View Full Version : Directv Installation Upgrade Help Needed
Hi all,
I installed a 5 LNB HD dish a while back with my HD-21 and a standard Directv box. I would like to install an international dish as well, but need some major assistance on the items to buy and how to connect it all together. Installing the one dish was pretty easy and straightforward. But to expand to include the other dish confuses me.
Current Setup:
HD 5 LNB Dish with 4 cables entering the attic. Attic feeds connections to 2 different rooms. Currently I do not have a multi-switch installed since I utilized the multi-switch available on the dish itself.
Question:
What type of dish do I need to get to support the international channels?
What kind of switch would I need to get (assuming a multi-switch is a must)?
Any suggestions are welcome. I will answer any questions that may arise.
Thanks in advance everyone.
I'd suggest you call Directv for an upgrade.
International dish POS/PIA. required.
WB68 Multiswitcher. required.
Patience. Lots.
veryoldschool
02-07-09, 05:35 PM
Zinwell WB68 multi-switch
"I think" a 18" single LNB dish will work. [I'm sure someone will correct me if this isn't so]
I have had them come out and install it before and I had pretty bad experiences, so I prefer to do it myself.
Birdman79
02-07-09, 06:21 PM
An 18' dish won't do,you'd need DTV's 36' dish,or you can use a free to air dish(33'),and run the line to flex port one on a 6x8 switch.You need a big dish because of the linear frequency.
BattleZone
02-07-09, 06:22 PM
Zinwell WB68 multi-switch
Yes.
"I think" a 18" single LNB dish will work. [I'm sure someone will correct me if this isn't so]
No, DirecTV international comes from 95W (Galaxy 3C), which is an FSS-class Ku bird. It requires the "WorldDirect" 30" dish and an FSS-band LNB, which comes with the dish.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/lovessympathy/DTVWorldDirectDish.jpg
The single output from the FSS LNB goes into one of the Flexports on the WB68. The additional standard DBS LNB that comes in the kit is intended to pick up 101 when the World Direct dish is used by itself, and is not needed and should not be connected to the switch when used with the KaKu dish.
Everyone hates this dish because the tripod-style mast is a pain to install and level (it must be mounted on a flat surface with a triangular base area with about 2' sides), and because there are a lot of parts to assemble. Oh, and because it uses 13mm bolts instead of 1/2".
veryoldschool
02-07-09, 06:56 PM
No, DirecTV international comes from 95W (Galaxy 3C), which is an FSS-class Ku bird. It requires the "WorldDirect" 30" dish and an FSS-band LNB, which comes with the dish.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y151/lovessympathy/DTVWorldDirectDish.jpg
The single output from the FSS LNB goes into one of the Flexports on the WB68. The additional standard DBS LNB that comes in the kit is intended to pick up 101 when the World Direct dish is used by itself, and is not needed and should not be connected to the switch when used with the KaKu dish.
Everyone hates this dish because the tripod-style mast is a pain to install and level (it must be mounted on a flat surface with a triangular base area with about 2' sides), and because there are a lot of parts to assemble. Oh, and because it uses 13mm bolts instead of 1/2".
Thanks [I knew someone would]
So the 95 SAT doesn't use the same dish as the 72.5 SAT does/did.
BattleZone
02-07-09, 06:57 PM
No. 72.5 is a DBS-class bird, and can use a normal 18" round dish and DBS LNB.
Mertzen
02-07-09, 07:45 PM
Thanks [I knew someone would]
So the 95 SAT doesn't use the same dish as the 72.5 SAT does/did.
Nah, sadly enough it doesn't.
To the OP i really recommend getting a trained tech out for this upgrade. The 95 signal really is hard to grab without the proper tools.
DBS satellites (such as 99, 101, 103, etc.) use circular polarization. 95 uses linear and part of the alignment is rotating the LNB to the proper position. As others have noted, installating and aligning the 95 dish is a pain.
Technically, the 95 dish should be connected to flexport 2 on the WB68, but I think it works on flexport 1 if there is no 72.5 dish.
Mertzen
02-08-09, 12:13 PM
DBS satellites (such as 99, 101, 103, etc.) use circular polarization. 95 uses linear and part of the alignment is rotating the LNB to the proper position. As others have noted, installating and aligning the 95 dish is a pain.
Not anymore. Earlier generations used to have a tiltable 95 LNB but the current generation has a fixed LNB and if the mast is plumb aligns with the rest of the dish.
Technically, the 95 dish should be connected to flexport 2 on the WB68, but I think it works on flexport 1 if there is no 72.5 dish.
For any single wing dish [ no matter if it's 95 or 72.5 ] has to go on flex 1. Only on flex two in the rare case of 72.5 & 95.
BattleZone
02-08-09, 12:46 PM
DBS satellites (such as 99, 101, 103, etc.) use circular polarization. 95 uses linear and part of the alignment is rotating the LNB to the proper position.
The LNB has an alignment pin molded onto it, and the bracket has a slot for the pin, so unless you heavy-hand it during assembly, the LNB will be properly aligned. The output connector will face down when the LNB is properly aligned.
Looking at International dishes, there appears to be two different models: DTV36EDS and DTV66E.
It appears that the DTV66E has a single mast and the DTV36EDS has the tripod mast. What is the difference between the two models and is either easier to install over the other?
I strongly reccomend having the international installed. along with the increased complexity of the dish, the ird setup also requires advanced training. I wouldnt worry too much about having a bad experience as most hsp's send senior tech's to do internationals.
Based on everyone's feedback, I think I will opt to get a contractor to do the install, but I was still planning on buying the ancillary equipment to cut down on the overall cost. Which dish is recommended between the two (DTV36EDS and DTV66E)? Or does it not matter?
BattleZone
02-23-09, 11:28 PM
The DTV66E isn't very common, but it's easier to install. It uses a 2" mast with an oversize mast foot. The dish itself is metal-impregnated fiberglass. It's a cleaner-looking install.
The DTV36EDS is the World Direct dish I posted above, which uses the tripod mount, and is powder-coated steel like all the other dishes. Technically, the tripod mount is more secure, but it requires the dish to be mounted on a large, flat surface; either a roof or a wall. From an installer's point of view, it's a pain to put together and mount. From a customer's point of view, it might be better in areas with high winds, especially if the dish is going on the roof where it won't be sheltered.
If you can mount the dish on a wall where the house blocks the wind, then it doesn't matter.
TwoPhases
02-06-11, 03:49 AM
My mother-in-law's World Direct LNB just died. It's an Eagle Aspen P170 linear LNB (which no one carries of course). Any standard or universal FSS LNB out there that might work as a replacement? I know that I may have to fabricate a new bracket for it.
My mother-in-law's World Direct LNB just died. It's an Eagle Aspen P170 linear LNB (which no one carries of course). Any standard or universal FSS LNB out there that might work as a replacement? I know that I may have to fabricate a new bracket for it.
Why not just call Directv and have them send her a new one?
TwoPhases
02-06-11, 01:30 PM
Why not just call Directv and have them send her a new one?
A new dish or a new lnb? Won't that involve a tech coming to her house? And at what cost? Another 2-yr commitment? She's on a fixed income being retired & all.
veryoldschool
02-06-11, 01:40 PM
A new dish or a new lnb?
Won't that involve a tech coming to her house?
And at what cost?
Another 2-yr commitment?
She's on a fixed income being retired & all.
yes
maybe, as it can be waived, but could also cost
no
TwoPhases
02-06-11, 03:07 PM
Okay, I made the call. There will be no 2-yr commitment but they want her to pay $80 for the new World Direct dish & new linear LNB. Thanks for the input but back to my initial question. Any standard or universal FSS LNB out there that might work as a replacement? That may be the less expensive option for her.
wallfishman
02-06-11, 03:20 PM
The DTV66E isn't very common, but it's easier to install. It uses a 2" mast with an oversize mast foot. The dish itself is metal-impregnated fiberglass. It's a cleaner-looking install.
The DTV36EDS is the World Direct dish I posted above, which uses the tripod mount, and is powder-coated steel like all the other dishes. Technically, the tripod mount is more secure, but it requires the dish to be mounted on a large, flat surface; either a roof or a wall. From an installer's point of view, it's a pain to put together and mount. From a customer's point of view, it might be better in areas with high winds, especially if the dish is going on the roof where it won't be sheltered.
If you can mount the dish on a wall where the house blocks the wind, then it doesn't matter.
the world direct is much easier to install now because months ago they standardized all DTV mast to 2 inches. 18 inch, 18x20, 36 world direct, and KAKU all use the same mast 2 inches. so setting one of these up now is alot faster for me because its the same mast as monopoles as kaku. the dish looks like the one pictured. i put them up twice as fast as before , that mast thats pictured was a pos.
The Merg
02-06-11, 03:54 PM
Okay, I made the call. There will be no 2-yr commitment but they want her to pay $80 for the new World Direct dish & new linear LNB. Thanks for the input but back to my initial question. Any standard or universal FSS LNB out there that might work as a replacement? That may be the less expensive option for her.
For a new dish and LNB, plus installation that is very reasonable. Basically, they usually charge about $50 for the tech visit and then a minimal cost for the dish.
- Merg
mnassour
02-08-11, 04:16 PM
Folks...I'm supposed to have an international dish installed this weekend. My current dish is a 3LNB Slimline very securely mounted to an old 4" c band pole. (We poured concrete down the pole and inserted the 2" pipe for the DirecTV dish in the center, so is IS secure.) I was wondering about the mount. Is this something that could be strapped to the side of the existing pole?
Also...we currently have two lines running to the house where the multiswitch is. Will we require additional lines to the multiswitch, or would this hook at the pole to the existing dish?
thanks! Mike Nassour
BattleZone
02-09-11, 10:52 AM
You're going to need another pole, and you're going to need 4 lines from the Slimline along with 1 line from the International dish, all going to some type of switch. The following would work:
Legacy:
- 6x8
- 6x16 (discontinued)
SWM:
- SWM8
- SWM16
- SWM32 (commercial use only)
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