at my ht rack so I can use both tuners on the 721 and then use an adapter for the 6000?

[BobaBird]

Todd, 2 dual LNBs must be running through a switch, likely an SW21. It will have to be replaced. Check your receiver's Menu>Installation>Dish500>Switch Summary (or something like that) to see what it reports, then refer back to Joe's response.

Lee, yes you can put the switch at the HT rack but it won't get you out of having to install a 3rd run of RG6 for the side-slot satellite. Stacked LNBF outputs can not be split for multi-sat installations, the signals must be switced. The DP34 has one input for each satellite, since you have a 6000 I'm assuming you'll be filling all 3. If receiving HD is not a concern, the hassle avoided by not running the 3rd line could be enough to offset the expense of buying an adapter (ymmv).