PIP support & Number of lines needed

[vlj9r]

Thinking about coming back to DTV. I have a multi-switch that has 8 outputs which was enough to feed 3 dual tuner DVRs and 2 receivers.

At one time I read were DTV was looking at switching to a system that would only require 1 line to each receiver/DVR and still be able to use dual tuners. Has that happened?

Are they now able to support PIP on their receivers?

Thanks,

jerry

[dbsdave]

You mean single wire multiswitches?

What I do know is that none of their receivers support PIP, and there are no plans to anytime soon. So you would have to feed a tv with pip two different sources. Many of the directv receivers do allow you to use component and hdmi output at the same time.

[Steve]

Thinking about coming back to DTV. I have a multi-switch that has 8 outputs which was enough to feed 3 dual tuner DVRs and 2 receivers.

At one time I read were DTV was looking at switching to a system that would only require 1 line to each receiver/DVR and still be able to use dual tuners. Has that happened?Yes. You'll need a newer style multi-switch, tho. It's called a SWiM, short for Single-wire Multiswitch. The SWiM's come in 8 tuner version and 16 tuner versions. A SWiM8, e.g., will allow you to connect your set-up above (3-DVR's + 2-STB's), but using 5 cables instead of 8.

Are they now able to support PIP on their receivers?
Not on anything that's currently shipping, up to the HR24.

[...] Many of the directv receivers do allow you to use component and hdmi output at the same time.For simultaneous output of the same channel or recording.

[joe diamond]

Thinking about coming back to DTV. I have a multi-switch that has 8 outputs which was enough to feed 3 dual tuner DVRs and 2 receivers.

At one time I read were DTV was looking at switching to a system that would only require 1 line to each receiver/DVR and still be able to use dual tuners. Has that happened?

Are they now able to support PIP on their receivers?

Thanks,

jerry

One receiver for the main screen & one for the PIP.


Unaware of a PIP with HD that is worth either viewing or the money required for the feature, IMHO. SD PIP seems good enough and isn't improved by HD.


Joe

[The Merg]

Yes. DirecTV has SWiM (Single Wire Multiswitch) technology that allows you to run one cable to a DVR and use both tuners.

No. There is no integrated PIP with the receivers. If your TV has PIP though, you can run the output from two receivers to your TV and then use those inputs for PIP.

- Merg

[jdspencer]

The problem with current PiP implementations on most TV receivers is that one of the signals has to be RF. So the two DirecTV receiver solution won't work (unless you run one through a modulator).

Personally, the need for PiP went away when the dual tuner DVR became available.

[BattleZone]

Once again, PiP comes down to this:

- In poll after poll, the vast majority of subscribers is uninterested in PiP. We all understand that there is a minority to whom PiP is VERY important and are passionate about the issue, your collective numbers aren't high enough.

- PiP requires a second video output processor chip, which increases the cost of every unit.

- DirecTV has decided that since PiP is such a low-demand item that it doesn't make sense to raise the cost of every DVR just to please a small number of people.

- Folks who used to do PiP have instead gone to multiple TV/displays and additional receivers.

[tonyd79]

The problem with current PiP implementations on most TV receivers is that one of the signals has to be RF. So the two DirecTV receiver solution won't work (unless you run one through a modulator).

Personally, the need for PiP went away when the dual tuner DVR became available.

Most I have seen involve HD for the main screen and SD (RF or analog video) for the second. That is what I have for both my Sony and my Vizio.