[Hardin Thicke]

I called DirecTV several weeks ago to setup an appointment for an HD upgrade. I wanted 1 HD DVR, and 1 standard receiver. My present dish is located 70' from my house on a post in my front yard. The two coax runs are direct burial. I explained to the CSR that I didn't want another trench in my front yard, and she assured me that I would get a SWM-5 dish and that they were in full deployment.

First appointment - Guy never showed up, took off, we were never called. Rescheduled.
Second appointment - Installer shows up, tells me that I need a SWM-5 dish and that my order doesn't show that. Will call DirecTV to get authorization. Rescheduled.
Third appointment - Different guy shows up, tells me that I need 3 more coax lines, and that I need to dig up my front lawn. Says that my order doesn't show a SWM-5 dish and he has no idea even how to install them!

I raise Cain with DirecTV, threatening to sign with Dish. Guy tells me that there's nothing they can do, the SWM-5 dish is still in beta test, and good luck with Dish. Says that Dish uses the same 5 coax technology and that I'll be in the same fix. They're letting me walk after 5 years.

I have 2 coax runs from my present dish. Is there anything that can be done?

 

[Kansas Zephyr]

Purchase a SWM-8 yourself.

Have D* install a new Slimline dish.

Tip the installer, and politely ask, to run 4 lines from the dish to the SWM-8, that you attached to the dish post.

Use one of your existing single coax runs to the PI.

Then spilt, as needed, for your IRDs.

Power up the PI, then the IRDs.

Again, greenbacks and a good attitude, may get the installer to work with you on this.

 

[harsh]

You need to be careful about confusing the issue by using the term SWM-5. The term you should be using is SWMLine if you must use a buzzword. The SWM-5 was a product that was never released for public consumption and they couldn't get their hands on one of they wanted to.

Don't overdo trying to impress CSRs because they won't understand what you're talking about (especially if what you're asking for isn't what you want).

 

[Hardin Thicke]

You need to be careful about confusing the issue by using the term SWM-5. The term you should be using is SWMLine if you must use a buzzword. The SWM-5 was a product that was never released for public consumption and they couldn't get their hands on one of they wanted to......

Yes, thanks! I might be using the wrong terminology. So is there an HD dish that will give me what I'm looking for on only 2 coax runs? If so, what precisely do I ask for?

 

[SSpectre]

I think installers are referring to the SWM LNB as a SW5. That was what written on my work order when mine was installed.

So, to be clear...

SWM5 - first SWM external multiswitch that supported 5 tuners; included 5LNB dish inputs, 2 flex ports, 2 legacy outputs, and 2 SWM outputs

SWM8 - second SWM external multiswitch that supported 8 tuners; inluded 5LNB dish inputs, 2 flex ports, 3 legacy outputs and 2 SWM outputs

SWM LNB (aka SWMLine, SW5) - LNB for the Slimline dish that includes a built-in SWM; only has one SWM output

 

[SSpectre]

Yes, thanks! I might be using the wrong terminology. So is there an HD dish that will give me what I'm looking for on only 2 coax runs? If so, what precisely do I ask for?

You want a Slimline dish with SWM LNB. If you already have a Slimline dish, you can just purchase the LNB on eBay and install it yourself. You can run a single coaxial cable from the dish to the house.

 

[Hardin Thicke]

Sorry SSpectre, but I'm lost. I have no idea what you mean by "2 flex ports, 2 legacy outputs, and 2 SWM outputs." I have a feeling that I'm throwing around wording to the CSR, and I have idea what I'm talking about. :nono:

 

[evan_s]

Asking won't help. The CSRs can't control what gets ordered for an install. The system does it automatically and if you qualified for a swm you would have already had one installed. Currently the requirements are a new customer with 5 tuners or more with at least one hd dvr.

As harsh said your best bet is to buy a SWMlnb on ebay or a swm8 from solidsignal.com and provide it yourself. The install is pretty easy and a tip will probably get the installer to install it for you.

 

[SSpectre]

Sorry SSpectre, but I'm lost. I have no idea what you mean by "2 flex ports, 2 legacy outputs, and 2 SWM outputs." I have a feeling that I'm throwing around wording to the CSR, and I have idea what I'm talking about. :nono:

Don't worry about it. I was just describing the different SWM solutions. The first two are not being used by installers anyway.

You want a Slimline dish with SWM LNB.

 

[Hardin Thicke]

Thank you all. I'll see what I can find. So I get the dish myself, but what about the new HD DVR? Does that come from DirecTV as was planned?

 

[techrep]

Sorry SSpectre, but I'm lost. I have no idea what you mean by "2 flex ports, 2 legacy outputs, and 2 SWM outputs." I have a feeling that I'm throwing around wording to the CSR, and I have idea what I'm talking about. :nono:

This will explain it for you, just open or save.

www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=24901&d=1211229056

 

[houskamp]

Also all listed here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1419520&postcount=4

 

[Hardin Thicke]

OK, I read all the references posted (thanks for that) and this is whan I think I need:

- A Five LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line Dish Antenna for MPEG-4 C HD Programming (AU9-S)
- A SWM-8 Single Wire Multi-Switch With Power Supply

Using these 2 devices, I can utilize my two existing runs of coax, and feed one HD DVR, and one standard (and existing) receiver.

Thanks again all for the help.

 

[techrep]

OK, I read all the references posted (thanks for that) and this is whan I think I need:

- A Five LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line Dish Antenna for MPEG-4 C HD Programming (AU9-S)
- A SWM-8 Single Wire Multi-Switch With Power Supply

Using these 2 devices, I can utilize my two existing runs of coax, and feed one HD DVR, and one standard (and existing) receiver.

Thanks again all for the help.

The SWMline dish/lnb might be the better option. You only need one line from the dish to a splitter at the house (the lnb only has one output) then, you can run from the splitter to multiple locations in the house. The other buried cable can be used for power insertion. With this configuration, you don't have to dig up the yard and and can feed more tuners off the splitter at the house.

If you use the single wire multiswitch at the dish, you will be limited to your 2 buried cables as the only connections at the house. You would be back to having to dig up the yard to feed more receivers.

 

[BattleZone]

The problem is that DirecTV will not be able to generate a work order with the equipment you want/need on it. Corporate business rules have limited SWM to NEW customers ONLY, so even if a CSR tries to order you a SWM dish, the system will override it and create a work order for a standard Slimline.

Also, SWM-8's are only used in commercial installs; most HSPs don't even stock them, and most installers don't even know they exist, much less being trained on how to install them. If you want one, you'll have to buy it yourself.

Now, having said all that, as SWM dishes begin flowing into the system, the rules will eventually be relaxed, and installers will have more leeway as to who gets one. Right now, they are generally only allowed to install a SWM dish when it is specifically listed on the work order.

In all likelyhood, if you supply a SWM-8, you can get an installer to install a standard Slimline, and you can co-locate the SWM-8 at the dish, and use one of your two existing lines to bring signal into the house. The power inserter for the SWM goes in the house. You might want to be prepared to tip the installer for working with you, as technically he doesn't have to do so.

 

[BattleZone]

If you use the single wire multiswitch at the dish, you will be limited to your 2 buried cables as the only connections at the house. You would be back to having to dig up the yard to feed more receivers.

All he needs is a single cable from the SWM (located at the dish) to feed up to 8 tuners in the house. With his current setup, he could actually run 2 SWM-8s at the dish (with splitters between the dish and SWM-8s) and feed 16 tuners over the existing two cables (8 on each one).

The single cable goes to the power inserter in the house, then to a splitter, where a single cable comes off the splitter to feed each receiver.

 

[kauf2938]

OK, I read all the references posted (thanks for that) and this is whan I think I need:

- A Five LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line Dish Antenna for MPEG-4 C HD Programming (AU9-S)
- A SWM-8 Single Wire Multi-Switch With Power Supply

Using these 2 devices, I can utilize my two existing runs of coax, and feed one HD DVR, and one standard (and existing) receiver.

Thanks again all for the help.

This will work if you plan on mounting the swm-8 to the back of the dish.

If you want the switch mounted at the house you will still have to run 2 more lines from the dish.

 

[ironwood]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Single-wire-mul...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

This is what we have in the field but your install does not qualify. You have to talk to local office to see if they can override your work order through their system but you will need at least approval of a manager. Not some techs who doesnt even know what it is.

And also only new receiver models work with this. If you still have old receiver they wont work. Again you can ask for new receiver replacement.

 

[Hardin Thicke]

You guys are amazingly helpful. Thanks again. :righton: After a 60 minute wait this evening, I finally spoke with a DirecTV technical service representitive, and she swears up and down the she has set me up for a "5 LNB Slimline dish" install at the end of the month, and will be provided free of charge. This will be the 4th attempt. If she makes it happen that would be great, but when I asked if it included the SWM multiswitch, the response was that "the techs know what to bring". From what you guys are saying, I might get a 5LNB dish, but without the SWM switch, I'm back to needing 5 coax runs. Do you think I should purchase a SWM-8 switch from the source previously mentioned above, and have it on hand just in case?

 

[ironwood]

Just dig a trench dude. 4th attempt is gonna end up same as the first three.