i can get swm8's

[Michael D'Angelo]

the swm5's have been discontinued. there are still a few floating around out there though.

Thanks Dave. I never realized they were ever made available except for the testers here.

[dave29]

Thanks Dave. I never realized they were ever made available except for the testers here.

they were available in some test markets for awhile. i know that there were a ton of them in the new england area

[Spin]

Got mine last friday and everything is working great. Thanks Dave.

[jsmuga]

you can power multiple swm's off of the legacy port 3, but it requires a mdu style power inserter and a "special" splitter.

Can you use the legacy port 3 on each swm with 2 pi's that usually comes with the swm's, each pi going to the L3 port? Then use the swm1/pwr port to power a 4way splitter.

[dave29]

i have never tried it with the residential power inserter. you can always just hook the power inserter to swm port 1 and then cap off the output of the power inserter and run your 1x4 splitter off of the swm port 2

[doctor j]

Can you use the legacy port 3 on each swm with 2 pi's that usually comes with the swm's, each pi going to the L3 port? Then use the swm1/pwr port to power a 4way splitter.

See this sonora information.

http://www.sonoradesign.com/slide_display.php?presentationId=30&slideId=77&target=commercial


Looks like you can power the swm with anything 20 to 30 volts DC.
Also can power both SWM with one PI and power passing 2 way splitter

Doctor j

[DtvSlave]

R the H20-100 compatible with the swm8 and 5

[Michael D'Angelo]

R the H20-100 compatible with the swm8 and 5

yes

[dave29]

hr20/21
h20/21
r16
r22
d12
are all compatible

[sportsfan919]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but does anyone use any "special" installers that know what they're doing when doing a new DirecTV setup with the SWM8? When I had my HD setup done, I was babysitting the DirecTV guy the whole time with the SWM8, but now a neighbor of mine in my condo complex wants a new setup with the SWM8, but is not as familiar with it as me, and I know the installer will not be of help either...
I'm in Los Angeles-
Thanks-

[litzdog911]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but does anyone use any "special" installers that know what they're doing when doing a new DirecTV setup with the SWM8? When I had my HD setup done, I was babysitting the DirecTV guy the whole time with the SWM8, but now a neighbor of mine in my condo complex wants a new setup with the SWM8, but is not as familiar with it as me, and I know the installer will not be of help either...
I'm in Los Angeles-
Thanks-

Condos have their own specialist installers. Check out the MDU Forum here ....
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=136

[dave29]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but does anyone use any "special" installers that know what they're doing when doing a new DirecTV setup with the SWM8? When I had my HD setup done, I was babysitting the DirecTV guy the whole time with the SWM8, but now a neighbor of mine in my condo complex wants a new setup with the SWM8, but is not as familiar with it as me, and I know the installer will not be of help either...
I'm in Los Angeles-
Thanks-

if you know how to do it, why dont you do it for him?

[DtvSlave]

hr20/21
h20/21
r16
r22
d12
are all compatible

Can you run 2 swm5's together like you can the 8's? I tried today in one cabin (it is a 2 story cabin, 5 tv's in each. One dish on the roof with 2 lines ran in, one to each cabin) we had an h21-100 and 4 h20-100's the h21 worked fine but the h20's had serious problems! alot of missing transponders, and the final faze of setup wouldn't complete (aquiring guide data - stuck at zero)

Have to go bach tomorrow and figure out what is going on and how to fix it

[ironwood]

What will happen if you use dual power passing on a swm8 and 6x16 config? will it burn up? The reason why i ask is because i did that config on an install on Sat. with both legs power passing and it work fine. just wondering if it is going to have problems later?

When i looked at the wiring diagrams it just says "hi feq. splitter" and doesn't say anything about single or dual power passing so i used dual.

Dual swm8 (http://www.weaknees.com/pdf/dual-swm-switches.pdf)

Swm8 and 6x16 (http://www.weaknees.com/pdf/swm-wb68.pdf)

What happened to FlexPorts on the switch? Is it just a wrong diagram?

[DtvSlave]

What happened to FlexPorts on the switch? Is it just a wrong diagram?

The flex ports are there, but i believe they are for adding the 72.5 and the 95 sats

[dave29]

Can you run 2 swm5's together like you can the 8's? I tried today in one cabin (it is a 2 story cabin, 5 tv's in each. One dish on the roof with 2 lines ran in, one to each cabin) we had an h21-100 and 4 h20-100's the h21 worked fine but the h20's had serious problems! alot of missing transponders, and the final faze of setup wouldn't complete (aquiring guide data - stuck at zero)

Have to go bach tomorrow and figure out what is going on and how to fix it

good luck with those h20's, some of them have been known to be buggy

[DtvSlave]

good luck with those h20's, some of them have been known to be buggy

OUCH! that is not what i wanted to hear - got 16 of them going in

[dave29]

why are you using swm's with non-dvr recievers? are they all in one area with only one cable run?

[David MacLeod]

why are you using swm's with non-dvr recievers? are they all in one area with only one cable run?
if setup correctly (leaving correct # of unused ports on swm unit) could this setup be utilized this way to allow future expansion to 1 dvr per line with no other cable runs or hardware work needed?
I find the swm interesting thats why I ask.

[Michael D'Angelo]

if setup correctly (leaving correct # of unused ports on swm unit) could this setup be utilized this way to allow future expansion to 1 dvr per line with no other cable runs or hardware work needed?
I find the swm interesting thats why I ask.

The SWM8 has two FTM (SWM) outputs that can handle up to 8 channels (tuners). So that means 4 DVR's or 8 receivers or any other combination you want.

The SWM will work with the HR20, HR21, H21, H20, R22, R16, and D12.

If you only set it up for 4 HD receivers right now you could swap them out later to HD DVR's and it will work without having to change anything.

[dave29]

if setup correctly (leaving correct # of unused ports on swm unit) could this setup be utilized this way to allow future expansion to 1 dvr per line with no other cable runs or hardware work needed?
I find the swm interesting thats why I ask.

as mike said;)

[jwd45244]

good luck with those h20's, some of them have been known to be buggy

The H20 with the latest firmware (Cutting Edge) is fine with SWM

[David MacLeod]

thanks guys, interesting technology :)

[dave29]

The H20 with the latest firmware (Cutting Edge) is fine with SWM

i never do any ce's on the h20's i have, just the hr20's and hr21. that is good to know though!

[DtvSlave]

why are you using swm's with non-dvr recievers? are they all in one area with only one cable run?

This place used to have dish. there are 4 cabins, one 2 story and two single story. There are 5 bedrooms and a livingroom tv's in each cabin. There are only two dishes (slimline) with 2 coax from it one going to each cabin and the mgt. does not want any cable ran on the outside, the want to use existing cable, thus the swm.

by mounting two swm at each dish, putting a power inserted in each cabin, changing the h20-100's to h21-100 we are able to power all 5 tv's in each cabin with only the one line into the cabin.

[dave29]

This place used to have dish. there are 4 cabins, one 2 story and two single story. There are 5 bedrooms and a livingroom tv's in each cabin. There are only two dishes (slimline) with 2 coax from it one going to each cabin and the mgt. does not want any cable ran on the outside, the want to use existing cable, thus the swm.

by mounting two swm at each dish, putting a power inserted in each cabin, changing the h20-100's to h21-100 we are able to power all 5 tv's in each cabin with only the one line into the cabin.

so... there are 2 dishesto feed 4 cabins? you are putting 2 swm5's at each dish and each swm5 is feeding a cabin? did you get your receivers working today or are they still messed up?

[dave29]

are you using 4 single or power pass splitters at each dish and running 4 cables into each swm5?

[DtvSlave]

the old dish was dish network so it isn't being used now there is only one slimline feeding 2 cabins.

The customer didn't want (if possible) any more holes or unsitely wires ran into the building, so with one line running to each cabin, our only option was to run 2 more cables from the slimline (now total of 4) into 4 power passing splitters, those splitters ran to 2 swm5's that was also mounted at the dish. Now we were able to use just the single line that was running into each cabin and put the PI at the end of the line in the mech. room, where we ran from the PI to an 8 way splitter to feed the 5 receivers in each cabin. (they know not to hook into the extra 3 ports on the 8 way splitter).

It was a treat i tell ya but i guess they cared more about the cosmetic look of their cabins than money. They just didn't want to see any ugly mess on the sides of the cabins.

[dave29]

the old dish was dish network so it isn't being used now there is only one slimline feeding 2 cabins.

The customer didn't want (if possible) any more holes or unsitely wires ran into the building, so with one line running to each cabin, our only option was to run 2 more cables from the slimline (now total of 4) into 4 power passing splitters, those splitters ran to 2 swm5's that was also mounted at the dish. Now we were able to use just the single line that was running into each cabin and put the PI at the end of the line in the mech. room, where we ran from the PI to an 8 way splitter to feed the 5 receivers in each cabin. (they know not to hook into the extra 3 ports on the 8 way splitter).

It was a treat i tell ya but i guess they cared more about the cosmetic look of their cabins than money. They just didn't want to see any ugly mess on the sides of the cabins.

good job, sounds like you got it. :)

[DtvSlave]

Yeah we had to change out all 16 h20-100 for h21-100 because the swm5 was FW version 1.0.0 and didn't work with the h20's

[dave29]

Yeah we had to change out all 16 h20-100 for h21-100 because the swm5 was FW version 1.0.0 and didn't work with the h20's

seems like it would have been cheaper to get different swm's;)

[veryoldschool]

seems like it would have been cheaper to get different swm's;)
"Me thinks" it was the H20s and not the firmware. "1.0.0" can't download software off a SWM port [but works for H20s "if they work" off a SWM]. Downloads need to be done off a legacy port, for firmware before 1.0.4.

[jsmuga]

I tried a two SWM8 install today and was not successful. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Setup Dish>4 STS2 splitters one leg power pass->2 SWM8's->2 SWM8PI's -> 2 SWS4 splitters. 4 HR21-700's 1 HR21-200.

Problems encountered :
1) One SWM worked signals were great except for 103 (all zeroes) where I get some HD and locals. All the cables from the STS-2 power pass side went to this SWM8.
2) I could not get the other SWM8 to work at all got searching for signal.
3) I did trouble shooting for hours switching all cables.
4) I know the following work 1 SWM8, both SWM8 PI's not sure about the 4 STS2 splitters or the other SWM8.
5) All receivers at one point saw the working SWM8 but never the 103 Sat.

Thanks in advance for your help....


Update from last weekend:

I replaced one of the SWM's and everything worked. :hurah: :hurah: :hurah:

[dave29]

hmmm, i wonder why 1 swm would cause both not to work?

[jsmuga]

If I have power outage with the swm's are there any issues when the electricity comes back on. I am just asking because I had to start the receivers one at a time on the initial setup.

[Michael D'Angelo]

If I have power outage with the swm's are there any issues when the electricity comes back on. I am just asking because I had to start the receivers one at a time on the initial setup.

I actually put my PI for my SWM on a UPS because when I first got it two times I lost power and when the power came back on my HD DVR's started to boot before it got a SAT signal because the PI was not ready yet and and I to reboot because I was not getting a signal.

[David MacLeod]

my units and wb616 switch are also on ups, I would expect swm to act the same as these in this case.

[jsmuga]

I actually put my PI for my SWM on a UPS because when I first got it two times I lost power and when the power came back on my HD DVR's started to boot before it got a SAT signal because the PI was not ready yet and and I to reboot because I was not getting a signal.

Good idea thanks...

[dave29]

all of my power inserters and dvr's are on ups'

[Sixto]

all of my power inserters and dvr's are on ups'same here. all on UPS.

[houskamp]

mines on same ups as my 1st DVR.. along with my anttenna amp.. doesn't make sense to have the DVR running without any signal :)

[dave29]

mines on same ups as my 1st DVR.. along with my anttenna amp.. doesn't make sense to have the DVR running without any signal :)

thats right!:lol:

[veryoldschool]

just to be the "odd man out", my SWM isn't on a UPS and I've lost power once or twice. Don't remember having a boot problem either. I guess the SWM boots fairly quickly.

[hdtvfan0001]

mines on same ups as my 1st DVR.. along with my anttenna amp.. doesn't make sense to have the DVR running without any signal :)
Same setup here for same reason.

[dave29]

i have 1 swm5 that just became available(along with some 8's as usual)

[dave29]

make that 2-swm5's

[notnufbw]

I'm confused over the SWM1 and SWM2 outputs of the SWM8. I understand they handle a total of 8 tuners but does that mean they each handle 4 channels and both need to be used to get up to 8 tuners or will either output handle up to 8 tuners if the other is not used? Hope my question makes sense.

Thanks,

VR

[Michael D'Angelo]

I'm confused over the SWM1 and SWM2 outputs of the SWM8. I understand they handle a total of 8 tuners but does that mean they each handle 4 channels and both need to be used to get up to 8 tuners or will either output handle up to 8 tuners if the other is not used? Hope my question makes sense.

Thanks,

VR

Either one can handle up to 8 tuners. If you want to use both you can use whatever amount off of either one you want.

[David MacLeod]

make that 2-swm5's
few splitters/diplexers, some superglue, market them as an SWM 10 :)

[notnufbw]

Either one can handle up to 8 tuners. If you want to use both you can use whatever amount off of either one you want.

Okay, thanks for clearing that up.

VR

[MyDogHasFleas]

I'm confused over the SWM1 and SWM2 outputs of the SWM8. I understand they handle a total of 8 tuners but does that mean they each handle 4 channels and both need to be used to get up to 8 tuners or will either output handle up to 8 tuners if the other is not used? Hope my question makes sense.

Thanks,

VR

The SWM1 and SWM2 are basically pre-split outputs for you. You can use one or the other or both and it doesn't really matter, it's just for convenience. All 8 channels are available on both sides.

The way to think of SWM is that it multiplexes 8 channels on the coax, plus one reverse channel. The reverse channel is for the STBs to tell the SWM which 8 channels to put on the coax. That is why there is an 8 tuner max.

[carl6]

The SWM1 and SWM2 are basically pre-split outputs for you. You can use one or the other or both and it doesn't really matter, it's just for convenience. All 8 channels are available on both sides.

The way to think of SWM is that it multiplexes 8 channels on the coax, plus one reverse channel. The reverse channel is for the STBs to tell the SWM which 8 channels to put on the coax. That is why there is an 8 tuner max.

Just keep in mind it is 8 total, not 8 per output. You could do 8 and 0, 6 and 2, 4 and 4, etc., so long as the total tuner count does not exceed 8.

Carl

[DaBearsfan]

Hi Dave,

How much are the SWM8's currently?

[veryoldschool]

The way to think of SWM is that it multiplexes 8 channels on the coax, plus one reverse channel. The reverse channel is for the STBs to tell the SWM which 8 channels to put on the coax. That is why there is an 8 tuner max.
Multiplexing really isn't the correct choice, as it refers to combining the signals into one signal [time sharing], while the SWM has 9 channels [at different frequencies] for the receivers and a 10th comm [or control] signal to the SWM from the receivers.

[David MacLeod]

Multiplexing really isn't the correct choice, as it refers to combining the signals into one signal [time sharing], while the SWM has 9 channels [at different frequencies] for the receivers and a 10th comm [or control] signal to the SWM from the receivers.
thats more of a stacker design right?

[Sirshagg]

I'm sure glad I picked one of these guys up from Dave29 instead of waiting for DirecTv to get them out to us lowly consumers. :)

[veryoldschool]

thats more of a stacker design right?
"sort of" [as yes there are nine channels from 974 MHz to above 1790 MHz], but then isn't "normal" TV or cable "stacked" then?]
With SAT "stacking" they upconvert all of the even transponders to above the odd transponders and so "everything" is on the line. The SWM preselects "a transponder" and converts it to the receiver's [tuner's] "channel".

[dave29]

I'm confused over the SWM1 and SWM2 outputs of the SWM8. I understand they handle a total of 8 tuners but does that mean they each handle 4 channels and both need to be used to get up to 8 tuners or will either output handle up to 8 tuners if the other is not used? Hope my question makes sense.

Thanks,

VR

the 2 outputs on the swm8 were mainly designed to feed two units(apartments, condos, ect)4 tuners for each unit

[dave29]

few splitters/diplexers, some superglue, market them as an SWM 10 :)

are you interested:lol:

[dropper]

Hope someone can help on this: Often and usually only on MSNBC(356) I get what appears to be a crossed signal, where it seems an XM station will come in for the audio and the video will freeze. It will last for a few seconds and then return to normal.

This only seems to happen on my HR20-700 and not on my HR21-200. Both are hooked up to the SWM8 that I got a few months back and are off the same port. Power is by itself on the other port.

The signals seem to be quite strong for all of the sats and the SWM channels, so is it possibly a problem with the HR20?

Keith

[carl6]

Hope someone can help on this: Often and usually only on MSNBC(356) I get what appears to be a crossed signal, where it seems an XM station will come in for the audio and the video will freeze. It will last for a few seconds and then return to normal.

This only seems to happen on my HR20-700 and not on my HR21-200. Both are hooked up to the SWM8 that I got a few months back and are off the same port.

The signals seem to be quite strong for all of the sats and the SWM channels, so is it possibly a problem with the HR20?

Keith

First question is how many tuners are being fed by the SWM? It can handle a total of 8 tuners (4 DVRs or 8 non-DVR receivers). If you exceed that, you can get unpredictable results.

Second thing to check is the connections between the dish and the SWM. Make sure all 4 are good, all connectors are good, etc. Loss of signal on one of those inputs might produce unusualy symptoms.

Carl

[bgottschalk]

make that 2-swm5's


Any estimate on price (if they are not gone :))?

Sorry to be so clueless, but am I correct that I would still need 4 lines coming into the house from the dish to use this for 2 HD-DVR's?

[veryoldschool]

Any estimate on price (if they are not gone :))?

Sorry to be so clueless, but am I correct that I would still need 4 lines coming into the house from the dish to use this for 2 HD-DVR's?
All SWMs need the same four inputs from the dish to be able to get all of the channels [at the same time]. You can/could mount the SWM near the dish and run one or two cable to your inside "center" where the power inserter can be [used to power the SWM], and then split off a single coax to each receiver location.

[dropper]

First question is how many tuners are being fed by the SWM? It can handle a total of 8 tuners (4 DVRs or 8 non-DVR receivers). If you exceed that, you can get unpredictable results.

Second thing to check is the connections between the dish and the SWM. Make sure all 4 are good, all connectors are good, etc. Loss of signal on one of those inputs might produce unusualy symptoms.

Carl

Total of 4 tuners, as specified by the original post. I can double check the connections, but I don't see it happening on the HR21, so it wouldn't make sense on the input side of things. My signals for the SWM are 98 98 88 88 98 88 88 88 88, or similar. The firmware for the SWM is 1.0.8 and the library is 1.0.0.

Keith

[carl6]

Total of 4 tuners, as specified by the original post. I can double check the connections, but I don't see it happening on the HR21, so it wouldn't make sense on the input side of things. My signals for the SWM are 98 98 88 88 98 88 88 88 88, or similar. The firmware for the SWM is 1.0.8 and the library is 1.0.0.

Keith

Sorry, your first post did mention an HR20 and an HR21, but it did not say those were your only receivers, which is why I wanted to clarify that.

If you have not done a reset on the problem unit, try that first.

If the reset does not resolve the problem, then power down (unplug power) both DVRs and the SWM. Wait a couple of minutes, then plug in the SWM. Then power up the DVRs one at a time.

Carl

[dropper]

Sorry, your first post did mention an HR20 and an HR21, but it did not say those were your only receivers, which is why I wanted to clarify that.

If you have not done a reset on the problem unit, try that first.

If the reset does not resolve the problem, then power down (unplug power) both DVRs and the SWM. Wait a couple of minutes, then plug in the SWM. Then power up the DVRs one at a time.

Carl

I will give that a shot. I have reset it (each time I do a CE).

Keith

[heathramos]

I am a little confused

what hardware do you need in order to set this up?

a new dish? multiswitch? power inserter?

[dave29]

depends on the setup.
with a swm8, all you need is it and a power inserter(use your existing dish.
and now there is a swm lnb coming out, it goes in the slimline dish and you need a powe inserter for it also.
the swm lnb will only support 8 tuners though, if you need more you will have to add another dish.
with the swm8, you only need one dish and you can add more swm8's or wb68's ect.., with power passing splitters

[dave29]

i have 2 swm lnb's available if anyone is interested

[mrnygiants]

i have 2 swm lnb's available if anyone is interested

how much?

[dave29]

i have 2 swm lnb's available if anyone is interested

they were gone sunday. will have more on friday

[sportsfan919]

I am still getting "Searching for Satellite 771" error messages with my HR21 and H20. When everything is working right, I have strong SAT levels from 93 -100. But then, periodically I will get Searching for Satellite messages very randomly, and all my SAT levels drop to 0. On my HR21, sometimes, the first Tuner will search for satellite, but then the 2nd tuner will be fine, which is bizarre (or sometimes they both are out). And usually the H20 is out at the same time the HR21 is out. It will periodically come and go- usually it happens about 30-45 seconds each day. Sometimes up to 1-2 minutes, where I can’t watch any picture, or sometimes it's out for 30 minutes, or I get a lot of pixellation. Sometimes, it will magically "correct" itself, or other times, I unplug and plug back in the power inserter.

My setup is SWM Port 1 > 85 feet of coax to Power Inserter > 2 Way Splitter > HR21 SWM Input and H20 receiver. No BBCs installed.
I also am using the Legacy Port 1 to go directly to an older SD DirecTV receiver (an old Hughes TiVO) With my old TiVO, it works perfectly- it is not being affected.
And the SWM Port 2 was just hooked up as well to > 100 feet of coax > 2 way splitter > HR21 & HR20. And that HR21 & HR20 is now getting the error message as well here and there.

Thought it was the position of the dish, but the DirecTV guy has been out 2 times already to perfect that. And I live in sunny Los Angeles, so rain fade can't be an issue, and I have a direct line of sight to the south sky without any blockage.

I have noticed that when it happens, and I unplug and replug in the power inserter- it corrects itself right away. Could I have a bad power inserter? Or maybe the LNBs on my dish are bad?


Thanks-
Brian

[robertr2112]

I have what I hope is a quick question. I have an old Terk 4x8 msw that is powered and an SWM8. I bought 4 5-2250 Mhz splitters and split the inputs from the dish to the inputs on both the 4x8 and the SWM8. When I try to use both switches I can no signal from the SWM and some of the channels don't work on the 4x8. I can only get each switch to work if the dish inputs are directly inputed to that switch. I thought this was doable. Is my problem with the diplexers on with the 4x8 switch that I'm trying to use with the SWM8?

If it helps, the channels that disappear are my local channels which I know are spot-beamed and other random channels.

Bob

[doctor j]

I have what I hope is a quick question. I have an old Terk 4x8 msw that is powered and an SWM8. I bought 4 5-2250 Mhz splitters and split the inputs from the dish to the inputs on both the 4x8 and the SWM8. When I try to use both switches I can no signal from the SWM and some of the channels don't work on the 4x8. I can only get each switch to work if the dish inputs are directly inputed to that switch. I thought this was doable. Is my problem with the diplexers on with the 4x8 switch that I'm trying to use with the SWM8?

If it helps, the channels that disappear are my local channels which I know are spot-beamed and other random channels.

Bob

Problem is most likely power passing on the splitters.
I would think that power from the terk if able to get back to the SWM wouldn't go well. That could happen if both sides pass power.

I'd use one side power passing and try power from SWM .
If that doesn 't work try the other way.

I use a sonora HRPID1422 to solve power issues like this.

Doctor j

[carl6]

I have what I hope is a quick question. I have an old Terk 4x8 msw that is powered and an SWM8. I bought 4 5-2250 Mhz splitters and split the inputs from the dish to the inputs on both the 4x8 and the SWM8. When I try to use both switches I can no signal from the SWM and some of the channels don't work on the 4x8. I can only get each switch to work if the dish inputs are directly inputed to that switch. I thought this was doable. Is my problem with the diplexers on with the 4x8 switch that I'm trying to use with the SWM8?

If it helps, the channels that disappear are my local channels which I know are spot-beamed and other random channels.

Bob

You should be able to use those two in the manner described. As doctor j noted, use one port power passing splitters. Also, make sure that the same feed from the dish goes to the same input on both switches (13V no tone, 18V no tone, 13V tone, 18V tone). If you mix those you will get very unpredictable results.

Carl

[dave29]

I am still getting "Searching for Satellite 771" error messages with my HR21 and H20. When everything is working right, I have strong SAT levels from 93 -100. But then, periodically I will get Searching for Satellite messages very randomly, and all my SAT levels drop to 0. On my HR21, sometimes, the first Tuner will search for satellite, but then the 2nd tuner will be fine, which is bizarre (or sometimes they both are out). And usually the H20 is out at the same time the HR21 is out. It will periodically come and go- usually it happens about 30-45 seconds each day. Sometimes up to 1-2 minutes, where I can’t watch any picture, or sometimes it's out for 30 minutes, or I get a lot of pixellation. Sometimes, it will magically "correct" itself, or other times, I unplug and plug back in the power inserter.

My setup is SWM Port 1 > 85 feet of coax to Power Inserter > 2 Way Splitter > HR21 SWM Input and H20 receiver. No BBCs installed.
I also am using the Legacy Port 1 to go directly to an older SD DirecTV receiver (an old Hughes TiVO) With my old TiVO, it works perfectly- it is not being affected.
And the SWM Port 2 was just hooked up as well to > 100 feet of coax > 2 way splitter > HR21 & HR20. And that HR21 & HR20 is now getting the error message as well here and there.

Thought it was the position of the dish, but the DirecTV guy has been out 2 times already to perfect that. And I live in sunny Los Angeles, so rain fade can't be an issue, and I have a direct line of sight to the south sky without any blockage.

I have noticed that when it happens, and I unplug and replug in the power inserter- it corrects itself right away. Could I have a bad power inserter? Or maybe the LNBs on my dish are bad?


Thanks-
Brian


next time it happens, go directly to your power inserter and look thru the vent holes to see if the green light is lit up.

[Kansas Zephyr]

I've had trouble with the SWM recovering after both brief and longer power losses.

The green light in the PI comes back on, but none of the FTM, nor legacy ports pass a signal to their IRDs.

These last couple of times, I thought either the PI or SWM was fried after several unplug, wait 15 minutes, or more, and plug in again sessions to no avail. Finally, after several more attempts it came back to life.

Needless to say I've just put the SWM PI, an HR-20, and its FAP 750Gb HD all on a UPS.

No more of that nonsense, I hope.

[dave29]

all of mine are on ups's as well, therefore i have no experience with any power outages on the swm and PI.

[daboat2xblx]

Is there any information available from the SWM for debugging besides the light on the power inserter? We had a bad storm here in Raleigh Durham last night and I woke up this morning to "searching for signal". My HR21 cannot see the SWM firmware. I removed the SWM and I can now get signal from the dish (though of course only tuner 1). I am trying to figure out if my SWM is bad or if there is something else I can do to debug this issue.

Thanks,
Brian

[Michael D'Angelo]

Is there any information available from the SWM for debugging besides the light on the power inserter? We had a bad storm here in Raleigh Durham last night and I woke up this morning to "searching for signal". My HR21 cannot see the SWM firmware. I removed the SWM and I can now get signal from the dish (though of course only tuner 1). I am trying to figure out if my SWM is bad or if there is something else I can do to debug this issue.

Thanks,
Brian

Try unplugging your receiver(s) and the SWM for a few minutes. Then plug the SWM back in and then the receiver(s).

[tequila tim]

So I'm on a classic DirecTV roller-coaster (probably an all-too common story from the sound of it)...any advice on how to minimize my upgrade costs and installation hassles would be appreciated:

1. Called to upgrade 3 LNB to 5 LNB for HD -- tech couldn't relocate dish to get all the satellites.

2. Ditto for service call #2

3. Supervisor comes up, is able to site 5 LNB dish but about 130' from my house. He runs two wires to connect to my older ones, but suggests SWIM to avoid running four long cable runs and for other advantages. I put in for service call #4, to install SWIM LNB and switches.

4. Tech comes out this AM, but of course with no SWIM LNB on the truck (this after hours on the phone yesterday and promises that they will have)

5. Today at 8:30pm, I win an eBay auction for a SWIM LNB plus 4 and 8 switches for $86! F%#@ DirecTV. I'll just install my own I guess, and upgrade my remaining receivers/DVRs to SWIM-capable ones. I currently have one HR21 DVR, but need to upgrade a 10-250 DVR unit and two older Sony A-51s to SWM capable ones (sounds like will be ~$400 total at Best Buy).

If DirecTV comes up with another LNB, I'll put one back on eBay soon -- but I'm not holding my breath! The SWIM system sounds ideal for my installation...imagine this will all become more routine in a few months but right now it is bleeding edge dealing with all these DTV fu¢*$ and the shortage of SWIM hardware.

Tequila Tim

[SSpectre]

I've had trouble with the SWM recovering after both brief and longer power losses.

The green light in the PI comes back on, but none of the FTM, nor legacy ports pass a signal to their IRDs.

These last couple of times, I thought either the PI or SWM was fried after several unplug, wait 15 minutes, or more, and plug in again sessions to no avail. Finally, after several more attempts it came back to life.

Needless to say I've just put the SWM PI, an HR-20, and its FAP 750Gb HD all on a UPS.

No more of that nonsense, I hope.

Same thing happens to me (in fact I have the box and PI unplugged right now trying to get it all to reset because the power flickered this morning). I'm looking to get a UPS.

[daboat2xblx]

Does anyone have any other SWM tricks? I've tried power cycling & waiting 15 minutes about a half dozen times and still no luck getting it to come back to life.

[dave29]

i got an email from my salesman today on the swm8's and power inserters. they dropped their price quite a bit and now they are going to be $195 shipped if anyone is interested.

[Kansas Zephyr]

Well...I just had to replace the FTM module.

I hope that having this one on a UPS, from day one will help.

Another thought...thanks to the way my house came wired, my FTM must be outside. I have it in a weather resistant box (sprinkler control box from Lowe's) to "protect" it, and hide the accompanying birds nest of coax, etc.

Could it be overheating? I wonder.

[JimTed]

I have a new SWM8 but it is not connected to a UPS. What happens to the function of the SWM8 after temporary power loss? Do all the receivers also have to be reset? Any recommendations on a cost effective UPS?

Thanks,
JimTed

[houskamp]

I have a new SWM8 but it is not connected to a UPS. What happens to the function of the SWM8 after temporary power loss? Do all the receivers also have to be reset? Any recommendations on a cost effective UPS?

Thanks,
JimTed
doesn't pull much.. just about any namebrand ups should do.. mine is on an extension cord off my main system..
usualy the recievers recover, but some may need a reboot..

also if you have an antenna amp, add it in too :)

[Iwanthd]

Well...I just had to replace the FTM module.

I hope that having this one on a UPS, from day one will help.

Another thought...thanks to the way my house came wired, my FTM must be outside. I have it in a weather resistant box (sprinkler control box from Lowe's) to "protect" it, and hide the accompanying birds nest of coax, etc.

Could it be overheating? I wonder.

I'm kind of in the same boat.
What box did you use and how did you do it? A diagram or picture would be great. Thanks for your help.

[JustRob]

*SNIP*
You will love the SWM8!

Because it is an active device, I saw a jump in signal levels too!
- Craig

Craig, can you confirm if the "active" implies either:
1) Only SAT signals are amplified, or
2) SAT + OTA signals are amplified

Thanks!

[veryoldschool]

Craig, can you confirm if the "active" implies either:
1) Only SAT signals are amplified
Thanks!
#1

[grizbear]

I have a new SWM8 but it is not connected to a UPS. What happens to the function of the SWM8 after temporary power loss? Do all the receivers also have to be reset? Any recommendations on a cost effective UPS?

Thanks,
JimTed

Have SWM8 here and no UPS. Have had several power outages and no problem with SWM8 coming up after power down. No resets, just usual bootup.

[drx792]

Dave, i just wanted to take a sec out and apologize for me frequently telling you in PMs that id be ordering a SWM.(and all that crap about me needing to send a money order and stuff) Money has been a varying problem preventing me from getting that money order. But i wanted to let you know im clearing everything up. by the middle of August i will have my PayPal re set up ready to finally make that purchase :lol:

[hdtvfan0001]

Have SWM8 here and no UPS. Have had several power outages and no problem with SWM8 coming up after power down. No resets, just usual bootup.
Just as an FYI....the SWM Power Injector (PI) is very touchy for even moderate power surges and can get easily "fried". That's the voice of experience speaking, who now has a UPS on his SWM equipment.

[dave29]

Dave, i just wanted to take a sec out and apologize for me frequently telling you in PMs that id be ordering a SWM.(and all that crap about me needing to send a money order and stuff) Money has been a varying problem preventing me from getting that money order. But i wanted to let you know im clearing everything up. by the middle of August i will have my PayPal re set up ready to finally make that purchase :lol:

:lol: im not worried about it;)

[aleicgrant]

hey all. this might be a tough question to answer but I will give it a shot.

Looking at having a cctv security system installed. Because its nearly impossible to access the attic and drop wires (why I have SWM like the rest of us) I have to use a diplex or modulator to distrbute the video. Question is, with an SWM can I even do this? the installer has never seen a swm before and hasnt come up with a solid way to get the video around the house.

May not be able to get an answer here but thought I would try as I know we have a lot of smart people here.

thanks

[houskamp]

hey all. this might be a tough question to answer but I will give it a shot.

Looking at having a cctv security system installed. Because its nearly impossible to access the attic and drop wires (why I have SWM like the rest of us) I have to use a diplex or modulator to distrbute the video. Question is, with an SWM can I even do this? the installer has never seen a swm before and hasnt come up with a solid way to get the video around the house.

May not be able to get an answer here but thought I would try as I know we have a lot of smart people here.

thanks
you could but it will get tricky with several cameras.. have you looked at wireless ones?

[aleicgrant]

it would be four cameras

Wireless (5.8ghz) could be an option but again its distribution of video. I would need a computer at every tv.

If it were possible with four cameras, how would I set it up?

I COMPLETELY appreciate any help

[houskamp]

it would be four cameras

Wireless (5.8ghz) could be an option but again its distribution of video. I would need a computer at every tv.

If it were possible with four cameras, how would I set it up?

I COMPLETELY appreciate any help
you would need 4 modulators.. they have to be the "programmable" type so you can set them to separate channels (preferably 3 or 4 apart)
then use a standard splitter/combiner to get them to one line (this line will then have all 4 on it)
diplex it into the SWM line (preferably after the PI)
diplex it back out at any SWM line.. you will then have the 4 channels back

[aleicgrant]

ok few questions.

I have splitter now for the coax coming from the dish. Are you saying I need another splitter for the cams then that goes to the diplex.

other issue is the PI is inside the house on the second level. I dont have an attic and the existing cable comes in on one side and distributes to the rest of the house.

sorry for the questions but this is tricky to say the least

[houskamp]

ok few questions.

I have splitter now for the coax coming from the dish. Are you saying I need another splitter for the cams then that goes to the diplex.
yes to combine the four signals from the modulators (one per cam)

other issue is the PI is inside the house on the second level. I dont have an attic and the existing cable comes in on one side and distributes to the rest of the house.


sorry for the questions but this is tricky to say the least
I wouldn't reccomend diplexing before the PI.. you could try it (believe a few have had success) but the diplexer then has to handle the power too..

[carl6]

You can get dual or quad channel modulators, mix the outputs into a single feed, then diplex that into your sat line after the PI. As noted, the modulator channels need to be at least two apart from each other (65, 67, 69, etc.).

Carl

[houskamp]

Almost forgot.. If you have a SWM8 you can use the ota input on it..

[aleicgrant]

I do have the SWM8 and a Skywalker 8 way splitter.

[aleicgrant]

carl, the PI is upstairs far from the SWM so I am not sure how I would diplex that back. Any chance of a quickie diagram for a dummy like me :)

[houskamp]

carl, the PI is upstairs far from the SWM so I am not sure how I would diplex that back. Any chance of a quickie diagram for a dummy like me :)
here you go..

[aleicgrant]

you guys are the best !!!!!!!!!!!

[SSpectre]

Same thing happens to me (in fact I have the box and PI unplugged right now trying to get it all to reset because the power flickered this morning). I'm looking to get a UPS.

The new satellite setup in the 0x0255 firmware allowed me to re-run satellite setup and get my HR21 back up and running without pulling the plugs. If your SWM and receiver get out of sync after power loss, you might want to try that.

The new firmware also adds a Re-run Satellite Setup option to the limited menu that appears when the receiver has no signal.

[evan_s]

Any info yet on the Slimline 3 lnb as far as cost and when you would actually be able to get it?

[dave29]

Any info yet on the Slimline 3 lnb as far as cost and when you would actually be able to get it?

no, not yet

[dropper]

I posted this as an answer to another thread, but since I posted my problem here first, I thought I'd share my findings:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was having a problem with my HR20 and SWM8 with some weird things like channels skipping from MSNBC to Disney or FSSW. One day it was getting particularly bad and upon checking my signals to the SWM8, they would sometimes be in the 90's or drop to 0's. The cabling appeared fine, swapped the splitter for the one recommended here with no change.

Then I tried something out of the blue: I disconnected my eSata (750GB WD) and booted back to the internal. The problems disappeared. SWM8 was solid in the 90's.

Conjecture: Due to bad sectors or reads from the regular HD, the system was getting bogged down causing these issues.

I swapped out the WD for a Seagate DB35.3 750GB drive using the copy method listed elsewhere, here. Only took 5 hours... . But since then, I haven't seen those issues crop up again. The DB35 series is tuned for DVR use (skipping past bad reads instead or retrying).

Keith

[aleicgrant]

ok having a problem with one of my HR21-200 and the SWM

Ok Directv has swapped out two receivers and I cannot for the life of me get tuner 2 to light up????

I have 2 other HR21-700's and they work fine.

This one happens to be a HR21-200 and they should be SWM compatible correct?

I had an HR20 on the same line which worked since I got the SWM months ago but the hard drive died so I know this coax line is fine.

any ideas

Have done the usual power down etc.

Refuses to find that second tuner

[David MacLeod]

ok having a problem with one of my HR21-200 and the SWM

Ok Directv has swapped out two receivers and I cannot for the life of me get tuner 2 to light up????

I have 2 other HR21-700's and they work fine.

This one happens to be a HR21-200 and they should be SWM compatible correct?

I had an HR20 on the same line which worked since I got the SWM months ago but the hard drive died so I know this coax line is fine.

any ideas

Have done the usual power down etc.

Refuses to find that second tuner

also posted in hd dvr forum, I replied there.

[SDizzle]

How much are SWMs these days?!? I really need to step into one!

[Grentz]

Solidsignal has them for around $140 with PI.

[SDizzle]

Solidsignal has them for around $140 with PI.

Cool, I will check that out. Does SWM Dave no longer have them available? I haven't inquired about SWMs in months.

[dave29]

Cool, I will check that out. Does SWM Dave no longer have them available? I haven't inquired about SWMs in months.


solidsignal is the way to go now:) their prices are best

[rudeney]

Solid Signal had a discount code that would get you a SWM8 + PI for $99.99 + S&H, but that expired. Right now, it's $139.99 + S&H. You can get them on eBay for under $100 shipped. I did notice one seller priced at $80, but it looks like he has the wrong power supply. Another seller that lists for $99.99 has a "best offer" policy of $79.99.

[David MacLeod]

also, that was a 29v PI that solid signal offered, I got mine at that price too :)

[rudeney]

Almost forgot.. If you have a SWM8 you can use the ota input on it..

Officially, the OTA port on the SWM8 is for the legacy ports only. Those that have tried it using over the SWM ports find the signal (OTA) is significantly weakened. If you want to diplex OTA with a SWM, you need to do it downstream and not use the SWM8's OTA port. Regardless, diplexing is still not officially support on SWM cabling, although it does appear in practice to work just fine.

[David MacLeod]

Officially, the OTA port on the SWM8 is for the legacy ports only. Those that have tried it using over the SWM ports find the signal (OTA) is significantly weakened. If you want to diplex OTA with a SWM, you need to do it downstream and not use the SWM8's OTA port. Regardless, diplexing is still not officially support on SWM cabling, although it does appear in practice to work just fine.
lol, holy old post bump batman :)

[SDizzle]

Solid Signal had a discount code that would get you a SWM8 + PI for $99.99 + S&H, but that expired. Right now, it's $139.99 + S&H. You can get them on eBay for under $100 shipped. I did notice one seller priced at $80, but it looks like he has the wrong power supply. Another seller that lists for $99.99 has a "best offer" policy of $79.99.

Not sure I would want to buy an swm used on ebay....

[houskamp]

Officially, the OTA port on the SWM8 is for the legacy ports only. Those that have tried it using over the SWM ports find the signal (OTA) is significantly weakened. If you want to diplex OTA with a SWM, you need to do it downstream and not use the SWM8's OTA port. Regardless, diplexing is still not officially support on SWM cabling, although it does appear in practice to work just fine.
1st part is backwards.. OTA port only goes to SWM outputs not legacy ports.. rest is correct tho..

[rudeney]

1st part is backwards.. OTA port only goes to SWM outputs not legacy ports.. rest is correct tho..

Not according to the official D* documentation:

"OTA channels cannot be diplexed down the SWM cable. 8 channel has a built-in diplexer on the Module for use on the Legacy output ports only."

In practice, if you look at the frequency ranges used by the transponder signals on the SWM, it leaves a big hole roughly between 5MHz and 900MHz, which handles OTA quite nicely.

[SDizzle]

Can I get some assistance here on how I would go about hooking up the SWM with my current setup? Splitters, where to put the PI, etc. Currently I have 2 HR20s with 2 lines going to each, my other HR20 and 3 HR21 units all have 1 line only going to each of them. I have the 4 lines from the sidecar going into a WB68 multiswitch.

[houskamp]

Not according to the official D* documentation:

"OTA channels cannot be diplexed down the SWM cable. 8 channel has a built-in diplexer on the Module for use on the Legacy output ports only."

In practice, if you look at the frequency ranges used by the transponder signals on the SWM, it leaves a big hole roughly between 5MHz and 900MHz, which handles OTA quite nicely.
Well I don't know about the "official documentation" but I do know that the OTA in doesn't come out any of the legacy ports.. It does come out the SWM ones (with a split to both ports which causes a lot of the loss)

[houskamp]

Can I get some assistance here on how I would go about hooking up the SWM with my current setup? Splitters, where to put the PI, etc. Currently I have 2 HR20s with 2 lines going to each, my other HR20 and 3 HR21 units all have 1 line only going to each of them. I have the 4 lines from the sidecar going into a WB68 multiswitch.
You could either use 4 powerpass splitters and run aa SWM8 in parallel with your current wb68 or you could cascade the SWM8 off the wb68.. 1st setup is the prefered one and gives a few left over ports on the wb68..

[SDizzle]

You could either use 4 powerpass splitters and run aa SWM8 in parallel with your current wb68 or you could cascade the SWM8 off the wb68.. 1st setup is the prefered one and gives a few left over ports on the wb68..

Thanks Houskamp, if I used splitters, would they need to be specific splitters? How many swm lines would I have available to go to my 4 HDDVRs? I'm thinking I could just take 4 outs from the WB68 to the swm inputs, that leaves 4 on the WB68 to my existing 2 HR20s that already have 2 lines each......yes?!? Run the 4 HDDVRs that only have 1 line run to them off of the SWM??

[houskamp]

Thanks Houskamp, if I used splitters, would they need to be specific splitters? How many swm lines would I have available to go to my 4 HDDVRs? I'm thinking I could just take 4 outs from the WB68 to the swm inputs, that leaves 4 on the WB68 to my existing 2 HR20s that already have 2 lines each......yes?!? Run the 4 HDDVRs that only have 1 line run to them off of the SWM??
correct.. cascaded you would have 4 'old style lines' and can run 8 tuners (4 dvrs) off the one line..

[SDizzle]

correct.. cascaded you would have 4 'old style lines' and can run 8 tuners (4 dvrs) off the one line..

cool. So on the swm8, I would have 4 swm ports....hook 1 line to each and send to my 4 HDDVRs with only coax ran currently....?

[houskamp]

cool. So on the swm8, I would have 4 swm ports....hook 1 line to each and send to my 4 HDDVRs with only coax ran currently....?
swm has 2 outputs for swm.. you can use a splitter to run up to 8 tuners

[SDizzle]

swm has 2 outputs for swm.. you can use a splitter to run up to 8 tuners

Any special splitter??

[Grentz]

Any special splitter??

The SWS splitters are approved for use, but most wideband (5-2500mhz) splitters should work.

[houskamp]

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SWS-8
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SWS-4
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SWS-2
are the recommended ones

[SDizzle]

The SWS splitters are approved for use, but most wideband (5-2500mhz) splitters should work.

I'm thinking if I wanted to run to a local store, what should I grab...? Or, are SWS a type of splitter that solid signal has?

[SDizzle]

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SWS-8
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SWS-4
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SWS-2
are the recommended ones

Thanks HK. When I order up all this stuff and it gets here, how bout coming by for some ST on a Sunday and help me hook this stuff up?!?

[Grentz]

I believe some have had luck with the 5-2000mhz splitters as well which you can find at lowes/home depot/radioshack/etc. if you need a B&M source.

[SDizzle]

I believe some have had luck with the 5-2000mhz splitters as well which you can find at lowes/home depot/radioshack/etc. if you need a B&M source.

Thanks Grentz, if I have to order the SWM from Solid Signal, I might as well get the SWS splitters. So, if I order an SWM8, and I am running 4 HDDVRs off of that switch, I will need 2 of the SWS-2, right?

[rudeney]

I am using a 2MHz to 2GHz 4-port splitter I bought at Lowes on my SWM and it works just fine. One thing to keep in mind is how to route the PI to the SWM. If the PI is to go through any splitters, they must be power-passing, but only on one port. You don't want any of the tuners to be able to pass power back through a splitter to the SWM as that can be a problem. For splitting the dish feeds to multiple switches (SWM's or regular multiswitches), you need to use splitters that pass power on all ports (high bandwidth, of course)

[houskamp]

Thanks Grentz, if I have to order the SWM from Solid Signal, I might as well get the SWS splitters. So, if I order an SWM8, and I am running 4 HDDVRs off of that switch, I will need 2 of the SWS-2, right?
2 of them, or a single 4way.. depends on how you want your cables run..

[SDizzle]

I am using a 2MHz to 2GHz 4-port splitter I bought at Lowes on my SWM and it works just fine. One thing to keep in mind is how to route the PI to the SWM. If the PI is to go through any splitters, they must be power-passing, but only on one port. You don't want any of the tuners to be able to pass power back through a splitter to the SWM as that can be a problem. For splitting the dish feeds to multiple switches (SWM's or regular multiswitches), you need to use splitters that pass power on all ports (high bandwidth, of course)

I have an outlet in my Q panel in my master closet, which is a home run for all RG6 and Cat6 in my house. Can I just hook up the PI in the panel and not by one of the receivers?

[houskamp]

I have an outlet in my Q panel in my master closet, which is a home run for all RG6 and Cat6 in my house. Can I just hook up the PI in the panel and not by one of the receivers?
yep..

[SDizzle]

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm gonna order this stuff up today. Does the PI have to be a minimum coax distance from the SWM?

[Michael D'Angelo]

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm gonna order this stuff up today. Does the PI have to be a minimum coax distance from the SWM?

Yes, at least 15' but you can coil it up if you want.

[SDizzle]

Awesome! Looks like I'm all set, thanks guys. When the product arrives this week....if I have any issues I will come back here with more questions.

[SDizzle]

When I hook up the SWM8, do I need to first unplug all 4 HDDVRs that will be running off of the switch? Hook up all cables and the PI, then plug receivers back in, then go to satellite setup and change switch type to SWM? Am I missing anything?!?

[Grentz]

If the PI is to go through any splitters, they must be power-passing, but only on one port. You don't want any of the tuners to be able to pass power back through a splitter to the SWM as that can be a problem. For splitting the dish feeds to multiple switches (SWM's or regular multiswitches), you need to use splitters that pass power on all ports (high bandwidth, of course)

You can use dual power passing splitters. My 2 way splitter is power passing on both ports and it is just fine.

Non-power passing splitters usually will not necessarily block power on the ports, they just cannot handle it and will potentially blow out if non-power passing ports are used with power.

[SDizzle]

You can use dual power passing splitters. My 2 way splitter is power passing on both ports and it is just fine.

Non-power passing splitters usually will not necessarily block power on the ports, they just cannot handle it and will potentially blow out if non-power passing ports are used with power.

What I plan to do is hook the PI up to one port directly and plug the PI in next to the switch in my Q panel. Then I ordered an SWS-4 from solid signal to come with the SWM, I will hook that up to the other SWM output to run the 4 HDDVRs that will run off of the SWM. The SWS-4 was just cheaper than buying 2 SWS-2 switches, and then running power back through one of the lines........If I'm understanding the installation correctly?!?:)

[Grentz]

Yup, that should work fine.

[Cmnore]

Well I don't know about the "official documentation" but I do know that the OTA in doesn't come out any of the legacy ports.. It does come out the SWM ones (with a split to both ports which causes a lot of the loss)

Guess what I did over the weekend? I WAS using a downstream diplexing setup until I made this change over the weekend, but I noticed I was getting macroblocking artifacts on the weaker stations in my area with the external diplexers. I removed the unit near the SWM output and instead, ran the OTA into the OFF-AIR input on the SWM. Voila! My signal strength returned to a reasonable level, and it looks great again. I would reccomend that you go ahead and try the SWM OFF-AIR internal diplexing feature FIRST. If the results are unsatisfactory - try a downstream solution.

[RAD]

All our ATSC stations (at this time) are UHF and I've had them diplexed via the SWM since I got it, all stations reading in the upper 90's if not 100. Our Fox goes back to ch 7 (VHF Hi) next year, hope it continues to get be a good signal.

[SDizzle]

Much thanks to Housekamp and Grentz for all the help. I hooked up the SWM8 today using 1 SWS-4, cascaded with the WB68 and all works GREAT!!! I was having pixelation on all HD on all my HR21s prior to this (they all only had 1 tuner hooked up) and now I have seen NONE at ALL!! Using the info here made my setup a breeze. I am using the SWM1 port to go directly into the PI which is plugged in right next to the SWM in my Q panel, and the SWM2 port into the SWS-4 to run 4 HR21 DVRs.

Question, could I put an SWS-4 on the SWM1 port and run up to 4 MORE HR2X receivers?!? If I did this, my 2 HR20s could run off of this line and I could eliminate my WB68.:confused:

[houskamp]

Much thanks to Housekamp and Grentz for all the help. I hooked up the SWM8 today using 1 SWS-4, cascaded with the WB68 and all works GREAT!!! I was having pixelation on all HD on all my HR21s prior to this (they all only had 1 tuner hooked up) and now I have seen NONE at ALL!! Using the info here made my setup a breeze. I am using the SWM1 port to go directly into the PI which is plugged in right next to the SWM in my Q panel, and the SWM2 port into the SWS-4 to run 4 HR21 DVRs.

Question, could I put an SWS-4 on the SWM1 port and run up to 4 MORE HR2X receivers?!? If I did this, my 2 HR20s could run off of this line and I could eliminate my WB68.:confused:
Max of 8 tuners per SWM..

[SDizzle]

Max of 8 tuners per SWM..

Is that max of 8 tuners per the whole swm module or per each SWM out (meaning 8 x 2 = 16)? If per module, does that also mean the legacy ports are useless as I am currently running 8 tuners off of the SWM module??

[veryoldschool]

Is that max of 8 tuners per the whole swm module or per each SWM out (meaning 8 x 2 = 16)? If per module, does that also mean the legacy ports are useless as I am currently running 8 tuners off of the SWM module??
8 SWM channels/receivers/tuners, but the legacy ports don't count.

[SDizzle]

8 SWM channels/receivers/tuners, but the legacy ports don't count.

Thanks VOS, so I'm literally 1 legacy port away from being able to eliminate the WB68 (I use the WB68 to run 2 HR20s).:lol:

[curt8403]

Thanks VOS, so I'm literally 1 legacy port away from being able to eliminate the WB68 (I use the WB68 to run 2 HR20s).:lol:

as i understand it. legacy ports do not carry the 103 and 99 signals. am I wrong/

[LameLefty]

as i understand it. legacy ports do not carry the 103 and 99 signals. am I wrong/

You are not wrong. They carry 101, 110 and 119 only.

[SDizzle]

You are not wrong. They carry 101, 110 and 119 only.

OH! So, they can only be used for SD receivers?

[curt8403]

OH! So, they can only be used for SD receivers?
right

[veryoldschool]

right
They also pass the HD locals [Ka-hi], but don't all of the Ka-lo, national HD MPEG-4

[curt8403]

They also pass the HD locals [Ka-hi], but don't all of the Ka-lo, national HD MPEG-4


what would happen if one say stuck a B Band converter upstream of the SWM?

[veryoldschool]

what would happen if one say stuck a B Band converter upstream of the SWM?
You'd be "hosed" even worse.
B Band converts 250-750 MHz to 1650-2150 MHz, BUT the SWM legacy ports don't pass the 250-750 MHz, so there is nothing to convert. Seems like one of those "DOH" things. Had "they" allowed the 250-750 MHz band to pass out the legacy ports, then 8 SWM tuners on SWM & three "other" tuners on legacy. [DUH]

[curt8403]

You'd be "hosed" even worse.
B Band converts 250-750 MHz to 1650-2150 MHz, BUT the SWM legacy ports don't pass the 250-750 MHz, so there is nothing to convert. Seems like one of those "DOH" things. Had "they" allowed the 250-750 MHz band to pass out the legacy ports, then 8 SWM tuners on SWM & three "other" tuners on legacy. [DUH]

wouldn't a b band between the dish and the swm convert the Ka lo to ka Hi which the swm can pass?

[David MacLeod]

wouldn't a b band between the dish and the swm convert the Ka lo to ka Hi which the swm can pass?
what would you gain that you would not gain by paralleling a wb68?
guess I'm not understanding the desire, seems you would lose capability even if it worked.

[veryoldschool]

wouldn't a b band between the dish and the swm convert the Ka lo to ka Hi which the swm can pass?
Nope, as there would be no signal passed through the SWM to "turn on" the BBC [four would be needed], which would then "kill" all the Ka-lo to the SWM.

[veryoldschool]

what would you gain that you would not gain by paralleling a wb68?
guess I'm not understanding the desire, seems you would lose capability even if it worked.
"He's" simply trying to figure out a way to make the legacy ports function for add HD tuners.

[SDizzle]

Since the HR23 has internal BBCs, how will that work when using a SWM? When you select SWM in Sat Setup will it simply disable the internal BBCs in the software?!? Just wondering......

[houskamp]

Since the HR23 has internal BBCs, how will that work when using a SWM? When you select SWM in Sat Setup will it simply disable the internal BBCs in the software?!? Just wondering......
there aren't any bbcs.. they use a tuner that can natively recieve the new sats..

[dettxw]

I was thinking about getting a SWM to hook up an H201-200 for playing with MRV. Not having much luck finding a H21-200, but still considering the SWM.

Anyway, was wondering if all you SWM users have your PIs on a UPS? All my DVRs are on a UPS but that would be of limited usefulness during an outage if the SWM was inop.

[SDizzle]

there aren't any bbcs.. they use a tuner that can natively recieve the new sats..

Oh, got it.

[SDizzle]

I was thinking about getting a SWM to hook up an H201-200 for playing with MRV. Not having much luck finding a H21-200, but still considering the SWM.

Anyway, was wondering if all you SWM users have your PIs on a UPS? All my DVRs are on a UPS but that would be of limited usefulness during an outage if the SWM was inop.

I don't have mine on a UPS.

[veryoldschool]

I don't have mine on a UPS.
Mine came FedEx. :)

[houskamp]

I was thinking about getting a SWM to hook up an H201-200 for playing with MRV. Not having much luck finding a H21-200, but still considering the SWM.

Anyway, was wondering if all you SWM users have your PIs on a UPS? All my DVRs are on a UPS but that would be of limited usefulness during an outage if the SWM was inop.
mine (as well as ota amp) are on the same ups as my main setup..

[LameLefty]

I was thinking about getting a SWM to hook up an H201-200 for playing with MRV. Not having much luck finding a H21-200, but still considering the SWM.

Anyway, was wondering if all you SWM users have your PIs on a UPS? All my DVRs are on a UPS but that would be of limited usefulness during an outage if the SWM was inop.

None of my 5 DVR's is on an UPS and they never have been. My oldest is an HR20-700 that's been going strong for over two years. Consequently, my SWM PI is not on a UPS either and it's been working fine for over three weeks since I installed it. Not a single glitch at all for any of the three four boxes connected to it (6 SWM slots in use plus two legacy ports). :)

[David MacLeod]

mine is, as well as dvrs and tv's. in winter I get a lot of power "slams" from ice on lines and wind causing power to blink on and off rapidly. ups also helps stabilize when I am on generator when furnace kicks on.