Can signal cable to receiver be split to add another receiver

[francis13]

Can the signal cable going into the receiver be split to feed 2 receivers? If so, what splitter or switch is required for a dish500 system? I have my signal cable running through my attic to a receiver. I would like to split that cable inthe attic and feed 2 receivers.

[Mark Holtz]

You can't use a splitter on a DBS line.... period. Not only is the DBS line used to get the signal to the receiver to watch TV, but the receiver also sends a signal back to the DBS switch in order to tune in the proper transponder and satellite.

Since you didn't specify which DBS provider you have, we can't offer any solutions.

[scooper]

Francis - you can't split a single cable like Mark Holtz said. What LNB is on your Dish500 ? My guess is that you have a TWIN of either Legacy or Dishpro - in either case, you need to pull another cable from the LNB to the proposed location of your 2nd receiver.

If you have 2 receivers currently, and you're looking to add a 3rd - We need to know exactly what you have - LNB and receivers (and any switches).

[Mike500]

You can, if it's a DishPro single stacked lnb pointed at one satellite location, like 61.5 for Sky Angel, and you are using a DishPro receiver.

[88fan]

Can't split sat lines. When you start splitting lines you screw up the voltages that travel from the receiver to supply power to the lnbfs.

[Mike500]

Can't split sat lines. When you start splitting lines you screw up the voltages that travel from the receiver to supply power to the lnbfs.

Guess you haven't looked at stacked lnb's, of which DishPro is one type.

[dbdsac]

You can't use a splitter on a DBS line.... period. Not only is the DBS line used to get the signal to the receiver to watch TV, but the receiver also sends a signal back to the DBS switch in order to tune in the proper transponder and satellite.

Since you didn't specify which DBS provider you have, we can't offer any solutions.

Yes, you can split a single input cable into two seperate receivers. I have been doing it for months with an RCA DBS splitter.

http://www.rca.com/product/viewdetail/0,2588,PI786,00.html?

This splitter allows D/C voltage to pass through.

[SSW_Exposure]

Can't is being overused in this thread.Can't split sat lines
...can't split a single cable....
You can't use a splitter on a DBS line.... period.
One of many of my dbs stories:
Got a call:
We would like a receiver moved to a different room or a 3rd receiver---I asked about their dish and they said it only had one 'eye'--explained about a multiswitch--
I got to their home on a cold, windy day so at first I only saw outside that they did have a 18" dish.
After talking to them, all they really wanted was to have a receiver in the son's room, and would be happy if the tv in the master bedroom (with IRD now) could just use the same channel that is being used in the living room.
OK.. son's room one IRD,, other IRD split to two TVs
Son's room has coax wall plate, don't know where it goes but is on an outside wall about 2 feet from the pole where their dish and OTA is located.
Now I go outside and there are two coaxes going up the pole, I'm just checking out which ladder I need, but also notice only one coax going to the dish.
After a little more inspection, both of their IRDs had been using a single LNB, split with a 'cable splitter' (54-900mhz??)..
They where getting transponders upto about the mid 20s, and showed them how changing a channel on one IRD could kill the reception of the other,, and they said 'they had kinda noticed that', but had been using it this way for atleast 3 years........
The coax though the house was ok, did some connector swaping added another 25' of RG6 down the pole to their connection point, added a second line to the son's room (to get the OTA also).
Two hours and parts, less than a Cbill.

But now..... It CAN be done, just does work completely. Thus is just one of many 'installs' I have come across.

If you don't believe just try it.

EDIT----as noted in the following post below......the line:
It CAN be done, just does work completely.
should read:
It CAN be done, just doesn't work completely.

[scooper]

Let's correct your post a little - you CAN use a splitter, but it WON'T operate correctly (as we define by full independent operation of all receivers) - which means you CAN'T wire up that way and have it work correctly.

[SSW_Exposure]

Correct-----
The 2nd to last line was meant to have said doesn't (does not) instead of does. :sure:

I will add a notice to the post of the correction of the mistake, but leave the original so that this post and yours make sense in the future.

Thanks, SSW

[HTguy]

Yes, you can split a single input cable into two seperate receivers. I have been doing it for months with an RCA DBS splitter.

http://www.rca.com/product/viewdetail/0,2588,PI786,00.html?

This splitter allows D/C voltage to pass through.This type of power- passing high frequency spiltter will work to connect 2 receivers to a single-output LNBF aimed at a single satellite orbital position. You probably have a 18" dish aimed at 101 for DirecTV although the same thing would work with the old DISH Network "DISH 300" aimed at 119 or one of the "wing" satellites for international channels.

However, it will not work with a DISH 500 system. A DISH 500 has 2 seperate dual LNBFs (for both 119 and 110) connected with SW21 muti-dish switches, or a TWIN LNBF, or a QUAD LNBF. You can't split the cable coming down from either of these and operate 2 receivers independently. For that matter, you can't use it on a DirecTV Phase III dish for the same reason.

That's why they make QUADs in the first place, as well as various other multi-dish switches such as DP34s, SW64s, SW44s, etc.

[dbdsac]

This type of power- passing high frequency spiltter will work to connect 2 receivers to a single-output LNBF aimed at a single satellite orbital position. You probably have a 18" dish aimed at 101 for DirecTV although the same thing would work with the old DISH Network "DISH 300" aimed at 119 or one of the "wing" satellites for international channels.

However, it will not work with a DISH 500 system. A DISH 500 has 2 seperate dual LNBFs (for both 119 and 110) connected with SW21 muti-dish switches, or a TWIN LNBF, or a QUAD LNBF. You can't split the cable coming down from either of these and operate 2 receivers independently. For that matter, you can't use it on a DirecTV Phase III dish for the same reason.

That's why they make QUADs in the first place, as well as various other multi-dish switches such as DP34s, SW64s, SW44s, etc.

I have a Dish 500 system with two dishes...one dish aimed at 110 & 119 and a second dish aimed at 148. It does work...flawlessly!

[HTguy]

I have a Dish 500 system with two dishes...one dish aimed at 110 & 119 and a second dish aimed at 148. It does work...flawlessly!Not that I doubt your word, since strange things are known to happen, but on the face of it what you are saying doesn't make much sense technically.

Would you be kind enough to relate how your installation is configured (which models of LNBFs & multi-dish switches and how they are connected) as well as where the HF splitter is located?

From which drop is the splitter connected and to what kind of receivers?

Do both receivers see all the channels available to you and can you change channels on each of them independently?

Inquiring minds want to know! :scratchin

[dbdsac]

I started out with a dual LNB setup on a single dish (110 & 119) about two years ago. This fed a 508 in the living room and (3) 301's in the bedrooms with four direct cables. Then, about six months ago I had an installer put up a second dish to aim at 148 for HD (which now I don't need since the relocation of HD content to 110) when I purchased a 6000u that sits next to my 508 in my living room. When the second dish went up, the installer added a switch under the eaves of my 2-story home that was not there before. I didn't even know he did this until after he was gone. I am sorry, but I can't see it well enough from the ground to be able to tell you which model. I installed the splitter (shown above) directly to the feed cable into my living room directly before the receivers. One feed runs to my 6000u and the other to my 508. Since I have DishPro equipment and the 6000u is a Legacy receiver, I also have to place a DishPro adaptor in the circuit after the splitter, but before the 6000u receiver.

The 508 cannot see the HD channels (obviously), but the 6000u sees everything. Independently, these receivers operate flawlessly, but I have never tried to view the receivers simultaneously (why would I need to), but I will give this a try tomorrow since now you have me curious...maybe an easy, inexpensive alternative to the long awaited DP-44 many are waiting for prior to purchasing a 921???

[HTguy]

You may be on to something.

When your wing dish was installed for 148 they used a DP LNBF, converted your DISH 500 to a DP TWIN( or 2 DP singles), and put in a DP34 switch. That's why your 6000 needs a DP adapter.

Your HF splitter is passing both the odd (950-1450MHz) & even (1650-2150Mhz) transponders to each receiver. And because both legs can pass power they can each send the DC control signal back up. As long as no one is trying to change channels simultaneously (which could happen if different people were operating the receivers in different rooms at the same time) there may be no conflict.

Or possibly it only would work reliably if one receiver is off (since they can "see" each other thru the splitter.) Are you absolutely sure that changing channels on one receiver doesn't change them on the other? Please let us know if that is the case. You wouldn't necessarily notice this if you're only watching one at a time.

Even if it works according to this theory it would not be a recommended or supported installation because of the high probability of simultaneous operation and the conflicts that would entail.

If it actually works with both receivers powered up a knowledgeable & careful single owner/user might even get away with this for a 921, 721 or even a 522 or 322.

And francis13 will need to know if he has a DP system and it will certainly depend on whether someone else is using one of the receivers before he tries this.

[dbdsac]

I tried it this afternoon and it seems to work just fine. Since each receiver is connected into my TV through seperate inputs, I simply turned on both receivers and toggled between TV inputs to see that each receiver was outputting a different channel simultaneously. I also tried changing channels on each receiver with no problem using the buttons on the front of the units. Naturally, if I was to try to change channels with the remote they would both try to make the same change since they are both on the same remote frequency, but I understand from the manuals that even this can be easily overcome with a remote control code change.

Since I am by no means an expert in the DBS field I would ask you and others in this forum, could this possibly be a simplistic solution to the 2 input problem of the 921?

[scooper]

Try this - pick a channel on an even transponder for one receiver, and a channel on an ODD transponder for the other receiver. THEN report back your findings. Two that I would suggest -
BYUTV channel 9403 ,satellite 110, transponder 15
Discovery channel 182, satellite 119, transponder 8

[HTguy]

I tried it this afternoon and it seems to work just fine. Since each receiver is connected into my TV through seperate inputs, I simply turned on both receivers and toggled between TV inputs to see that each receiver was outputting a different channel simultaneously. I also tried changing channels on each receiver with no problem using the buttons on the front of the units. Naturally, if I was to try to change channels with the remote they would both try to make the same change since they are both on the same remote frequency, but I understand from the manuals that even this can be easily overcome with a remote control code change.

Since I am by no means an expert in the DBS field I would ask you and others in this forum, could this possibly be a simplistic solution to the 2 input problem of the 921?Does your TV have PIP? If so, you may be able to view both receivers at the same time by changing the PIP input sources with your TV remote. Then you can manually change channels on the front panels and see what happens.

If you still have both DISH remotes handy, try tuning off one of them and changing the remote address for the other. Then go /\ and \/ on one at a time and see if it changes the channel on the other receiver.

It would also be helpful to "type" in channels with different transponder polarities & different satellite locations like the ones mentioned by scooper.

[sunking]

Ok, so now I'm confused. Does it work or doesn't it?

My situation is that I'm changing from a dual to a triple dish, so currently only have 2 lines coming in. I'm going to have a directivo coming soon and would much prefer not to have to bring in another line into the house and run it across the house. Not that it's that big a deal, but if I can get away with an $18 RCS splitter why not.

So will this work in a directivo environment?

[HTguy]

Until dbdsac can confirm that there is no conflict when both recievers are on and that he can operate one independent of the other I would certainly not recommend depending upon a splitter for a dual-tuner receiver. I suspect that his hook-up worked OK for his purposes because he only had one box on at a time.

[scooper]

Exactly my point...

[beyondbob]

doing dtv in charlotte.this would be great for tivo upgrades...found a satellite splitter that is power pass from output to input and diode protected[no power from output to output].if odd and evens run at different frequencys wouldn't it work... :confused: