[y2k02c5]

Called up DTV tonight to check in on my free MPEG 4 Receiver upgrade. Told them that I would only upgrade if I can get a SWM, since the room the MPEG4 receiver is going into, only has 1 coax connection.

I explained all the info I learned from here regarding the requirements and eligibility for a SWM install. Customer service rep was impressed. LOL (Thanks DBStalk). She confirmed that, YES, you need at least 5 tuners to get a SWM. Jokingly, she admitted to browing DBStalk as well. LOL...

Soooo, we have a HR22-100 and SWM switch coming Sept 27th. The local DTV contractor is jam packed with new installs over the next couple weeks.

Question now, I currently have the 4 coax lines coming in from the dish. Does this mean the installer is going to yank the 4 lines and only run one line into my house?

 

[RobertE]

It means, odds are, your not going to get a SWM LNB. Regardless of what the CSR stated, it will really be up to how closely the HSP is following the installation rules. Also, the CSR has no ability to promise or specify a HR22 or any other specific model either.

Either way, good luck.

 

[y2k02c5]

SWM LNB? I already have a slimline dish. i thought this was compatible with SWM

 

[RobertE]

SWM LNB? I already have a slimline dish. i thought this was compatible with SWM

No, the SWM LNB has the SWM built in.

HSPs typically don't stock the external SWM-8.

 

[Tom Robertson]

y2k02c5

I would check the DIRECTV website for the order and see if the HSPs phone number is listed. Then you can call them to confirm some things.

Or try to get the CSR to give you the phone number. Some can, some can't.

Or they might put the HSP on the phone with you.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[y2k02c5]

No, the SWM LNB has the SWM built in.

HSPs typically don't stock the external SWM-8.

Ok, i'm mistaken then. I thought the SWM replaced the Zinwell WB68 in my basement.

y2k02c5

I would check the DIRECTV website for the order and see if the HSPs phone number is listed. Then you can call them to confirm some things.

Or try to get the CSR to give you the phone number. Some can, some can't.

Or they might put the HSP on the phone with you.

Cheers,
Tom

Yea I still have the work order receipt from last time they were out. I'll give them a call to confirm. The CSR did provide me with a work order #

 

[dave29]

Ok, i'm mistaken then. I thought the SWM replaced the Zinwell WB68 in my basement.

Yea I still have the work order receipt from last time they were out. I'll give them a call to confirm. The CSR did provide me with a work order #

there have been multiple promises made by csr's that the installer would bring a swm with him. i would say you have a 99% chance not to get a swm8. i hope you do though........ good luck.

 

[y2k02c5]

there have been multiple promises made by csr's that the installer would bring a swm with him. i would say you have a 99% chance not to get a swm8. i hope you do though........ good luck.

Well i'm going to call and hopefully get confirmation from the local installer. If they can't show up with a SWM, then don't bother coming out at all. Only reason i've postponed doing the MPEG4 upgrade was the availbility of the SWM in my area

 

[Tom Robertson]

Look forward to the updates.

Yes, a SWM8 would/could replace the WB68 (or go in parallel.)

Good luck,
Tom

 

[y2k02c5]

Just got off the phone with the installer. Confirmed work order, and they do show the request for the SWM and HR22-100 receiver. Now I just have to wait till the 27th...

Again, curious as to if they have to remove the 4 coax lines coming into the house?

 

[harsh]

Ok, i'm mistaken then. I thought the SWM replaced the Zinwell WB68 in my basement.

It could, but don't ignore what RobertE told you about the availability of SWM8s among HSPs. The SWM8 and the AM21 are two devices that you don't often see in HSP warehouses.

Know that CSRs will tell you all sorts of stories (perhaps stopping short of saying "whatever you want to hear"). Don't expect special treatment based on what they told you.

The HSP is the only one who will tell you what you can and cannot get and they're motivated to not have you cancel the install after the installer shows up to add another coax.

 

[harsh]

Again, curious as to if they have to remove the 4 coax lines coming into the house?

They don't need to remove anything to achieve the installation. Where they install the SWM8 will have an impact on how many cables must run how far.

 

[y2k02c5]

They don't need to remove anything to achieve the installation. Where they install the SWM8 will have an impact on how many cables must run how far.

I prewired the house myself last summer before the drywall went up. Ran all my coax to each room and into a central location in the basement where my WB68 is at. Hopefully i'll get a good installer, who knows what he's doing, without tearing up my house.

 

[y2k02c5]

The HSP is the only one who will tell you what you can and cannot get and they're motivated to not have you cancel the install after the installer shows up to add another coax.

Installer confirmed this morning they are bringing a SWM and HR22-100. If they lied and don't show up with requested equipment, then i'll just ask him to leave and take it up with Directv.

 

[Chip Moody]

SWM8 or SWMLine?

In the case of the former, there wouldn't be any reason to NOT just replace your existing multiswitch and continue to use the 4 lines coming down from your existing dish/LNB. Of course, while that makes perfect sense to me and probably to others here, that doesn't mean the concept isn't a stretch for the average installer.

In the case of the latter, you'd be getting a new dish that would only need one of the four wires coming down. Chances are the other three would just be left hanging - at least from the grounding block outside your house - they might run a new single cable from that block to the dish and remove the current set of four that are there...

- Chip

Installer confirmed this morning they are bringing a SWM

 

[y2k02c5]

Just wanted to update everyone on my install.

DTV installer came out today with a SWM-5 and a HR 22-100. He also replaced the LNB on my dish. He showed me the work order indicating a WB68, but in the tech notes it stated that customer requested HR22-100 and SWM.

He also remove the B Band converters off my existing HR20-100.

So far so good. Only thing is, getting the remote to work with my Vizio LCD. the three codes that it lists don't seem to work. I have VX37L model. I'll have to search for some codes that work, but if anyone has this TV, please post up what code worked for you.

 

[Grentz]

Sounds like he installed a SWMLine LNB and splitter.

Glad you got what you wanted, not many get what they request like that.

 

[y2k02c5]

Sounds like he installed a SWMLine LNB and splitter.

Glad you got what you wanted, not many get what they request like that.

He also installed a black box that reads " SWM ODU Only" with two connections, "signal to IRD" and "Power to SWM".

He's coming back later to swap out the swm-5 for a swm-8, since I have other rooms prewired for future upgrades, that were originally connected to my WB68.

Now I have to call DTV back and get an AM21 for my OTA's as well.

 

[studdad]

Does the SWM make a difference? I mean other than just one line and no BBC's?

 

[y2k02c5]

Does the SWM make a difference? I mean other than just one line and no BBC's?

It allows you to utilize a Dual tuner DVR in a room that only has one coax connection without having to run a second coax line.

I only pre wired my living room with dual coax last year when I built my home, since I already had the HR20 from the old house. Then ran single coax to all other rooms, in anticipation of the SWM release.