going from single LNB to 5LNB

[wistex]

Hi everyone, I'm having the new 5LNB dish installed in a few weeks to replace my standard single LNB 18" dish. My original dtv installer ran two lines from the dish to my master closet where all the cables come together. Then he ran a second line from there into my living room for a dual tuner. Installer #2 ran a second line from master closet to second bedroom for a dual tuner in there.

When installer #3 comes on March 20 (current install date) what will he need to do to give full future-proofed access to HD programming? My master closet currently has two 3x5 switches hooked together. I have a total of 5 tuners in the house (adding a second tuner in the master bedroom looks to be difficult without going through an external wall.) Will the installer need to run FOUR cables (or 5 for OTA) from the AT9 into the master closet and then hook up a 5x8 multiswitch there? I already have the HR20 installed. I've read that the new satellites may stomp on a diplexed OTA signal when they are launched. Does this mean I/installer will have to run a THIRD cable to any TV that requires OTA? Man, that's a lot of cable. I really wish that switching could be taken care of inside the receivers instead of stringing miles of cable around the house.

Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to make sure I know what to tell the installer when he comes so I can get it all right the first time.

Thanks!

[carl6]

It sounds like you understand it all correctly.

Four RG6 from dish to central closet.
One RG6 from antenna to central closet.
One RG6 from closet to each standard receiver.
Two RG6 from closet to each DVR.
One additional RG6 to each location that needs OTA.

Replace your 3x5's with the Zinwell 6x8, which will support a total of 8 tuners (1 per non-dvr receiver, 2 per dvr). The Zinwell WB68 is the only multiswitch rated for the wideband frequencies needed to fully support the 5-LNB dish after the next two satellites go up.

Check the thread about FTM/??? (forgot the new name) in the CE forum - will provide a single coax solution for multiple tuners - but isn't available yet.

Carl

[harsh]

When installer #3 comes on March 20 (current install date) what will he need to do to give full future-proofed access to HD programming?First order of business will be to run two more lines from the dish to the closet.My master closet currently has two 3x5 switches hooked together.These will be replaced by a 6x8 switch.I already have the HR20 installed. I've read that the new satellites may stomp on a diplexed OTA signal when they are launched. Does this mean I/installer will have to run a THIRD cable to any TV that requires OTA?Probably. It may be possible to install a diplexer downstream of the BBC.I really wish that switching could be taken care of inside the receivers instead of stringing miles of cable around the house.There's only so much room in the cable and with the addition of Ka bands, there's no room left for OTA.

As long as DirecTV knows what you have, the installer shouldn't need any instructions from you. They are interested uniquely in implementing the instructions contained in the workorder. Installers get paid by the trip, so it is unlikely that they share your interest in "future proofing".

[harsh]

Check the thread about FTM/??? (forgot the new name) in the CE forum - will provide a single coax solution for multiple tuners - but isn't available yet.Think of it as the Single White Male device (SWM).

Given that there is only one FTM capable receiver in the setup, FTM doesn't seem to apply in this case.

[wistex]

Think of it as the Single White Male device (SWM).

Given that there is only one FTM capable receiver in the setup, FTM doesn't seem to apply in this case.

It will eventually apply. We recently purchased a 32" Samsung LCD and correspondingly the HR20. This is currently in the living room. It will eventually move to the master bedroom when we feel financially fit to get a ~50" tv for the living room. At that point, I will buy a second HR20. The HR20 is FTM ready (I have extensively read through that forum now and I'm pretty excited about reducing the spaghetti) so at that point, I will finally have dual tuner capability in my bedroom. Which will be great for some backing up purposes. And I really just like the two tuner way of life. I mean, who doesn't?

Thanks for the info guys. I was considering getting my hands dirty to string a second cable to master bedroom but now I'll just patiently wait for the new SWM. I hope it's ready by fall 2007 TV start, roughly mid-September 2007.