View Full Version : Single RG6 run to HR21/R15 - what SWM equip needed?
I've tried reading as much as I can about the SWM's but I am still unclear as to what is required and where to install it. I have a 4 story townhouse / rowhome / brownstone with a rooftop dish.
I have a standard D12 receiver on the 4th floor.
I have an R15 DVR (which will soon be replaced with an HR21) on the 2nd floor.
I have an HR21 on the 1st floor.
The 4th floor only needs 1 feed and a second feed could be added if needed.
The 1st floor has 2 RG6 feeds, though I would much prefer being able to remove one.
The 2nd floor only has 1 RG6 feed and it would be a real headache to try to route a second feed up and over the ceiling. I am now limited to watching what I am recording and recording only one program at a time. I am hoping that adding a SWM solves my problem.
I am hoping someone can tell me which pieces of equipment I need and where in-line they get installed. The 4th floor feed comes straight off the roof. The feeds to the 1st and 2nd floors come down the side of the building and in through the garage.
Attached is a kindergarten quality diagram.
veryoldschool
12-16-08, 12:49 PM
Seems like a SWM LNB would make the most sense. Add a 4-way splitter to feed your locations and install the power inserter on the fourth floor.
So I would need to purchase an SL5-SWM. Can I just swap it onto the existing dish? What else would I need? Do I need to purchase a power supply or power inserter or both? Where does that get installed?
Seems to me this may require more than I am capable of myself - at least based on the videos on solidsignal.com .
veryoldschool
12-16-08, 01:19 PM
So I would need to purchase an SL5-SWM. Can I just swap it onto the existing dish? What else would I need? Do I need to purchase a power supply or power inserter or both? Where does that get installed?
Seems to me this may require more than I am capable of myself - at least based on the videos on solidsignal.com .
If you have a slimline dish, then this would be a "drop in" replacement [remove & replace LNB]
You do need to get the power inserter [power supply] and a 4-way splitter that has at least one leg power passing.
Dish
|
splitter
/||\
.....PI -> receiver
If you feel this could be over your head, then pay someone that can do it. This is only "TV", so don't do anything that isn't safe to you.
Oh, in looking at the videos it looked like you had to realign the dish for the SAT's. If it is a straight screw-out / screw-in swap I can handle that.
Let me get this straight then...
I purchase and swap in the new SL5-SWM LNB.
I purchase the appropriate 4 way splitter.
I run 1 line each from the splitter directly to my HR21 receivers.
I run 1 line to the power injector located somewhere on the 4th floor between the dish and receiver.
I have an optional 3rd line I could run elsewhere.
See diagram....
turey22
12-16-08, 01:38 PM
what kind of splitter would be an appropriate splitter to use? wont it degrade the DIRECTV signal? I dont know thats why i ask
veryoldschool
12-16-08, 01:41 PM
Oh, in looking at the videos it looked like you had to realign the dish for the SAT's. If it is a straight screw-out / screw-in swap I can handle that.
Let me get this straight then...
I purchase and swap in the new SL5-SWM LNB.
I purchase the appropriate 4 way splitter.
I run 1 line each from the splitter directly to my HR21 receivers.
I run 1 line to the power injector located somewhere on the 4th floor between the dish and receiver.
I have an optional 3rd line I could run elsewhere.
See diagram....
"Looks good", and use a 75 ohm termination on the used cable/port of the splitter.
veryoldschool
12-16-08, 01:44 PM
what kind of splitter would be an appropriate splitter to use? wont it degrade the DIRECTV signal? I dont know thats why i ask
I use this one: http://www.a1components.com/itemdisplayn.aspx?item=4350
It's "power steering" so I can connect the PI on any leg.
It's "only rated" from 5-2300 MHz, but works fine for the 2.3 MHz SWM signal.
bobnielsen
12-16-08, 02:02 PM
Your R15 won't work with that, but when you replace it you should be in good shape.
Your R15 won't work with that, but when you replace it you should be in good shape.
Yeah, I saw that it wasn't supported but I won't be changing to the SWM until I upgrade the living room to HD....at which point I will upgrade the R15 to an HR21 and do the SWM swap.
So I finally upgraded the TV and DVR to an HR22. So its time to upgrade my dish. I just want to make sure I am getting the right stuff...
1.) Here is what I am looking at:
https://www.techtoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3838
Includes the SWM LNB with multiswitch and power supply. Add in a 4 way splitter like this:
https://www.techtoolsupply.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3481
and that's all she wrote...
Although this seems to include it all for less...
http://www.2000networks.com/DirecTV-SL5S-LNB-p/dirsl5s.htm
2.) What is the difference between the H21 and H22 units? If one is "better" than the other I want to put that one in my TV room. Best I can tell it just has a larger HD.
3.) What happens if I try to use the R15 with this setup? Is it completely useless or do I just get one tuner to work? I wouldn't mind dropping the D12 and putting the R15 in my bedroom just to have the DVR even if only one tuner works.
miketorse
02-05-09, 12:23 PM
The R15 is useless with the SWM LNB. It's not going to work at all.
miketorse
02-05-09, 12:24 PM
Your first link to the SWM LNB seems expensive. Here's a cheaper one: http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SL5-SWM
miketorse
02-05-09, 12:26 PM
Last link, I promise. You can also think about getting the Slimline 3LNB SWM too. This would only work if you don't get any international stations which are on 119.
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SL3-SWM
JosephB
02-05-09, 12:53 PM
The SWM 5 linked at solid signal doesn't have the PI or a splitter. The $99 one from 2000networks.com looks like your best bet (if they are reputable, never heard of them before) and if you replace the R15 then that package will be all you need--all of this is granted that you already have a Slimline dish.
Word of caution, I *think* that the SL3S LNB requires a different arm. It seems to me when I was having my dish installed when they realized they had a bad 3 LNB SWM module and all they had left was a 5 LNB module they had to replace the arm which meant taking down the dish and repointing.
BattleZone
02-05-09, 01:15 PM
Word of caution, I *think* that the SL3S LNB requires a different arm. It seems to me when I was having my dish installed when they realized they had a bad 3 LNB SWM module and all they had left was a 5 LNB module they had to replace the arm which meant taking down the dish and repointing.
No, the SL3 will fit on any Slimline. It will not fit on the early AT9 "sidecar" Ka/Ku dish, nor will any of the Slimline LNBs. The AT9 had the tall, squarish reflector and 2-part LNB:
http://www.summitsource.com/images/products/DISAT9.jpg
The AT9 is long discontinued and considered obsolete, and installers are told to replace them whenever encountered in the field.
The Slimline is the standard dish for HD, and all of these LNBs will work:
SL3
SL3-S
SL5
SL5-S
The "-S" are the SWM LNBs.
The SWM 5 linked at solid signal doesn't have the PI or a splitter. The $99 one from 2000networks.com looks like your best bet (if they are reputable, never heard of them before) and if you replace the R15 then that package will be all you need--all of this is granted that you already have a Slimline dish.
Yeah, I am always wary of the lowest price online shop. I'm looking for any info on the store. If I can't find it, I'll just shop and the next lowest price from a reputable online vendor.
Yeah, I am always wary of the lowest price online shop. I'm looking for any info on the store. If I can't find it, I'll just shop and the next lowest price from a reputable online vendor.
I ended up talking to the guy from 2000networks.com. He seemed legit and was even helpful with some other questions I had. I placed my order and he shipped everything out quickly via fedex ground. I got it all today and it all appears to be legit stuff (has Directv logos and part numbers etc) not some chinese knockoff. I'll report back after the install.
BattleZone
02-23-09, 11:19 PM
I got it all today and it all appears to be legit stuff (has Directv logos and part numbers etc) not some chinese knockoff.
Considering that virtually all of the dishes, LNBs, and switches are manufactured in China, I'm not sure why there would be Chinese knock-offs...
That makes knockoffs even more likely. Since its made there, they don't even have to try to clone/copy it. The company that makes them for DTV probably makes pirated versions for sale in questionable markets.
BattleZone
02-24-09, 11:50 AM
That makes knockoffs even more likely. Since its made there, they don't even have to try to clone/copy it. The company that makes them for DTV probably makes pirated versions for sale in questionable markets.
Maybe so, but if you're already making the part up to spec, it would be harder to make an out-of-spec part than to just make more of what you're already making.
LameLefty
02-24-09, 12:37 PM
Maybe so, but if you're already making the part up to spec, it would be harder to make an out-of-spec part than to just make more of what you're already making.
Not necessarily. You could build the "knockoff" versions using the same part numbers and labeling, but using internal components, connectors, cabling and housings that are supposed to be tossed in the out-of-spec bins for return or recycling.
Regardless of knockoffs, where they come from, who makes them, how much they cost...etc.... the parts I received were the real deal.
I installed them today with minimal difficulty....mostly due to my own errors and trying to figure out which cables were which. The SWM LNB slid right into place where the previous LNB was. Connected one of the wires and ran it to the splitter. Connected the appropriate cables to the splitter and headed inside. Connected and plugged in the power inserter.
That's where I ran into trouble. Nothing happened on my D12....until I of course hit the reset button. After that it worked perfectly. Then I had to remove the B Band blockers from the HR21 which in itself was a pain....and reset that unit. It worked fine. Then went to the HR22 and couldn't get it to work. Switched out the cables thinking maybe I hooked up the wrong ones....reset the box several times....then realized I left the blocker in place...removed that...reset the box....still nothing....went back and switched the cables back the way I had them....reset the box...and voila. I was running. Of course, only one tuner was working so I had to call DTV to figure out where the setting was to run two tuners. I kept missing it in the menu I guess. After a few minutes I had it all up and running.
WELL worth the $100 and the 10 minutes it SHOULD have taken me to swap out!
randyk47
02-24-09, 05:56 PM
I'd think that the market isn't big enough, at least not yet, to really attract knock-offs. I bought my SWM-8, PI, and 4-way splitter from a seller on eBay and two months later haven't had one single problem. By the way Tim, my only stumble on my installation was forgetting one of the HD DVR's was set to single tuner. About 15 minutes of frustration and a couple of reboots and it dawned on me that the receiver didn't automatically set itself to dual tuners. Flipped that switch in the menu and I was up and running.....and feeling a bit foolish for overlooking that one. My cost, because the SWM-8 is a bit more expensive than the LNB approach, was $130.
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