Which Multiswitch and why doesnt Directv provide?

[dwilliam_houston]

Hi all,

I just got my HR20 yesterday and they said my multiswitch I have now would have to be switched out eventually to get the new HD/MPEG4 channels. They said I would need a 6x8 multiswitch. My questions are:

1. Why doesnt Directv provide this as part of their lease?
2. Why a 6x8 switch when there are only 4 cables coming from the new satellite dish?
3. Which 6x8 switch should I purchase? I have 3 DVR's in the house.

Thanks.

David

[liverpool]

They should have swapped the multiswitch for a Zinwell 6x8 and it should be free
4 cables come from the dish into the switch
2 wires go to each dvr and if you have ota then 1 wire for this
to utilize the full potential of each dvr the 3 coax wires should go to each.

1 = they do

2= 2 inputs spare for future expansion

3= no need to purchase switch is free

[JLucPicard]

They said you need a 6x8 because the Zinwell WB68 (and the Zinwell WB616) are rated to work with the frequency ranges that will be utilized when the new birds are lit up. Two of the six inputs are used for something other than the standard 4 lines from the 5 LNB dish.

They normally provide the switches if you require more than four feeds to feed your tuners. Anything up to four tuners can be fed without the use of a multi-switch, so they don't generally provide them, nor would they switch out your existing switch of it wasn't necessary. If you are currently feeding more than four tuners, they should have upgraded the switch.

If you don't need it now, but expand beyond four tuners in the future, they would likely make the change then (at no charge).

Finally, if you are feeding four or fewer tuners now, I would replace your current switch with barrel connectors and run the lines straight from the dish to your tuners to optimize the functionality.

[dwilliam_houston]

Ok, now Im more confused. How can I run 4 cables from the dish to 3 DVR's that each have 2 inputs on the back? Right now I have a TERK 5x8 which has the OTA port which I was using until yesterday but it conflicted. Will I be able to get the MPEG-4 channels with this switch when those channels are release? From my research I need a switch that supports KA/KU band and I dont believe this one does. Please explain. Thanks.

[liverpool]

you cannot you need a zinwell multiswitch. the terk will not work

The installers are being very cavalier at the moment and doing many things wrong for a easy life. What you have will not work if you want to get the new hd channels from the new birds when they go up.

each dvr needs 2 seperate feeds from the multiswitch and a seperate feed from ota if you have it. This ota feed cannot be duplexed into the sat feed. It will work at the moment but will not once the new sats are up.

I had to demand the multiswitch from my installer and he also tried to duplex in the ota feed which I had to stop him doing. I informed him why and he said he seemed to remember being told that but was not adhering to it.

[litzdog911]

Ok, now Im more confused. How can I run 4 cables from the dish to 3 DVR's that each have 2 inputs on the back? Right now I have a TERK 5x8 which has the OTA port which I was using until yesterday but it conflicted. Will I be able to get the MPEG-4 channels with this switch when those channels are release? From my research I need a switch that supports KA/KU band and I dont believe this one does. Please explain. Thanks.

Call DirecTV and the local installer and insist that they finish the job ....

You should have all four dish outputs connected to a Zinwell WB68 multiswitch, which they should have provided as part of the standard installation. Your Terk switch is not compatible with the new Ka-band satellites for the new HDTV channels.

You may also want a dedicated coax cable for your OTA antenna since you cannot combine its signal with the satellite cables anymore.

[carl6]

2= 2 inputs spare for future expansion



Actually the two extra inputs are called Flex Ports, and they are used if you have/need a separate dish for either locals (72.5) or international programming (95). I don't think either is intended for future expansion, but suppose it is possible.

Carl

[Tom Robertson]

At this point, 72.5 is clearly a temporary situation and is scheduled to end roughly in 2009ish time frame. (Don't have the latest FCC temp approvals at my fingertips.)

I have not seen any indications regarding programming on 95. Maybe someday I'll take a peek.

Cheers,
Tom

[Mertzen]

2. Why a 6x8 switch when there are only 4 cables coming from the new satellite dish?


The 2 extra ports are flexport 1 and 2. Right now those are used for the 95 and 72.5 sats.

EDIT: Dang people beat me to it .. oh well

[Mertzen]

At this point, 72.5 is clearly a temporary situation and is scheduled to end roughly in 2009ish time frame. (Don't have the latest FCC temp approvals at my fingertips.)

I have not seen any indications regarding programming on 95. Maybe someday I'll take a peek.

Cheers,
Tom

I doubt the 95 is going anywhere any time soon. Sadly enough, since those dishes are horrible.

[dwilliam_houston]

So I just got off the phone with Directv and after a couple of transfers because people didnt know what I was talking about I was passed on to the HD specialty department. There I was told that a multiswitch is a multiswitch the only differences are between powered and non-powered and other than that all signals come through all multiswitches.

So now I guess I will have to wait until the new channels come out and then when they arent working I will call them up again. Is there any new MPEG-4 channels yet that I can test or other channels I can test to show Directv that the current switch will not work?

Thanks

David

[litzdog911]

So I just got off the phone with Directv and after a couple of transfers because people didnt know what I was talking about I was passed on to the HD specialty department. There I was told that a multiswitch is a multiswitch the only differences are between powered and non-powered and other than that all signals come through all multiswitches.

So now I guess I will have to wait until the new channels come out and then when they arent working I will call them up again. Is there any new MPEG-4 channels yet that I can test or other channels I can test to show Directv that the current switch will not work?

Thanks

David

Crazy. Your Houston HDTV Locals are available from the Ka-band satellites (99/103-deg), requiring the Zinwell WB68 multiswitch with the 5-LNB dish.

[dwilliam_houston]

I am getting the Houston local channels fine over the satellite so does that mean my switch will work with the new channels?

[litzdog911]

I am getting the Houston local channels fine over the satellite so does that mean my switch will work with the new channels?

HiDef Locals? Or standard definition?

[hrobbs]

You might want to try installation services or your local installer's office. The only way it's going to work with 3 DVR's is with the Zinwell WB68. I had them out Friday to fix the dish positioning. I mentioned that I wanted to hook up a 3rd DVR (old SD model) and the installer put in the Zinwell on the spot.

[Tom Robertson]

I am getting the Houston local channels fine over the satellite so does that mean my switch will work with the new channels?

Many older switches will pass the Ka-hi band frequencies. And some will pass them, but rather poorly. But very, very few will correctly pass the Ka-low frequencies and will then fail big time when the national HD is sent via the new satellites later this year. Avoid the rush, keep pressing technical or installation services as litzdog911 suggests.

Cheers,
Tom

[dwilliam_houston]

Yes, I am getting both High and Standard Def channels. I will keep pushing or just bite the bullet and order one myself. Its just frustrating that there is no consistency with the install and no consistency in knowledgable people at Directv. I would think that with all new dish installs the new switch would be part of the package and therefore there would be no question.

If I decide to order my own is the Zinwell the best one or are others recommended over this one?

Thanks again for all of your help.

[Tom Robertson]

Yes, I am getting both High and Standard Def channels. I will keep pushing or just bite the bullet and order one myself. Its just frustrating that there is no consistency with the install and no consistency in knowledgable people at Directv. I would think that with all new dish installs the new switch would be part of the package and therefore there would be no question.

If I decide to order my own is the Zinwell the best one or are others recommended over this one?

Thanks again for all of your help.

At this point Zinwell makes the only certified and approved switches. The WB68 is the 8 port and should be installed by the installers for anytime your port count goes over 4. (Unless you do self installs, in which case sometimes harder to get a switch from D*.)

The Wb616 is a powered 16 port switch, might be better for some long run installations where power can be an issue. D* does not typically supply them, but sometimes will give credits toward your account if you buy one of your own.

The local installers here always had wb68's in their truck and had them handy in case of need.

Good luck,
Tom

[Tiebmbr]

Sorry that I'm coming in late here, but I'm completely baffled by all of this....I have the HR20 with a 5LNB Slimline dish, and all I have are two lines that come down from my roof and go straight into the back of my unit...I'm getting everything fine, HD locals, MPEG4 channels...are you saying I'll need a Zinwell switch when the new SATs go up to recieve further HD programming? I only have the one unit, and only plan to. Do I still need a multiswitch?

[Big6Dad]

Sorry that I'm coming in late here, but I'm completely baffled by all of this....I have the HR20 with a 5LNB Slimline dish, and all I have are two lines that come down from my roof and go straight into the back of my unit...I'm getting everything fine, HD locals, MPEG4 channels...are you saying I'll need a Zinwell switch when the new SATs go up to recieve further HD programming? I only have the one unit, and only plan to. Do I still need a multiswitch?

You are fine. The dish supports 4 lines with out a switch. If you need more then 4 feeds you need a switch. Since you only need 2, you are all set. You could get another dvr and still be ok. Add anything more and you would need a switch.