I'm a little new to directv and couldn't find a post to answer my question. so here it is. On a single LNB dish, if I want to run 2 standard recievers, do I use a splitter, or a switch and what is the difference. And do I need a specific type? Also on long runs ( over 100') of coax is there a signal booster or amplifer I can use? I ordered a single LNB dish with dual outputs (thats how it was listed) I hasn't arrived yet. Will it have 2 coax connections? Thanks JVB
Switch vs splitter
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A single LNB dish typically has an LNB with two outputs. That is enough to run two standard receivers, with one cable connected from the receiver to one of the outputs on the LNB.
If you wanted to run any additional receivers/tuners, you would need a multiswitch. Typically, the first "step up" is a 3x4 multiswitch (the 3rd input is intended to let you add an OTA antenna signal to the line, but this is rarely done). This switch must be fed with both lines from the single LNB, and provides 4 outputs for receivers.
Larger switches are available.
Splitters cannot be used except in very specific circumstances, which don't apply here.
Dishes that pick up more than one satellite often use an external switch, and generally need FOUR lines from the dish to feed them, and provide 8 or even 16 receiver outputs.
If you wanted to run any additional receivers/tuners, you would need a multiswitch. Typically, the first "step up" is a 3x4 multiswitch (the 3rd input is intended to let you add an OTA antenna signal to the line, but this is rarely done). This switch must be fed with both lines from the single LNB, and provides 4 outputs for receivers.
Larger switches are available.
Splitters cannot be used except in very specific circumstances, which don't apply here.
Dishes that pick up more than one satellite often use an external switch, and generally need FOUR lines from the dish to feed them, and provide 8 or even 16 receiver outputs.
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The way satellite works is not like typical cable or antenna at all so you cannot use splitters or amplifiers (except for in specific more advanced cases and setups).
For 1-2 tuners (1 DVR = 2 tuners, 1 receiver = 1 tuner) you can just use the standard 18" dish as it will have dual outputs (at least all the newer ones).
Each output should be run directly to the receivers, no splitters or amplifiers. You can go a good 200ft+ with this setup as long as you use good cable (RG6 solid copper core), no amps or anything needed.
A multiswitch would be required if you need more than 2 tuners and you would wire the 2 outputs from the dish to the multiswitch, then the multiswitch would have a certain number of outputs (depending on which one you buy) that would again be run directly to the receivers.
Splitters are not used in standard satellite setups as the signal cannot just be split as there actually is 2 way transmission, switching, and power between the receiver and LNB (receiver on the dish itself).
For 1-2 tuners (1 DVR = 2 tuners, 1 receiver = 1 tuner) you can just use the standard 18" dish as it will have dual outputs (at least all the newer ones).
Each output should be run directly to the receivers, no splitters or amplifiers. You can go a good 200ft+ with this setup as long as you use good cable (RG6 solid copper core), no amps or anything needed.
A multiswitch would be required if you need more than 2 tuners and you would wire the 2 outputs from the dish to the multiswitch, then the multiswitch would have a certain number of outputs (depending on which one you buy) that would again be run directly to the receivers.
Splitters are not used in standard satellite setups as the signal cannot just be split as there actually is 2 way transmission, switching, and power between the receiver and LNB (receiver on the dish itself).
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Idf you truely have an old 18" round dish with an lnb that only has 1 output; then you need to change out the lnb for a dual output version which will add the capability of runing 2 satellite receivers (or more with the addition of a multiswitch).jvanden said:
However it may benefit you to simply switch out the entire dish to a newer 3 or 5 lnb model which will allow the connection of up to 4 receivers with it's built in multiswitch as well as pick up additions stations you do not currently posses if your receiver is infact a newer model capable of multisatellite reception.
To give you a tad more guidance on which way will benefit you the most; please provide a little more detail such as the brand and model of your satellite receiver as well as a better description of the size and lnb type you actually have now.
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I did miss the last sentence about the dish being just ordered and having dual ouputs. However, him not having HD doesn't exempt him from not missing channels even on a non HD receiver. There are some SD channels on 110 and 119 that are simply not on the 101 bird.Grentz said:
Although the majority of standard def programming is on 101, we don't know if at least one of the standard def stations located on the other birds may be important enough to him to reconsider the dish choosen since it hasn't been installed thus far.
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AM21
Toshiba 52" HDMI HDTV 1080i
Theater
HR21-100 HDMI Networked, Wired
Optoma EP739 Projector set to 1080i
XBOX 360 Networked, Wired
Pioneer VSX-815-K
102" Wide Screen
HDMI Switcher
Kids Room
H20-100
Wii Networked Wireless
27" Tube TV
Master Bedroom
H20-100
Sony Bravia 32" LCD TV
Main PC - HP, Networked, Wired
MS WIN XP SP2
Intel Core 2 CPU t&400 2.16 GHz
NVIDIA Quadro FX1700 512 MB
2 GB
Laptop - HP Wireless
MS WN X SP2
Inte Core 2 Quad 2.4 GHz
Radeon X1600 Video
Other
5 LNB Dish
8 utput M/S
Linksys Router WRT610N
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Uh, ok. :lol:Rickrd said:
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Please help...
I am getting ready to order my SWM8 and with it I need a 2-way splitter
and a 4-way splitter.
The 2-way splitter will ultimately have 2 HD receivers connected, but for now nothing connected except for the PI
The 4-way splitter will have 2 HD DVRs hooked immediately, and eventually 2 HD Receivers down the road.
My confusion centers on the type of splitters to get:
I see these 2-way and 4-way diode steered splitters then I see these 2-way and 4-way Power pass splitters. All are rated at 5 - 2150Mhz
What are the differences and what should I be using given the setup I describe above?
Since I am planning on putting the PI on the 2-way splitter, do I assume I need the power pass splitter? or does it matter if I use a diode steered splitter?
I am getting ready to order my SWM8 and with it I need a 2-way splitter
and a 4-way splitter.
The 2-way splitter will ultimately have 2 HD receivers connected, but for now nothing connected except for the PI
The 4-way splitter will have 2 HD DVRs hooked immediately, and eventually 2 HD Receivers down the road.
My confusion centers on the type of splitters to get:
I see these 2-way and 4-way diode steered splitters then I see these 2-way and 4-way Power pass splitters. All are rated at 5 - 2150Mhz
What are the differences and what should I be using given the setup I describe above?
Since I am planning on putting the PI on the 2-way splitter, do I assume I need the power pass splitter? or does it matter if I use a diode steered splitter?
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You can't go wrong by ordering the approved "official" splittersDJPellegrino said:
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SWS-2
http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SWS-4
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If you aren't going to be using all of the splitter outputs, be sure to get terminations for the unused ports (or use the 2-way for now, with the PI connected directly to the SWM).
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Thanks...bobnielsen said:
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Appreciate the info...I ended up with a SWM8 and a DTV approved 2-way and DTV approved 4-way splitter from WeaKnees. Overall cost was about $35 less than SolidSignal. I was suprised that SolidSignal sold the SWM8 without the PI, and wanted an addtl amount for the PI.RobertE said:
Would still like to know more about diode steered and power pass splitters and their differences. all searches lead to someone selling them as opposed to descriptions of what they actually do or don't do.
Thanks again...
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Diode steered just means it is a power passing splitter that only allows electrical flow in one direction. Most power passing splitters are diode steered such that power doesn't go into one output of the splitter, then back out the other output and fry something else connected to the splitter. Power is only passed from the outputs to the inputs, and not in the other direction. Were you to place the power inserter on an output of a non-diode steered splitter, then it would send 29volts into the swm input of each receiver, instead of only into the dish, and this would be bad. Again, most power passing splitters are diode steered, and it shouldn't be a concern.
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