Is It Possible to Keep My Old R10s?

2302 Views 14 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Shades228, Feb 5, 2012

HappyTheManFan

Discussion Starter · Feb 3, 2012

I'd like to get a rundown of my options regarding upgrading to the new HD Tivo.

My current setup, which hasn't changed in 7 years, is a 3 LNB oval dish going to a 16 channel multiswitch feeding 5 R10s (with lifetime TIVO) and an old Sony SD receiver. We have held out against upgrading all these years, despite now having 2 HD TVs, because of the absolute need for Tivo.

Is there any way to add just 2 HD Tivos and keep 3 R10s and the Sony? I know we'll need a new dish, but I don't know if DirecTV is able to, or is even willing to try to, help us create a system that can use the legacy equipment. And if not, what kind of damage am I going to get hit with to replace everything?

Thanks for the info/advice.

Pat

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Shades228

· #2 · Feb 3, 2012

You can't exceed 8 tuners and keep legacy equipment if you go through DIRECTV. You can do a non supported setup by finding a 6x16 or do a couple 6x8's.

If you exceed 16 tuners they'll swap out your equipment with current model versions of your receivers.

trh

· #3 · Feb 3, 2012

Have your read the reviews of the new DirecTV Tivo? There are a number of people who really don't like it.

texasbrit

· #4 · Feb 3, 2012

Shades228 said:
You can't exceed 8 tuners and keep legacy equipment if you go through DIRECTV. You can do a non supported setup by finding a 6x16 or do a couple 6x8's.

If you exceed 16 tuners they'll swap out your equipment with current model versions of your receivers.

As far as I know, DirecTV will still install two SWM8s in parallel for a legacy installation, it isn't "non supported"

Shades228

· #5 · Feb 3, 2012

texasbrit said:
As far as I know, DirecTV will still install two SWM8s in parallel for a legacy installation, it isn't "non supported"

DIRECTV stopped installing SWM8's in parellel once the SWM 16 was entered into the field. SWM 8's wouldn't help in this situation either way because they aren't allowed to use the legacy ports on them.

trh said:
Have your read the reviews of the new DirecTV Tivo? There are a number of people who really don't like it.

He's holding onto R10's it was designed for him unless he has them hacked and thinks they can hack the new ones.

carl6

· #6 · Feb 3, 2012

So your goal is to end up with two THR22's, three R10's and one non DVR, right? That totals eleven tuners.

One option would be to set the R10's to single tuner mode and use a single WB68. A second option would be to use two SWM8's in parallel. The third option is to use an SWM16 (which you should be able to find on-line someplace).

If you run into a situation where DirecTV won't want to do the install (such as two SWM8's in parallel), you could have them do four DVRs, then add the other stuff yourself once they are done.

I would recommend the WB616 over parallel WB68's because the 8 is non-powered and you can start running into DC power problems between the receiver and the dish with parallel WB68's & splitters. If you choose to use parallel WB68's you might also consider a Sonora phase locker/power inserter between the dish and the splitters feeding the WB68's.

harsh

· #7 · Feb 3, 2012

If you're up for a second dish, that would be the cheap (free installation?) and easy way.

Otherwise, I'd hope that DIRECTV would install a Slimline dish with a WB616 as carl6 suggests.

HappyTheManFan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 3, 2012

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I'd like to clarify a bit to maybe get down to a final answer.

First, going non-TIVO is not an option due to other forces in the household (i.e., the ones that have refused to upgrade to HD until TIVO units were available) Like it or not, for better or for worse, non-TIVO is a non-starter.

Second, I should have been more specific about the multiswitch. I used to have a 5X16 powered multiswitch but it got fried a little while ago so I replaced it with one of the kits from Solid Signal that has 4 wide band splitters feeding 2 WB68.

So as I think I understand it, I could get a 5 LNB Slimline dish installed, remove the splitters and use just one WB68, feed two lines to the two tuners on each THR22 (total of 4 lines used), one line to each R10 (total of 3 lines; won't really need to use dual tuners on the R10s), and one line to the Sony box for a total of 8 lines. As I understand it, this configuration will not use the SWM technology, right? And it will be able to get HD in the current format used by DirecTV with no problems?

Lastly, do you think DirecTV will install this at little or no charge, or will I have to buy everything myself and hire an independent installer to set up the new dish? (the dish setup is the only part of the install I haven't done myself at each house we've lived in.)

Also, is DirecTV honoring the lifetime TIVO with these new units if they are replacing R10s? And if not, will they still honor it for the remaining R10s?

Thanks again for all your help.

Pat

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HappyTheManFan

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 3, 2012

carl6 said:
I would recommend the WB616 over parallel WB68's because the 8 is non-powered and you can start running into DC power problems between the receiver and the dish with parallel WB68's & splitters. If you choose to use parallel WB68's you might also consider a Sonora phase locker/power inserter between the dish and the splitters feeding the WB68's.

Is this a problem caused by the THR22s or the Slimline dish? Because I have the splitters and 2 WB68s and have never had any problems with any of the receivers.

Pat

Shades228

· #10 · Feb 3, 2012

HappyTheManFan said:
Is this a problem caused by the THR22s or the Slimline dish? Because I have the splitters and 2 WB68s and have never had any problems with any of the receivers.

Pat

It's a problem with the setup overall. It can be done, and was done for many years, however it's not the best way to have it done. This setup is more susceptible to rain fade and other issues. There are a few posts on this type of setup in the installation thread.

DIRECTV is required to replace your setup as you have it with a SWM setup. They will not come out and leave an installation like that. So that means you're best option is to order the equipment you want and pay a private installer to install it for you. The THR22 will work fine with a 6x8 you just need 2 lines to it like your other TiVos.

The other option, much more costly but more future proof, is to replace all of your old SD TiVo's with the new THR22 and then have DIRECTV install them. This would get you the most up to date installation and allow DIRECTV to be able to service your home.

carl6

· #11 · Feb 3, 2012

HappyTheManFan said:
Is this a problem caused by the THR22s or the Slimline dish? Because I have the splitters and 2 WB68s and have never had any problems with any of the receivers.

Pat

Nothing to do with either the THR22 or the Slimline.

Because the WB68's are non-powered, if you have particularly long coax runs (either from the receiver to the switch, or from the switch to the dish), the potential for excessive voltage drop can result in insufficient voltage reaching the dish, particularly to select the 18V stack plans. If you have parallel WB68's and are having no problems, then you obviously don't need to add more equipment. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

HappyTheManFan

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 3, 2012

Thanks for all the help.

It seems that what I will probably want to do is buy 2 THR22s and the 5 LNB Slimline dish from an outside vendor, get the dish professionally installed/aligned by an independent technician, then swap the 2 THR22s for 2 of the R10s. Then when I call DirecTV to activate them I will have to upgrade my service to HD. So the only cost to me from DirecTV should be the new higher bill going forward and nothing for the equipment or installation, right?

If I've got it right then I should be good to go when the THR22s become widely available.

wingrider01

· #13 · Feb 4, 2012

HappyTheManFan said:
Thanks for all the help.

It seems that what I will probably want to do is buy 2 THR22s and the 5 LNB Slimline dish from an outside vendor, get the dish professionally installed/aligned by an independent technician, then swap the 2 THR22s for 2 of the R10s. Then when I call DirecTV to activate them I will have to upgrade my service to HD. So the only cost to me from DirecTV should be the new higher bill going forward and nothing for the equipment or installation, right?

If I've got it right then I should be good to go when the THR22s become widely available.

as a caveat, unless you pay 500+ for the unit, it is still a leased box no matte who you get it from

carl6

· #14 · Feb 4, 2012

HappyTheManFan said:
Second, I should have been more specific about the multiswitch. ... I replaced it with one of the kits from Solid Signal that has 4 wide band splitters feeding 2 WB68.

So as I think I understand it, I could get a 5 LNB Slimline dish installed, remove the splitters and use just one WB68, feed two lines to the two tuners on each THR22 (total of 4 lines used), one line to each R10 (total of 3 lines; won't really need to use dual tuners on the R10s), and one line to the Sony box for a total of 8 lines. As I understand it, this configuration will not use the SWM technology, right? And it will be able to get HD in the current format used by DirecTV with no problems?

You can keep the parallel WB68's. If they are working good for you now, there is no reason they shouldn't work for you going forward. That way you can keep dual tuners going on all the DVRs (if you want to).

HappyTheManFan said:
Lastly, do you think DirecTV will install this at little or no charge, or will I have to buy everything myself and hire an independent installer to set up the new dish? (the dish setup is the only part of the install I haven't done myself at each house we've lived in.)

If all the installer has to do is change the dish and place/activate two THR22's, there should be no problem with DirecTV doing it. Just make sure the installer knows to use the existing multiswitch and wiring as is. You will have to pay for the THR22's, but you should not have to pay for the dish replacement/upgrade.

HappyTheManFan said:
Also, is DirecTV honoring the lifetime TIVO with these new units if they are replacing R10s? And if not, will they still honor it for the remaining R10s?

That I don't know about.

Shades228

· #15 · Feb 5, 2012

carl6 said:
You can keep the parallel WB68's. If they are working good for you now, there is no reason they shouldn't work for you going forward. That way you can keep dual tuners going on all the DVRs (if you want to).

If all the installer has to do is change the dish and place/activate two THR22's, there should be no problem with DirecTV doing it. Just make sure the installer knows to use the existing multiswitch and wiring as is. You will have to pay for the THR22's, but you should not have to pay for the dish replacement/upgrade.

That I don't know about.

DIRECTV installers are not allowed to leave an installation as he has it. Also the system will automatically generate a work order with a SWM 16 and swap out non SWM equipment if you exceed 8 tuners.

So the options are:

Go through a third party to get the THR22, Dish, and have it installed.
Pay the upfront cost to convert all of the old TiVos to THR22s
Get a 6x16 multiswitch and install it.
Go through DIRECTV but lose the old legacy TiVos.

If you had Lifetime TiVo with DIRECTV then yes it would be honored. If you had a promotion that was free DVR service or if your account number changed then no.

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