Should I get a Genie?

That's fine, although you can go down to a 4-way splitter, if you want.

 

Since I don't have one of those, I'll just leave the current one where it's at. That way, I minimize the work needed.

I just wanted to make sure my comment above was accurate as to what I'd need to do. In sum, this SEEMS relatively easy. BTW, after I get this all connected, do I need to rerun dish setup with any of my receivers? The HR44 will be new to the mix, so obviously I'll run through its setup; however, I was just wondering if I needed to do anything with the other 4 units. I'm assuming they'll be left alone.

 

No need to re-run satellite setup. As long as the LNB size is the same (3 or 5) and you are staying on SWM, you'll be fine.

- Merg

 

Yup. It's the same LNB size--the only difference is the replacing of the built-in SWM with a separate SWM16.

On a related note--I was trying to explain to my brother the need for a power inserter in certain configurations. While I think I understand the need, can you explain what the PI does, for example, in the setup I will have as indicated above, and why the HR44 doesn't need one? Note: I'm not disagreeing with you or saying you're wrong; rather, I'm simply trying to better understand the technical reasoning behind it so that when I have to re-explain it to my brother, he'll know what I'm saying. Thanks.

 

You'll be fine then.

- Merg

 

Thanks. I edited my post to add a question.

 

No;

Just faster and less cumbersome method to service, install or replace the LNBF, particularly when the dish assembly is already mounted.

You can imagine for instance the frustration of a tech. being up on a ladder at a dish trying to replace or service the LNBF out at the tip of the support arm, only to accidentally fumble and drop the screw(s) all the way to the ground and likely losing them altogether in lawn grass or something.

 

That's the way it's currently set up--4 HD DVRs connect to an 8-way splitter, from whose power port is the PI that is used in my LNB w/ SWM configuration. So, let me know if it's really this easy:

• I leave that present configuration alone--it remains the same: the 4 receivers connected to the splitter with the PI from the splitter. (The difference is that the coax to this splitter will now come from the SWM16 port 1 and not the dish's LNB w/ SWM.
• From the SWM16's port 2 will come a coax directly to the HR44 (no PI needed then for this receiver?).

Is the above correct?
Sounds correct


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Yup. It's the same LNB size--the only difference is the replacing of the built-in SWM with a separate SWM16.

On a related note--I was trying to explain to my brother the need for a power inserter in certain configurations. While I think I understand the need, can you explain what the PI does, for example, in the setup I will have as indicated above, and why the HR44 doesn't need one? Note: I'm not disagreeing with you or saying you're wrong; rather, I'm simply trying to better understand the technical reasoning behind it so that when I have to re-explain it to my brother, he'll know what I'm saying. Thanks.
The PI in your case is to power the switch, not the receivers or LNB. the Switch will power the LNB


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OK, got it.

 

After I get it all configured, hopefully I won't have to pop back in here and say it's not working.

 

OK. I've got the cables all run, with the only thing left to do is connect my Genie to my AV. Before I do that, a problem has developed--of my current 4 DVRs connected to the splitter, one is now giving me the sat signal error message. The other 3 receivers are working just as they were before. However, one of them, an HR20-700, is not.

 

Never trust an MDU installer! I replaced the PI that WAS there with the newer one, the one that came with the SWM16. I noticed its power output was greater, so I concluded that this was the one to which Very Old School in a PM had referred. After replacing it, the 4 legacy DVRs are working fine. Now on to the HR44!

 

OK, everything's up and running, but I've run into a couple problems. I've put these in a separate thread.

 

I think my case is pretty straightforward -- I have 2xHR24-500 and 1xH24, with a SWiM and CCK setup, and just acquired a Samsung TV with RVU. I think I can swap one of the HR24s out for a Genie and add the TV to our contract. I have a strong wireless signal at the TV, but no direct access to a wired connection, so I may need a DECA.
As I understand it, the RVU will only be able to see recordings on the Genie, but the Genie and HR24 can see each others' recordings, and the H24 can see them all. Is this correct?

I have the protection plan, and am eligible for an upgrade, will this cover the equipment cost for the HR24->Genie? Would it cover an H24->Genie swap?

Thanks,
-tom

 

They should all be able to see every "box".

Not sure on PP coverage as I don't have it. People usually negotiate with the CSRs to get the best price.

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the RVU TV will be able to see all playlist in your WHDVR network. of course you will need the WHDVR service which has a fee of $3.00 a month

 

Thanks; I do have WHDVR service on the account now, so I should be all set.

The latest complication is that in order to phase out the recordings backlogged on one of the HR24s, I was thinking about keeping both and replacing the H24 with the Genie, but that puts me at 9 tuners on my SWiM splitter (2xHr24 + 1xGenie). I have 3 spare cables up to the dish (from the pre-SWiM LNB), so could upgrade to SWiM16, but since this is theoretically a temporary situation, I'd just as soon stick with the existing setup. Is it possible to configure an HR24 to only use a single tuner? I'm away from home right now, so I can't check the setup options.

 

Yes, an HR24 can be configured for single tuner mode.

 

Perfect, that solves it then!