HR2X with one cable

[p3pilot]

I am sure this has been answered, but I wasn't able to find with search. A friend of mine recently had his installation updated for HD got a HD receiver and wanted to get a HD recorder.

As part of a loyalty award he got a free HD DVR, but the installer told him it wouldn't work since he only had one cable run to the room. He wanted $100 to run another cable and my friend wasn't sure if that is the route he wanted to go now. Is this true? Understand that given this configuration he would only be able to either watch or record one channel, but is the installer correct in saying a HD DVR will not work at all with only one cable hooked up?

[davring]

It will work fine with one cable but the installation includes the proper cables. The installer is trying to make a buck.

[Mertzen]

With the Install Verification" now active it would be impossible to activate the IRD without a dual run.

Would the second wire be fished from attic or crawl space? In that case there might be a custom charge.

[p3pilot]

With the Install Verification" now active it would be impossible to activate the IRD without a dual run.

Would the second wire be fished from attic or crawl space? In that case there might be a custom charge.

The second wire would have to be fished down from the attic, so I guess that is why the extra charge.

[Mertzen]

There you go. 100 is a lot for a fish though, but I'm sure you can negotiate with the tech.

[69hokie]

Another option is to install a SWM in the system and one wire will work for the two feeds needed for a DVR. Alternatively, a SWM dish upgrade will accomplish the same result, one wire feeds. Several threads on what a SWM is, but generally it sends several satellite signal feeds over the same wire, but at different frequencies which the receivers can decipher. (SWM=single wire multiswitch, a Directv switch)

[p3pilot]

Another option is to install a SWM in the system and one wire will work for the two feeds needed for a DVR. Alternatively, a SWM dish upgrade will accomplish the same result, one wire feeds. Several threads on what a SWM is, but generally it sends several satellite signal feeds over the same wire, but at different frequencies which the receivers can decipher. (SWM=single wire multiswitch, a Directv switch)

I have a newer setup and it is using a SWM dish and works very well. I wasn't sure if they would update his system in this way or would just want to run a second cable to the DVR. Seems the the SWM gives you so many more options.

[doctrsnoop]

I have a newer setup and it is using a SWM dish and works very well. I wasn't sure if they would update his system in this way or would just want to run a second cable to the DVR. Seems the the SWM gives you so many more options.

The most options is the standard dish with add-on SWM8, as the SWM dish will allow for 8 tuners max. The standard dish could be practically divided into some 32-64 tuners easily.

[harsh]

Seems the the SWM gives you so many more options.Note that these options aren't usually afforded to existing customers and if there is any legacy equipment stinking up the place, the installer will balk.