[gully_foyle]

I have one TV, but I record and watch a lot of stuff. Currently I have an HR20 & an HR21 co-located and connected to a self-installed SWM-5 to an older no-SWM Slimline 5LNB dish. One wire down and split. Wired ethernet and switch at TV. Household Wifi.

I've ordered an HR34 to be installed next week. This will replace both HR2x boxes (although maybe I can get an SWM8 put in if I keep one for a bit).

For the life of me, though, I cannot understand why they want to install a Wifi/DECA/CCK ($100) Is that just the way the CSRs write it up? Is this useful for an Ipad to give me something I cannot get via Ethernet and general Wifi? That's really the only benefit I can think of.

Should I tell the installer to skip the CCK/MRV/DECA stuff? It would probably be too much to ask for credit given the deal I got. I certainly don't want to PAY for MRV.

 

[Davenlr]

Its a DirecTv thing. You can plug the HR34 directly into the router with ethernet, and it will even bridge the internet to any other boxes on the SWM.

It will serve no purpose beyond what the ethernet cable already does. If you only have one box (HR34) and not going to use MRV, there is no sense in paying for a CCK.

 

[jdspencer]

Are you planning to keep the two HRs? If so, you'll have 9 tuners and will need to upgrade to the SWM16 with 4 lines from the dish connected to it. You say you have one line from the dish currently. This indicates that the LNB on the dish is a SWM version. Please clarify.

 

[Davenlr]

He said he had a non-SWM lnb and a SWM5 multiswitch, and is replacing both boxes with the HR34, unless he can get the installer to let him keep one of the DVRs and replace the SWM5 with an SWM8.

 

[gully_foyle]

He said he had a non-SWM lnb and a SWM5 multiswitch, and is replacing both boxes with the HR34, unless he can get the installer to let him keep one of the DVRs and replace the SWM5 with an SWM8.

Exactly. All 4 dish outputs go the the SWM5 inputs. Non-SWM "Slimline" dish. One wire down from SWM5 to boxes. Thanks, Davenlr

 

[Beerstalker]

My guess is since he said the SWM5 was self installed the DirecTV computer system doesn't know he has SWM in place. So in order to get the HR34 installed they think they have to upgrade him to a SWM setup. They do that by adding a cinema connect kit to the order. That's just the way the DirecTV computer ordering system works.

 

[HoTat2]

BTW: Where did you get a SWiM-5 multi-switch from anyhow?

Were you one of the original field testers for the external SWiM multi-switches?

 

[dsw2112]

My guess is since he said the SWM5 was self installed the DirecTV computer system doesn't know he has SWM in place. So in order to get the HR34 installed they think they have to upgrade him to a SWM setup. They do that by adding a cinema connect kit to the order. That's just the way the DirecTV computer ordering system works.

I think that would be fine if they didn't tack on an extra charge to do so. In the past D* has always added the correct switches, dish, etc to match the setup in place (i.e. customer had 8 legacy tuners and added a legacy receiver; tech upgraded WB68 to 16 port switch.)

Maybe this is a new model to help cover costs, but I haven't heard of D* charging someone with a SWMLnb to upgrade to a SWM16 (or at least not
legitimately so.) I also know of at least someone that was told they needed to pay for the CCK, and didn't even have internet or a home network :nono2:

 

[gully_foyle]

BTW: Where did you get a SWiM-5 multi-switch from anyhow?

E-bay. And they've been out since and should know it's there, always assuming the left hand talks to the right.

 

[The Merg]

I believe that just adding the HR34 to the order automatically causes the upgrade to a SWM install.

As for the leaving one of the HR2x's, the installer will leave whatever you want. You will just need to pay for the extra boxes. Most likely the order is set up to replace one of the HR2x's with the HR34. That then leaves you with 7 tuners, so you will get upgraded to a SWM8. Also, since you will have a HR34 and another receiver, they automatically added on MRV. You might run into a small problem if you decide to keep both HR2x's though since as mentioned above that would require a SWM16 and the tech might not have one available (and it is most likely not listed on your order).

As for the CCK, is that actually listed with a price for itself on your order?

- Merg

 

[gully_foyle]

As for the CCK, is that actually listed with a price for itself on your order?

Yes. However, the price for this order also has some discounts so this may not be too important. I was mostly wondering why the parts count got escalated. I'll find out the reality tomorrow.

 

[gully_foyle]

So, installer here now, insists that my SWM5 is a SWM 8 because he's never heard of a SWM 5 (and also doesn't know that you can have two boxes on one remote). Tries to tack an 8-switch to a single output of the SWM5.

Blah blah blah and we now have one 5-tuner box working and the other box is disconnected because actually is a SWM5. Whaddashock. He's looking for an SWM8 now. Failing that, he'll have to replace the dish and run the four wires to the 8-switch I guess.

More 2 come.

 

[gully_foyle]

OK. Doesn't have a SWM8. So he replaces the LNB with a Slimline3S LNB, connects one line of that to an 8-way powered switch and then two lines down to the 2 HRs. Set the HR boxes to Slimline 3S/SWM. And NOTHING. Starts swapping wires at the Dish. Still nothing. ???

 

[HoTat2]

OK. Doesn't have a SWM8. So he replaces the LNB with a Slimline3S LNB, connects one line of that to an 8-way powered switch and then two lines down to the 2 HRs. Set the HR boxes to Slimline 3S/SWM. And NOTHING. Starts swapping wires at the Dish. Still nothing. ???

Do you mean a SL3S to an 8-way SWM "splitter?" Then the two lines from the splitter to the HR boxes?

He didn't forget the PI did he? And why an 8-way splitter for only two lines to the receivers?

 

[gully_foyle]

Now he's done something he can't quite explain (limited English) and it all works. Have to go and see what he's done later.

 

[gully_foyle]

Do you mean a SL3S to an 8-way SWM "splitter?" Then the two lines from the splitter to the HR boxes?

He didn't forget the PI did he? And why an 8-way splitter for only two lines to the receivers?

That was my guess. Maybe that's what he did. As far as 8-way (biggish splitter box, about 2x2x5), maybe he's trying to build for the future.

 

[The Merg]

That was my guess. Maybe that's what he did. As far as 8-way (biggish splitter box, about 2x2x5), maybe he's trying to build for the future.

Using a splitter for more cables than you need just creates loss in your signal. All you really need is a 2-way splitter if you just have 2 receivers still. Did he install the CCK? Is it just in-line with one of the receivers or does it have its own coax? Also, check to see where the PI (Power Inserter) is located to see if it is in-line with a receiver or has its own coax. Lastly, make sure that all of the unused ports on the 8-way splitter are terminated (have caps on the end).

I would get a green label 2-way splitter and replace what you have with that if you only have 2 wires coming off the current splitter.

- Merg

 

[gully_foyle]

I would get a green label 2-way splitter and replace what you have with that if you only have 2 wires coming off the current splitter.
- Merg

Would the bidir splitter I was using to split the SWM5 output to my old HR20 & HR21 suffice?

No CCK. No MRV. Straight Cat6 cable into both boxes from local switch. Have to check on the power inserter. Shouldn't that be between the splitter and the dish? I'll check the termination.

I also note he left the other 3 cables disconnected at the dish, exposed to the elements. Probably won't need them again, and it isn't my problem, but maybe I'll salvage them.

 

[HoTat2]

Would the bidir splitter I was using to split the SWM5 output to my old HR20 & HR21 suffice?

If there's no MRV, or at least via DECA, then yes your old 1 x 2 splitter should suffice provided it has a power passing port for the PI if its located after the splitter.

... No CCK. No MRV. Straight Cat6 cable into both boxes from local switch. Have to check on the power inserter. Shouldn't that be between the splitter and the dish? I'll check the termination.

The PI can be there which is where I personally prefer it and you might need to place it if you are going to use your old 1 x 2 splitter and it has no power passing port.

But anyway, it doesn't have to be and may be placed somewhere after the splitter.

 

[The Merg]

Would the bidir splitter I was using to split the SWM5 output to my old HR20 & HR21 suffice?

No CCK. No MRV. Straight Cat6 cable into both boxes from local switch. Have to check on the power inserter. Shouldn't that be between the splitter and the dish? I'll check the termination.

I also note he left the other 3 cables disconnected at the dish, exposed to the elements. Probably won't need them again, and it isn't my problem, but maybe I'll salvage them.

Were you hoping to have MRV turned on between the two receivers as part of your new setup?

- Merg