Ok, I just added a DirecTV HD DVR to my setup, but I previously only had one wire running from the dish to the receiver in the living room. I want to add my old box into my room, I need another wire for the 2nd tuner for the DVR box, and my roommate wants a box in his room as well, so that will be 4 tuners in 3 boxes, all HD, one HD DVR. What do I need to get to plug in and run wires to? Switch? Multiplexer? I searched for a while and there are so many different things my head was spinning, I just need to know exactly what to order switch/splitter wise (I know I need RG-6 cable, and I plan to order a spool and I am familiar with crimping coax cable, so no worries there).

Thanks in advance.

Ok, I just added a DirecTV HD DVR to my setup, but I previously only had one wire running from the dish to the receiver in the living room. I want to add my old box into my room, I need another wire for the 2nd tuner for the DVR box, and my roommate wants a box in his room as well, so that will be 4 tuners in 3 boxes, all HD, one HD DVR. What do I need to get to plug in and run wires to? Switch? Multiplexer? I searched for a while and there are so many different things my head was spinning, I just need to know exactly what to order switch/splitter wise (I know I need RG-6 cable, and I plan to order a spool and I am familiar with crimping coax cable, so no worries there).

Thanks in advance.

There are 4 connections to the 5 LNB dish outside.

1) You need connections to all 4 of the outputs and a cable running to each tuner.

2) Or, you need to buy a multiswitch and run the 4 cables from the lnb to the multiswitch. You then will need to run 1 coax per tuner from the multiswitch.

3) Or you can buy a SWM-8 off ebay. You will still need to run 4 coax cables to it from the 4 lnb outputs. However, this will allow you to run a single wire through the house/apartment/condo and supply a signal for up to 8 tuners of the MPEG4 variety.

In your case, #1 should be the easiest and cheapest.

I'm wanting to do the same thing. Right now I have the round dish (1lnb) with one coax running to the receiver. Beach, are you saying that when they put up the 5lnb dish, there will need to be 4 coax running from the dish? This doesn't make sense to me because there is only one sat. input on the receiver. Or do all 4 coax go into something that has one output that goes to the receiver

I'm wanting to do the same thing. Right now I have the round dish (1lnb) with one coax running to the receiver. Beach, are you saying that when they put up the 5lnb dish, there will need to be 4 coax running from the dish? This doesn't make sense to me because there is only one sat. input on the receiver. Or do all 4 coax go into something that has one output that goes to the receiver

No. I am saying 1 coax per tuner, the OP had 4 total.

There is a new single wire multiswitch that will allow only 1 cable from the LNB but I am not aware of any Installers that have it at this point and they would not use it in situations with less than 5 tuners.

I guess I'm confused. Let's say I get this new dish on the roof, and have one receiver in the living room. Is there just one cable from the dish to the receiver? Then, if I want to split that incoming wire to go to a second receiver, how is it done?

The new dish has 4 independent outputs that can feed 4 tuners. In a basic install, if you just have one receiver, it would be one cable from the dish to the receiver. If you add a second receiver, you'd need a second run from the dish to the second receiver.

So you can't split the one cable to two receivers? I already have a cable running and don't want to drill another hole in the side of the house...if I have to, I have to, but I'd rather not.

You can use an SWM-8 to get around that but they run about $139.99. It's a two piece set up, there is a module that can be installed with the dish that requires 4 runs from the dish to the module then you can feed the one line into the house and split it. In the house you'll have to install a power inserter that feeds power to the outside module for it to operate. The SWM only works with the newer H20/H21/H23 and HR20/HR21/HR21Pro HD receivers and certain SD models.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?prod=SWM-8

Thanks of the thread au01st! I too was wildly trying to find out how to add another sat connection from my maxed our dish. In my case I have a max’d out Slimline that I need a 5th connection for my shinny new HR21.

Excellent reply Beach! Your message nailed my question and I *totally* understood your three options.

Question for all, I’m not keen to make the big investment in an SWM-8 so I’m think’n that I’ll just get a multiswitch. Does anyone have a preference for the best (hopefully not too expensive) multiswitch?

Also, I’m probably showing my lack of Audio/Video experience on this so please go gentle on me . . . I am assuming that I can put the multiswitch in my network termination cabinet (see not on the dish). My term box is about 20 feet from the dish and I understand that I’ll need to run 4 RG6 cables to it from the dish.

Thanks again!

Thanks of the thread au01st! I too was wildly trying to find out how to add another sat connection from my maxed our dish. In my case I have a max’d out Slimline that I need a 5th connection for my shinny new HR21.

Excellent reply Beach! Your message nailed my question and I *totally* understood your three options.

Question for all, I’m not keen to make the big investment in an SWM-8 so I’m think’n that I’ll just get a multiswitch. Does anyone have a preference for the best (hopefully not too expensive) multiswitch?

Also, I’m probably showing my lack of Audio/Video experience on this so please go gentle on me . . . I am assuming that I can put the multiswitch in my network termination cabinet (see not on the dish). My term box is about 20 feet from the dish and I understand that I’ll need to run 4 RG6 cables to it from the dish.

Thanks again!


I have several new in box Multiswitches sitting in my closet (purchased them for some reason, I forget what it was). If you want one for $25 which includes shipping, let me know. No idea what they sell for elsewhere so you might check around as I am not here to sell you a $25 switch :D Connect the 4 RG6 cables to the dish and put the Switch in your network termination cabinet. It does not require power. Then just run a coax/RG6 connection to every tuner (up to 8) from the switch.

Doesn't the HD receivers have 2 tuners on them? so you would need 2 cables going to that one box right? At least thats how mine is setup with the slimline dish.

Doesn't the HD receivers have 2 tuners on them? so you would need 2 cables going to that one box right? At least thats how mine is setup with the slimline dish.

All DVRs, SD or HD, (The MPEG4 HDs are the HR20/HR21) have 2 tuners. The Non-DVR units (Including the HD MPEG4 H20/H21/H23) only have 1.

speedy, the Zinwell WB68 is what you need.

I just cant imagine anyone not using dvr's!

Many thanks to all, particularlly to Beach for his generous offer! :p

Couple of key items of note, just moved into this home and and decided that I'd get my arms around the Voice, Data, Audio and Video configuration by installing the above mentioned network termination box. I crawled under the house last night and found a Zinwell SAM-480 4x8 multi-switch under a serious layter of dust in the corner! It works with my current HD configuration (H20 with a Samsung LN52A650) so I fiigure that I'm good to go.

Question: I see that the SAM-480 has a power adapter with it but is not plugged in. Will giving the MS power help the quality of my signal?

It will not work with the new 5 LNB dish, as you noted you need a Zinwell WB68.

OK. Then I consdier myself lucky then. I'm using the 4803 with my 5LNB Slimline dish today and the HD picure quality of the Olympics is *outsanding*. Maybe the 5LNB dish that I have isn't the latest (installed by the local D* contactor three weeks ago)?:confused:

I'll be installing my new HR21 this evening. Keeping my fingers crossed that it goes well.

Okay, after searching threads for a while now, I think I understand things, but I'm not 100% sure its right.

First I'll outline my setup.

D* 5LNB, but it looks like there's only 3 LNB's attached (middle and then two on the right side)

There are 4 total wires running from the dish. 2 individual coax, and then one wire that is effectively 2 coax joined together it looks like. (sorry for the rough definition, but I'm not really "up" on the cable types.)

The wires are connected to the Zinwell WB68.

My receiver setup as it is now is DirecTiVo DVR in the master bedroom, H21 in the basement, and a D11 and a D10 in guest rooms.

Here is what I'd like to do.

Change the DirecTiVo to a HD DVR.
Add another HD receiver (perhaps DVR) in my family room.
Keep the H21 in the basement for now (eventually perhaps upgrade to DVR).
Keep the D10 in one guest bedroom.
Move the D11 into my home gym to put on a small LCD.

So basically, I'd like to have 5 total receivers with 3 of them being HD, and 2 of those 3 HD DVR, then 2 standard boxes.

Will I need to make any changes to my exterior (Dish, LNB, wiring) setup, or can I add pretty much whatever I need from my current setup. In reading it seems that as long as I have the Zinwell and 4 incoming wires, I should be good, but I'm sure I'm missing something.

Thanks for the help. I'm actually pretty tech saavy, just new to all the D* stuff, so I want to try to understand it all, but also make sure that I have everything in place that I'm going to need to make all the necessary changes as I go down the road here upgrading my house.

Thanks again.

Okay, after searching threads for a while now, I think I understand things, but I'm not 100% sure its right.

First I'll outline my setup.

D* 5LNB, but it looks like there's only 3 LNB's attached (middle and then two on the right side)

There are 4 total wires running from the dish. 2 individual coax, and then one wire that is effectively 2 coax joined together it looks like. (sorry for the rough definition, but I'm not really "up" on the cable types.)

The wires are connected to the Zinwell WB68.

My receiver setup as it is now is DirecTiVo DVR in the master bedroom, H21 in the basement, and a D11 and a D10 in guest rooms.

Here is what I'd like to do.

Change the DirecTiVo to a HD DVR.
Add another HD receiver (perhaps DVR) in my family room.
Keep the H21 in the basement for now (eventually perhaps upgrade to DVR).
Keep the D10 in one guest bedroom.
Move the D11 into my home gym to put on a small LCD.

So basically, I'd like to have 5 total receivers with 3 of them being HD, and 2 of those 3 HD DVR, then 2 standard boxes.

Just need 2 cables at the outlets that have or will have DVRs, and you're all set. With the Zinwell WB68, you can have up to 8 tuners. For more than 8, you would need a Zinwell WB616.

SWM8s can serve up to 8 tuners. There are also 2 legacy ports that can feed a couple of non-SWM compatible receivers (D10, D11, and other manufacturers).

My wires are already run, and the master bedroom is on the second floor. Is there a way to handle this situation, or do i need to run another wire up there?

My wires are already run, and the master bedroom is on the second floor. Is there a way to handle this situation, or do i need to run another wire up there?
If you can do it, you will need to run a second cable to the Master Bedroom. If it can't be done, you would need to go with an SWM8.

Looking at SWM8.com, it appears that purchasing one of those and hooking it up instead of the WB68, I wouldn't need to add any more wiring to any of the rooms? Basically each port would power a box, whether it be DVR, HD, or conventional?

Again, thanks for all your help. It's much appreciated.

Edit: Ah, nevermind that question. I guess you approach it as you would before? I'm looking at the wiring and the max you can do off one SWM8 is 4 DVRs right?

Looking at SWM8.com, it appears that purchasing one of those and hooking it up instead of the WB68, I wouldn't need to add any more wiring to any of the rooms? Basically each port would power a box, whether it be DVR, HD, or conventional?

Again, thanks for all your help. It's much appreciated.

Edit: Ah, nevermind that question. I guess you approach it as you would before? I'm looking at the wiring and the max you can do off one SWM8 is 4 DVRs right?
You can have up to 8 tuners connected to the SWM ports. Whether it is in the form of 4 DVRs, 8 SD receivers, or whatever. 8 tuners. There are also 2 legacy ports for non-SWM compatible tuners. You could connect a stacker to the legacy ports and have as many SD receivers as you want.

With your earlier described scenario, you have 7 tuners -- 8 if you do decide to put a DVR in the basement.

D10s and D11s are NOT SWM compatible, so they would have to go on the legacy ports, which give you a total of 5 tuners on the SWM, leaving room for 3 more tuners..

Okay, cool. I was looking at the site some more after I had posted again and saw that they indeed had 8 port SWM splitters and not just 4 port. This makes sense to me now I think. It's really not that expensive when you think about the time/effort that it would take to run the cables all over the house.

Thanks for helping me figure it out. Its a little confusing at first, but once you see what is really going on, then it's pretty easy. Thanks!