running my own cable a few ?'s.

[vtvette]

Hello I've finally had it with CrapCast cable and after searching the web and talking to friends/co-workers I've decided to go with DirecTV. I'm planning on ordering service right after Christmas (great deal going on now expires at the end of the month) and install hopefully taking place soon after.

I would like to run my own cables as I'm doing a bit of wiring work for some new lighting in the house this week and I'll be in many of the walls where the coax will run.

From searching the forum here I've concluded the following:

I will run all new RG6 with a minimum rating of 2500mhz.

I will use RG6 quad fittings with compression sleeves



My questions are the following:

Do I need a Multi-switch (like the Zinwell WB68) for anything more than one TV? (I have 2 TV's I want to run service to).

Will DirecTV supply the WB68 if I need one as part of the installation package?

If I need one and DirecTV does not supply can I buy my own locally and install it?



I assume the following to be correct:

From the dish mounted on the house a coax cable runs into the house then to a splitter (Zinwell WB68) then off to each TV. Is this correct?

any help would be greatly appreciated thanks!

[akhicks]

welcome. you will need to run one rg6 for a basic receiver and two for a dvr or just run two anyway just in case. im sure you will be getting a kaku (au9). you will need four lines running to the dish. the installer will run the lines from the dish to where you ran the receiver lines, make sure you pull them to a central location like the attic or a general location that is accesable. if a multiswitch is needed the tech will provide it with the dish, if it is not needed it will not be installed. the dish is able to run four basic receivers or two dvr's or two basic and one dvr. hope this helps.

[carl6]

I would recommend at least two RG6 runs to each TV location. If you also want over-the-air (OTA) or need cable for internet, then run additional for either/each.

While your running wire, put a cat5e or cat6 ethernet line at each location, and a phone jack at each location.

The recommendation is for RG6 with solid copper center conductor. If your runs are going to be of any substantial length (dish to receiver over 100 feet) the solid copper center is essential. Quad shield is okay but you normally don't need it.

For two TV locations you won't need a multiswitch, even if you put a DVR at both locations. A DVR has two tuners, therefore needs two coax. A regular receiver has one tuner, therefore needs a single coax. The dish has four outputs.

Have the installer run all 4 coax lines from the dish to wherever your common/central point is even though you don't need a multiswitch now. If you expand in the future, you will need one, and having everything wired to one point makes it easy to add in the future.

Carl

[Bill Broderick]

Have the installer run all 4 coax lines from the dish to wherever your common/central point is even though you don't need a multiswitch now. If you expand in the future, you will need one, and having everything wired to one point makes it easy to add in the future.


Great advice.

[vtvette]

The ceiling in my laundry room in my basement is not finished and the room adjoins the wall where the dish will be installed (I live in a condo, and the neighbors just got DirecTV a month or two ago and I assume they will mount my dish where they mounted theirs).

I will run two leads to each bedroom and two to the livingroom. I will have all leads run to the wall where the dish will be installed. From there the DirecTV installer can run his leads to the dish.

One more question - do I need to buy a dish or is it provided as part of the equipment lease?

Great advice everyone thanks!

[litzdog911]

DirecTV will provide the dish with your installation.