How To Diplex OTA with the AT9 dish & MPEG-4

Sweet, that's perfect.

 

This may work, but you need to keep one thing in mind. Anytime you add anything like a diplexer, into your lines, you loose a little bit of signal with each one you add. In many cases you will not even notice it, but the signal is still weakened.

I used to have a few marginal OTA locals, when my system had diplexers on it. I removed the diplexers and ran separate lines for the D* system and my OTA antenna. I no longer have any problems with those marginal channels, that were cutting in and out at times. I receive them all the time now.

 

I had a similar issue. I added a pre-amp at the antenna, then a distibution amp in the attic. The output from the distrib amp feeds the OTA-Satellite diplexers in my case, as well as a couple rooms where I have OTA only.

 

My antenna is in the attic, and I had a distribution amp was on it, with the diplexers. But running the separate lines cured the low signal strength on the problem channels. Removing the diplexers and running the lines in the attic and down the walls was a task, but worth it, for the improvement in the picture.

 

All-

I'm new to DirecTV (5 days now!). This appears to be a good place to post this question. If not, my apologies. Also, this may be a stupid question.

I was able to get separate runs from my OTA antenna to my 2 HD receivers, however it would be extremely difficult to get a separate run to my standard (D11) receiver. It looks like I can just install a diplexer right after the multiswitch and one at the TV? No BBCs on the D11.

I think this picture (thanks to the author) is what I am talking about: http://www.dbstalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6111&d=1156285551

Am I reading this correctly?

 

:welcome_s to DBStalk

Yes you are able to use diplexers after the multi-switch and before the receiver on any none MPEG4 HD receiver.

 

Thanks Mike! One more (stupid) question: Where do I get/buy diplexers?

 

Here is a great site to order equipment.

http://www.solidsignal.com/

BTW there is no stupid questions here. We all need help some times.

 

I'm guessing you'll have to try it. Don't be surprised if some or all of your OTA signal is trashed when the D1x birds go online.

 

You right harsh. He may still have a problem. Even though his other receiver will not receive the MPEG4 HD channels the signals will still be in the SAT lines. I did not even think about that.

 

Thanks again. I'll take a look at it!

 

You can et them at your local Radio Shack, or I have also found them at it was either Lowes or Home Depot, not sure which one.

 

Once D10 comes on-line...

I am very interested in how long the cable run between the BBC and the receiver is for those that are successful, using this method of diplexing OTA.

I know there has been testing to indicate that it works now. But, when the bird goes hot, that will be the acid test.

If I go this route, I'm looking at 2 runs around 25' and one 50-75'.

Please start a new thread!

 

Thanks for the fix as I was in the same predicament as the person with the HR10-250. Here is my setup and what I did.

AT9 dish (roof) and WB68 (in attic)
HR20-100 in bedroom replace SD Tivo - 2 25ft runs - 2nd floor
H20 in family room - 1st floor -
Hughes HTL-HD in media room 1st foor - connected to WB68

My predicament was that I was no longer was able to receive OTA on the Hughes no matter what I tried and I did not want to go through the hassle of running another cable. Here is what I did to get it to work.

Took the BBC module from the H20 and connected it in the attic after the WB68 and before the diplexer (combined SAT/OTA). This cable then runs on the outside of the house from the attic to the basement and then to the family room (50+ ft of quad shielded RG6). In the basement is where I split the signal with another diplexer. SAT continues to H20 and OTA is then split again to supply my stereo/Hughes HTL-HD/HTPC.

Working great and thanks for the tip!

 

OK, I tried this setting with curious results... I have 4 lines coming in to the attic to my 4 upstairs bedrooms. I installed the BBC on all 4 lines in front of the Diplexor. Connected to those 4 lines are 2 HR20's and 2 H20's. All are giving the Searching for signal message.

What makes this curious is... I have 2 lines running downstairs to a single HR20. I DID NOT connect the BBC on these lines, yet when I tune to channel 499 to test, I still get the searching for Signal message as if they were connected. For my setup please see my sig.

 

Here's a map for the Duck fans among us:

1. Satellite antenna to WB68 (all four lines)
2. WB68 output to BBC SAT input for one (and only one) line to each receiver
3. BBC output connected to "attic" diplexer SAT input
4. OTA cable to "attic" diplexer ANT input
5. cable from "attic" diplexer combined output to "receiver" diplexer combined input at back of receiver.
6. "Receiver" diplexer SAT output to SAT input on receiver
7. "Receiver" diplexer ANT output to ANT input on receiver

Note that inputs and outputs on a diplexer are interchangeable. Think of them as SAT, ANT and combined.

On the HR20s, the second cable run should not be messed with.

You'll need to make sure you can keep track of which cable is which to the HR20s. Often the feet markings on the cable jacket can be helpful.


Go Beavs!

 

Okay. I’ve read through this an other threads and looked a numerous diagrams, so why am I so confused?

My setup is four lines from Slimline to four splitters to two WB68s for eleven outputs. Outputs go to diplexers, then into the house. I have two HR10-250s, two HR20’s, two H20s and other non-HD Directv Tivos.

I currently get OTA on the HR10-250s and one of the HR20s, as well as HD locals on the HR20 from the satellite.

When the Ka signals come down will I have a problem on the HR20s even if I don’t try to get an OTA signal by splitting at the receiver? I don't care about getting OTA on the HR20s; I just want to get the new HD channels.

In other words, will the OTA signal interfere with the Ka signal, vice versa, or both? I may not know until the time comes. Just wondering if I’m going to have to do some different cabling.