View Full Version : Can D* be hooked up wo where my existing cable enters the house?
Using a SWM LNB. I also have R6 cable throughout my house.
most likely. can you describe your setup in more detail. any splitters along the way would most likely have to be swapped out
its pretty much just one wire into my house from the cable outside to a splitter to the receivers which is the comcast. D* comes tomorrow to install a SWM LNB
im sure they will just swap out the "cable" splitter with a sws4 or sws8 splitter and you should be good to go.
rudeney
10-31-08, 03:46 PM
The only potential issue could be if the cable is split again inside your house to feed the various outlets. Multiple splits on SWM runs is fine, but the splitters need to be "officially" 2-2150MHz rated. Unofficially, 5MHz-2GHz splitters usually work just fine, but older style CATV "900MHz" splitters could definitely be a problem. As long as any old underrated splitters are replaced, you should be in good shape.
Should work unless you are also planning on having cable internet. Then you will need a separate line.
Carl
gandy33
11-25-08, 01:49 PM
Longtime lurker on this forum. I'm hoping you will be able to answer my question: I purchased a stand alone SWM 8 to hook up to my existing DIRECTV setup. I have the "side car" 5-lnb dish. After following the hookup diagrams I could not receive a signal. I then called D* about the issue and they told me that the SWM was for new installations only, not existing installations. Is that correct?. I have the correct DVR/receivers and a single RG-6 cables running to my rooms. I've not read anything where it says that SWM's are for new installations only. Any help is much appreciated!
Dave
I then called D* about the issue and they told me that the SWM was for new installations only, not existing installations.SWM equipment can be retrofitted in situations where most of the receivers are SWM capable. In the case of systems replacing CATV, all receivers must be SWM compatible.
Did you power your SWM as prescribed?
Do you have SWM compatible splitters installed everywhere?
rudeney
11-25-08, 03:00 PM
Longtime lurker on this forum. I'm hoping you will be able to answer my question: I purchased a stand alone SWM 8 to hook up to my existing DIRECTV setup. I have the "side car" 5-lnb dish. After following the hookup diagrams I could not receive a signal. I then called D* about the issue and they told me that the SWM was for new installations only, not existing installations. Is that correct?. I have the correct DVR/receivers and a single RG-6 cables running to my rooms. I've not read anything where it says that SWM's are for new installations only. Any help is much appreciated!
Dave
Unfortunately, D* is not going to be of much help to you. Their CSR's probably don't even know what a "SWM" is, except that their training tells them that it's only for new installs. Mainly this is because they can be a challenge to retrofit where subscribers have legacy receivers. You could pay an installer, or, you can hang around here and probably get all the help you could possibly want!
Your setup is just like mine - the AT9 dish with four feeds coming from it. This should work, but we need to clarify some things. First of all, what receivers do you have? keep in mind that only the D12, R16, R22, H2x and HR2x receivers will work on the "SWM" outputs. The SWM8 does have 3 legacy ports in case you have other receivers. Do you have a multiswitch like a WB68 or WB616, or do the four feeds from the dish go straight to individual receivers/tuners? if you have an existing multiswitch, then the SWM8 will probably be a replacement for that. If the dish feeds the receivers directly, then the SWM8 will need to be placed where all four feeds from the dish can be connected to its inputs.
I suggest starting with a simple test, and then adding onto that. First, identify one receiver to use for the test and trace the cable that runs to it, all the way back to the dish (or multiswitch). Connect each of the four feeds from the dish directly to the inputs on the SWM (the ones labeled for 18v/13v, not the "flex" ports). It's not important which cable connects to which port. Make sure there is a terminator (a metal cap that comes with the SWM, attached by a short chain) screwed onto the SMW2 port. Now, you want to connect the "test" receiver to the SWM. It needs to look like this:
RECEIVER --> POWER INSERTER --> SWM1
Make CERTAIN that you DO NOT connect the receiver to the RED port on the PI!!! The RED port on the PI should ONLY be connected to the SWM!!! Now, I'm not sure how you will do this because I don't have more details on your setup, but the PI can go anywhere between the receiver and the SWM except for two issues - one, it must have at least 15 feet of cable between the PI and the SWM and two, it is for INDOOR use only. Once you do this, see if the receiver works (note that you may need to rerun satellite setup). If so, then you have verified the equipment and now it's a matter of just connecting the rest via splitters. You can locate the PI "behind" a splitter as long as it's on a power passing port. Also, splitters should be rated for 2MHz-2GHz, although the 5MHz-2GHz models you can buy will likely work just as well.
gandy33
11-27-08, 09:25 AM
Unfortunately, D* is not going to be of much help to you. Their CSR's probably don't even know what a "SWM" is, except that their training tells them that it's only for new installs. Mainly this is because they can be a challenge to retrofit where subscribers have legacy receivers. You could pay an installer, or, you can hang around here and probably get all the help you could possibly want!
Your setup is just like mine - the AT9 dish with four feeds coming from it. This should work, but we need to clarify some things. First of all, what receivers do you have? keep in mind that only the D12, R16, R22, H2x and HR2x receivers will work on the "SWM" outputs. The SWM8 does have 3 legacy ports in case you have other receivers. Do you have a multiswitch like a WB68 or WB616, or do the four feeds from the dish go straight to individual receivers/tuners? if you have an existing multiswitch, then the SWM8 will probably be a replacement for that. If the dish feeds the receivers directly, then the SWM8 will need to be placed where all four feeds from the dish can be connected to its inputs.
I suggest starting with a simple test, and then adding onto that. First, identify one receiver to use for the test and trace the cable that runs to it, all the way back to the dish (or multiswitch). Connect each of the four feeds from the dish directly to the inputs on the SWM (the ones labeled for 18v/13v, not the "flex" ports). It's not important which cable connects to which port. Make sure there is a terminator (a metal cap that comes with the SWM, attached by a short chain) screwed onto the SMW2 port. Now, you want to connect the "test" receiver to the SWM. It needs to look like this:
RECEIVER --> POWER INSERTER --> SWM1
Make CERTAIN that you DO NOT connect the receiver to the RED port on the PI!!! The RED port on the PI should ONLY be connected to the SWM!!! Now, I'm not sure how you will do this because I don't have more details on your setup, but the PI can go anywhere between the receiver and the SWM except for two issues - one, it must have at least 15 feet of cable between the PI and the SWM and two, it is for INDOOR use only. Once you do this, see if the receiver works (note that you may need to rerun satellite setup). If so, then you have verified the equipment and now it's a matter of just connecting the rest via splitters. You can locate the PI "behind" a splitter as long as it's on a power passing port. Also, splitters should be rated for 2MHz-2GHz, although the 5MHz-2GHz models you can buy will likely work just as well.
I have 2 HR20-700's, one H20-600 and one H20-100. The four feeds from the dish go directly to the receivers (no multiswitch). I followed swm8.com's website verbatim for 4 dvr's. I made sure I had 15 ft of cable between the PI and SWM and the PI is in my garage. I have a 1X4 splitter from RadioShack that is 40-2150MHz. I was concerned about the splitter so I tried your idea of running one receiver directly from the SWM and still got no signal. I'm concerned that I may have a defective LNB because now one of my receivers says no signal and my SWM setup is not hooked up. D* is coming out tomorrow to look. I'll try to convince him to hook up my SWM. Thanks for the help!
The four feeds from the dish go directly to the receivers (no multiswitch).The four feeds from the dish should go directly to the SWM, not the receivers.
RobertE
11-27-08, 09:56 AM
I have 2 HR20-700's, one H20-600 and one H20-100. The four feeds from the dish go directly to the receivers (no multiswitch). I followed swm8.com's website verbatim for 4 dvr's. I made sure I had 15 ft of cable between the PI and SWM and the PI is in my garage. I have a 1X4 splitter from RadioShack that is 40-2150MHz. I was concerned about the splitter so I tried your idea of running one receiver directly from the SWM and still got no signal. I'm concerned that I may have a defective LNB because now one of my receivers says no signal and my SWM setup is not hooked up. D* is coming out tomorrow to look. I'll try to convince him to hook up my SWM. Thanks for the help!
Did you power cycle the receiver after hooking up the swm? You will need to do so to get it to switch to swm mode.
gandy33
11-27-08, 10:07 AM
Did you power cycle the receiver after hooking up the swm? You will need to do so to get it to switch to swm mode.
I unplugged all receivers before hookup. I removed all BBC's. After installing SWM I rebooted all receivers one at a time. My problem is that when I power the receivers back on it says "searching for signal".
rudeney
11-27-08, 12:27 PM
Make sure the PI is on - you should be able to see a green LED illuminated if you look through the airflow openings. You might also try connecting a receiver to one of the SWM8's legacy ports (no BBC). You won't get any Ka-band (HD) channels, but it will verify basic connectivity and functionality of the SWM and LNB.
gandy33
11-27-08, 08:29 PM
Make sure the PI is on - you should be able to see a green LED illuminated if you look through the airflow openings. You might also try connecting a receiver to one of the SWM8's legacy ports (no BBC). You won't get any Ka-band (HD) channels, but it will verify basic connectivity and functionality of the SWM and LNB.
The green LED light inside the PI does come on when I plug it in. I will try hooking a receiver up to the legacy port.
gandy33
11-27-08, 08:33 PM
SWM equipment can be retrofitted in situations where most of the receivers are SWM capable. In the case of systems replacing CATV, all receivers must be SWM compatible.
Did you power your SWM as prescribed?
Do you have SWM compatible splitters installed everywhere?
I did power my SWM as prescribed and the only splitter I have is a 40-2150MHz splitter running off the IRD. I was concerned about the splitter so I ran a receiver directly off the SWM and still no signal. D* is coming out tomorrow to check it out.
rudeney
11-27-08, 10:14 PM
Just to make sure, you are using a SWM-compatible receiver, right (D12, R16, R22, HR2x or H2x). No other receiver will work with the SWM (although they will work on the legacy ports of the SWM8).
SDizzle
11-28-08, 12:05 AM
I would also suggest you rerun sat setup to verify that slimline-5....swm....and dual are selected as options. If the receiver is looking for signal from the dish directly, or a WB68, you need to tell it to communicate via SWM.
gandy33
11-28-08, 07:14 AM
Just to make sure, you are using a SWM-compatible receiver, right (D12, R16, R22, HR2x or H2x). No other receiver will work with the SWM (although they will work on the legacy ports of the SWM8).
Yep. I have 2 HR 20-700's, one H20-600 and one H20-100.
gandy33
11-28-08, 08:59 PM
Unfortunately, D* is not going to be of much help to you. Their CSR's probably don't even know what a "SWM" is, except that their training tells them that it's only for new installs. Mainly this is because they can be a challenge to retrofit where subscribers have legacy receivers. You could pay an installer, or, you can hang around here and probably get all the help you could possibly want!
Your setup is just like mine - the AT9 dish with four feeds coming from it. This should work, but we need to clarify some things. First of all, what receivers do you have? keep in mind that only the D12, R16, R22, H2x and HR2x receivers will work on the "SWM" outputs. The SWM8 does have 3 legacy ports in case you have other receivers. Do you have a multiswitch like a WB68 or WB616, or do the four feeds from the dish go straight to individual receivers/tuners? if you have an existing multiswitch, then the SWM8 will probably be a replacement for that. If the dish feeds the receivers directly, then the SWM8 will need to be placed where all four feeds from the dish can be connected to its inputs.
I suggest starting with a simple test, and then adding onto that. First, identify one receiver to use for the test and trace the cable that runs to it, all the way back to the dish (or multiswitch). Connect each of the four feeds from the dish directly to the inputs on the SWM (the ones labeled for 18v/13v, not the "flex" ports). It's not important which cable connects to which port. Make sure there is a terminator (a metal cap that comes with the SWM, attached by a short chain) screwed onto the SMW2 port. Now, you want to connect the "test" receiver to the SWM. It needs to look like this:
RECEIVER --> POWER INSERTER --> SWM1
Make CERTAIN that you DO NOT connect the receiver to the RED port on the PI!!! The RED port on the PI should ONLY be connected to the SWM!!! Now, I'm not sure how you will do this because I don't have more details on your setup, but the PI can go anywhere between the receiver and the SWM except for two issues - one, it must have at least 15 feet of cable between the PI and the SWM and two, it is for INDOOR use only. Once you do this, see if the receiver works (note that you may need to rerun satellite setup). If so, then you have verified the equipment and now it's a matter of just connecting the rest via splitters. You can locate the PI "behind" a splitter as long as it's on a power passing port. Also, splitters should be rated for 2MHz-2GHz, although the 5MHz-2GHz models you can buy will likely work just as well.
Here's my latest problem: D* came out today and swapped out my old dish for the Slimline. After swap had all 4 receivers working before SWM hookup. After SWM hookup the green LED light on PI would not come on. After unhooking SWM I plugged PI back in and green light came on. I had the SWM output on PI running into SWM1 input on actual SWM and IRD running to splitter. Is it essential that the SWM be grounded? The diagram on swm8.com does not show grounding from SWM. I'm running out of answers.
rudeney
11-28-08, 10:28 PM
This could be a grounding issue, but I doubt it. The best case scenario is to ground the dish, grounding block (if you have one) and the SWM all together. For example, ground the dish to the grounding block and the grounding block to your electrical service ground, then run a "messenger" ground from the dish to the SWM8. I'll just mention that my system is not grounded at all and it's just fine. I know it needs to be grounded, but the installers didn't do it and I just haven't taken the time to do it myself. My D* system has been installed this way for over ten years with no issues (over two years with an AT-9 and four months with the SWM8).
kokishin
11-29-08, 12:18 AM
I've attached the installation diagram for the SWM8/PI for reference. Please make sure the correct terminal of the PI is connected to SWM1 terminal of the SWM8. (IIRC, the SWM8 terminal has a red marking and the terminal on the PI has a red marking). The SWM8 should be warm when receiving power from the PI. Try connecting an HR20 to SWM2 of the SWM8 as an experiment with no splliters. Make sure the PI is powered up before performing the red button reset on HR20. Let us know the results.
Here's my latest problem: D* came out today and swapped out my old dish for the Slimline. After swap had all 4 receivers working before SWM hookup. After SWM hookup the green LED light on PI would not come on. After unhooking SWM I plugged PI back in and green light came on. I had the SWM output on PI running into SWM1 input on actual SWM and IRD running to splitter. Is it essential that the SWM be grounded? The diagram on swm8.com does not show grounding from SWM. I'm running out of answers.
SDizzle
11-29-08, 01:25 PM
Here's my latest problem: D* came out today and swapped out my old dish for the Slimline. After swap had all 4 receivers working before SWM hookup. After SWM hookup the green LED light on PI would not come on. After unhooking SWM I plugged PI back in and green light came on. I had the SWM output on PI running into SWM1 input on actual SWM and IRD running to splitter. Is it essential that the SWM be grounded? The diagram on swm8.com does not show grounding from SWM. I'm running out of answers.
If you are running your PI directly to SWM1......how many feet of coax are between your PI and SWM? Should be 15 feet minimum....
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