[sabex]

I am moving into a new home which has a single coax outlet in the living room.
Installer insists that I can only use my HR20-700's dual tuners if he installs another coax - which of course comes at a price.

When I got the DVR the manual made a big deal about the FTM compatibility, which supposedly allows me to run a single cable.

Did DirecTV shelve that product?
I see a lot of threads about a SWM, is that something similar?

my setup is a single TV, and there is a chance of second TV later.

Is my installer correct?

Thanks

 

[Grentz]

FTM was renamed to SWM, read up on SWM around here...that would work to allow you to run one wire.

But you would probably have to do it yourself and purchase it yourself as most installers still do not have them yet.

 

[Radio Enginerd]

I am moving into a new home which has a single coax outlet in the living room.
Installer insists that I can only use my HR20-700's dual tuners if he installs another coax - which of course comes at a price.

When I got the DVR the manual made a big deal about the FTM compatibility, which supposedly allows me to run a single cable.

Did DirecTV shelve that product?
I see a lot of threads about a SWM, is that something similar?

my setup is a single TV, and there is a chance of second TV later.

Is my installer correct?

Thanks

SWM is FTM. FTM was the original name.

SWM might not yet be available in your market so the installer might not have access to it yet. You could always let the installer connect it with 1 COAX and then purchase a SWM on your own.

 

[Radio Enginerd]

FTM was renamed to SWM, read up on SWM around here...that would work to allow you to run one wire.

But you would probably have to do it yourself and purchase it yourself as most installers still do not have them yet.

You beat me by a minute. What he said.

Feel free to take a look at the pictures in my signature below and you can see what SWM is. I actually have 2 runs coming from my SWM but most installs only need 1.

 

[sabex]

Thanks - so the trick is to find a SWM. Does DirecTV sell them or are they only available from installers / RadioShack etc?

 

[evan_s]

www.solidsignal.com sells them also one of the members here dave29 sells them. Installers, radio shack and DirecTV won't have em to sell.

 

[sabex]

Per SolidSignal - I need firmware .2042
How can I tell the firmware level?
System setup shows a software version 0x254 - is that even the same thing?

 

[curt8403]

Per SolidSignal - I need firmware .2042
How can I tell the firmware level?
System setup shows a software version 0x254 - is that even the same thing?

your version is ok

 

[rhambling]

you will need a swm compatible receiver

 

[curt8403]

you will need a swm compatible receiver

his unit is, now

 

[rhambling]

his unit is, now

i just realized that after i had already posted the reply. forgot about the new software.

 

[sabex]

Thanks for all the replies.
1 last Q: For an average handy guy - how tough is installation of an SWM?
Currently all the coax in my house joins up at a single point in the attic. Is it reasonable to think I could put that in there - then all I need the dish installer to do is run the dish outputs to that point?
I am liking that, because its safe from weather, and there is a nearby power outlet...

 

[sabex]

Cancel that...Been doing some more reading on this fine site..

Since I really only have the 1 TV, I think I will see what the installer is going to charge for an extra wall drop first.
If I decide to add extra TV's later, I can always go SWM at that point.

I really want to thank all the contributors here for their great advice and not just to my questions. DBSTalk is truly a great resource!

 

[carl6]

The installer should run the second coax to the DVR location, but it would be around the outside of the house and through the wall, not a wall fish inside the wall. That should be a no cost wire. If you want it fished, then it will be extra cost.

Carl

 

[Radio Enginerd]

The installer should run the second coax to the DVR location, but it would be around the outside of the house and through the wall, not a wall fish inside the wall. That should be a no cost wire. If you want it fished, then it will be extra cost.

Carl

As Carl stated, if you wanted it fished inside the wall, you will most likely have to pay extra. Find out how much that charge will be. Considering a SWM with power supply has been reduced to $139, it might be worth your while to purchase a SWM.

 

[sabex]

I want it fished since that location in the living room does not have an outside wall.
Installer I spoke to says they can't give an exact quote until they see it, but a minimum of $75 to fish.
Assuming it ends up in the same general price range as the SWM I will go with the fish, mainly because then it gets done in 1 day

 

[Tom Robertson]

Mrs. tibber and I agree that fishing is always good. (Our local installer supervisor tells all his new guys that they will be amazed at how our house has no external cable runs, yet we have 12 receivers installed. )

SWM is very good too. SWM is every easy to install if you get your dish installer to run 4 coax from the dish to the attic for the SWM to connect to.

And you are most welcome, we are happy to help.

Cheers,
Tom