SWM Slimline DIRECTV SWS8WB-P Multiplexer troubles

[coda304]

The Gear:

SWM Slimline 5-lnb Dish (single wire SWM Lnb)

SWS8WB-P Multiplexer

P1-21 (SWM Power Supply)

1 HR23-700 (HD-DVR)

4 H21-200 (HD Box’s Shipped with BBC’S) SWM Firmware Ver. 2.0.20

1 D12-700 (SD Box)


Signal Strength Numbers: Taken from the HR-23-700 (the H21’s do not show the SWM in the signal meter or the 99’s)

101-98%

99c-92%

99s-Not acquired on signal meter-shows 9-16 transponders 74-97%

103s-34%

103c-93%

SWM-100%



My HR23 & D12 work fine but when I connect the 4 H21’s without the BBC’s I am not getting all the HD channels (such as CNN and locals). If I connect the H21’s with the BBC’s in-line all 3 boxes hang at a message “searching for satellite” I also got a message on one of the H21’s saying “multiplexer error” but the message went away after doing a reset and went back to the “searching for satellite message”.

I have tried unplugging power to all boxes, unplugging SWM power supply, disconnecting coax cables from each box. I then plugging back in SWM power supply & plugging in one receiver at a time with power/coax feeds from the multiplexer to no avail.

I also have one more issue with one of the H21’s being out of sync with 3 of the other H21’s. All 4 of the H21’s are connected via HDMI to 32” Panasonic TV’s but one of the 4 TV’s is different model # and that one is the TV that is out of sync. The 4 TV’s are in a bar setting and are all in line with each other so while watching a hockey game for example the TV that is out of sync shows a goal 2-3 seconds before the other 3 TV’s…not good. I am guessing that it’s due to digital rights management with the HDMI connection, so I am considering getting another TV that is the same model number to match the other 3 TV’s already in place.


thanks

[veryoldschool]

Check the firmware version and update it if not 0x4080.
Synchronizing outputs is either from two different SATs [say SD channel and HD] or in the processing within the TV. Last time I was between my Sony & Vizio, the Vizio lead the Sony, but not by much, while the SD to HD can be.

[kucharsk]

Check the firmware version and update it if not 0x4080.
Synchronizing outputs is either from two different SATs [say SD channel and HD] or in the processing within the TV. Last time I was between my Sony & Vizio, the Vizio lead the Sony, but not by much, while the SD to HD can be.

To make this worse, the fitness facility I work out at has three of the same model LG flat panel displays, and two of them are in sync but the third is not on SD video coming from the same distribution amp!

Ah, technology…

[PokerJoker]

I count 7 tuners, and the SWMline will handle 8, so that's OK. You probably already figured this out but SWM systems do not use BBCs. Ever. And the SWS8 is not a multiplexer, just a simple 8 way splitter.

The "s" transponders are Spot beams so there will be many that don't "shine" on your area, thus many low or zero signals. The "c" transponders are "continental US" so they should generally all have good strength although you may see a zero here and there.

Update the receiver firmware, and keep trying. I had one HD DVR that needed about a half dozen resets before it finally woke up and smelled the SWM.

Keith

[mobandit]

I count 7 tuners, and the SWMline will handle 8, so that's OK. You probably already figured this out but SWM systems do not use BBCs. Ever. And the SWS8 is not a multiplexer, just a simple 8 way splitter.

The "s" transponders are Spot beams so there will be many that don't "shine" on your area, thus many low or zero signals. The "c" transponders are "continental US" so they should generally all have good strength although you may see a zero here and there.

Update the receiver firmware, and keep trying. I had one HD DVR that needed about a half dozen resets before it finally woke up and smelled the SWM.

Keith

Also, in some cases you have to re-run the Satellite Setup. Some boxes need that in order to properly detect the SWM.

[coda304]

Thanks so much everyone for the responses.

Is there a way to force a firmware update?

During setup I choose the 5 lnb dish or the 3 lnb dish?

[carl6]

Thanks so much everyone for the responses.

Is there a way to force a firmware update?

During setup I choose the 5 lnb dish or the 3 lnb dish?

You indicated in your original post that you had a 5 LNB dish. You should indicate the 5 LNB dish during satellite setup.

[HDinVT]

Thanks so much everyone for the responses.

Is there a way to force a firmware update?

During setup I choose the 5 lnb dish or the 3 lnb dish?

My HR20 lists the SWM LNB's as well as the others, so maybe your H21's do indeed need a firmware update. I am speculating as I don't own a H21.

To force a software/firmware download, do a reset on the box, and then with remote in hand, watch it carefully. Your screen will go dark, and the box will too after a bit. As soon as you see the very first blue screen immediately press 0 2 4 6 8 on the remote. After a few seconds you should see the download screen.

Good Luck ! and :welcome_s: to DBSTalk

[coda304]

Sweet…thanks for the info on the forced firm update.


The dish is the new SWM slimline with one coax on the lnb, I assume it’s the 5 but it looks different from other ones I have installed. I am not a dish tech, I am an electrician who is trying to get around the learning curve…please forgive me 

The DTV tech that installed the dish mounted the dish into brick using lag bolts with lead anchors…needless to say that setup only lasted about a week until it was almost blown away by a windstorm and hanging on by a thread, so I got called in after the fact to clean up the mess. I mounted the dish with 8-3/8 red heads and 1 mono pole. The install reminded me of the **** job the DTV techs did at my house when they mounted a 5lnb to a shaky ass wood deck with only 3 lag bolts and no mono pole, I had to completely remove the dish and start over from scratch.

[coda304]

Could anyone tell me if there is a way to find out what the latest SWM firmware is for the H21-200

[RobertE]

Could anyone tell me if there is a way to find out what the latest SWM firmware is for the H21-200

The SWM firmware is what it is. Its not updateable by customers. It can be found in the system info screen.

Now if you are looking for the current software for the H2x series, look here: http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=78

Current software & issues threads are stickied at the top.