View Full Version : Multi-swithc for DirecTv (newbie question)
I want to get a multiswitch for my DirecTV system but I'm not sure I know what to get and exactly how to hook it up. I want to get an 8 output switch and would like to know what is a good on to get (that doesn't cost an arm and a leg). I have the three LNBs (I think that what they're called) on my dish to get all the HD programming so from what I've read I need a HD-MultiSwitch. So, if anyone knows a of good one with good installation instructions please let me know.
Thanks,
Buddy
You need a 4 X 8 or 5 X 8 cascadable multiswitch.
You need a 4 X 8 or 5 X 8 cascadable multiswitch.Howdy neighbor, I live in Plano. Do you have a switch that you'd recommend? If so did you install it yourself?
jdspencer
08-17-04, 08:35 AM
Do you have the integrated three LNB dish (Phase III) or the one with three separate LNBs?
I'll assume the Phase III, you connect all four lines from it to the four inputs of the 4x8 switch.
BTW buddy, I've seen you here quite a bit lately. So why not register?
Howdy neighbor, I live in Plano. Do you have a switch that you'd recommend? If so did you install it yourself?Buddy I am a dealer in Frisco so I won't recommend a brand and I always install the products "myself" actually in most cases my paid installers. :)
weselis
08-17-04, 07:01 PM
Can anyone help me with this question?
I have a spare dish and receiver that I intend to use in my RV. Since we're not interested in local TV when traveling (always outside the 50 mile radius of San Diego) is it possible to connect only the RG6 cable from the receiver directly to the 119 degree port on the satellite dish? Or do I have to connect both the 100 and 119 coax's to a SW-21 switch to make it work. (I haven't tried since I don't want to blow-up the receiver if it doesn't work.
SimpleSimon
08-17-04, 07:24 PM
Welcome aboard!
Insufficient data to answer.
It smells like you've got a dish 500 with a pair of Legacy Single or Dual LNBFs. If that's the case, use the SW-21 - you'll get more channels. If on the other hand, there's only one unit/housing, with 2 eyes (a Twin or Quad), you do NOT need the SW-21. Note: The downside of a 2-bird setup is that you'll need to mess with the skew as you move around the country.
Go here (http://www.switchinfo.info/lnbs.html) for pics to help you figure out what you've got. Take note of what a DishPro logo looks like - it's a different story if you've got that.
jdspencer
08-17-04, 09:08 PM
I just love threads that jump from DirecTV to Dish with hardly any warning.:D
It gets confusing.
SimpleSimon
08-17-04, 09:48 PM
Dang - I didn't even notice that.
Yeah - weselis - just curious - why did you post here?
weselis
08-18-04, 08:52 AM
Couldn't figure out which thread would be the best. Yes, I've got a Dish antenna but using a DirecTv receiver. Damned if I post here, damned if I post there!
Well, just make sure you have power nearby or an extra coax cable running to you swicth location, the DirecTv switches do not take power in on one of the regular coax xalbes like the Dish Switches do. There is a seperate coax just for power.
weselis
08-18-04, 09:12 AM
Simon, thanks for the link.
After looking at the photos, I have one legacy single LNB (110 degree) and one legacy dual LNB (119 degree) on the same horn. Since I only want "regular" satallite to one TV, I don't want to mess with any "extra" skewing.
Lee,
Are you suggesting that I try to locate a DirecTv antenna and not fool around trying to make Dish system work?
My neophite thinking is that an antenna is an antenna, and running a coax directly from one of the 119 degree connectors directly to the receiver should work.
Simon, thanks for the link.
After looking at the photos, I have one legacy single LNB (110 degree) and one legacy dual LNB (119 degree) on the same horn. Since I only want "regular" satallite to one TV, I don't want to mess with any "extra" skewing.
Lee,
Are you suggesting that I try to locate a DirecTv antenna and not fool around trying to make Dish system work?
My neophite thinking is that an antenna is an antenna, and running a coax directly from one of the 119 degree connectors directly to the receiver should work.You can use the DISH Network dish 500 to receive your Directv signals but it is much easier to use a Directv 18" round dish. The "Y" adapter on the dish 500 puts you off location by 4.5 degrees everytime you try to locate a satellite. The skew also must be set to 90 degrees so it dosen't affect your aiming. The dish 500 only sees a 9 degree separation of satellites so if aimed at 101 the Directv main satellite it could only see the 110 satellite which has nothing of interest on it unless your looking for HDTV. :) :) :)
larrystotler
08-19-04, 06:21 PM
Simon, thanks for the link.
After looking at the photos, I have one legacy single LNB (110 degree) and one legacy dual LNB (119 degree) on the same horn. Since I only want "regular" satallite to one TV, I don't want to mess with any "extra" skewing.
Lee,
Are you suggesting that I try to locate a DirecTv antenna and not fool around trying to make Dish system work?
My neophite thinking is that an antenna is an antenna, and running a coax directly from one of the 119 degree connectors directly to the receiver should work.
The DTV 110 LNB is a special LNB, and for DTV boxes, you need a multiswitch that senses the 22khz tone to pass back the proper signal. My understanding is that most boxes won't see the 119 by itself. Dish mutliswitchs use the same tone, but it has a digital sig to identify which sat it needs, so they are incompatible.
SimpleSimon
08-19-04, 06:40 PM
boba is babbling. No clue what he intended, but the only relevance is that, yes, the 2 birds that can be seen using a Dish 500 will always be 9 degrees apart. The skew still MUST be set for your location if you're trying to use both LNBs (but Larry might be right that 110 is the "Sat C" for D* - which is weird - I don't remember myself). You can take the azimuth numbers for the 2 birds and split the difference thereby eliminating the 4.5 degree issue.
larrystotler
08-19-04, 08:17 PM
The D* Sat C LNB downconverts the 110's 28/30/32 to the 8/10/12 transponders and ties them into the 119's 18V side. That's why they haven't needed the complicated swicth setups that E* uses. And I'm willing to bet that they will do something similar with the 72.5, since they still have 18 "open" available trans that they can ghost into the 119. And that's also why a regular legacy LNB will NOT work with the D* 110.
SimpleSimon
08-19-04, 09:44 PM
Gotcha - thanks for the info! :)
But isn't it the multiswitch that actually combines the Sat C with the Sat B (119) Even TPs (please correct my terminology if wrong).
larrystotler
08-19-04, 10:35 PM
No, the sat C line runs into a signal combiner with the 18V line from the 119 and then the 18V line is plugged into the swicth. The D* swicth is basically an SW44 aka dish, but if you add in the sat c thru the combiner, you technically get all 3 sats. The switch merely line-locks the LNBs in the same way that the SW44 does, and sends it out to 4 receviers. The basic difference is that it doesn't need power insertion. However, if you need to have 8 receivers, you have to use a powered 8way, and only certain 4in/8outs will work.
I originally started installed D*, but I prefer E* now with the DP setups. Their equipment is usually better, and at least it almost all works the same. D* receivers look and act differently depending on the manufacturer.
SimpleSimon
08-19-04, 10:59 PM
Gotcha. I assume it's a special combiner that blocks that 3 transponder range on the other side - otherwise how could you use a standard LNB for it?
I've been seeing 5x4 switches and that's why I thought the C feed went in there. So now I'll guess that the 5th port is to a built-in diplxer for OTA?
One thing - how does an unpowered switch make sure it's got the 18V to lock those 2 ports? I'll guess it's got an internal DC-to-DC converter.
HEY - at least now we're back on-topic. :D
larrystotler
08-20-04, 12:22 AM
Or, maybe it just replaces it. Dunno exactly how it works, just that it does.
As for the unpowered switch, my understanding is that it's powered only when needed basically. Think of it like the old 2x4 switch. When you need an 18v line, the switch senses the change and goes to the 18v lock on the lnb. With E*'s setup, the LNBs are always powered. I guess that it is supposed to work faster that way????
Yeah, the 5x4 switch has the diplexor built in. Which is something I WISH E* would start doing.....especially with these OTA tuners in the 811/921s. They could learn something from their competition....
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