[kgm32]

I have a Phase III DirectTV dish with 4 connections. Two of the lines feed a TERK 2x4 Multiswitch and the other two go directly to one of my DVRs. I have 2 DVRs and 2 single tuner RCA boxes. I also have a spare 2X4 ASPEN Multiswitch. All the boxes have been told they are being fed by a round dish so I believe I only recieve the 110 satellite signal. I have no current plans to go HD.

What are the advantages/Disadvantages to the following solutions to add a Fifth Box...(I plan on using an existing DVR R10 that has one broken tuner and using it as a single turner box.)

1) Buy a 2x8 mulitswitch...I already have a cable run to the same location as the current 2x4 switch for the 5th box, so this would be the easiest. Is there any signal loss going to a 2x8 switch..I currently run at around 92% signal.

2) Split of the second two connections that are feed the single DVR using the existing 2x4 multiswitch. This would require running additional cable but can be done.

3) Buy a 4x8 multiswitch not sure what that will buy me.

I assume cascading the two multiswitches will not work.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Grentz]

The Phase 3 technically receives 101/110/119. But with your current setup, receivers connected through the multiswitch are only receiving 101 (which is no big deal in most cases as 101 has all the SD content and most SD locals).

You will not add any significant signal loss by using a multiswitch. This is digital signal, not OTA signal. With that being said I think the best solution would be your #1, use one multiswitch and since it is the easiest as well, that is the way to go.

Now, to give only 101 to all your receivers you will only need a 2x/3x multiswitch. If you wanted to do it the way it was meant to be done with your dish you could step up to a 4x/5x multiswitch which would give 101/110/119 to all your receivers.

3x8:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SPVMS8EP

5x8:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=PVMS5X8

The difference between a 2x/3x and a 4x/5x is that the 3x and 5x have an input for OTA for diplexing in OTA. Most of the ones you will find will have the OTA input, but there are a few 2x and 4x multiswitches out there.

 

[mjtville]

I have a Phase III DirectTV dish with 4 connections. Two of the lines feed a TERK 2x4 Multiswitch and the other two go directly to one of my DVRs. I have 2 DVRs and 2 single tuner RCA boxes. I also have a spare 2X4 ASPEN Multiswitch. All the boxes have been told they are being fed by a round dish so I believe I only recieve the 110 satellite signal. I have no current plans to go HD.

What are the advantages/Disadvantages to the following solutions to add a Fifth Box...(I plan on using an existing DVR R10 that has one broken tuner and using it as a single turner box.)

1) Buy a 2x8 mulitswitch...I already have a cable run to the same location as the current 2x4 switch for the 5th box, so this would be the easiest. Is there any signal loss going to a 2x8 switch..I currently run at around 92% signal.

2) Split of the second two connections that are feed the single DVR using the existing 2x4 multiswitch. This would require running additional cable but can be done.

3) Buy a 4x8 multiswitch not sure what that will buy me.

I assume cascading the two multiswitches will not work.

Thanks for your input.

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