SWM install

[stblake10]

I had to tell you guys this one. Today I had a install for one HDDVR in my bedroom. When the installer got here I told him where the box was going. I let him know that he would need to run another line from the basement to the box upstairs. As the box I currently had there was just a D12 box. He asked what other boxes I had in the house (hr21 livingroom, DVR40 TIVO box). He asked if I was going to upgrade the box in the playroom to a new DVR. I said yes and asked why. He said that he could today install a SWM at my house and that I would need to upgrade the DVR box to a H22 or H23 . I had told him that I heard about the SWM, but he told me that he had the newer version. What he showed me was a new LNB arm for the dish, power box, and what looked like a small five inch multiswitch. I did not pay any extra for this. I did find out through DIRECTV when needing set up with the H22 I bought later that the SWM is in the northeast as a test market. Any thoughts out there?

[jimmyv2000]

did Directech do this install?
They are using SWM lnbs now on most installs for HD.
I work on their vans all the time :D and i got a sl3s lnb /power inserter and a splitter from them about a month ago.
I'm going to be expanding my system really soon.:D

[stblake10]

Yes. I did get it from a DIRECTECH installer today. From what I have been told, I shouldconsider myself lucky. They don't offer it. I figured it would have made his install that much easier and considering they get paid by the job. It made sence. He said it costs roughly $400 wholesale.

[bobnielsen]

Yes. I did get it from a DIRECTECH installer today. From what I have been told, I shouldconsider myself lucky. They don't offer it. I figured it would have made his install that much easier and considering they get paid by the job. It made sence. He said it costs roughly $400 wholesale.

They are getting cheaper: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SL5-SWM.

[shaner2000]

They are getting cheaper:.

That looks like a good deal....but watching the install instructions, it looks a little too complicated for me to do.

Any idea if a local directv installer would come install this for me if i bought it?

[rudeney]

That looks like a good deal....but watching the install instructions, it looks a little too complicated for me to do.

Any idea if a local directv installer would come install this for me if i bought it?

Honestly, it’s no more difficult to install than a regular multiswitch. Probably the only complicating factor is the power inserter, but some multiswitches have those, too.

[Grentz]

Frankly its easier than a standard multiswitch as you do not need 4 runs from the dish and you can split the runs as needed like you can with cable/OTA (as long as you use the proper splitter).

[stblake10]

The three items I got installed was the SWM splitter, power supply, and a new lnb arm. That's it.

[jimmyv2000]

The three items I got installed was the SWM splitter, power supply, and a new lnb arm. That's it.

if they gave yoy the 8 way splitter at least you have room for expansion:D
thats what i got from them.I hope to be converting my 5lnb dish over to the sl3s sometime this week when my brother can drop off his 40ft ladder(see signature there):D

[stblake10]

if they gave yoy the 8 way splitter at least you have room for expansion:D
thats what i got from them.I hope to be converting my 5lnb dish over to the sl3s sometime this week when my brother can drop off his 40ft ladder(see signature there):D What excatly is the sl3s? And could that benefit my set up? Look at my signature :)

[jimmyv2000]

:D What excatly is the sl3s? And could that benefit my set up? Look at my signature :)

you got the 5lnb with the built in swm thats for sats 99/101/103/110/119
i got sl3s that only sees 99/101/103
the 110/119 sats are going to be used for sd locals for other cities and inter national programming is going to be moved off the 95 real soon.
many users here in new england have los issues with the 119 sat because its too low on the horizon.
what you have is good
NO WORRIES

[stblake10]

Thanks for the info and assurance.

[shaner2000]

Honestly, it’s no more difficult to install than a regular multiswitch. Probably the only complicating factor is the power inserter, but some multiswitches have those, too.

Interesting. Maybe I should give this a second thought.

Is it very difficult to realign the satellite after installing this new arm? Or, should it be fairly close to where it should be assuming I don't bump things too much?

[rudeney]

Interesting. Maybe I should give this a second thought.

Is it very difficult to realign the satellite after installing this new arm? Or, should it be fairly close to where it should be assuming I don't bump things too much?

As long as you don’t physically move the dish while installing the SWM LNB, you should not need a realignment at all. Of course a little tweaking wouldn’t hurt.

However, if you do install a SWM LNB, you are limited only to SWM-compatible receivers as you’ll get no “legacy” ports. If you by the SWM8 switch, it’s pretty much a drop-in replacement for a WB68 multiswitch plus it has 3 legacy ports. Price wise, if you use the coupon code at Solid Signal for the SWM8, it’s only $10 more than the SWM LNB.

[curt8403]

I am seeing orders where the install order calls for install of a SWM and only 2 tuners. SWM must be catching on big time

[Grentz]

I am seeing orders where the install order calls for install of a SWM and only 2 tuners. SWM must be catching on big time

Installers must love it. I cannot think of many homes around here not prewired for RG6 and thus all installers would have to do is patch in one cable from the dish to the distribution area, replace the splitter, plug in the PI, and they are good to go. Sooo much easier than standard multiswitch/dual cable runs to each location.

[curt8403]

Installers must love it. I cannot think of many homes around here not prewired for RG6 and thus all installers would have to do is patch in one cable from the dish to the distribution area, replace the splitter, plug in the PI, and they are good to go. Sooo much easier than standard multiswitch/dual cable runs to each location.

yes, the installers are loving it, and for upgrades later so are the installers who do the upgrade

[Mike Bertelson]

That looks like a good deal....but watching the install instructions, it looks a little too complicated for me to do.

Any idea if a local directv installer would come install this for me if i bought it?
If you already have a 5LNB dish it's just a swap of the LNB itself. No aiming requried.

That's how I installed mine.

I then put in a couple splitters and connected the PI and I was good to go.

Mike

[rudeney]

If you already have a 5LNB dish it's just a swap of the LNB itself. No aiming requried.

That's how I installed mine.

I then put in a couple splitters and connected the PI and I was good to go.


The only issue with the SWM LNB is if you have any legacy receivers or if you will need more than 8 tuners total. I had both of these issues – 4 HR20’s, 1 H20, and 1 R15. I kept the same LNB on the AT9 dish and attached a SWM8 for the 4 HR20’s, and then paralleled with a WB68 to feed the R15 and H20 (yes, it still has to have that darned BBC attached!)