New home only has 1 coax to each room..need advice!

[Clark143]

Greetings!

I have come to dbstalk.com for some straight answers!

I currently have the HR20 and the regular d* dvr running with 2 coax cables from the dish to each receiver.

I just bought a new house that only has 1 coax run to each room (the coax cables currently run outside the house and are not attached to anything yet)

Do I need to have 2 cables run to each room, or is there a way to make the 1 cable work and still get both tuners?

I have got different answers from D* tech and D* sales.

Thanks for any diagrams, advice, etc you can offer me! I'm losing sleep over this!!!

PS...if I need to purchase any coax, is there any recommended types over another?

Thanks in advance! This is my first post!

[SDizzle]

Greetings!

I have come to dbstalk.com for some straight answers!

I currently have the HR20 and the regular d* dvr running with 2 coax cables from the dish to each receiver.

I just bought a new house that only has 1 coax run to each room (the coax cables currently run outside the house and are not attached to anything yet)

Do I need to have 2 cables run to each room, or is there a way to make the 1 cable work and still get both tuners?

I have got different answers from D* tech and D* sales.

Thanks for any diagrams, advice, etc you can offer me! I'm losing sleep over this!!!

PS...if I need to purchase any coax, is there any recommended types over another?

Thanks in advance! This is my first post!


This is where the NEW SWM device would work for you, at least for the HR20. Your SD DVR, whether an R15, or an old D* Tivo, cannot work this way. This new device is being tested by some of the members here, as D* knew where to go to get the new chits tested right. So, it may not be anytime real soon that you can get one.....but maybe hold off for a couple months, and use the one tuner?? That way you don't have to fuss with fishing walls or anything. This new device takes the place of the existing multiswitch, if you have one?

[HDTVsportsfan]

Welcome...

There is a product coming out soon to help your situation. Some of the fine memebrs here have been selected to test it for awhile.

See this > http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=78249

If you want dual tuner capability then yes you need to runs to each room. Right now your basically screwed.

I hope you can work something out for yourself.

[carl6]

Just want to say the one thing that nobody else has said yet. You CAN use a DVR with only one tuner (one cable connected). You will not have the ability to record one show while watching a different (live) show, and you will not have the ability to record two different shows at once, but you can use the DVR with only one tuner.

That might be an acceptable interim solution until the SWM device becomes available.

Or, you can have more coax installed.

Carl

[exorr]

I just bought a new house in August as well and had the same problem with the bedrooms upstairs (the living room had two inputs). I debated not having them put the second coax in because I was concerned about "hurting" the house, but after talking to the install tech I decided to have it done. He did a fantastic job running the second cable. He had to climb all over the house since the bedroom is in the front and the dish in the back, but he hid the cable very well within the vinyl siding and you don't even notice it.

If the device people mention does work then I'll probably but it when it's released so I can remove the extra cable from coming in. I'll just put some new putty on the wall where the very small hole is and you'll never know it was there.

In short, I wouldn't be too concerned about them running another cable, but if you can live without it for 6-12 months while this product is tested (no promise it will be released of course) then you can wait.

Just remember DirecTV is probably giving you a free install for signing up and this includes running any extra cables, if 3 months from now you decide you can't stand not having the dual tuner in the bedroom (or whatever room) then you'll need to pay them to come back and install. Just something to think about.

Ethan

[tonyd79]

Just want to say the one thing that nobody else has said yet. You CAN use a DVR with only one tuner (one cable connected). You will not have the ability to record one show while watching a different (live) show, and you will not have the ability to record two different shows at once, but you can use the DVR with only one tuner.

One slight correction. Both OTA tuners are live on the HR20 even with one satellite input so you can record two things as long as one of them is OTA (both can be).

Your watching/recording options with one satellite feed:

1 SAT
1 OTA
1 SAT and 1 OTA
2 OTA

Now, if you have HD locals on the satellite, you cannot multiplex in an OTA signal on the same line, so you would need a set top antenna or another coax out a window or something. If you do not have HD locals, then you can multiplex in an OTA antenna with the satellite feed and diplex it back out at the set.

This would all be temporary until the SWM is available commercially. Then you can have it all!