Please help me.......

[weathernlu]

OK, I am at my wits end. DirecTV is about to lose a 7 year customer at $120 a month and they don't even seem to care. I need some validation here from you guys in the know regarding SWM.

Here's the situation:

Had to get my dish moved last month due to a new roof installation and homeowners association rules. Tech comes out, awesome dude by the way, and I tell him about the problem I have been having which is not being able to use the $800 worth of DVR's I have because the first idiot technician I had come out only ran one line per receiver (he mostly used what was existing to save himself work).

At that point he tells me about the SWM technology. Oh my lord, it's been hell with DTV ever since. When you mention the word SWM, customer service reps going into orbit. I have been lied to so many times in the last three weeks I lost track.

I just called again and now I am being told SWM can only be done on a new install. When I called him on this asking him if there was magic coax that made SWM technology worked he got quiet.

I currently have wires running from my dish to a multiswitch (8 channel) in my attic which has the wires going to each room (I have 6 receivers). I am 99.9% positive a SWM would solve my problem of only having one line running to each room and therefore not being able to use my DVR record and watch feature.

Someone help me here so I can call back and expose them as liars again!

Thanks!

[veryoldschool]

You'd need to buy one yourself.
Since you already have a multi-switch, a SWM8 seems like the thing to replace it with "But" you can only run 8 "Tuners" off it and each DVR counts as two.
Also you need to have receivers that work with SWM.

So, what type of receivers and how many of each?

[Lee L]

I bought one on ebay last year for a decent price.

Youll need to make sure you get the SWM-8 and an 8-way splitter.

[weathernlu]

You'd need to buy one yourself.
Since you already have a multi-switch, a SWM8 seems like the thing to replace it with "But" you can only run 8 "Tuners" off it and each DVR counts as two.
Also you need to have receivers that work with SWM.

So, what type of receivers and how many of each?

I would need to buy one myself because I am right and it can be done they are just lying or I would need to buy one myself because the one they have truly will not work?

My Receivers

HD-DVR - HR21-700
HD-DVR - HR20-100
HD - H21-200
HD-DVR - HR20-700
HD-DVR - HR21-700
DVR - R15-100

I can dump one DVR for sure becuase it's in a room we don't really use, but I guess that would still leave 9 feeds needed.

So I would only be able to have the 4 DVR's on the dish using SWM with no way to hook anything else up?

[bixler]

This is a great website for SWM related information. You need to purchase a SWM 8 multiswitch yourself because Direct TV would more than likely only install a SWMLNB and that is limited to 8 tuners. You can run multiple SWM 8's to gain enough tuners to fit your set-up. I purchased the SWM 8 switch, the power inserter, and the SWM 8 splitter on EBAY for like $75 shipped.

I also think you would need to dump the R15 if you were going SWM.

http://www.swm8.com/swm-wiring-examples.php

This would work for you.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIRECTV-SWM8-E2-EXPANDER-KIT-W-MULTISWITCHES-SPLITTERs_W0QQitemZ140376128620QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ LH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20af11bc6c

[Teronzhul]

There are some different types of swm units. The most popular, and the only one that DirecTV provides to new installs is the LNB variant that has only an swm output and is installed at the dish. There is also the swm-8 switch variant, which would replace your existing switch in the attic. This unit also has the 8 channel limit on swm out, but it has 3 legacy outputs for older receivers (non-hd specifically).

Your R-15 receiver is not swm compatible, but your remaining receivers all are. If you went with the swm-8 switch, you could run one hd-dvr in single tuner mode, with the other 3 running dual tuner with your H-21 as well. You could also hook up the R-15 to the legacy ports, but if you have only 1 cable to the R-15 it would still be running in single tuner mode only.

There is no way to get more than 8 channels from a single swm unit, but you can hook up two of them in parallel using high frequency splitters, and thus have 2 parallel 8 channel swm systems which would feed all of your existing tuners and provide expansion capability. There is also a forthcoming 16 channel variant which has two onboard 8 channel outputs (essentially two internally bridged swm-8 units) but its cost and availablity are yet to be determined. I wouldn't wait if you are eager to actually do something.

[Stuart Sweet]

weathernlu... first of all :welcome_s if no one has said that yet.

You cannot get the installer to do an SWM conversion yet, no matter how hard you try. However, that's likely to change. When? I don't know. But it will change.

[Teronzhul]

This would work for you.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIRECTV-SWM8-E2-EXPANDER-KIT-W-MULTISWITCHES-SPLITTERs_W0QQitemZ140376128620QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ LH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item20af11bc6c

Posted while I was typing. This is precisely what you would need if you want more than 8 swm channels available. This not only gives 16 swm enabled tuners, but 6 legacy ports as well for a total of 22 possible tuners.

[veryoldschool]

I would need to buy one myself because I am right and it can be done they are just lying or I would need to buy one myself because the one they have truly will not work?

My Receivers

HD-DVR - HR21-700
HD-DVR - HR20-100
HD - H21-200
HD-DVR - HR20-700
HD-DVR - HR21-700
DVR - R15-100

I can dump one DVR for sure becuase it's in a room we don't really use, but I guess that would still leave 9 feeds needed.

So I would only be able to have the 4 DVR's on the dish using SWM with no way to hook anything else up?
"A" SWM8 will run all your DVRs, but not the H21-200, as this would be number 9.
The R15 can connect to two of the three legacy ports on the SWM8.
You could connect the H21 to a legacy port, but won't get the HD channels.

[weathernlu]

Thanks so much guys and thanks for the welcome. I will check out buying the stuff myself. It's sad but I love the programming and I am content with my service so I guess I will just take it up the you know what and do it myself.

[bixler]

:welcome_s

If you are leary at all about EBAY this is a great vendor to get your stuff from...

http://search.solidsignal.com/?q=swm8&site=new&new_search=1&cart=0


This is actually the person I purchased from on EBAY. Very resonable price but again this would only get you 8 HD tuners with one wire to your DVRs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Swm-8-Multiswitch-Power-Supply-Included-New_W0QQitemZ130358155876QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item1e59f39a64

[evan_s]

You could use your existing wb68 in parallel with a SWM8 to get everything up and running. You'd just need 4 2 way power passing splitters. Hook the power passing side up to the SWM8 and make sure the splitters go to the same input port on both switches. You can then run the four hd-dvr's of the swm 8 using single cables and the hd receiver and the sd dvr off the wb68 and still have several ports empty for future expansion.

You could also run it all of a swm8 if you were ok with 1 on the dvr's being limited to only 1 tuner.

You are getting no where because currently SWM is only used for new installs and the primary SWM option provided is a SWMLNB which maxes at 8 devices and doesn't support legacy devices at all. The SWM8 was originally designed for MDUs (apartments etc) but is going to become available for home installs in the future. Eventually, as the rules get changed or with enough complaining you might get DirecTV to give you SWiM but it isn't going to be quick or easy. They should however have no problem sending someone out to get you a properly functioning system using non swm tech. Keep in mind this will require running a second cable to each hd-dvr and that wall fishing is considered custom work and will be an additional charge.

Also note that no matter what you do the r51 will require 2 cables to get both tuners active. It doesn't support swm and that is the only way to use 2 tuners with a single cable.

[weathernlu]

Wow, thanks so much for all the great ideas. I am thinking that I will just go ahead and spend the money now and get the 16 ports for expansion. I am going to build out my garage soon and will want to add another HD receiver out there so I might as well have room to expand.

This one on EBay that was recommened earlier with the SWM8 E2 expander kit.........is that everything I need to have the 16 ports? Also, is that a fair price if I do the buy it now and get it on the way?

By the way, I called back and went ape you know what and told them I knew they were lying. Got the coolest rep on the phone who apologized and said he hated that they had people lying like that. I got $20 off for the next 6 months and free Starz and Showtime!

Now I can take that $120 and buy the equipment I need and just do it myself! :)

[oldengineer]

Quick question. I have a Slimline 5 dish with a 3LNB block (LOS problems to 110/119). I'm currently using 2ea HR 21 and 1ea H21 boxes. Can I replace my WB68 multiswitch with an SWM8/splitter and use my existing dish configuration?

Thanks in advance for the answer.

[dsw2112]

Quick question. I have a Slimline 5 dish with a 3LNB block (LOS problems to 110/119). I'm currently using 2ea HR 21 and 1ea H21 boxes. Can I replace my WB68 multiswitch with an SWM8/splitter and use my existing dish configuration?

Thanks in advance for the answer.

Yes, or you could remove the WB68 and use a SWMLnb and splitter (if you were to drop the R15)

[Lee L]

:welcome_s



This is actually the person I purchased from on EBAY. Very resonable price but again this would only get you 8 HD tuners with one wire to your DVRs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Swm-8-Multiswitch-Power-Supply-Included-New_W0QQitemZ130358155876QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Def aultDomain_0?hash=item1e59f39a64

OK wow, they have come down in price quite a bit.

To the OP, you need what is linked above, plus an SWS-8 (or SWS-4 if you are doing all HR20 and 21 DVRS) splitter for every 8 tuners you want. So, if you wanted to do 16, you would need to buy 2 of everything, plus the 4 high frequency splitters to split the 4 current lines to feed the two SWM-8s.

You could also as mentioned, just buy the 4 splitters, one SWM-8 (or SWS-4) and one SWS-8 and then you would use the current multiswitch to feed some things and the SWM to feed the DVRs, then just buy another SWM-8 down teh road when you need more tuners.

The other option is what I am running right now. Keep the current multiswitch in place, then run 4 of the feeds off it to the inputs of the SWM-8 which then feeds the SWS-8 (or 4). That way you still have the 4 feeds off the old switch as well as the ability to run 8 tuners off the SWM

[veryoldschool]

The other option is what I am running right now. Keep the current multiswitch in place, then run 4 of the feeds off it to the inputs of the SWM-8 which then feeds the SWS-8 (or 4). That way you still have the 4 feeds off the old switch as well as the ability to run 8 tuners off the SWM
While this may work for you, it isn't recommended and isn't the best option.

[weathernlu]

I am going to do it the way with two SWM8's together as first mentioned, giving me plenty of room to grow.

I just want to make sure that auction for $170 listed above is everything I need and a resonable price.

[weathernlu]

Posted while I was typing. This is precisely what you would need if you want more than 8 swm channels available. This not only gives 16 swm enabled tuners, but 6 legacy ports as well for a total of 22 possible tuners.

I missed this earlier. Cool, so I could go up to 8 HD DVR's and still use my R15 (I think that is the one you guys said is not compatible), right?

I don't think I'll ever get to 8 HD DVR's but you never know with me, I want a TV everywhere! :)

[weathernlu]

One more question, what is the newest HD DVR receiver, is it the HR21-700?

[mobandit]

One more question, what is the newest HD DVR receiver, is it the HR21-700?

The newest is the HR23...however all HD DVR's are functionally the same, the main difference being hard drive size...and the HR23 does not need external B-Band converters (BBC) as the tuner in the HR23 is a wide band tuner. However, if you go to a SWM system, there is no need for BBC's...

[weathernlu]

The newest is the HR23...however all HD DVR's are functionally the same, the main difference being hard drive size...and the HR23 does not need external B-Band converters (BBC) as the tuner in the HR23 is a wide band tuner. However, if you go to a SWM system, there is no need for BBC's...

OK cool, thanks! Do you know about that price for that setup? Just want to make sure that is a decent price before I buy it.

[Lee L]

I had missed that one before. The other auction has just the SWM-8 and Power supply for $55 IIRC and the SWS-8 splitters are $15 each plus the splitters you need to run the two switches are probably worth $20 total, so it looks like you would be a little bit cheaper ($10 give or take) buying all the stuff seperately, but the $170 for everything looks like a good deal to me, especially considering the piece they are using to feed the two SWMs is quite pricey itself orderd alone. Plus it requires only one power supply so it will make your wiring a little simpler. If I were you, I would go for the $170 deal for everything.

[weathernlu]

Awesome, thanks again for all of the help guys. I'll probably be back when I get everything for some guidance hooking myself up! :)

[armophob]

Just remember they are leased.

[Lee L]

Just remember they are leased.

Remember what is leased?

[veryoldschool]

Remember what is leased?
"Receivers/DVRs"

[Lee L]

"Receivers/DVRs"

OK, I knew that. It just seemed like he was going to say the SWM equipment.

[veryoldschool]

OK, I knew that. It just seemed like he was going to say the SWM equipment.
Guess I know him a bit better and it was about the HR23 question.

[DrummerBoy523]

I would need to buy one myself because I am right and it can be done they are just lying or I would need to buy one myself because the one they have truly will not work?

My Receivers

HD-DVR - HR21-700
HD-DVR - HR20-100
HD - H21-200
HD-DVR - HR20-700
HD-DVR - HR21-700
DVR - R15-100

I can dump one DVR for sure becuase it's in a room we don't really use, but I guess that would still leave 9 feeds needed.

So I would only be able to have the 4 DVR's on the dish using SWM with no way to hook anything else up?

I would LOVE to know how you have this many receivers and only pay $120 a month. Seriously. I pay $99/month for 1 HD DVR, 1 SD DVR (owned) and 1 SD receiver (owned).

[veryoldschool]

I would LOVE to know how you have this many receivers and only pay $120 a month. Seriously. I pay $99/month for 1 HD DVR, 1 SD DVR (owned) and 1 SD receiver (owned).
total choice and no premium movie channels should do it.
receivers= $25
HD = $10
DVR service = $6

[bixler]

I would LOVE to know how you have this many receivers and only pay $120 a month. Seriously. I pay $99/month for 1 HD DVR, 1 SD DVR (owned) and 1 SD receiver (owned).

He only has 3 more receivers than you so if you have the same packages I would expect his bill to be $15 more than yours. Seems like it's $21 so I'm not sure what your question is.

[armophob]

Guess I know him a bit better and it was about the HR23 question.

Yes you do and yes it was.:D

[weathernlu]

I have one of the older packages I think where it is a package that comes with HD and DVR for $75.99. Then I have 5 receivers times 5 = $25.00 and the protection plan. The sixth receiver is $5 but they give me a $5 credit for the primary receiver.

That's $75.99 plus $25.00 plus $5.99 equals $106.98 plus taxes.

Here I was thinking I was paying way too much! :)

[weathernlu]

Yes you do and yes it was.:D

All of them are leased, aren't they? I mean I own all of mine but I still pay the lease fee on each one. Someone told me it was a mirroring fee.

[veryoldschool]

All of them are leased, aren't they? I mean I own all of mine but I still pay the lease fee on each one. Someone told me it was a mirroring fee.
Look on your bill, if it say "leased Receiver", it's a leased and not owned.
If you see "additional receiver" then it's owned and this is the mirroring fee.

[armophob]

All of them are leased, aren't they? I mean I own all of mine but I still pay the lease fee on each one. Someone told me it was a mirroring fee.

As I understand it, once they switched over to the non-Tivo type boxes, they all were leased and not owned. Even though you paid for the box, they still own it. There were some people that paid $600-$700 for theirs so they can say they own them.
If it does not make any sense to you, then you get it.:)

[weathernlu]

As I understand it, once they switched over to the non-Tivo type boxes, they all were leased and not owned. Even though you paid for the box, they still own it. There were some people that paid $600-$700 for theirs so they can say they own them.
If it does not make any sense to you, then you get it.:)

LOL! Too funny. I just purchased the system you guys recommended off of EBay so I am looking forward to getting it so that I can install it next weekend.

I also got a call from DirecTV's customer satisfaction team and I told them what happened. They gave me $10 off for the next year! Now I have gotten $240 worth of credits and the system cost me $180. I am going to have to do it myself but at least I got them to pay for it plus a little.

[hdtvfan0001]

LOL! Too funny. I just purchased the system you guys recommended off of EBay so I am looking forward to getting it so that I can install it next weekend.

I also got a call from DirecTV's customer satisfaction team and I told them what happened. They gave me $10 off for the next year! Now I have gotten $240 worth of credits and the system cost me $180. I am going to have to do it myself but at least I got them to pay for it plus a little.
Seems you are "whole" now, with a bit extra for "pain and suffering". :D

Hope the rest of the install goes well for you. ;):)

[weathernlu]

Seems you are "whole" now, with a bit extra for "pain and suffering". :D

Hope the rest of the install goes well for you. ;):)

Thanks!! I am starting to check out some of the websites out there that go through the install and I think I know what I am going to be doing. That does NOT mean that I won't be on here begging for help when I screw something up! :)

[hdtvfan0001]

Thanks!! I am starting to check out some of the websites out there that go through the install and I think I know what I am going to be doing. That does NOT mean that I won't be on here begging for help when I screw something up! :)
Many of us are here to help.

[veryoldschool]

Many of us are here to help.
And have screwed up before :lol:

[hdtvfan0001]

And have screwed up before :lol:
Yup....we're experts and graduates of the School of Hard Knocks.

[bixler]

Thanks!! I am starting to check out some of the websites out there that go through the install and I think I know what I am going to be doing. That does NOT mean that I won't be on here begging for help when I screw something up! :)

www.swm8.com

[Lee L]

As I understand it, once they switched over to the non-Tivo type boxes, they all were leased and not owned. Even though you paid for the box, they still own it. There were some people that paid $600-$700 for theirs so they can say they own them.
If it does not make any sense to you, then you get it.:)

The change to leasing was actually before the HR20 ever came out even. It was march of 2006 I beleive (may be a different year) so plenty of HR10 boxes are technically leases, but I don;t think DirecTV wants them back when you quit though.

[CCarncross]

March 2006 is correct for leasing, I bought an H20 in Feb. 2006. I was reading a post the other day that said they bought an HR20 5 years ago, and it didnt even come out until late summer/early fall of 06.

[weathernlu]

So my wife just called and said that the equipment came, so I will be starting tonight and trying to finish up before I go to work tomorrow.

I can't wait!!!!

[weathernlu]

OK, took about 45 minutes but I have the two SWM8 modules connected to the expander kit, I have the power plugged in and I have moved the 4 wires coming from the dish into the expander as well as putting the one line I have going to each receiver into the 8 way splitters (there are two). I connected a RG6 coax from the middle of the splitter (the red one) to the SWM1 port on each module.

So far so good?

I am resetting the first HR21 now to see if I have anything!

[weathernlu]

OK, took about 45 minutes but I have the two SWM8 modules connected to the expander kit, I have the power plugged in and I have moved the 4 wires coming from the dish into the expander as well as putting the one line I have going to each receiver into the 8 way splitters (there are two). I connected a RG6 coax from the middle of the splitter (the red one) to the SWM1 port on each module.

So far so good?

I am resetting the first HR21 now to see if I have anything!

OK, looks like I had missed a step which was attaching two coax cables from the expander to the LEGACY 3 port of each module. That's done, I am re-setting the receivers again.

[weathernlu]

Crud, not getting anything. I knew I'd screw it up! :) HELP!

[weathernlu]

All of the TVs are showing searching for satellite signal. Not good LARRY!

[weathernlu]

Ah ha! Might have something here. Even though I read something that said that the 4 satellite wires didn't matter where they went on the E2 expander, that seems to be wrong. I switched them around and now I am at least getting a receiving satellite info on the first one I reset again.

[Shades228]

http://www.swm8.com/swm8-e2.pdf

[weathernlu]

Wow, this is just going strangely. I have some that won't get a signal at all, and I have some that are getting a signal but for instance I can't get 212 NFLHD. Yikes, what have I done! :)

[weathernlu]

Guess I am stuck until some of you guys wake up! I have no idea what I did wrong, but whatever I did it ain't good!!! I followed the directions to the T.

Does it matter if the two splitters are connected to SWM1/PWR or SWM2?

[veryoldschool]

Guess I am stuck until some of you guys wake up! I have no idea what I did wrong, but whatever I did it ain't good!!! I followed the directions to the T.

Does it matter if the two splitters are connected to SWM1/PWR or SWM2?
Can you post a picture of what you have? It might help us.

[weathernlu]

Can you post a picture of what you have? It might help us.

No problem.....I will go take a few.

[weathernlu]

Sat wires coming in from the dish.

[weathernlu]

Splitters......I assume that each line one top and one bottom is two channels, right? Or does it matter as long as I don't have more than 4 DVR's in there?

[weathernlu]

Wide view of the whole thing.

[weathernlu]

Here is the current status:

R15 in legacy port: fully functional
HR20-100: All channels that I can tell so far except 212 NFLHD.
HR21-700 in living room: Nothing, signal meters show ZERO.
HR21-700 in son's bedroom: Same as HR20-100, all channels that I can tell except 212HD.
H21-200 (HD only, on DVR): Nothing, signal meters show ZERO.
HR20-700: No idea, turns out the box is dead.

[Doug Brott]

weathernlu,

Did you restart your receivers after the installation? You will definitely have to do this.

[weathernlu]

weathernlu,

Did you restart your receivers after the installation? You will definitely have to do this.

Yes, tried red button reset and pulling the power.

[veryoldschool]

Look here: http://www.swm8.com/swm8-e2.pdf

It would help to have pictures of both sides of the SWMs

[Shades228]

missed a page asked for pictures and they were already there sorry.

[weathernlu]

If I see this correctly, you have AC power going into the expander, correct?
You also have a PI for each SWM.

does it look like this: http://www.hometech.com/hts/googlebase.html?item=GC-SWME2

I see one coax connect to a legacy port.

"If I'm correct", the top SWM has a coax off the extender going into SWM1
This is supplying 24 volts.
If you look at the image in my link,
You'll see two connectors that say power to SWM.
You should connect these to the legacy port #3 [which is where you do have a cable connected]
Once you've done this, you don't need any other PIs anywhere.
Now for your receivers:
Either SWM 1 or SWM 2 should go to the splitter input and the outputs to receivers.
Both at the SWM and on the splitters, any unused outputs [SWM 1 or 2] should have 75Ω terminations.

I'm fairly sure we need to post back an forth before all of this gets sorted out.

Yes, I have the SWM E2. The AC power is coming from the wall into the first jack for the power supply and then it instructed me to connect coax from the two ports on the side of that to the LEGACY 3 port on each SWM module. That is the only power I have, I don't have those smaller grey boxes.

The one coax going into LEGACY 1 is the R15, it is fully fuctional.

I have the splitters connected with coax from the middle red port to the SWM1 on one and SWM2 on the other (I actually had it on SWM1 on each so I have tried both ways). All other ports on the thing are terminated except the flex ports for the sat lines. I tried to terminate those and they got extremely hot so I figured that was a bad idea.

What is the other red port on the splitters? I made sure I connected at least one receiver to it because I assumed it was to be used first.

How do my splitters look, does it matter where the lines going down to each room go?

[veryoldschool]

The first photo shows a cable from the expander going to the SWM legacy port #3 [green stripe connectors and very short cable] This is powering this SWM.
The connector next to it on the expander has a cable too, but I can't tell/see where it goes.
This second cable should also go to legacy port #3 on the second SWM.

With these connected, you shouldn't have any other PIs anywhere.

[veryoldschool]

Yes, I have the SWM E2. The AC power is coming from the wall into the first jack for the power supply and then it instructed me to connect coax from the two ports on the side of that to the LEGACY 3 port on each SWM module. That is the only power I have, I don't have those smaller grey boxes.

The one coax going into LEGACY 1 is the R15, it is fully fuctional.

I have the splitters connected with coax from the middle red port to the SWM1 on one and SWM2 on the other (I actually had it on SWM1 on each so I have tried both ways). All other ports on the thing are terminated except the flex ports for the sat lines. I tried to terminate those and they got extremely hot so I figured that was a bad idea.

What is the other red port on the splitters? I made sure I connected at least one receiver to it because I assumed it was to be used first.

How do my splitters look, does it matter where the lines going down to each room go?
We're getting closer.
So you have the power correct.
Now the red connectors both on the SWM & the splitters no longer really mean anything.
If you didn't have the expander, then these would be the lines/connectors for the gray PIs to connect on both the splitters and SWM8.

Time to look and the SWM outputs and splitters.

[weathernlu]

Close up of splitter one.

[veryoldschool]

Splitter: http://www.avdemand.com/PhotoDetails.asp?ShowDESC=N&ProductCode=SWS-STR8

As you can see the center "red" connector goes to the SWM8, either SWM #1 or #2 [doesn't matter in your case since you're not using the PI 29].
All your receivers should be on the other output ports.

How long are the cables coming off the splitters?

[weathernlu]

Close up of splitter two.

[veryoldschool]

[side note that really doesn't affect the problem]
Since you're only using half of the splitter outputs, I'd have used two of these: http://dishworld.biz/catalog/product/gallery/id/121/image/150/

[weathernlu]

Other side of the SWMs.

[weathernlu]

Splitter: http://www.avdemand.com/PhotoDetails.asp?ShowDESC=N&ProductCode=SWS-STR8

As you can see the center "red" connector goes to the SWM8, either SWM #1 or #2 [doesn't matter in your case since you're not using the PI 29].
All your receivers should be on the other output ports.

How long are the cables coming off the splitters?

OK so the other red port doesn't matter anymore. I got the 8 splitters because I have all DVR's. I thought that you had to leave the other line open since it is taking up two channels.

The wires coming from the splitters to the SWM modules can't be more than 5 feet long each.

[veryoldschool]

Other side of the SWMs.
:lol: but those cables don't let me see the lower SWM.

The top SWM clearly show both the connection to SWM1 and the chain with the termination being connected to SWM 2.
The lower one has a cable on SWM2, but can't see SWM1.

[carl6]

If you are getting signal on some channels and not on others, it is possible you have one (or more) bad coax coming from the dish. Check your satellite signal strength for all satellites for all transponders and post the results in this format:
101
1-8: 95 94 89 93 87 88 90 89
9-16: 88 90 90 94 94 90 89 89
etc.

From that, we can tell if you have a bad input and which one it is.

[veryoldschool]

OK so the other red port doesn't matter anymore. I got the 8 splitters because I have all DVR's. I thought that you had to leave the other line open since it is taking up two channels.

The wires coming from the splitters to the SWM modules can't be more than 5 feet long each.
The eight ways are for feeding eight non DVRs.
In your case 4-ways would have been better as they have less loss and you're not needing to waste as much power into the loads/terminations.
5' SWM to splitter is fine.
Splitter to receiver is????

[veryoldschool]

If you are getting signal on some channels and not on others, it is possible you have one (or more) bad coax coming from the dish. Check your satellite signal strength for all satellites for all transponders and post the results in this format:
101
1-8: 95 94 89 93 87 88 90 89
9-16: 88 90 90 94 94 90 89 89
etc.

From that, we can tell if you have a bad input and which one it is.
If you look at what is and isn't coming through, it doesn't look to be so simple.

[bleggett29]

Other side of the SWMs.A quick look at this pic tells me that the top SWM8 may not be fully connected to the E2. Try to get the entire E2/SWM8 setup on a flat surface and make sure to fully seat both SWM8's into the E2.

[veryoldschool]

After realizing there are two users here with dual SWM8 setups that have problems, and I may have mixed up the two:

Maybe this setup should be simplified for troubleshooting.

Connect only one receiver [directly] to each SWM and run the signal tests.

[Doug Brott]

A quick look at this pic tells me that the top SWM8 may not be fully connected to the E2. Try to get the entire E2/SWM8 setup on a flat surface and make sure to fully seat both SWM8's into the E2.

Yup .. I was going to say the same thing .. Doesn't look snug.

[weathernlu]

:lol: but those cables don't let me see the lower SWM.

The top SWM clearly show both the connection to SWM1 and the chain with the termination being connected to SWM 2.
The lower one has a cable on SWM2, but can't see SWM1.

LOL! Didn't realize that. I had them both on SWM1, so when I switched the bottom one to SWM2, I moved the termination clip on the chain to SWM1.

[veryoldschool]

Yup .. I was going to say the same thing .. Doesn't look snug.
From the first photo they look "parallel" and from the "other side" they don't. :confused:

[David MacLeod]

seems that expander is a lot more trouble than 4 splitters for 2 swm-8 units.

[weathernlu]

Yup .. I was going to say the same thing .. Doesn't look snug.

You know I kept thinking the same thing, but I pushed so hard I thought I was going to break them. Should I disconnect them both and try again?

[veryoldschool]

LOL! Didn't realize that. I had them both on SWM1, so when I switched the bottom one to SWM2, I moved the termination clip on the chain to SWM1.
:lol: so that should be fine.
As I posted ^ I think it's time to start with a basic setup and have one receiver connected straight to each SWM.

[veryoldschool]

You know I kept thinking the same thing, but I pushed so hard I thought I was going to break them. Should I disconnect them both and try again?
They should look like this: http://www.hometech.com/pdf/gc-swme_1.pdf

[weathernlu]

On the TV that is working except for 212 NFLHD, this is what I am getting.

101:

99 100 98 68 97 100 97 100
97 100 98 0 99 100 96 100
97 0 97 0 99 100 96 100
98 0 98 0 99 100 98 100

110:

96 96 96 and a bunch of N/A

119:

N/A until 21 then 100 0 98 0 100 0 100 0 100 0 100

99c:

94 89 90 88 85 86 83 85
82 70 79 66 86 0 then N/A

99s:

0 95 0 85 0 0 then N/As until 15 then 79 57 0 0 0 88 40 62 92 89 then N/As again

103s:

All zeros and N/As

103c:

0 94 0 93 0 90 0 92
0 89 0 92 0 93 then N/As

SWM:

100 0 0 100 100 97 98 98
98 then N/As

[weathernlu]

They should look like this: http://www.hometech.com/pdf/gc-swme_1.pdf

OK, I am going to go disconnect the SWM modules from the expander and try to reconnect them.

[David MacLeod]

I would double check lines in from dish too. the missing 103c is usually connection issue iirc.

[veryoldschool]

On the TV that is working except for 212 NFLHD, this is what I am getting.

119:

N/A until 21 then 100 0 98 0 100 0 100 0 100 0 100

103c:

0 94 0 93 0 90 0 92
0 89 0 92 0 93 then N/As
I suspect there is a error here.
119 & 103c both use the same cables [13 volt 22Khz, & 18 volt 22Khz]
13 volts are the odd tps & 18 are the even.
"If" 103c is correct then the 13 volt cable is bad, "but" 119 should the 18 volt is bad. "I think" 119 may be listed incorrectly in this post and it too is missing the odd TPs.

[weathernlu]

OK, I went in and removed those horrible fat black rubber things from the connections and they made a much better fit on both of them.

Now I am getting the NFLHD again and I am about to go check the receivers that were getting ZEROS.

Now I have:

119:

100 100 98 0 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

99c:

92 93 89 91 88 89 88 91
87 91 88 91 92 95

103c:

94 95 92 94 87 90 89 92
89 90 89 94 89 94

SWM:

100 100 0 0 100 98 98 97
97

[weathernlu]

Uh yeah, I would say that was the problem. I think the top one was partially in which was getting me half service on a few TV's. The bottom one I don't think was in at all. Removing those black things was the key.

I didn't even have to reset the ones getting zero, when I turned on the TV the picture was already there.

[veryoldschool]

SWM:

100 100 0 0 100 98 98 97
97
These don't really mean that much. The two zeros are there because you have two other tuners on this SWM.
If you were to set each receiver on the SAT signal level screen, then each receiver would "free up" the SWM channel(s) it is using and then there would be no zeros.

[carl6]

Seeing the signal readings did help isolate the problem to bad connection(s). Glad you got it sorted out.

[rkish]

Geez...you guys are better than TV! :) I don't even have a use for SWM (only have (2) receivers) and I followed this entire thread.

Glad you found your solution and it's the people on this forum that always seem to renew my faith in the kindness of strangers! :)

[weathernlu]

Do doubt you guys are the best. I am rocking and rolling now with all my DVRs thanks to the advice and help here!

[oldengineer]

Do doubt you guys are the best. I am rocking and rolling now with all my DVRs thanks to the advice and help here!

IAWTP!! I had a few questions about my installation answered in this thread. I just got finished with my SWM-8 multiswitch installation and I've got 3 working HD/HDDVR boxes.