splitting satellite feeds w/diplexers & multiswitch

[we350z]

If I have a DirecTV 3LNB dish that has all four outputs in use, what do I need to add an additional 4 outputs WITHOUT running additional coax (i.e. use the existing runs). Will diplexing affect HDTV signal quality?

- 8 diplexers
- Multiswitch (which kind?)

Will the RCA D920 diplexer work for this application?

--Thanks!

[Earl Bonovich]

The only thing that will work is a multiswitch.

You basically take the 4 lines from the dish, into the Multiswitch (a 4x8)

the result would be 8 outputs.

So basically you will cut your existing 4 lines. Put connectors on the end of them.
4 inputs, and then the 4 outputs... and you will have 4 outputs left.

Diplexors do nothing to give you more feeds.
Diplexors are used to combine Over The Air (OTA) and SAT signals on the same line.
They can NOT be used to give you a 2nd feed.

[we350z]

Thanks for clearing me up on this before I ordered a whole bunch of diplexors. I hear about people using them to combine satellite/ota on a single line, and satellite/cable. Is this true? I guess I don't undertsand why you wouldn't be able to feed two ports into a diplexor over a single coax cable and then have two feeds at the other end. Are they using the same frequency or something? So there is no other way than physically running more lines?

[we350z]

where is the multiswitch installed? at the dish?

[boba]

where is the multiswitch installed? at the dish?You can install the 4x8 multiswitch any place you can get access to the 4 lines coming from the dish.:)

[JLucPicard]

You say you currently have four cable runs from the dish. That's all you need for the multi-switch. What you don't indicate is if the four cable runs you've got go to different places within your house. What the other posters are saying is that you need to connect those four cable runs to the multi-switch. If your four cables right now converge in the same location, all you have to do is connect them to the inputs on the 4x8 switch. That results in you having 8 outputs that you can connect to the receivers where you need them. If they do not converge in the same location somewhere along the line, then you will need to get all four of those lines to the multi-switch inputs somehow.

[we350z]

thank you for your insight, as I was contemplating the same exact thought you proposed. the inputs are going to different locales, so I will need to install the multiswitch at the source, which poses somewhat of a problem because the site is located in lake tahoe, nv which is an alpine environment. not sure how I will supply power to the multiswitch, and how i will protect the electronics as well :( Any thoughts?

[carl6]

A bit more explanation may also help you here.

What hasn't been made very clear yet is that you will still need to run additional coax to each additional receiver or tuner location.

So step 1 is to identify a location where you can put the multiswitch. Some weather protection is desireable, although most are designed to work outdoors. If outdoors, you need to make sure you get waterproof/weatherproof connectors on your coax. For the Tahoe area, I would highly recommend putting the multiswitch inside so you don't have to fight ice/freezing/etc. in the winter.

Step 2. Mount the multiswitch. Some do not require power, but many/most do. The power is normally run to the multiswitch using RG6 coax from wherever you locate the power adapter.

Step 3. Connect all 4 lines from your dish outputs to the multiswitch inputs.

Step 4. Connect your existing 4 lines to the multiswitch outputs.

Step 5. Run the additional coax lines that you need from the multiswitch outputs to the new/additional receivers.

With regard to diplexing signals, it is possible to mix either an over the air antenna, or an analog cable feed, onto the same coax that carries your satellite feed. If you plan to do this, you probably want to purchase a 5x8 multiswitch which lets you use the 5th input line for the ota antenna or cable. Then you would need a diplexer at each tv location to separate the ota or cable signal from the satellite signal. Feed the satellite signal into the DirecTV receiver and the antenna signal into the tv tuner.

You can't use diplexers to combine and split satellite feeds to try and get additional satellite connections at the far end of a coax. You must have a separate coax run for each satellite receiver. The reason is that it is a 2-way communication link. The satellite receiver tells the dish (or multiswitch) which satellite LNB, which transponder, and which polarity to use. The dish then sends the proper signal back to that receiver. If you try and hook 2 receivers up to the same coax, and they require different LNB's or polarities, you will have a conflict and only one of the receivers will get the requested channel and the other will not work.

If you will be moving to the newer MPEG4 Hi Def (and the corresponding 5-LNB dish), then you can't use diplexers for ota or cable at all. You will have to run an additional coax line to each location that requires the antenna or cable feed separate from the satellite feeds.

Carl

[GunnySpook]

Thanks, Carl - tremendous summary.

Now - I've got the same situation - trying to get 2 additional receivers wired, *before* the D* upgrade to MPEG4 (Denver) June 28.

Which 4 x 8 multiswitch do you recommend? Supplier?

Will this be replaced/upgraded by D* installers? i.e., should I go cheapo unpowered, and will they upgrade to MPEG4 capable switch?

Thanks again!

Tom

[JLucPicard]

GunnySpook,

If you're going to MPEG4, the switch you will need that is available right now is the Zinwell WB68 multi-switch. It's actually a 6x8 switch. That is the only one currently rated to work properly with the MPEG4 dish.

There is another manufacturer that is in the process of producing one, but I don't recall who it is or when the release date is (was?).

[carl6]

Thanks, Carl - tremendous summary.

Now - I've got the same situation - trying to get 2 additional receivers wired, *before* the D* upgrade to MPEG4 (Denver) June 28.

Which 4 x 8 multiswitch do you recommend? Supplier?

Will this be replaced/upgraded by D* installers? i.e., should I go cheapo unpowered, and will they upgrade to MPEG4 capable switch?

Thanks again!

Tom

Installer will only install a multiswitch if it is needed. If you have open outputs available on your dish, then they will run from those. Also, if all you are doing is having additional receivers installed, and are not moving to HD/MPEG4, then the installer will probably use whatever multiswitch he has available at the moment.

If/when you upgrade to HD and HD locals via MPEG4, then the installer would replace any existing multiswitch with the Zinwell WB68.

If the cost will be out of your pocket, it would make sense to get the WB68 now, and not need to replace it in a few months.

As to which multiswitch (brand/model) they are all pretty much the same functionally (as long as they are designed/rated for DirecTV). I use a Terk BMS58 personally, but there are more cost effective solutions.

Carl

[GunnySpook]

Got it - makes sense.

Thanks, Carl.

Tom