Complicated Install Question

[steveholtam]

Hi all. I am working towards converting all my receivers to MPEG4 boxes. I currently have two HR20's and three DirecTivo's. Both HR20's and one DirectTivo have active dual tuners. The reminaing two DirecTivo's each only have a single active tuner. These are all fed from a single Zinwell 4x8.

My goal is to have five MPEG4 dual tuner receivers.

I found this diagram: (Fix the w's and follow)
w w w.dbstalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=13245&d=1208360240

Since I have the dish and the Zinwell, if I purchase the SWM8 w/power supply and 6 splitters, would the above diagram work in my home?

I understand all boxes would need to be the new MPEG4 boxes. Three would be HD, and two non-HD.

Thanks!!!!

Steve

[Grentz]

Zinwell 4x8 or 6x8? The 4x8 does not work with the new HD channels so I think you must have a WB68 (6x8).

Yes the diagram would work for you. You really only need the 4 splitters and then the proper splitter for how many outputs you need from the SWM (you can use a splitter with more than 2 outs so you dont need to use multiple ones on the SWM).

If you are comfortable in understanding that setup, it should work great for what you want to do.

[steveholtam]

Yeah, I must have a 6x8, since I do have all the HD's in mpeg4. Could anyone recommend a place to buy the SWM8? Or just ebay?

And if I read correctly, I need spliiters that has the bandwidth up to 2500 ohms or whatever they are?

Oh, one more, do the Directv boxes have the remote code setup like the Tivo's have? I read and it seemed like they only have two remote codes. Is that right?

[evan_s]

You wouldn't be able to run all 5 DVRs of a single swm8. Each dvr uses 2 tuners and it only supports 8 tuners total so max 4 dvrs. 2 SWM8's with splitters could be used instead of a wb68 and swm8 like the diagram shows or you could run 1 dvr off the wb68 and 4 dvrs of the SWM8.

For IR they do have only 2 codes. If you use RF you can run as many as you want with out problems.

[Grentz]

eBay
www.SolidSignal.com
www.techtoolsupply.com

are all good places. I would stick with the Skywalker splitters for the 4 between the dish/SWM/WB68 as most have had very good luck with them. They can be found at SolidSignal or TechToolSupply as well:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SP2WAPHL

If you are talking about using one remote for multiple receivers, there are a few codes you can use I believe. See more on that in the remote control thread:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=108130

[Jyruiz]

Sorry, I am new here, what are the splitters for?

[Grentz]

To split the 4 connections from the dish to the Multiswitch (WB68) and SWM-8 Multiswitch.

This is more of a hybrid advanced install though, nothing standard like you would get from a normal install ;)

[steveholtam]

The splitters takes the signal from one cable, and break it into two signals. Like a Y-cable.

Currently, most directv dvr boxes have two tuners, and require two unique cables so that each tuner can record a different channel. With the SWM8, one cable can now be used for two channels. This is a huge convience, as most homes only have one cable to each room.

[rudeney]

To split the 4 connections from the dish to the Multiswitch (WB68) and SWM-8 Multiswitch.

This is more of a hybrid advanced install though, nothing standard like you would get from a normal install ;)

That's exactly the way I have my system configured. The SWM8 runs 4xHR20’s and the WB8 runs one H20 and an R15. If I ever replace the R15 with another HR2x, I’ll probably replace the WB68 with another SWM8. Hmm, maybe then I’d also get an E2 and “stack” them instead of using those splitters…

[Grentz]

The E2 is neat from an aesthetic point of view, but it really does not add much functionality unless you are racking the SWMs for a MDU and it is quite pricey :(

[rudeney]

But...it's a geek thing! :)

[Grentz]

So true, I totally understand and want one too :D

[clb4g9]

I understand all boxes would need to be the new MPEG4 boxes. Three would be HD, and two non-HD.

Thanks!!!!

Steve

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the SWM8 has legacy ports (3) for non-MPEG4 boxes (so your DirecTivos would be compatible if you're partial to them).......I doubt this changes your analysis or your situation any but I thought I would mention it.

[doctor j]

But...it's a geek thing! :)

I just love being a geek!
MFH-1 and MFH-2 with E-2 dual SWM expander.

[Grentz]

That is awesome doctor j ;)

How many total receivers do you have that you opted to go with all the MFH stuff? Or is it just for fun (which I totally understand!)

[doctor j]

That is awesome doctor j ;)

How many total receivers do you have that you opted to go with all the MFH stuff? Or is it just for fun (which I totally understand!)


About 10 dvr's .
Got started for single wire to multi DVR's in HD before much was available.
Also wanted cable and OTA so 3 or 4 coax to the 2 main veiwing areas wasn't enough.
Then it just got fun.
MFH-1 master unit good for up to 256 tuners on the old MPEG-2 signals.

Doctor j

[Jyruiz]

To split the 4 connections from the dish to the Multiswitch (WB68) and SWM-8 Multiswitch.

This is more of a hybrid advanced install though, nothing standard like you would get from a normal install ;)



The splitters takes the signal from one cable, and break it into two signals. Like a Y-cable.

Currently, most directv dvr boxes have two tuners, and require two unique cables so that each tuner can record a different channel. With the SWM8, one cable can now be used for two channels. This is a huge convience, as most homes only have one cable to each room.


Thanks, I just didn't know splitters could be used now with DTV equipment, guess it has come around quite a bit since I last installed my oval dish years ago.

[rudeney]

I just love being a geek!
MFH-1 and MFH-2 with E-2 dual SWM expander.

I love those color-coded cables to keep the inputs straight!

[rudeney]

Thanks, I just didn't know splitters could be used now with DTV equipment, guess it has come around quite a bit since I last installed my oval dish years ago.

Keep in mind that you cannot split the signal to individual receivers/tuners unless you are using SWM technology, and then you need a high-frequency splitter (2-2000MHz) and you still cannot exceed the number of tuners the SWM is rated for. When using SWM technology, there is no need to split the signal to feed both tuners of a dual-tuner DVR because SWM-compatible DVR’s have internal splitters for this on the SAT-1 input.

In the way the splitters are being used in these examples, they would always have worked that way with D* equipment as far back as the dual-LNB dish. Basically, with a multiple-LNB dish, you can split its outputs into multiple multiswitches as long as the outputs from any give split feed are matched to the same-labeled inputs on all multiswitches. Also, when splitting like this, the output from the splitters can only be connected to multiswitches; you can’t split the dish output and send one leg to a multiswitch and the other to a tuner.

[double]

I just love being a geek!
MFH-1 and MFH-2 with E-2 dual SWM expander.

holy cow, do you just like blowing money or what? that is the absolute biggest waste i have ever seen.

[webby_s]

that is the absolute biggest waste i have ever seen.

How?

It's not your money is it. Is this your set up? I am confused how you think it is a "waste" when it isn't your money, house, configuration. :nono: