How many lines needed from satelite

[sortsol]

I know, this is a dumb question. I have standard directv with a few enhanced tivo machines. I just purchased a new HDTV and want to upgrade to high definition. My problem is I only have 2 lines coming in from the satelite with really no way to run new lines (my insulation is blown into my walls).

Can I install the high definition receiver with only 2 lines coming in from the satelite or do I need 4? I'm assuming I'll need the 5 lbn dish.

Thanks,

Mike

[Michael D'Angelo]

I know, this is a dumb question. I have standard directv with a few enhanced tivo machines. I just purchased a new HDTV and want to upgrade to high definition. My problem is I only have 2 lines coming in from the satelite with really no way to run new lines (my insulation is blown into my walls).

Can I install the high definition receiver with only 2 lines coming in from the satelite or do I need 4? I'm assuming I'll need the 5 lbn dish.

Thanks,

Mike

:welcome_s to DBStalk

If you would like to use both tuners you need to have two lines hooked up to the HDDVR. So you will be fine with what you have now but you will not be able to hook up the TiVo.

[HDTVsportsfan]

Are these two exiting lines going to the same location in your house?

[sortsol]

:welcome_s to DBStalk

If you would like to use both tuners you need to have two lines hooked up to the HDDVR. So you will be fine with what you have now but you will not be able to hook up the TiVo.


Thanks for the quick response. So, can I run the hr20 and my tivos with only 2 lines coming from the satelite to the multi-switch?

[Michael D'Angelo]

No. You have to have 4 lines going to the multi-switch.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Also to be able to use both tuners on each unit you will need 2 lines to each. They will work with only 1 line but you will only be able to use 1 tuner.

[HDTVsportsfan]

To get the most out of your system, you should have the 5-LNB dish w/ the four cables coming from that dish and into at least a 6x8 switch (WB68). It sounds like you are coming up short on all the above items.
How many recievers do want to connect? Or should I say how many total tuners are you wanting to use from all of your receivers?

[sortsol]

To get the most out of youe system, you should have the 5-LNB dish w/ the four cables coming from that dish and into at least a 6x8 switch (WB68). It sounds like you are coming up short on all the above items.
How many recievers do want to connect? Or should I say how many total tuners are you wanting to use from all of your receivers?

I'm looking at 1 hd dvr and 2-3 directivos. I have the possibility to have 2 more lines installed. Just not sure the wife will like the looks of it :-). Is HD worth it?

[HDTVsportsfan]

At a minumum the HD is two tuners and 2 DirecTivo is 4 tuners for a total of 6. You need a switch.

Yes, HD is worth it. ;-)

[sortsol]

Yes, HD is worth it.

That's what I was afraid of :-(

[bonscott87]

Can I install the high definition receiver with only 2 lines coming in from the satelite or do I need 4? I'm assuming I'll need the 5 lbn dish.

Thanks,

Mike

You definably need the 5 lnb dish which will have 4 lines coming from it into your Zinwell 6x8 switch and from there you'll have 8 outputs.

[sortsol]

You definably need the 5 lnb dish which will have 4 lines coming from it into your Zinwell 6x8 switch and from there you'll have 8 outputs.

Will the include the Zinwell switch in the install or do I have to purchase that separately?

[Michael D'Angelo]

Will the include the Zinwell switch in the install or do I have to purchase that separately?

Yes. Just make sure Directv puts it on the work order.

[bonscott87]

Will the include the Zinwell switch in the install or do I have to purchase that separately?

Everything you need is included in the free install. What isn't covered is if you need cables fished thru the walls or something. You'll get charge for that per the installer.

When it comes to cabling, the more you can do yourself the better. Then the installer can just hook it all up and you're good to go.

[veryoldschool]

Everything you need is included in the free install. What isn't covered is if you need cables fished thru the walls or something. You'll get charge for that per the installer.

When it comes to cabling, the more you can do yourself the better. Then the installer can just hook it all up and you're good to go.
I seem to find myself adding...
If you can rough in the cables where you want them, then the installer can installer the right connectors and you're set.

[Doug Brott]

Those must be some mighty long lines to reach all the way from the satellite :D

j/k ;) -- What the folks above have suggested will work well. :)

[Milominderbinder2]

Will the include the Zinwell switch in the install or do I have to purchase that separately?
Check out the Installation Tips (http://tinyurl.com/yb7fvj) for this and a lot more. If you follow the tips it can make all the difference.

- Craig

[sortsol]

Check out the Installation Tips (http://tinyurl.com/yb7fvj) for this and a lot more. If you follow the tips it can make all the difference.

- Craig


Ok, so if I knock out a wall and a window (not literally), I can get another couple of lines in the house for a total of 4 lines.

Here is my concern. I have 2 lines that are straight from the dish to the multiswitch. My other 2 lines will have to have a couple of connectors in order to make it work. It is all rg6 cables, but I don't know if it is "high-def approved". Will these cables work for high def? If not, can I use the two currently connected to the dish as my hd cables and the other 2 for my standard def? In other words, is high def cabling more picky than standard def?

Question number 2: If I only care about one tuner on my hr20 receiver, can I get by with just 3 lines from the dish? I have 3 lines already outside and that would make the install a bit easier.

Thanks again.

Mike

[CCarncross]

With either the Phase III dish, or the newer AT9/AU9 models(5 LNB), you really need to have all 4 lines going to any multi switch you use for proper functionality. Thats just the way it is. With onyl 1 line to your HR20, you currently could not record more than one thing at a time, or watch one live and record another, you would be stuck with one tuner. You could record something and watch a previously recorded show, but thats about it. You need a dedicated line for each sat tuner input, and if you want to pick up local HD from an antenna, you need a dedicated line for that as well. No splitters, no diplexors, etc...will guarentee that everything can work as intended.

[Michael D'Angelo]

Ok, so if I knock out a wall and a window (not literally), I can get another couple of lines in the house for a total of 4 lines.

Here is my concern. I have 2 lines that are straight from the dish to the multiswitch. My other 2 lines will have to have a couple of connectors in order to make it work. It is all rg6 cables, but I don't know if it is "high-def approved". Will these cables work for high def? If not, can I use the two currently connected to the dish as my hd cables and the other 2 for my standard def? In other words, is high def cabling more picky than standard def?

Question number 2: If I only care about one tuner on my hr20 receiver, can I get by with just 3 lines from the dish? I have 3 lines already outside and that would make the install a bit easier.

Thanks again.

Mike

Yes the RG6 cable you already have is fine. Yes if you would like you could just run 1 line to the HR20 and 2 lines to the TiVo. Then if you want when the SWM (single wire multi-switch) comes out later this year you could get that and add it into your system. But you would need the 4th line from the dish to the multi-switch. That can be installed outside and then the installer could connect to the outputs the 3 lines that are going into the house. Then you would only need one cable to the HR20 and be able to use both tuners.

[sortsol]

Yes the RG6 cable you already have is fine. Yes if you would like you could just run 1 line to the HR20 and 2 lines to the TiVo. Then if you want when the SWM (single wire multi-switch) comes out later this year you could get that and add it into your system. But you would need the 4th line from the dish to the multi-switch. That can be installed outside and then the installer could connect to the outputs the 3 lines that are going into the house. Then you would only need one cable to the HR20 and be able to use both tuners.

Cool. Thanks for the info. I'll probably install the 4th line anyway (if it's possible). I'm not that worried about the dual tuners right now. I'm going to have my regular tivo at the same location as my hr20 so I can take advantage of all the other features of an enhanced tivo. The HR20 is just for high definition content and I only have 2 lines for that anyway (one from the dish and the other from my room antenna for OTA high def). So I really can't use the dual tuners right now anyway and will have to wait for SWM to come out.

I would like to have the 4th line added thought right now because I'm sure I'll want high def in more than one location in my house anyay.

Thanks for your help.

Mike