Planning to Expand...what will I get

[mbrown520]

I know this might have various correct answers depending on the installer but I currently have a 6x8 that is filled. I will soon be adding 2 or 3 DVRs to my home. I was hoping for a 6x16 but now see that those are not approved. Dont really want to buy one if I am not going to be credited for it, so that being said, what will I end up with? I see that one option is I will keep my 6x8 then have a SWM8 also? Is this standard or will I end up with just another 6x8...my whole point in asking is that all newly added dvrs will be on newly installed coax locations, if they do use a SWM will it even be necessary to run 2 coax runs to each new location. Just thinking that if I am guaranteed to get a SWM to handle the new equiptment is it worth my time and effort to even run two lines to each location. As a side note I now have my 6x8 in a box with all my other stuff (wireless internet, phone etc)..there wont be room for much else so I want to plan an area for all my DTV stuff, would like to know how much to plan for.

THanks

[bobnielsen]

You probably will get an additional 6x8 multiswitch, with splitters on the input lines to feed both of them. SWM appears to be limited to new installations (and that is the SWM LNB, not the SWM8, except for DIY).

[rudeney]

Like Bob stated, it's most likely that you will be getting another WB68 that will be connected to your dish outputs in parallel with the existing mutliswitch. If you want anything else, you will need to buy it yourself. Since you are concerned about space in the cabinet, the WB616 would likely be the best solution.

You won't be able to use a SWM-ODU unless you are willing to live with a second dish because it's limited to 8 tuners total with no support for legacy receivers. You could buy your own SWM8, but given the number of tuners in your system, you'll either need two of them in parallel, or one in parallel it with the existing WB68. That still brings up the cabinet space dilemma.

[mbrown520]

So the 2 6x8 wont be connected correct? 4 Lines will run in from sat..split into 8 with 4 going to one 6x8 and the other 4 going to the other 6x8...both 6x8 will aslo need power correct?

[rudeney]

Correct - 4 lines from the dish, split to 8, then run to matching inputs on the two WB68's. WB68's have no power connections - they are powered directly from the tuners on the connected receivers. The WB616 and the SWM8 do require power. The WB616 has a separate power input where the SWM8 uses a "power inserter" that can be placed in line with a connected receiver.

[mbrown520]

OK so is there any concern or is there any disadvantage in having not enough power at the 6x8 since they are not powered "directly" like the 616

[rudeney]

No, there is no need to have power at the WB68. In fact, I don't think there is any way to power it "locally"; it can only get power from the attached tuners. The maximum distance from any tuner to the WB68 is 100 feet. At longer cable runs, voltage drop can be a problem, so it's advised to use RG6 coax with a "solid core copper" center conductor as opposed to "copper clad steel".

[mbrown520]

Excellent advice, thanks, was considering buying a 616 but if DTV is going to provide a 6x8 at no real disadvantage then I will just get another box and move the other stuff in there and have 1 dedicated box for the sat stuff

[Cats#8]

What part of Indiana do you live? In the middle of October all new installs in the southern part of Indiana will be all SWM. But as others have said I think the tech would just add another switch. But with all techs having SWM in there vans a few things could change his mind. Phone lines come to mind;) You only have to have one phone line with SWM and we are getting hammered on phone lines. Alot of IRD's without phone lines available makes SWM look like a really good idea to the tech. :rolleyes:

[mbrown520]

What part of Indiana do you live? In the middle of October all new installs in the southern part of Indiana will be all SWM. But as others have said I think the tech would just add another switch. But with all techs having SWM in there vans a few things could change his mind. Phone lines come to mind;) You only have to have one phone line with SWM and we are getting hammered on phone lines. Alot of IRD's without phone lines available makes SWM look like a really good idea to the tech. :rolleyes:

Just north of Indy....not sure I follow...would i need a phone line to get SWM? Currently I have no phone line, also does the SWM need to be powered from an AC ooutlet or is it strictly powered through the in line power inserter, which recieves power from the receiver

[rudeney]

What part of Indiana do you live? In the middle of October all new installs in the southern part of Indiana will be all SWM. But as others have said I think the tech would just add another switch. But with all techs having SWM in there vans a few things could change his mind.

Those are SWM-ODU's on the installer's truck. SWM8's are not used in residential installations. Since the OP already has a full WB68 (8 tuners), that would max out a SWM-ODU, and that also assumes that all of his existing tuners are SWM compatible. On top of that, he's adding 2 or 3 DVR's, which means 4 or 6 more tuners. The only way to run all 12 to 14 tuners using SWM-ODU's is to install two dishes.

Phone lines come to mind;) You only have to have one phone line with SWM and we are getting hammered on phone lines. Alot of IRD's without phone lines available makes SWM look like a really good idea to the tech. :rolleyes:

Why does a SWM system only require one phone line?

[Shades228]

Those are SWM-ODU's on the installer's truck. SWM8's are not used in residential installations. Since the OP already has a full WB68 (8 tuners), that would max out a SWM-ODU, and that also assumes that all of his existing tuners are SWM compatible. On top of that, he's adding 2 or 3 DVR's, which means 4 or 6 more tuners. The only way to run all 12 to 14 tuners using SWM-ODU's is to install two dishes.



Why does a SWM system only require one phone line?

Receivers on a SWM will use the SWM to broadcast data when the receiver connected to the phone line calls in.

[rudeney]

Receivers on a SWM will use the SWM to broadcast data when the receiver connected to the phone line calls in.

Wow, I did not know that! Thanks for the info! :)

[Cats#8]

Those are SWM-ODU's on the installer's truck. SWM8's are not used in residential installations. Since the OP already has a full WB68 (8 tuners), that would max out a SWM-ODU, and that also assumes that all of his existing tuners are SWM compatible. On top of that, he's adding 2 or 3 DVR's, which means 4 or 6 more tuners. The only way to run all 12 to 14 tuners using SWM-ODU's is to install two dishes.



Why does a SWM system only require one phone line?

True.. True.. I was jumping ahead of myself and thinking about the 16.:nono2:
But they told us last week that only one phone line will be required on a SWM job.