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View Full Version : Is a multiswitch needed...?

syphix
06-05-07, 09:43 PM
My dad is putting up a single LNB dish for a single, standard receiver. Is a multiswitch needed? I understand that the dish has two feeds...can he just take one of the two straight to the receiver?
Earl Bonovich
06-05-07, 09:43 PM
You can just take the straight feed from the dish
syphix
06-05-07, 09:46 PM
THANKS! My understanding is that a single LNB dish will feed up to two standard receivers (or one dual tuner DVR), correct?
Earl Bonovich
06-05-07, 09:48 PM
Yep
syphix
06-05-07, 09:52 PM
Wow...yer on your ball tonight, Earl! ;)

Thanks again...I've always dealt with 3LNB & 5LNB dishes, so this single LNB thing was new to me!
liquid4012
06-05-07, 09:59 PM
I had a nightmare of an install today. Anyway, I requested a multiswitch be installed along with a new receiver and two feeds for my HR10-250. One of the the technical CSRs told me that the 5 LNB Slimlines had a multiswitch built in to it so I didn't need one in the house. I had never heard of this before. Anyone have any insight on this? I argued with the installer about this and he insisted I didn't need one in the house.
Earl Bonovich
06-05-07, 10:00 PM
Wow...yer on your ball tonight, Earl! ;)

Thanks again...I've always dealt with 3LNB & 5LNB dishes, so this single LNB thing was new to me!

Here is a curve-ball for you then...
It is actually refered to as a DUAL-LNB...

A true SINGLE-LNB (Based on the names it was sold under back in 1996), was the same device, but only with one output on it.

;)
davring
06-05-07, 10:01 PM
I had a nightmare of an install today. Anyway, I requested a multiswitch be installed along with a new receiver and two feeds for my HR10-250. One of the the technical CSRs told me that the 5 LNB Slimlines had a multiswitch built in to it so I didn't need one in the house. I had never heard of this before. Anyone have any insight on this? I argued with the installer about this and he insisted I didn't need one in the house.

The 5lnb dish has 4 outputs with a built in multi-switch. If you require more than 4 lines you would need anexternal multi=switch.
DrZ
06-06-07, 11:26 AM
Its true. Found out the same thing this weekend. I only needed 3 outputs so I didn't need a multiswitch.
mcbeevee
06-06-07, 12:28 PM
Its true. Found out the same thing this weekend. I only needed 3 outputs so I didn't need a multiswitch.
If the external multiswitch is free with the install, I would recommend getting it, even if you don't currently need it. I had the multiswitch installed, even though I only needed 3 outputs. After adding 2 dvr's, I'm now using 5 lines with capacity for 3 more. :)
Earl Bonovich
06-06-07, 12:42 PM
If the external multiswitch is free with the install, I would recommend getting it, even if you don't currently need it. I had the multiswitch installed, even though I only needed 3 outputs. After adding 2 dvr's, I'm now using 5 lines with capacity for 3 more. :)

In most installation cases, if it is not needed at the time of install... they installer will not install it for "free".
mx6bfast
06-06-07, 12:50 PM
In most installation cases, if it is not needed at the time of install... they installer will not install it for "free".
What do you mean that it isn't installed for free? Do we have to pay for it?
veryoldschool
06-06-07, 12:59 PM
What do you mean that it isn't installed for free? Do we have to pay for it?
If you "need it" it's free. If you just "want it", it might not be.
mcbeevee
06-06-07, 01:38 PM
In most installation cases, if it is not needed at the time of install... they installer will not install it for "free".
I was only using 4 lines when my Slimline was setup, and I told the installer I needed the Zinwell WB68 switch for future receivers, and he installed it for free. :)
JLucPicard
06-06-07, 02:24 PM
I was only using 4 lines when my Slimline was setup, and I told the installer I needed the Zinwell WB68 switch for future receivers, and he installed it for free. :)
I think that's the exception rather than the rule. It would depend on the installer and if maybe D* had listed it on the work order. If it wasn't on the work order, consider yourself lucky.
mx6bfast
06-06-07, 03:16 PM
Does D* provide anything higher than an 8 output? I just recieved a kick ass deal to upgrade my last HDTivo and I have maxed out all 8 but need 2 more outputs.
Michael D'Angelo
06-06-07, 03:25 PM
Does D* provide anything higher than an 8 output? I just recieved a kick ass deal to upgrade my last HDTivo and I have maxed out all 8 but need 2 more outputs.

There is a 16 output multi-switch that works with the new HD channels but you have to buy it. There are some options of using two 8 output multi-switches.
mixer99
06-06-07, 03:59 PM
There is a 16 output multi-switch that works with the new HD channels but you have to buy it. There are some options of using two 8 output multi-switches.

Anyone have any idea how much the 16 switch is? I had a tech install an HR20, and I told him to just leave the H20 on the couch and I would install it in another room...problem is, Im maxed out on my 8 output switch, and I cant very well call dtv and complain cuz it's not the tech's fault I told him to leave.

Any ideas what to do?
Michael D'Angelo
06-06-07, 04:01 PM
Anyone have any idea how much the 16 switch is? I had a tech install an HR20, and I told him to just leave the H20 on the couch and I would install it in another room...problem is, Im maxed out on my 8 output switch, and I cant very well call dtv and complain cuz it's not the tech's fault I told him to leave.

Any ideas what to do?

Solidsignal.com and newegg.com has them the cheapest. They are $130 at both.
mx6bfast
06-06-07, 04:06 PM
There is a 16 output multi-switch that works with the new HD channels but you have to buy it. There are some options of using two 8 output multi-switches.
I’d rather not buy one, I’ll just work around it.

Ok so let me know if this will work.

My current setup is a Terk 5x8 switch with the 3 lnb dish and the OTA plugged into it. I’ve got all 8 outputs being used, including ones for OTA. I also have a spare Aspen 4x6 (or 8).

I’ve read that the Zinwell doesn’t support OTA. So if that is correct, I’ve thought about using the Zinwell for the D* lines, the Terk for OTA, and run 4 short lines from the Zinwell to the Terk so that would give me the additional 8 runs to use totaling 12 runs. That way for the runs coming from the Terk I can split those into SAT and OTA at the back of the box if needed. But then the runs coming from the Zinwell I would use those only for SAT.
Michael D'Angelo
06-06-07, 04:16 PM
I’d rather not buy one, I’ll just work around it.

Ok so let me know if this will work.

My current setup is a Terk 5x8 switch with the 3 lnb dish and the OTA plugged into it. I’ve got all 8 outputs being used, including ones for OTA. I also have a spare Aspen 4x6 (or 8).

I’ve read that the Zinwell doesn’t support OTA. So if that is correct, I’ve thought about using the Zinwell for the D* lines, the Terk for OTA, and run 4 short lines from the Zinwell to the Terk so that would give me the additional 8 runs to use totaling 12 runs. That way for the runs coming from the Terk I can split those into SAT and OTA at the back of the box if needed. But then the runs coming from the Zinwell I would use those only for SAT.

I believe that will work but not sure. I have my 4 lines coming from the dish being split with 4 power passing splitters then connecting to my Zinwell WB68 and a 4x8 powered multi-switch. So I have a parallel setup and it works great. If you would like to do it this way you just need to make sure both sides of the splitter pass power and I believe they need to be from 5mhz to 2300mhz. If I am not correct about that someone please correct me.
beavis
06-06-07, 05:20 PM
Anyone who has a WB68 and has a need for more lines just needs to get another WB68 and 4 power-passing splitters.
Skip Towne
06-06-07, 05:31 PM
A customer of mine bought a WB68 from Circuit Cty - $100. And that was a couple of years ago.
mx6bfast
06-23-07, 02:09 PM
I’d rather not buy one, I’ll just work around it.

Ok so let me know if this will work.

My current setup is a Terk 5x8 switch with the 3 lnb dish and the OTA plugged into it. I’ve got all 8 outputs being used, including ones for OTA. I also have a spare Aspen 4x6 (or 8).

I’ve read that the Zinwell doesn’t support OTA. So if that is correct, I’ve thought about using the Zinwell for the D* lines, the Terk for OTA, and run 4 short lines from the Zinwell to the Terk so that would give me the additional 8 runs to use totaling 12 runs. That way for the runs coming from the Terk I can split those into SAT and OTA at the back of the box if needed. But then the runs coming from the Zinwell I would use those only for SAT.
Turns out that I am getting a 6x16 switch so that will take care of most of it. I'm still using the Terk 5x8 for my OTA runs though.

For the stb's that I can't get another line run to it I'm just using the little antenna that came with the system for RF remotes. It works great as an OTA tuner. For me at least.