Help with 6000u and 8VSB?

[Sonnie Parker]

I've recently learned a couple of our local OTA networks are now broadcasting digital signals and with the sweet deal on the 6000u at $149.00, I can't restrain myself from passing up the opportunity to finally enjoy a little HDTV.

I just called Dish and they did tell me the 8VSB will be shipped with the 6000u. However they will not provide me with the dish for the 61.5 feed nor any switches since I can get their mini HD package with my current setup.

I figure I'll just do the install myself (as I always have anyway). A friend tells me he may have a dish for 61.5 that he'll give me so that I can get SHO-HD and HBO-HD. He also says he may can get his hands on some switches as well. But, I'm uncertain as to exactly what I will need.

Currently I have the 5000, 3000, and 508 receivers fed via an SW44 switch and the Dish 500 dish. I'd like to replace the 5000 receiver with the 6000u but I don't want to lose my local link for my local OTA networks that are not digital as of today.

My questions are:

1. Does the 8VSB function similar to the 5000's local link?

2. Will I be able to view my OTA VHF analog channels as well as the OTA UHF digital channels by simply pressing the numbered buttons on my remote, if not, how does it work?

3. Will I be able to add a switch in conjunction with the SW44 or will I need an entirely different switch in order to add the 61.5 feed?

4. Exactly what dish will I need for the 61.5 feed?

(I am assuming I will not need to feed my 508 or 3000 with the 61.5 signal since it's only going to be for the 2 HD channels.)


I appreciate any advice, suggestions, comments.

[Littlebit92]

I can tell you that when my 61.5 and my 6000 were added that I had to have an SW64 switch. All the feeds go into the SW64 and 4 lines come off it for 4 receivers.
My antenna is run separately to the receiver and you can get both analog and digital off the antenna.
A dish 300 can be used for the 61.5 feed but they put a 500 on mine because they didnt have any more 300's at that time.
All the satellites are integrated by the SW64 and fed to all 4 receivers off it.

[n0qcu]

I've recently learned a couple of our local OTA networks are now broadcasting digital signals and with the sweet deal on the 6000u at $149.00, I can't restrain myself from passing up the opportunity to finally enjoy a little HDTV.

I just called Dish and they did tell me the 8VSB will be shipped with the 6000u. However they will not provide me with the dish for the 61.5 feed nor any switches since I can get their mini HD package with my current setup.

I figure I'll just do the install myself (as I always have anyway). A friend tells me he may have a dish for 61.5 that he'll give me so that I can get SHO-HD and HBO-HD. He also says he may can get his hands on some switches as well. But, I'm uncertain as to exactly what I will need.

Currently I have the 5000, 3000, and 508 receivers fed via an SW44 switch and the Dish 500 dish. I'd like to replace the 5000 receiver with the 6000u but I don't want to lose my local link for my local OTA networks that are not digital as of today.

My questions are:
1. Does the 8VSB function similar to the 5000's local link?
YES
2. Will I be able to view my OTA VHF analog channels as well as the OTA UHF digital channels by simply pressing the numbered buttons on my remote, if not, how does it work?
YES to both, However if you use closed captions they won't work for any OTA.
3. Will I be able to add a switch in conjunction with the SW44 or will I need an entirely different switch in order to add the 61.5 feed?
YES, you could use an SW21
4. Exactly what dish will I need for the 61.5 feed?
any single dish will work.
(I am assuming I will not need to feed my 508 or 3000 with the 61.5 signal since it's only going to be for the 2 HD channels.)


I appreciate any advise, suggestions, comments.

[Sonnie Parker]

Thanks, I really like those answers, seems like it will be pretty simple and inexpensive, especially if I can get the dish and switch for free. I think my dad might have an SW21.

For once I'm excited. I've had a Toshiba 65HDX82 for about 10 months now patiently awaiting some relatively inexpensive equipment and local HD programming to go with Dish's HD package. Maybe I'm getting really close now.

[Sonnie Parker]

OOPS! Maybe I was confused.

Instead of getting rid of the 5000 I think I'd rather get rid of the 3000. Not sure what I was thinking.


So, thinking through the switch connections:

The SW44 switch will have the same 4 cables wired into it as now from 110 and 119 on the Dish 500. On the output side of the SW44 1 output will go to the 5000, 1 output to 508 and 1 output to the SW21 switch. Then the cable from the 61.5 dish will also run into the SW21 then it's output to the 6000u.

Is this correct?

Thanks again!

[n0qcu]

Yes, that is how you would wire the switch.

[Sonnie Parker]

Not that I doubt any of your advise but I do want to make 100% sure of what I need.

I have been communicating with Mark at Dish Depot and he is telling me the SW21 will not work and that I will need an SW64.

Can anyone definitely confirm this one way or another.

Again, I truly appreciate the advice.

[James]

Not that I doubt any of your advise but I do want to make 100% sure of what I need.

I have been communicating with Mark at Dish Depot and he is telling me the SW21 will not work and that I will need an SW64.

Can anyone definitely confirm this one way or another.

Again, I truly appreciate the advice.

I think this will work, just use one SW-21. :D

You do not need the 2 by 4 multi-switch if you are only going to hook up one receiver.
Click on image to enlarge.

[Sonnie Parker]

Thanks James. I'm going to at least try it before purchasing an SW64. I really don't see why it wouldn't work myself.

[ats7627]

Thanks James. I'm going to at least try it before purchasing an SW64. I really don't see why it wouldn't work myself.

This installation will work as long as the receivers are not models 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 or JVC DVHS and OEM equivalent

[Sonnie Parker]

The models I will be using are 508, 5000, and 6000... so I should be good to go.

I've got the extra dish. A friend of mine has a Directv dish with a single LNB. Now all I need to do is find an SW21 switch. I thought I had found one but nope. I have seen these on e-bay for $7-$8 so I may just pick up one of those.

Thanks!

[styxfix]

If you want to use three receivers and two dishes w/ legecy LNBs you'll have to get that SW64 switch. You may be be able to get by with a quad LNB & SW21 switch if you don't need two dishes on all three receivers.

[Sonnie Parker]

No, I will not need 2 dishes on all three receivers, just the 6000u.

The 508 and 5000 will remain the same with only the Dish 500 feeding them. I will not be needing 61.5 for these two receivers.