Questions regarding Direct TV Installation

2662 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Grentz, Aug 29, 2008

akapero

Discussion Starter · Aug 29, 2008

I recently had Direct TV installed at my new home. While I originally wanted an HD receiver, I was told by the tech that he couldn't install it without drilling a hole in my foundation, since I only have 2 lines coming into the house. So, I went with 4 standard receivers instead. Now, however, I need to get cable internet set up, but the dish is using both incoming lines.

My questions are:
1. Is there any way to combine the two satellite cables using some sort of multi-switch/splitter set-up, which will free up my other cable for internet access? Or, alternatively, can the cable internet be combined/split from one of the satellite cables in a similar manner.

2. The installer didn't impress me as the brightest bulb in the chandelier, so did he have some other option for getting me the HD package than drilling a hole in my foundation?

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm about ready to eat the cancellation fee and rejoin forces with the dark Comcast overlord, since DirectTV has been less than helpful with all of this, and you all seem like the people to ask.

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kiljoy

· #2 · Aug 29, 2008

You could get a SWM-8 or a SWMline LNB to only need one cable coming into the house so that would free up one of the existing lines for cable internet, though buying that equipment will likely be on your dime, not DirecTVs. I'd also be concerned that the cable coming in wouldn't be rated for the bandwidth required for HD (which is what the SWM would be for), so one way or another, I'd say you're going to need another hole in the wall.

Tony

Grentz

· #3 · Aug 29, 2008

SWM-8 or SWMLine is your answer.

You can get the SWM-8 at places like www.Solidsignal.com and the SWMLine soemtimes on eBay right now.

Note that you will need SWM or FTM compatible receivers. Here are some facts on it:
http://www.swm8.com/

Note that the SWMLine LNB works like the SWM-8, but just replaces the LNB assembly on the slimline dish (the thing with white caps) and has a single wire coming out of it, much cleaner overall.

RobertE

· #4 · Aug 29, 2008

Drill another hole.

akapero

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 29, 2008

Thanks for the input. I was hoping not to have to spend money on upgrading a system that I just had installed, but since the installer couldn't even get service activated, I'm not surprised that's what it will take.

I've been reading up on the SWM-8, and I'm not sure I understand everything that's involved in the set up.

First of all, I believe it will work with 3 of our 4 boxes, which are d-12's. However, one of the boxes is a D-11, which doesn't work with the SWM-8?

Second, I assume I'll have to run the SWM-8 outside, and then where the line comes into my wiring panel, I run the power inserter, and then run a splitter off of that to the 4 receivers. Is this correct?

Third, as kiljoy mentioned, the single run of cable may not be enough to handle the HD bandwidth, so I guess the SWM-8 won't provide a solution to that.

I guess I should have had them install the 4 lines initially. However, the guy didn't exactly exude and air of competence. I didn't trust him to properly put that hole in my wall. That, and he wanted to put the dish on the front of my house.

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akapero

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 29, 2008

RobertE said:
Drill another hole.

I'm regretting not doing that, as I mentioned above. If I had trusted the guy enough, I would have done that to begin with. However, I barely trusted him enough to hit the toilet when he asked to use the bathroom.

Grentz

· #7 · Aug 29, 2008

Answers:

akapero said:
I've been reading up on the SWM-8, and I'm not sure I understand everything that's involved in the set up.

Keep asking and reading, we can help you They really are pretty simple to setup.

First of all, I believe it will work with 3 of our 4 boxes, which are d-12's. However, one of the boxes is a D-11, which doesn't work with the SWM-8?

Correct, the D12s should work fine, the D11 will not work with the SWM.

Second, I assume I'll have to run the SWM-8 outside, and then where the line comes into my wiring panel, I run the power inserter, and then run a splitter off of that to the 4 receivers. Is this correct?

Yes, if you got the SWM8, you would run it outside (it is weatherproof). The 4 lines would go from the dish to the SWM8, then the one output of the SWM8 would go via your one line into the house. Power Inserter would be put on this line in the house, and then you would split it like an antenna cable (just make sure you use proper approved splitters) out to your receivers.

If you went with the SWMLine LNB, you would just replace the LNB on the dish (simple...just 2 screws) and then run one line from the dish to the inside of your house, where again you would have the power inserter and use the same splitters out to the recievers. The SWMLine eliminates the need for the 4 runs from the Dish to the SWM8 module and eliminates the need for a separate SWM module at all.

Third, as kiljoy mentioned, the single run of cable may not be enough to handle the HD bandwidth, so I guess the SWM-8 won't provide a solution to that.

No, it should be just fine for HD. The SWM modules are made to work with existing wiring on the output side. You would just want to use good RG6 from the dish to the SWM-8 module if you go with the SWM-8.

I guess I should have had them install the 4 lines initially. However, the guy didn't exactly exude and air of competence. I didn't trust him to properly put that hole in my wall. That, and he wanted to put the dish on the front of my house.

There are circumstances where more lines can be a big problem, that is why there is now the SWM options

BattleZone

· #8 · Aug 29, 2008

My question is: did the installer actually install a Slimline dish, or did he subsitute for another dish since you don't have HD?

Also, realize that with the SWM (either SWM LNB or SWM8), you CAN get HD, so you could upgrade the D11 for an HD receiver, which solves the compatibility problem.

akapero

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 29, 2008

Excellent info, Grentz, thank you.

I'm calling Direct TV (again), to see if they'll at least hook me up with a new HD receiver to replace the D-11 like I had originally requested. I'll foot the bill on the SWM-8 and the splitter just to make this all go away.

Any splitter recommendations? It doesn't have to be one of the SWS- series, does it?

akapero

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 29, 2008

IIP said:
My question is: did the installer actually install a Slimline dish, or did he subsitute for another dish since you don't have HD?

Also, realize that with the SWM (either SWM LNB or SWM8), you CAN get HD, so you could upgrade the D11 for an HD receiver, which solves the compatibility problem.

I believe he actually installed the other dish, instead of the slimline. I know he only ran 2 cables down from the roof. If I "upgrade" (is it an upgrade if that's what I was supposed to get?), then Direct TV will install a new, HD-compatible dish for free.

I hope to have the SWM-8 in hand first, so this all goes better than last time.

Grentz

· #11 · Aug 29, 2008

akapero said:
Excellent info, Grentz, thank you.

I'm calling Direct TV (again), to see if they'll at least hook me up with a new HD receiver to replace the D-11 like I had originally requested. I'll foot the bill on the SWM-8 and the splitter just to make this all go away.

Any splitter recommendations? It doesn't have to be one of the SWS- series, does it?

akapero said:
I believe he actually installed the other dish, instead of the slimline. I know he only ran 2 cables down from the roof. If I "upgrade" (is it an upgrade if that's what I was supposed to get?), then Direct TV will install a new, HD-compatible dish for free.

I hope to have the SWM-8 in hand first, so this all goes better than last time.

If you have a slimline, it is pretty apparent as it says Slimline right on it.

That would probably be the best idea, do an upgrade to an HD receiver and they will come out and install the slimline dish as well.

I would recommend getting one of the SWS splitters as they are not much more expensive and guaranteed to work.

Make sure to read up on how to install the SWM as well (again it is pretty darn simple and should be like we laid out above...but just make sure you understand), the installer will probably have no experience with it and you might have to do some convincing

joe diamond

· #12 · Aug 29, 2008

Uh?

About drilling the foundation.......if there is a band board above the foundation drill that.
If it is a masonry structure you are going to have to use a roto hammer drill somewhere. UNLESS you can drill the wooden window sill. OR find some space in a preexisting hole. Look at how the AC unit enters the building. Do not be tempted to use the hole for the main power feed.

Stay awake. Drilling holes is a boring job.

Joe

akapero

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 29, 2008

Grentz said:
If you have a slimline, it is pretty apparent as it says Slimline right on it.

That would probably be the best idea, do an upgrade to an HD receiver and they will come out and install the slimline dish as well.

I would recommend getting one of the SWS splitters as they are not much more expensive and guaranteed to work.

Make sure to read up on how to install the SWM as well (again it is pretty darn simple and should be like we laid out above...but just make sure you understand), the installer will probably have no experience with it and you might have to do some convincing

I can't easily see the dish from the ground, so I'm not sure. I doubt he installed it, though. Either way, once I upgrade to the HD package, I'll get the dish.

I've been reading up on the installation of the SWM, and it looks pretty straight forward. I've dealt with running network drops, and coax drops in my previous place, so hopefully it'll all go as planned. Half the problem I'm having, I think, is learning the new lingo. LNB? SWM? AU9? D-11? You all speak Greek.

I went ahead and ordered the SWM-8, and the SWS-4. I hope to have it in before the satellite guy comes back. Hopefully they'll send a different installer this time.

Thanks again for the insight and direction.

joe diamond said:
Uh?

About drilling the foundation.......if there is a band board above the foundation drill that.
If it is a masonry structure you are going to have to use a roto hammer drill somewhere. UNLESS you can drill the wooden window sill. OR find some space in a preexisting hole. Look at how the AC unit enters the building. Do not be tempted to use the hole for the main power feed.

Stay awake. Drilling holes is a boring job.

Joe

The way my house sits, on a slight hill, the utility room is completely in the basement, surrounded by concrete. The only way in is directly through the concrete foundation. The AC unit enters between floors on a different section of house, and the main power comes in through the back (by the original coax entrance). There really isn't any solution but drilling through there, and I'm not really comfortable with a new hole in the foundation especially since it would be almost at ground level.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this SWM solves the issue.

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Grentz

· #14 · Aug 29, 2008

Sounds good! Make sure to report back how it all goes!

and on the lingo..ya, you pick it up after awhile

The funny thing is that you learn the lingo/concepts for one thing and can still be lost on the other...I know the Directv systems very well, but am completely lost when it comes to Dish network setup/installation.

Mertzen

· #15 · Aug 29, 2008

Grentz said:
I know the Directv systems very well, but am completely lost when it comes to Dish network setup/installation.

:lol: So no EA, DPP, 500, 500+, 1000, 1000.2, 1000+, 1000.4, DP34, DP44m, etc for you then?

Grentz

· #16 · Aug 29, 2008

lol, nope. I know what a fair amount of them are, just have no idea how to combine them together and where things are in the sky and what not

Dish seems to have a much more complex setup as well as far as where channels and programming are and what dishes are needed (like how you have to have multiple dishes for many installs). I have tried to figure it out, but so much of it has changed over the years it is darn confusing.

With Directv I have a fairly good idea of where each of the channels are (what satellite), the stacking setups, how multiswitches go together, the different dishes, different receivers, SWM setups, diplexing, etc. That's why I hang out around here

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