How can I add another receiver to my Dish500?

[chrisc16]

Hello,

My parents recently switched to DirecTV and they gave me their old Dish system; I would like to add the receiver (4900) to my system. Right now I have a PVR501, a Dish 500 (for 110/119) and another dish that was added after the initial install to receive locals (for 129?). I was hoping that when Dish network added the second dish, they would have installed a multiswitch that would let me connect another receiver, but when I run a check switch on my 501, it says that I have an "SW 21 3-SAT".

Should I be able to purchase a regular SW-21 switch and connect them in parallel to add my 4900 receiver? Is is impossible to mix DishPRO and legacy equipment like this? Would it be better for me to just buy a 301 instead?

Thanks for any help,
Chris

[scooper]

Yes you can get another SW21 and do the same hookup for the 4900. Until you get that SW21, you could just run a cable from the Dish500 directly to the 4900 and start using it immediately, if you wish.

Oh - and since you are in California - that 3rd dish should be for 148.

[dbdsac]

chrisc16-
I have a similar scenario. I have a DishPro system that I recently added an older Legacy receiver (6000u) to in order to view HD programming. To mix technologies, I purchased a Dish Pro adapter directly from Dish Network at a cost of about $70.