HR10-250 to HR20 convert - install questions

[BuffaloDenny]

OK, after perusing the forum a bit, my turn to ask a few questions I have for an install coming up in 2 weeks. I currently have a 3 lnb dish with I believe the winegard antenna for OTA. I only have the one receiver, and the HR20 will be replacing the HR10-250.

1. I am very concerned about being able to continue to receive OTA and if that will be integrated seamlessly with the guide data. It works perfectly with the 250 as far as being in the guide data and recording OTA, so I'm hoping for the same with the HR20. Will the installer basically be able to move the winegard to the new dish? If so, if I am currently getting at least 80% OTA signal strength on all OTA's will it still work with the HR20 OTA tuner? Or do I need to get a new and better antenna?

2. Can the installer just switch existing cable runs from existing dish and receiver to the new dish and receiver? Or is it new cable runs, both for satellite and OTA? If it's new, I heard they have some kind of new flat cable that goes under windows better?

3. My existing line of sight picks up current sats (obviously), is there any consideration I need to give for line of sight to receive signals from the new sats? I'd like to put the new dish in the same location on the roof, which is partially blocked at the lowest angle by the building next door.

Thank you all for any feedback. It is with great hesitation I move from a box that was working just fine, but based on the threads in this forum it appears the HR20 experience has come a long way:)

[litzdog911]

1. I don't know if your Winegard OTA antenna can be mounted to the 5-LNB dish mast because it has a larger diameter than the older dishes. But your HR20 will receive your OTA channels just fine .... at least as good as your HR10-250. Just be sure to ask ahead of time if any special mounting considerations are needed .... perhaps just leave it on the current mast.

2. Depends. Is your OTA antenna cable "combined" (diplexed) with your satellite cable? That won't work with the 5-LNB dish, so you might need a new cable run for the OTA antenna. Your installer might do this for free .... check ahead of time. Stay away from those "flat" cables .... much better to drill through the wall.

3. You should be fine. The two additional satellites at 99 and 103-deg W are very close to the main 101-deg W satellite.

[BuffaloDenny]

1. I don't know if your Winegard OTA antenna can be mounted to the 5-LNB dish mast because it has a larger diameter than the older dishes. But your HR20 will receive your OTA channels just fine .... at least as good as your HR10-250. Just be sure to ask ahead of time if any special mounting considerations are needed .... perhaps just leave it on the current mast.


Cool! So the mast is some part of the dish itself? Do you know if there is some special part available to "make" the winegard fit onto the 5lnb? I saw a thread around here somewhere about calling a antenna place that would tell me exactly what type I would need for my situation, but I'd prefer to leverage the existing antenna if possible.

If D* can't accommodate any special mounting considerations, are you saying I should leave the dish/antenna where it is, and set up the new dish as well in a separate location? Sorry if I'm missing something obvious here, but it's just driving me crazy trying to make sure I get this install done right in one visit. I don't think they'll come back for OTA stuff.

[litzdog911]

I'm not aware of any "adapter" for the dish-mounted OTA antennas to fit the wider masts. Since your OTA antenna is working fine now, just leave it alone. Tell the installer not to touch it. Use one of that dish's existing coax cables to feed your OTA antenna signal to the new equipment. Then have them mount the new dish nearby.

[BuffaloDenny]

If I am getting the 5LNB dish replacing an exisiting 3LNB, and I also have the OTA, how many wires should be running down my building and into my unit? I currently have 2. I'm thinking I would need 3 - 2 for the satellite, and one for OTA directly into the receiver. Is this correct, or will it still be 2 - 2 sat cables diplexed and an OTA? Thanks for any clarification.

Also, I was going to get rid of the HR10-250, but now I'm thinking of using it with a 2nd TV in the bedroom. I've never had multiple receivers set up before - what would it take to get both receivers connected? Does D* need to drill a 2nd hole in the wall, or can they fish the wires through ducts or something? Can they somehow take advantage of existing wiring in the building to allow me to hook it up through the cable outlet? Very naive on this, so any input helps a lot!

[Michael D'Angelo]

If I am getting the 5LNB dish replacing an exisiting 3LNB, and I also have the OTA, how many wires should be running down my building and into my unit? I currently have 2. I'm thinking I would need 3 - 2 for the satellite, and one for OTA directly into the receiver. Is this correct, or will it still be 2 - 2 sat cables diplexed and an OTA? Thanks for any clarification.

Also, I was going to get rid of the HR10-250, but now I'm thinking of using it with a 2nd TV in the bedroom. I've never had multiple receivers set up before - what would it take to get both receivers connected? Does D* need to drill a 2nd hole in the wall, or can they fish the wires through ducts or something? Can they somehow take advantage of existing wiring in the building to allow me to hook it up through the cable outlet? Very naive on this, so any input helps a lot!

If you would like to use both tuners on the HR20 and HR10-250 you will need all 4 lines from the dish. Then 1 line from the OTA. If you want the OTA connected to both units you can split the line inside the house or just outside the house before it comes in.

[Lee L]

How big is the multiswitch for the new system? I currently have an Eagle Aspen switch and would be extremely happy if the new one was similar in size. I have 2 HR10-250s, one SD DVR 40 and a basic receiver for the guest room. I would probably keep the 2 HR10s and the SDDVR and add one or maybe 2 HR20's. Is that even possible without multiple switches. If there is an 8 port max, I would probalby drop the second Hr20.

[Michael D'Angelo]

How big is the multiswitch for the new system? I currently have an Eagle Aspen switch and would be extremely happy if the new one was similar in size. I have 2 HR10-250s, one SD DVR 40 and a basic receiver for the guest room. I would probably keep the 2 HR10s and the SDDVR and add one or maybe 2 HR20's. Is that even possible without multiple switches. If there is an 8 port max, I would probalby drop the second Hr20.

The multi-switch that DIRECTV supplies for free is the Zinwell WB68. It has 8 outputs. Zinwell also makes a 16 output multi-switch but you would have to buy that one. Newegg.com and solidsignal.com is the cheapest I have found that switch. It is $130.

[Lee L]

Ouch, that thing is huge. No way that will fit in my structured wiring cabinet without removing some other stuff.

I have not kept up with the newest tech. Does the HR20 need 2 lines running from the switch like the HR10 or is it stacked?

Is there a thread anyone can point me to or suggest some search terms where I can find a overview of the HR20?

[Michael D'Angelo]

Ouch, that thing is huge. No way that will fit in my structured wiring cabinet without removing some other stuff.

I have not kept up with the newest tech. Does the HR20 need 2 lines running from the switch like the HR10 or is it stacked?

Is there a thread anyone can point me to or suggest some search terms where I can find a overview of the HR20?

You can run only one line to it but it will only use one tuner. Later this year you will be able to get a SWM (single wire multi-switch) and would only need one line to the HR20 and would be able to use both tuners. If you do a search for SWM you will find all the threads about it.

[mdh333]

I think I'm in a similar boat as this guy with the OTA antenna on my existing 3LNB dish. I'm going to need to keep OTA because I'll still have an HR10-250 that will be in use.

I don't really want a 2nd dish on the roof of my house...but it sounds like the antenna won't fit on the new dish? Would a "standard" new H20-700 install include an OTA antenna?

I already have all the wiring setup that I need (I currently have 2 HR10-250s, and 1 SD DTivo) and am just replacing one of the HR10-250s. No reason for me to need a new multi-switch or anything, is there?

Incidently - is work like changing the antenna, removing the old dish, etc included in the "free install?" I think I know the answer there.....and should probably just talk to DTVs installation dept to make sure the correct notes are in the case - and then also talk to the local installer beforehand?

[mobouser]

Lee L


This may help some.
http://www.solidsignal.com/satellite/at9_install_videos.asp