Is this a multiswitch problem?

[mortimer]

I'm missing a bunch of my HD channels, probably close to half of them. Note this is a new install, but I think I was getting all my HD channels at first...

First, my setup. I have a slimline that is fed into a Zinwell 6x8 (we'll call this MS#1). This feeds another Zinwell 6x8 (MS#2).

MS#1 feeds my HR21. I get all the HD channels on this box.

MS#2 feeds the rest of my receivers, but only one is an HD receiver (an HR20). This is the box that is missing HD channels.

What I've tried: First, I switched the cables around on the HR20, both before and after the BBCs. I've also swapped out the BBCs for a couple of spares. I then tried moving the HR20 to other rooms being fed by MS#2. Same problem, same missing channels.

I moved the HR20 (and it's BBCs) to the room fed by MS#1 and it works fine.

Does this sound like a problem with MS#2? I've considered trying to move the cables feeding the room with the HR20 from MS#2 to MS#1, but it would mean ripping out a pretty nice cabling job so I can get enough length to reach MS#1. Also, I am planning on getting another HD box in the near future, and would need MS#2 for that. So I think I may have someone come out and replace the multiswitch, if that is indeed the problem.

[azarby]

I'm missing a bunch of my HD channels, probably close to half of them. Note this is a new install, but I think I was getting all my HD channels at first...

First, my setup. I have a slimline that is fed into a Zinwell 6x8 (we'll call this MS#1). This feeds another Zinwell 6x8 (MS#2).

MS#1 feeds my HR21. I get all the HD channels on this box.

MS#2 feeds the rest of my receivers, but only one is an HD receiver (an HR20). This is the box that is missing HD channels.

What I've tried: First, I switched the cables around on the HR20, both before and after the BBCs. I've also swapped out the BBCs for a couple of spares. I then tried moving the HR20 to other rooms being fed by MS#2. Same problem, same missing channels.

I moved the HR20 (and it's BBCs) to the room fed by MS#1 and it works fine.

Does this sound like a problem with MS#2? I've considered trying to move the cables feeding the room with the HR20 from MS#2 to MS#1, but it would mean ripping out a pretty nice cabling job so I can get enough length to reach MS#1. Also, I am planning on getting another HD box in the near future, and would need MS#2 for that. So I think I may have someone come out and replace the multiswitch, if that is indeed the problem.

I'm assuming that you are cascading to get more than 8 signal feeds. Did you try swapping the position of the Zinwells? Also the prefered way is to use four splitters and put the Zinwells in parallel. If you do this, just make sure that the output of any given splitter feeds the same position on each Zinwell. Cascading the Zinwells is not reccomneded unless you provide some sort of external power. You may need to get an auxillay power source to suppply both 6x8s.

Bob

[texasbrit]

As posted, you should not be cascading two Zinwell 6x8 multiswitches. Zinwell do not recommend it because you will often not deliver enough power through the cascaded multiswitches to drive the LNBs correctly so you will get the symptoms you are describing. You need either to use a WB616 powered multiswitch, or run the two WB68s in parallel as azarby suggests. Or use a Sonora power locker on the four lines to the dish.

[mortimer]

Ah, so it's the cascading. Yes, they are cascaded. I'll probably have to call and have DirecTV roll someone out here, as I don't particularly want to mess with obtaining splitters and recabling that mess myself. Thanks all!

[mortimer]

Just as a followup, I decided to go ahead and move the HD receiver to the other multiswitch as a temporary solution, and that cleared up the problem. I'll need to do something else if I decide to get another HD receiver, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Again, thanks for the prompt help, azarby and texasbrit!

[mortimer]

And now, I've added another HD box. I knew it'd have problems, and I have the Protection Plan, so I called DirecTV. Went through the normal troubleshooting steps which I knew wouldn't help, and they finally scheduled a repair call.

Mastec came out and said there was nothing they could do. The only option they provided was for me to buy a 6x16 MS and they would install it for me (perhaps for free).

The installer said that he is not allowed to use splitters to install the two 6x8's in parallel, because the splitters fail at a high rate.

Is that true? I'm considering ordering the 4 splitters myself (about $25) and doing the work myself rather than going through the pain of complaining to DirecTV and having to schedule another half-day of waiting for the installer. But only if that's the right way to go... If I need a 6x16 MS, DirecTV ought to pay for it and I'll fight to get that, but if $25 and a little work on my part will fix the problem, I'll probably go that route.

[David MacLeod]

if it were me, and I knew both switches were ok, I'd buy the 4 splitters myself and just be done with the crap.
thats just me though, some might want to battle with D* over it.

actually I'd buy 5 splitters, a spare is nice :)

[mortimer]

if it were me, and I knew both switches were ok, I'd buy the 4 splitters myself and just be done with the crap.
thats just me though, some might want to battle with D* over it.

Yeah, I don't want to battle... $25 is fine for me, especially if I don't have to miss half a day of work. I just want to make sure that the splitter solution is the way to go (and that the installer didn't know WTH he was talking about when saying the splitters fail at a high rate).

[David MacLeod]

I have swm-8 and wb616 (616 is for a legacy application) running off splitters with no issues.