Adding an HR20 to an existing installation

[DenMan24]

Hi,

I have a relatively new install after being away from DirecTV for several years:
HR23-700 and 3 D12s off of a SWS4.
I just got my hands on an HR20-700 and rather than swap out one of the D12s, I want to add the HR20.
Based on what I've read already, is this just a matter of upgrading the SWS4 to an SWS8?
Which of course leads to - am I better off just getting the SWS8 myself ? and how is the process of adding your own equipment now that DirecTV seems to want you to get everything from them?

Thanks.

[David MacLeod]

I think this should work. personally I would do it since its quicker.
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=SWS-8

you might find it cheaper on ebay, but this company generally ships very quickly.
no guarantees, but it SHOULD be just swapping and running another line to new dvr.
this would take you to 7 tuners in use.

an alternative if some units are real close is to use a sws2 there and free up one of the sws4 ports. this is also cheaper.
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=SWS-2
I'm not sure but I think you can split after the initial sws4 split, maybe someone could confirm this?

hope this helps, I don't have swm lnb ( I have swm-8) so I am not as informed on that.

[jdspencer]

If he's just swapping a D12 with the HR20, why does he need anything else? Just connect the HR20 where the D12 is, still only four connections from the SWS4.

[David MacLeod]

If he's just swapping a D12 with the HR20, why does he need anything else? Just connect the HR20 where the D12 is, still only four connections from the SWS4.

adding not replacing
I just got my hands on an HR20-700 and rather than swap out one of the D12s, I want to add the HR20.

[jdspencer]

Sorry, I read swap first and skipped over the add. :(

[David MacLeod]

I did first time too :) :)

[RobertE]

Hi,

I have a relatively new install after being away from DirecTV for several years:
HR23-700 and 3 D12s off of a SWS4.
I just got my hands on an HR20-700 and rather than swap out one of the D12s, I want to add the HR20.
Based on what I've read already, is this just a matter of upgrading the SWS4 to an SWS8?
Which of course leads to - am I better off just getting the SWS8 myself ? and how is the process of adding your own equipment now that DirecTV seems to want you to get everything from them?

Thanks.

First I would check to see if DirecTv will even activate that HR20. You didn't mention where you got it. If it was a leased box on someone elses account, you have yourself a brick. If it's an owned box, expect them to want you to buy a new card for it ($20).

If your going to deactivate one of the D12s and put the HR20 in it's place, i'ts just plug & play.

If your adding it to your mix, you have a couple options depending on where you are putting it and how your cables are run.

If it's going into a room with another box, just get at SWS2 and split it in the room. If it's going in a new location and that run goes back to where all the others are, they yes, get a SWS8 to replace the 4 way.

[DenMan24]

A belated thanks for all the replies. Guess I better check into whether or not I can even use this box.

[CJTE]

A belated thanks for all the replies. Guess I better check into whether or not I can even use this box.

Did you get it from a store (Brick & Mortar like BestBuy, Wal-Mart, or even an eBay authorized dealer) or did you get it from a somone (family member, neighbor, garage sale, ebay individual, craigslist).

If you got it from the first set then you should be good. Please understand that no matter how much you paid, this is still a LEASED receiver and DirecTV will want it back if you cancel your service.

If you got it from the latter set then most likely this is a LEASED receiver and whomever you got it from will have to pay a fee for not sending it back.
It is possible that this is an owned receiver (if the previous person paid the full $500 price tag, or if it was a replacement for a failed piece of owned equipment under the protection plan).