New Install Questions...

[a42887]

I've attached an image of my setup for clarification.

First off, I apologize for what is probably easy questions. I'm new to the game, and am looking to make sure I'm on the right track.

I live in the below pictured apartment, and have four cable outlets in the unit. They all feed back to a junction box that all four dangle inside of, and are currently hooked up to the cable company's main feed via a splitter. I've never had DirecTV before, so this will be a new install. From what I've gathered, what I think I need is a SWB Dish and a newer receiver (I'm getting an HD DVR). I only want the one TV hooked up, none others. Since this is an apartment, I can not put in new outlets / a second outlet for a second coax run. What I want to do is put a barrel connector between outlets 3 and 4 in the junction box (so that 3 and 4 are connected), and run a line in from my balcony-mounted dish into outlet 3 and hook my TV up to outlet 4 (keeping the shortest distance of visible wire possible). I don't know if having about 30 feet of cable between my dish and receiver is a problem. Also, a SWB dish allows for only one coax run even to a HD DVR, correct? Any flaws in my logic? Thanks in advance!

[SDizzle]

I've attached an image of my setup for clarification.

First off, I apologize for what is probably easy questions. I'm new to the game, and am looking to make sure I'm on the right track.

I live in the below pictured apartment, and have four cable outlets in the unit. They all feed back to a junction box that all four dangle inside of, and are currently hooked up to the cable company's main feed via a splitter. I've never had DirecTV before, so this will be a new install. From what I've gathered, what I think I need is a SWB Dish and a newer receiver (I'm getting an HD DVR). I only want the one TV hooked up, none others. Since this is an apartment, I can not put in new outlets / a second outlet for a second coax run. What I want to do is put a barrel connector between outlets 3 and 4 in the junction box (so that 3 and 4 are connected), and run a line in from my balcony-mounted dish into outlet 3 and hook my TV up to outlet 4 (keeping the shortest distance of visible wire possible). I don't know if having about 30 feet of cable between my dish and receiver is a problem. Also, a SWB dish allows for only one coax run even to a HD DVR, correct? Any flaws in my logic? Thanks in advance!

You will get an SWM LNB and an HDDVR that is SWM compatible. Yes, 1 line to the HDDVR will run both tuners.

[SDizzle]

30 feet, not a problem, and if I understand the question of making basically 2 lines into 1 as a way to feed the signal from the dish, no problem there either.

[a42887]

Awesome, anything I need to look for before the tech comes out to be sure my equipment and dish are SWM compatible, or is that the standard now? Thanks for the prompt response!

Edit: Also, according to this (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=3550002) page, I'm in an area that requires "Receipt of local channels in these markets requires a DIRECTV® Multi-Satellite Receiver with APG and the use of a second 18-inch DIRECTV Dish.". Does this change the wiring needed, and also can the second dish be mounted near the original dish?

[SDizzle]

Awesome, anything I need to look for before the tech comes out to be sure my equipment and dish are SWM compatible, or is that the standard now? Thanks for the prompt response!

Edit: Also, according to this (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=3550002) page, I'm in an area that requires "Receipt of local channels in these markets requires a DIRECTV® Multi-Satellite Receiver with APG and the use of a second 18-inch DIRECTV Dish.". Does this change the wiring needed, and also can the second dish be mounted near the original dish?

ALL HDDVRs are SWM compatible, and SWM LNB dishes are standard too, so you're okay there. Now, the 2nd dish that you are referring to may be the 72.5 dish, and to be honest, we don't use them out here, I have only read about them here. You will need someone to chime in on that scenario who installs, or is in one of these markets. However, I believe (and I could be wrong) that the 2nd dish is needed for SD locals, and not HD locals?!? Are HD locals available in your market by D*???

[SDizzle]

And I believe that 2nd dish is usually installed next to the main dish, it just needs to be aimed differently.

[RobertE]

Awesome, anything I need to look for before the tech comes out to be sure my equipment and dish are SWM compatible, or is that the standard now? Thanks for the prompt response!

Edit: Also, according to this (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=3550002) page, I'm in an area that requires "Receipt of local channels in these markets requires a DIRECTV® Multi-Satellite Receiver with APG and the use of a second 18-inch DIRECTV Dish.". Does this change the wiring needed, and also can the second dish be mounted near the original dish?

Unless you are in one of these markets you don't need the 72.5 dish anymore.

Cedar Rapids-Waterloo, IA
Sioux Falls, SD
Springfield, MO
Toledo, OH
Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX

If you fall into one of those markets, then the 72.5 dish is a deal killer for SWM LNB.

[a42887]

Most are in HD, and the ones that aren't I'm not concerned with. Whoever chimes in, do they have to know if you have the second dish installed to activate your locals, or will they turn them on by default, and you get what you can get with your setup? Also, for someone who has had this happen before, are all HD locals in fact on the normal bird? Thanks again for the great help!

[a42887]

Unless you are in one of these markets you don't need the 72.5 dish anymore.

Cedar Rapids-Waterloo, IA
Sioux Falls, SD
Springfield, MO
Toledo, OH
Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX

If you fall into one of those markets, then the 72.5 dish is a deal killer for SWM LNB.

Awesome. Sorry, was composing my reply when you replied. Sounds like my install should go smoothly! One last small question. I'm going with the flower pot, concrete, and pole method for mounting. Is there any specific size of pole I should be looking at? Thanks, all!

[SDizzle]

Refer to RobertE's post....are you in one of these markets? Robert knows what he speaks of.....

[SDizzle]

Awesome. Sorry, was composing my reply when you replied. Sounds like my install should go smoothly! One last small question. I'm going with the flower pot, concrete, and pole method for mounting. Is there any specific size of pole I should be looking at? Thanks, all!

And it looks like I replied to you when you were replying...LOL

[SDizzle]

Awesome. Sorry, was composing my reply when you replied. Sounds like my install should go smoothly! One last small question. I'm going with the flower pot, concrete, and pole method for mounting. Is there any specific size of pole I should be looking at? Thanks, all!

2" I think.

[RobertE]

Awesome. Sorry, was composing my reply when you replied. Sounds like my install should go smoothly! One last small question. I'm going with the flower pot, concrete, and pole method for mounting. Is there any specific size of pole I should be looking at? Thanks, all!

2 inch outer diameter for the pole.

[BattleZone]

And normally, finding a 2" OD pole can be difficult, as the stuff you'll commonly find at Home Depot and the like will be 2" ID, which means 2 3/8" OD, and that won't work.

Usually your best bet is to go to a muffler shop. They'll have heavy duty 2" OD pipe and will be able to sell you a piece in whatever length you need for fairly cheap (<$20).

[a42887]

Awesome. I'm in the Lincoln, Nebraska market by the way. Shouldn't need more than 2 feet sticking out of the pot for mounting, should I?

[GolfProRM]

If you're in the Lincoln DMA, you don't need the 72.5 dish anymore (they won't install it) - all of our locals are in HD, and the Slimline dish will pick them all up.