Does anyone know if any future directv dvrs will only require 1 cable jack? The way my house was built made it impossible to drop a second line needed for the dvr to work properly. Is the only way around this to buy a 2nd DVR for the bedroom if I want to record more than 1 program at the same time? Any suggestions would be great, thanks.

I don't know about the future receivers, but currently you can connect a multi-switch. DirecTV makes it for this reason in particular. There is one out there called "single wire multi-switch". The idea behind it is that there is a single feed into the house and the multiswitch will provide a signal to any room you choose to put a receiver in.

Just do a Google search for something like DirecTV Multi Switch and you should find a result. When you find the product that is expensive, then you know you have the right one.

I don't know about the future receivers, but currently you can connect a multi-switch. DirecTV makes it for this reason in particular. There is one out there called "single wire multi-switch". The idea behind it is that there is a single feed into the house and the multiswitch will provide a signal to any room you choose to put a receiver in.

Just do a Google search for something like DirecTV Multi Switch and you should find a result. When you find the product that is expensive, then you know you have the right one.

I don't think this is for my problem. My living room only has 1 cable jack, and the attic isn't directly above my living room so they can't drop a line to make a second jack. HDDVRs have to have 2 cable jacks to work properly. I may be mistaken but after reading the description on this multi-switch it doesn't sound like it is what i need. I would have also thought the directv tech would have told me about this.

Going off of memory here-- what you might want is a combiner/splitter setup (maybe sometimes called a stacker?)

I think that you usually need them in a pair- combiner/splitter. If you only need it for one tv, that might be the cheapest route

Going off of memory here-- what you might want is a combiner/splitter setup (maybe sometimes called a stacker?)

I think that you usually need them in a pair- combiner/splitter. If you only need it for one tv, that might be the cheapest route

Thanks, I will call Directv tech support and see if they know what you are talking about.

What you need is called SWM. Single wire multiswitch. One wire, that you already have, will feed your SWM-compatible receiver what you need for both tuners. I beta tested it for Directv, and if their DVR's were half as good as the SWM was directv would be in good shape. :D

They also have a new LNB for the slimline dish that incorprates the SWM.

Hope that hepled.

We just rewired our condo building for DirecTV - one dish on the roof, a bunch of amps and multi switches in (what used to be) the cable room, and new RG6 homeruns from the multiswitch to two (or more if you paid extra) outlets in the units.

They used the SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch) switches to stack all of the frequencies/transponders on a single cable. If you have an SWM compatible DVR (I know the HR20 and HR21 are, and I beleive the SD ones are also), they you just need to connect the one cable to the DVR - no need for two cables. If you have an older DVR (ie HD/SD Tivo), then you may be out of luck - they are not SWM compatible, and I was told that there wasn't any adapter available. That's why I've kept (for now) my old dish on my balcony for my Tivo.

There are some pros & cons with the SWM.

Pros: Can be split with just a passive splitter to connect to more than one receiver.

Biggest Pro: My Condo assoc is now paying for my programming that I used to have to pay for myself. They have a bulk bill (< 1/2 price) for the Choice package, HD package, and DVR fees. I'm just billed for any additional services - HBO, choice plus, center ice, etc.

Cons: The SWM uses the OTA HD frequencies on the cable, so you just cant diplex an OTA antenna on the cable for local OTA HD.

I am sorry but the last two posts are way over my head. Where do I find an SWM switch, and is it something simple to hook up? I am pretty sure I have the newest DVR so I would think it would be compatible.

try solidsignal.com they have the SWM8 for $149 shipped

the Single Wire Multiswitch allows for ONE cable run to your Directv hd dvr like the HR20, HR21, HR21Pro, HR22.

We just rewired our condo building for DirecTV - one dish on the roof, a bunch of amps and multi switches in (what used to be) the cable room, and new RG6 homeruns from the multiswitch to two (or more if you paid extra) outlets in the units.

They used the SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch) switches to stack all of the frequencies/transponders on a single cable. If you have an SWM compatible DVR (I know the HR20 and HR21 are, and I beleive the SD ones are also), they you just need to connect the one cable to the DVR - no need for two cables. If you have an older DVR (ie HD/SD Tivo), then you may be out of luck - they are not SWM compatible, and I was told that there wasn't any adapter available. That's why I've kept (for now) my old dish on my balcony for my Tivo.

There are some pros & cons with the SWM.

Pros: Can be split with just a passive splitter to connect to more than one receiver.

Biggest Pro: My Condo assoc is now paying for my programming that I used to have to pay for myself. They have a bulk bill (< 1/2 price) for the Choice package, HD package, and DVR fees. I'm just billed for any additional services - HBO, choice plus, center ice, etc.

Cons: The SWM uses the OTA HD frequencies on the cable, so you just cant diplex an OTA antenna on the cable for local OTA HD.

The SWM does NOT use the OTA frequencies on the cable. There are many MDU systems and also individuals using SWMs and successfully diplexing OTA onto the sat cable. I have been running an SWM for almost a year now with diplexed OTA.
That said, there are some issues. Firstly, DirecTV does not "support diplexing", even though the SWM8 has a built-in diplexer for OTA. Some of this is probably because they don't want their techs involved in OTA issues. But there are a couple of technical issues. The receivers communicate with the SWM using a low-band signal, down below the OTA frequencies, and some diplexers don't pass that signal to the SWM8. And secondly, some cable modems have a return signal path that seems to interfere with the SWM.