How do I get a multiswitch

[NickIndy]

I'm going to sign up for Directv here in the next day or so. My question...I know the slimline dish has 4 outputs. I know that if I get 2 HR21 from them, they will try to just run the 4 lines without a multiswitch. But I have a SD receiver from awhile ago that I would like to use on my SD tv. How do I convince them to install a multiswitch so I can use 5 lines? Do I need to have D* say so or do I just ask the installer at install time?

[Mertzen]

D* needs to know since they have to add it to the workorder. If it not on the workorder the tech will not give it to you.

[NickIndy]

D* needs to know since they have to add it to the workorder. If it not on the workorder the tech will not give it to you.

Does that mean to order over the phone vs. online? Or can I order it all online and then call to update the workorder?

[HDTVsportsfan]

You would be best to call. It sounds like your SD is not activated right now. I'm not sure, but the MS probably isn't factored in unless the total of current acvtive and then total tuners from the receivers coming from DirecTV for the install total more than 4.

Call and make sure you ask for the MS. I would activate that SD at the same time. That way they have to put it on the work order.

Good Luck.

[RobertE]

Are you signing up as a new customer or a former customer? It will make a big difference.

If you are signing up as "new" they won't activate any "used" equipment on the initial install. You won't get a multiswitch.

If you are signing up as a "former" customer, then have them add it to the workorder, a switch will be added and all will be well.

[tcusta00]

If you are signing up as a "former" customer, then have them add it to the workorder, a switch will be added and all will be well.

I tried this with an old receiver from years ago and they wouldn't do it. I don't know if I got a misinformed rep, but this was my experience.

Why don't you just have them give you a new free SD unit? They've typically done the 4 room free type of promo... unless your used receiver is a DVR it shouldn't make a difference.

[NickIndy]

Are you signing up as a new customer or a former customer? It will make a big difference.

I didn't realize there was a difference. Truth is the former account is still an active account...I just no longer live where it's active. So new account for a former customer? And I don't really want to use the SD receiver, I just don't want them to not give me a multiswitch in the event I want to use it in the future.

Are there better deals for former customers over new ones?

[wildbill129]

I didn't realize there was a difference. Truth is the former account is still an active account...I just no longer live where it's active. So new account for a former customer? And I don't really want to use the SD receiver, I just don't want them to not give me a multiswitch in the event I want to use it in the future.

Are there better deals for former customers over new ones?

They gave me one (and a 1000' of RG6) and it wasn't on the workorder. It's all about how you ask! (AND TIP) However, even if they don't, they are cheap, buy one from solidsignal!

[jrwinter]

They sell them for around $40.00 at Lowes!

[doctrsnoop]

as low as 10 bucks on ebay for a zinwell 6x8

[TigersFanJJ]

They sell them for around $40.00 at Lowes!

Lowes sells the WB68?

I did a search on their website and got no results for multiswitch, zinwell, wb68, and only a few hits for satellite (none of which were the wb68).

[ctaranto]

D* needs to know since they have to add it to the workorder. If it not on the workorder the tech will not give it to you.

Not necessarily true. I had DirecTech do my install about 10 days ago. They ended up putting the slimline at the peak/edge of my roof, and wanted to run 4 lines down the side of my house. I told them to run them along the roofline, down the drain pipe, and along the area where the siding meets the cement foundation.

Luckily, a supervisor was also on the job (the initial tech need a larger ladder, plus the location was tricky). The super went to his truck, pulled out a box, and said that he's going to use "one of these new things we're trying out". I looked at the box he pulled it from, and it said "SWM-8". The order form I signed afterwards said "SWM".

They ended up running a single line down the side of my house since they said the pitch of the roof was too steep (which Dish Network had no problem with about 5 years ago when they installed two 1 LNB dishes).

So, in the end, I got a SWM-8 mounted at the dish, a single line coming into my house, powered by a doohicky in the basement, which I can now split to multiple DVR's throughout the house using the single coax already in the rooms. They wired a single HR21-700 using a single coax.

Of course, while they were here, I offered drinks, was outside with them the entire time, talking to them, helped holding the ladder, and gave them a tip afterwards.

-Craig

[tcusta00]

Lowes sells the WB68?

I did a search on their website and got no results for multiswitch, zinwell, wb68, and only a few hits for satellite (none of which were the wb68).

they do (or at least used to) sell a multiswitch - not sure which brand, but I bought one there about 5 years ago that worked fine.

BTW, everything that's in the store isn't necessarily listed on their website.

[tcusta00]

So, in the end, I got a SWM-8 mounted at the dish, a single line coming into my house, powered by a doohicky in the basement, which I can now split to multiple DVR's throughout the house using the single coax already in the rooms. They wired a single HR21-700 using a single coax.

Of course, while they were here, I offered drinks, was outside with them the entire time, talking to them, helped holding the ladder, and gave them a tip afterwards.

-Craig

That's awesome you got a SWM! You're one of the few.

Doohicky.... is that the technical term for it? ;) :grin:

[harsh]

Lowes sells the WB68?

I did a search on their website and got no results for multiswitch, zinwell, wb68, and only a few hits for satellite (none of which were the wb68).Most of the home improvement stores catalog only a portion of what they offer. It isn't surprising that they would leave something like that off.

My local Lowes stores carry a couple of legacy multiswitches that aren't documented on their website.

[TigersFanJJ]

they do (or at least used to) sell a multiswitch - not sure which brand, but I bought one there about 5 years ago that worked fine.

BTW, everything that's in the store isn't necessarily listed on their website.

Most of the home improvement stores catalog only a portion of what they offer. It isn't surprising that they would leave something like that off.

My local Lowes stores carry a couple of legacy multiswitches that aren't documented on their website.

Yeah, but there is a huge difference between just any old multiswitch that I have seen many times at Lowes and the WB68 or WB616 that the OP needs.

Even if Lowes did happen to carry it, they would probably sell it for close to the list price, which is much more than $40.

[tcusta00]

Yeah, but there is a huge difference between just any old multiswitch that I have seen many times at Lowes and the WB68 or WB616 that the OP needs.

Even if Lowes did happen to carry it, they would probably sell it for close to the list price, which is much more than $40.

All I'm saying is that my own personal experience was that the one I bought at Lowes worked. Sure, I probably overpaid, but it worked.

Can you explain why "any old multiswitch" wouldn't work? I'm curious since I was thinking about adding a receiver and breaking that old multiswitch out of storage.

[doctrsnoop]

It doesn't pass the signal for the MPEG 4 satellite

[ctaranto]

That's awesome you got a SWM! You're one of the few.

Doohicky.... is that the technical term for it? ;) :grin:

From what I've read, it appears that New England may be one of the "test areas" for SWM installations.

-Craig

[finaldiet]

All I'm saying is that my own personal experience was that the one I bought at Lowes worked. Sure, I probably overpaid, but it worked.

Can you explain why "any old multiswitch" wouldn't work? I'm curious since I was thinking about adding a receiver and breaking that old multiswitch out of storage.

You have to use Zinwell WB68 to get TD channels. Friend had install the other day and they didn't switch his. DTV installer couldn't figure out why it wasn't working until my friend told him he had to use Zinwell. Worked great when he hooked it up.

[NickIndy]

Took the plunge. Install scheduled for Sunday. Bye bye TiVo...cable and their SDV made it this way... :( Now I just hope my HOA approves the dish install before then. Not that it'll stop me and make me reschedule if they don't....

[TigersFanJJ]

You have to use Zinwell WB68 to get TD channels. Friend had install the other day and they didn't switch his. DTV installer couldn't figure out why it wasn't working until my friend told him he had to use Zinwell. Worked great when he hooked it up.

Not trying to split hairs with you as the Zinwell is the most widely used wideband multiswitch (the one I use also). However, Terk also makes a wideband multiswitch.

Here (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=MS-WB616) is a link to one. It's a 6x16.