multiswitch?

[rickeame]

When my installer put in our system, he tried to use an older spaun multiswitch I had from 5 years ago. When we ran the lines through it, we couldn't get a lot of the channels, so we skipped it. However, I am soon going to need more than the 4 lines, so I need a recommendation for a multiswitch that WILL work with my system.

What should I be looking for?

[HDTVsportsfan]

Zinwell WB68 ..... www.solidsignal.com

If you upgrade in the future w/ DirecTV....they should provide that for free at the time.

[rickeame]

Zinwell WB68 ..... www.solidsignal.com

If you upgrade in the future w/ DirecTV....they should provide that for free at the time.

Okay, really stupid question: why 6/8? I have only 4 incoming lines off of the dish -- what are the other 2 inputs for?

[HDTVsportsfan]

They are called Flex ports. Some folks need two dishes to get their locals. They are for SAT locations 72.5 and 95 I think. Someone will correct me if I'm worng. Chances are you don't need to use them. Nothing would be connected to them. Make sure they get capped off if not used.

[BattleZone]

They are called Flex ports. Some folks need two dishes to get their locals. They are for SAT locations 72.5 and 95 I think. Someone will correct me if I'm worng. Chances are you don't need to use them. Nothing would be connected to them. Make sure they get capped off if not used.

On the East Coast, some folks need to pick up 72.5 for locals. And folks wanting International programming need the 95. The vast majority don't need either one.

And RE: capping off the inputs: it's a good idea if the switch is mounted outside, but do NOT use a terminating resistor! More specifically, you can use one as a cap, since they are threaded and work much like a valve stem cap on a tire, but you'll want to break off the center conductor first. Having a resistor on a multiswitch (that doesn't have an off-air line input) can burn out the switch. A note to this effect comes right in the Zinwell 6x8 box.

[jcnipper]

On the East Coast, some folks need to pick up 72.5 for locals. And folks wanting International programming need the 95. The vast majority don't need either one.


I realized a day or two ago that when my installer came a year ago, that he put an older model multiswich on, which is incompatible with the new HD channels. I've ordered the Zinwell WB68, and it's hopefully on its way. I've only got 4 lines coming from the dish to the current switch, does that mean that I'm not using 72.5? (I'm on the east coast). Is there a way to tell for certain? (I'm kinda new at this)

Thanks!

[putty469]

Welcome to DBSTalk! If you can view all of the locals listed in the guide, you would be correct. If some come up with "771...Searching for signal", then post back and the forum will help you.

[Canis Lupus]

You would know if you were using 72.5 as you would have a second dish (2 dishes total).

I've only got 4 lines coming from the dish to the current switch, does that mean that I'm not using 72.5?

[Fa C Shus]

Sorry to hijack, just wanted to show that i tried to search for my answer :)

I live in teh midwest and will unlikely need the other two input ports, Can I get away with a 4x8 instead?

More importantly, I have a 6x8 outside, but I want to redistribute the wires from inside my house, can I attcha a switch to any two lines already inside the house and then distribute cables in the house?

Thanks,

And great job by all who read/contribute here.

[mjones73]

No and No. There is no 4x8 switch that works with the new dish and you need to feed 4 lines to the multiswitch for it to work properly.

[putty469]

You could move the multiswitch inside and simply use a ground block or couplers to extend those four wires to the new multiswitch location. I did something similar in that all of the lines within the house came to the basement in two different places, and were also split there. This was for cable. I used couplers and routed all of those runs into the mechanicals room to my D* multiswitch. Now I can close up the ceiling without worrying about splitters. I know couplers are not the most elegant solution, and I used home runs where I could, but in older homes it gets rid of things that D* doesn't like.

Also, one last bonus is if you ever install an SWM to use one cable in a dual-tuner DVR, it requires power and is best suited to an indoor location (although they can be used outside). Mods, correct me if I'm offbase there.