[Guest]

American Satellite is offering a Multisatellite dish w/ built-in multiswitch (3 LNBs). Does anyone know anything about this switch.? Can I cascade it with another switch if I need additional outputs in the future, or should I insist on an external multiswitch that can be replaced with one with more outputs?

Any suggestions for vendors with good package deals on multisatellite dishes (new subscriber)?

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[chs4]

Dennis,

I recently switched from E* to D*, bought my equipment from American Satellite and received the 18" x 20" "Phase III" dish you are referring to.

The 4x4 multiswitch is indeed integrated with the three LNBs, with four outputs for connection of up to four receivers/tuners. You may have heard the integrated switch referred to as a "5x4" switch, but that is a bit misleading. There is no input for an OTA antenna on the integrated switch.

In order to hook up more than four receivers/tuners you need a multiswitch capable of passing/generating the 22kh tones necessary for the LNBs to work properly. One such switch (the one I bought) is the Eagle Aspen 5x8 S-4180-GX+. If you go this route make sure you buy the "+" model, as Aspen also makes an S-4180-GX which WILL NOT work. American Satellite has the "+" model in stock.

I believe the only other company that currently makes a cascadable multiswitch compatible with the "Phase III" integrated switch is Spaun. While Spaun makes an excellent product they seem to be about twice the price of the Eagle Aspen model. Terk is supposed to be releasing their own cascadable switch "soon", but I haven't heard any specific timeframe.

You didn't ask, but FWIW this was an extremely easy dish to point, much easier than the DISH500 dish I had with E*. Seems the smaller dish may be more focused, and the integrated LNBs make it virtually impossible to misalign.

As for a vendor, my only experience with DirecTV equipment has been with American Satellite and I had no problems. (well, none that weren't corrected promptly) Their pricing seems to be in line with what other online dealers are offering for new subscribers.

Good luck with your new system.

 

[Guest]

I checked this switch out on the Am. Sat. web page. What are the duiplexers at each of the outputs for? I thought I only njneeded these at the outputs where I wanted to get the SAT-C signal.

Thanks for the info. Should I install the 18x20 integrated dish, or should I insist on an older dish w/ an external multiswitch?

-Dennis

 

[chs4]

You will only need the diplexers if you are using the OTA input capability on the multiswitch. By using the OTA input you can "piggyback" the OTA signal from your antenna onto the outputs of the mutliswitch.

At each location where you want a receiver to get the OTA signal you will need to put a diplexer, which will "break out" the sat signal and the OTA signal to their respective inputs.

As for which dish to get it's really up to you. The only real difference I can see is that you are limited to a couple of different mutliswitches (at the moment anyway) that can be used with the integrated switch on the dish. I found the Phase III dish easy to point and lock in an excellent signal, but as I have no experience pointing the "old" oval dish I'm not sure if this is much of an advantage. Someone who has used both may be able to give you more information.

 

[Guest]

Can I assume that, because all of the outputs of the built-in multiswitch are identical, that it doesn't matter which inputs they are connected to on the 5x8 switch??

-Dennis

 

[chs4]

Originally posted by carletondm
Can I assume that, because all of the outputs of the built-in multiswitch are identical, that it doesn't matter which inputs they are connected to on the 5x8 switch??

-Dennis

I asked this EXACT question prior to buying the multiswitch.

I was hoping to run just two lines from the roof to the switch (one sat and one OTA) and then distribute multiple runs off the switch. According to the information I received when I asked on another forum (and backed up by the directions that came with the switch) this is just not possible.

You have to connect ALL FOUR outputs from the integrated 4x4 switch to the four sat inputs on the 5x8 switch in order for it to work. It has to do with the way DirecTV sends the tones that allow the LNBs to "lock onto" the appropriate satellites.

Take a look at this thread for a more complete description of why this is so.