[jeffreydavisjr]

I did a quick search and couldn't find what I was looking for. None-the-less, I have a HR21 Directv Receiver. It requires 2 coax cables coming in from the dish to the receiver. I am changing my setup and would like a receiver that only requires 1 coax coming in from the Directv Dish.

What HD, HD DVR or TiVo receivers only require 1 coax? Thanks!

 

[Go Beavs]

D12, H20 through H25, R16, HR20 through HR34, and THR22 (TiVo) are compatible with SWiM (One cable from dish).

ALL non DVRs only need one cable.

 

[carl6]

Essentially, you have to change the LNB assembly on your dish to what is known as SWM, which only uses one coax. If you are comfortable accessing your dish, you can probably make the change yourself if you are careful and don't move the dish itself. Otherwise, call DirecTV and ask for the change (which you will probably have to pay for).

 

[jeffreydavisjr]

So my HR21 can use only 1 coax? Ok great. Where can I get this SWM LNB? How do I know if I already have it or not?

 

[nike5580]

Your HR21 will work with a single coax, however your Directv set would need to be changed over to a SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch) system. There are two ways that can be done. 1. Change the LNB on the dish with the SWM version and add a power inserter. 2. Add a SWM-8 or SWM-16 between the dish and receivers. Depending on your current setup, it may be less expensive to have Directv come and set this up for you. Just ask for the whole home DVR upgrade.
To answer you question about what receivers only require 1 coax. The H25 and HR34 are SWM only receivers and will only work within a SWM system. H21 to the H24, HR21 to the HR24 will all work with ether the standard setup or SWM set up. I have never seen an H20 or HR20 so I am not sure if these will work with a SWM system (I am sure someone else can answer this). As for Tivo, only the new THR22 will work with the SWM system or the standard system, however whole home DVR will not work the TIVO.

 

[jeffreydavisjr]

You guys have answered all of my questions! Thanks so much!

 

[Camborita]

Your HR21 will work with a single coax, however your Directv set would need to be changed over to a SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch) system. There are two ways that can be done. 1. Change the LNB on the dish with the SWM version and add a power inserter. 2. Add a SWM-8 or SWM-16 between the dish and receivers. Depending on your current setup, it may be less expensive to have Directv come and set this up for you. Just ask for the whole home DVR upgrade.
To answer you question about what receivers only require 1 coax. The H25 and HR34 are SWM only receivers and will only work within a SWM system. H21 to the H24, HR21 to the HR24 will all work with ether the standard setup or SWM set up. I have never seen an H20 or HR20 so I am not sure if these will work with a SWM system (I am sure someone else can answer this). As for Tivo, only the new THR22 will work with the SWM system or the standard system, however whole home DVR will not work the TIVO.

OK, probably a dumb question, but would something like the "DIRECTV SWS-2 Satellite 2-Way Wide Band MRV Compatible Splitter (2 -2150 MHz)" from Solid Signal work to split the single coax in order to feed the DVR with 2 coax cables?

Here's the link to the product:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...0-MHz)&c=Satellite Splitters&sku=874409002404

Just asking because I checked my DirecTV account today and they are offering a free DVR upgrade for me, but I don't have any additional coax feeds in order to supply 2 cables to it and don't want to spend $100+ for a SWM-8 switch or mess around with the LNB on my dish.

 

[Scott Kocourek]

OK, probably a dumb question, but would something like the "DIRECTV SWS-2 Satellite 2-Way Wide Band MRV Compatible Splitter (2 -2150 MHz)" from Solid Signal work to split the single coax in order to feed the DVR with 2 coax cables?

Here's the link to the product:
http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.as...0-MHz)&c=Satellite Splitters&sku=874409002404

Just asking because I checked my DirecTV account today and they are offering a free DVR upgrade for me, but I don't have any additional coax feeds in order to supply 2 cables to it and don't want to spend $100+ for a SWM-8 switch or mess around with the LNB on my dish.

No that will not work. You can only split a line like that when you already have a SWiM setup.

 

[Camborita]

No that will not work. You can only split a line like that when you already have a SWiM setup.

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the quick reply. Just out of curiosity, why won't that work? From my (obviously) uneducated point of view, it seems that splitter is just splitting a single coax feed from the dish into two separate coax lines. Why would a SWiM setup also be necessary? Just trying to educate myself here.

Best regards.

 

[Scott Kocourek]

I will provide you with a few links in a little bit.

One thing you may want to do is not worry at all about it, call DIRECTV and see if the free HDDVR includes installation. If your existing setup is not capable of the new receiver they may do the install for free. I don't know for sure but it's worth a try. You will however be extending your contract.

 

[Scott Kocourek]

Here are some resources that you may find helpful:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=200024

This document will help answer most of your questions on why or how the standard multi-switches and SWiM multi-switches work. The part that most answers your question starts at the end of Page 5.

http://hr20.dbstalk.com/docs/Dish, Multiswitch and Cable FAQ.pdf

These documents were all done by members at the site and are a great place for detailed questions.

 

[Camborita]

Here are some resources that you may find helpful:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=200024

This document will help answer most of your questions on why or how the standard multi-switches and SWiM multi-switches work. The part that most answers your question starts at the end of Page 5.

http://hr20.dbstalk.com/docs/Dish, Multiswitch and Cable FAQ.pdf

These documents were all done by members at the site and are a great place for detailed questions.

Thanks again Scott - much appreciated!

 

[Camborita]

I will provide you with a few links in a little bit.

One thing you may want to do is not worry at all about it, call DIRECTV and see if the free HDDVR includes installation. If your existing setup is not capable of the new receiver they may do the install for free. I don't know for sure but it's worth a try. You will however be extending your contract.

I checked on my account again today on the website and when I added the HDDVR to my cart, it shows professional installation is included.

I also rechecked all my cable runs yesterday. There are 2 in-wall RG-6 runs from my AT-9 dish into the On-Q box in the coat closet in the house where all the interior connecting cable runs to the rooms in the house are. There is also a 3rd exterior cable run that the installer added at the time of the AT-9 dish install so I could get service in the 3rd room when I upgraded to HD. From the On-Q box, there are actually 2 RG-6 runs to each room in the house. Only some of those cables have F-connectors on them, however.

My question is, do you think that since professional install is included and I will need an additional line coming to the house for the HDDVR, will the installer install a SWM-8 switch outside, and then the power inserter and splitter in the On-Q box?

The only other way I can see this working (without replacing the dish) is if he runs another exterior RG-6 line from the AT-9 to the second story room where the HDDVR is going to be installed, which I really don't want to be done. I also would much rather have the flexibility of the SWiM setup for future upgrades/changes, etc.

I'm also (sort of) fine with the dish being replaced with a new SWiM Slimline dish, but would rather just have a SWM-8 switch put in just so I don't have to have another dish mount done. Not sure what installers these days are doing as far as adding a switch versus replacing the dish.

 

[Scott Kocourek]

Without knowing for sure, here is my guess. I'm thinking the installer will change your dish to a Slimline with a SWiM lnb, run one wire into your house and remove your multi-switch (If you have one) and put in a splitter where the switch is. Each receiver will then run off of one RG6.

...But I'm not an installer or an employee. That's just the way I see it happening.

 

[kevinturcotte]

If you have an installer show up for ANY reason, they're immediately going to swap that AT9 dish out for a Slimline anyway. If you're getting a new receiver installed, they would probably go ahead and install the SWM LNB as opposed to the module, but it depends on the situation and what they have in stock.