Maximum Number of Receivers on DirecTV

[ukoser]

Hi,

Does anyone out there have any information regarding the maximum number of DirecTV receivers that can be used with a single dish and dual LNBs?

When I talked to DirecTV, I was told "you can activate maximum of twenty (20) receivers per account". This sounds more like a contractual limitation then a technical limitation.

I have found multi-switches that are advertised as 2x8 or 2x16. Can I cascade multi-switches?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

-ugur

[Ryan]

Yes, you can cascade multiswitches.

YOu can also split the signal between the dish and the multiswitchs but you need specialized splitters that pass DC power on one side.

Remember that channels on the 110º or 119º satellites need four feeds to the multiswitch, and to cascade them again would eat up four outputs of the multiswitch.

If I needed some DTV Plus channels, plus another bunch of standard channels, I might consider one 4 x 8 multiswitch cascading two feeds to a 2 x 8 or 2 x 16 multiswitch. This would provide 6 feeds for DTV Plus channels plus another 8 or 16 feeds of standard only channels--that's 14 or 22 receivers.

[spanishannouncetable]

Some switches can be cascaded, most can't. Cascadable switches have outputs that allow the signal from the LNBs to pass thru unaltered in addition to the outputs that send the switchable signals to the receivers, so if it has these outputs labeled or is described as "cascadable", that's the one you want. Also, Directv and Dish Network switches are incompatible, so don't get a Dish Network switch by mistake.

I don't know what the technical limitation is, but 20 sounds too low to me, too.

[Ryan]

I cascaded two mutiswitches, both unpowered, the first being a 2 x 4 and the second a 4 x 4 switch. These were not specially designed to be cascaded but the setup worked perfectly for me. I did not notice any differences in the signal strenth reading on any receivers.

When you cacade regular switches, the second switch acts like a receiver and selects the polarizations that it needs. The first switch doesn't know or care what it is triggering it.

I would be reluctant to try to cascade more than two or three 1switches total, though. That's why I suggested high output numbers in my example.

Anyway, I'm now using a 4 x 8 multiswitch because the wiring setup was less of a rats nest.

[dishrich]

Originally posted by ukoser
When I talked to DirecTV, I was told "you can activate maximum of twenty (20) receivers per account". This sounds more like a contractual limitation then a technical limitation.

Well, it very well might be a contractual or system limitation, considering that E* ONLY allows up to 6 receivers per account - I sure didn't know D* allowed THAT many!!!

[mjz]

20 eh, Well hell, I feel like starting my own headend!

[motjes2]

When did this change? I spoke to D* last year and they only said 6 receivers per account could be activated.

[Richssat]

I did an 8 rx install a few weeks ago. Activated with no problems. The most I have put in one residence is 16 (including 3 in bathrooms). Some people have too much money for their own good.

RR