hey guys!, my parents are building a new house out in the middle of nowhere, so they're only going to have satellite access. I have not used satellite for close to a decade, so im not sure if the tech has advanced from what i remember.


There is going to be 4 active TVs, all 1080P LCDs that accept hdmi.

Do i need to have a set top box at each location to have HD programming from the Satellite? Do most TVs have the equivalent built in? How do people get around having an ugly ass box to deal with when they're mounting a 50" flat panel on a bare wall.

I assume 1 Dish to a splitter and then from the splitter to multiple set top boxes? What is the optimal cable connection from the Dish to to splitter, and what is the optimal connection from the splitter(if there is one) to each set top box.

What should i be running in the walls from the splitter to each of the 4 rooms with a tv? Are traditionaly RG6 cables enough to run 1080p to each set top box, or should i be running component or even hdmi.

Im reading that many people are using Cat5 cables, am i reading that right--are people using it for their video connections and then terminating with an adapter?

Thanks for reading guys, ive been trying to get some information from the forums but they seem to be a little over and above what basic info i need!

Satellite doesn't use splitters but multiswitches. They have more than one input. DirecTV is what I'm familiar with and their HD setup requires four cables between dish and multiswitch and one cable from the multiswitch to each tuner. Regular receivers have one tuner and DVRs have two so require two cables to the multiswitch. DirecTV is working on a single wire multiswitch which will allow splitting from its outputs and only require one cable to a DVR but it isn't out yet. With new construction, it's a good idea to run conduit to handle any future situations and to be able to replace a problem cable. Using Cat5 or optical with adapters is normally used for long HDMI runs and is expensive. Conduit is again the answer for connecting the satellite receiver and wall mounted TV. Each TV will need a receiver connection although receivers can service two TVs by connecting one via HDMI and another via Y/Pb/Pr component. Component is more stable and cost effective for long runs. If one receiver services two TVs, each TV will have to display the same material.

(comments assume DirecTV, not Dish)

1. If you want an independent signal to each TV, then yes, you need a receiver for each TV.
2. The current DTV HD DVRs have RF remotes, so line of sight is not required. Either that or an IR repeater system could be used.
3. No "splitter". The new 5-LNB dishes have 4 outputs...if you want dual feeds to each TV (feed a DVR), you will need the new switch with 8 (?) outputs.
4. You will run RG-6 from the dish to the switch (if required) and then from the switch to each receiver. You will then run either component or HDMI from the receiver to the TV.
5. Cat-5 is a ****** wiring scheme for video so I don't know why anyone would do that.

as you can see, you need to talk with a highly qualified local satellite installer and get him in on the prewiring ASAP. You will need to know exactly what is expected at each TV, single channel tuner, dual channel tuner, DVR ? You will also need to know where the dish will be located (view of the southern sky) and where the coax feeds will enter the house.

Sounds like this is going to be a high end house, so the pre-wiring needs to include:
CAT5e for computer networking,
telephone wiring,
possible alarm system prewiring to each door and window (even if you are not immediately considering an alarm system - prewiring makes it simple to install later),
Over-the-air TV wiring and distribution ??

It would be best if all this "stuff" home runs to a single wiring distribution point in a utility room or area of the basement. Suitable 120v outlets need to be at this point also to power the multi-switches, routers, networking do-dads, etc.

It would not hurt to have a very good electrical ground run to this point as well and insure all the electrical grounds in the house are very good 8' ground rods bonded to each other. (out in the middle of no-where means that lightning protection should be a high priority !)

Out in the middle of no-where also means you might consider prewiring a generator transfer switch into the main house electrical wiring with an outside four plug 240v weatherproof receptacle. This way critical electrical circuits could be powered by a stand-by electric generator WHEN the power goes out - and it will in a rural area - or better yet, get a pad mounted stand-by generator that runs off propane or natural gas installed when the home is built.

as you can see, you need to talk with a highly qualified local satellite installer and get him in on the prewiring ASAP. You will need to know exactly what is expected at each TV, single channel tuner, dual channel tuner, DVR ? You will also need to know where the dish will be located (view of the southern sky) and where the coax feeds will enter the house.

Sounds like this is going to be a high end house, so the pre-wiring needs to include:
CAT5e for computer networking,
telephone wiring,
possible alarm system prewiring to each door and window (even if you are not immediately considering an alarm system - prewiring makes it simple to install later),
Over-the-air TV wiring and distribution ??

It would be best if all this "stuff" home runs to a single wiring distribution point in a utility room or area of the basement. Suitable 120v outlets need to be at this point also to power the multi-switches, routers, networking do-dads, etc.

It would not hurt to have a very good electrical ground run to this point as well and insure all the electrical grounds in the house are very good 8' ground rods bonded to each other. (out in the middle of no-where means that lightning protection should be a high priority !)

Out in the middle of no-where also means you might consider prewiring a generator transfer switch into the main house electrical wiring with an outside four plug 240v weatherproof receptacle. This way critical electrical circuits could be powered by a stand-by electric generator WHEN the power goes out - and it will in a rural area - or better yet, get a pad mounted stand-by generator that runs off propane or natural gas installed when the home is built.


Thanks everyone for the suggestions, all very good advice. One of the reasons why i ask is because the house is in Canada, and again, in the middle of nowhere.

As such, i do not have access to any satellite installers, and in addition, I will most likely be using DirectTV, bought through a US address, and hence will not have direct access to DirectTV techs(we will be doing the electrical work ourselves).

Essentially, i need to know what prewireing needs to be done on 4 DirectTV Set top boxes, 1 HD DVR(does this replace a set top box? or is it in addition to), and one OTA antenna attached to the dish.

From what im reading, i need 4 RG6 runs from the dish to a central node, and then 1 RG6 run to each box, with each HD DVR requireing an extra RG6 run from the central node? Then from each set top box i can send out component or HDMI to the TVs. Is this all correct?

Do the directTV boxes i see on their website(and HD DVR) have hdmi outputs?

------edit:( i see that the HD PVRs offered on their website do have hdmi outputs, but they only output at 1080i, should i be looking for an alternative that does 1080p?)

Again, thanks in advance, im finding it difficult sifting through threads looking for tidbits of information that isnt really applicable.

Since the house is just being built, I would future-proof for any conceivable situation by running 2 if not 3 RG6s to every location along with 2 cat-5 lines (one for network and one for phone. I know phone doesn't need cat-5 but still future-proofing) Main rooms like living room, rec room etc. I would put two outlets on opposite sides to allow for redecorating. Going to the roof pull 5 cables in case an OTA antenna is added in the future. (4 for the dish and one for the antenna)

Regarding 1080p, no D* equipment outputs 1080p and I dont see a need for it since the signal will probably be 1080i for the foreseeable future and I'm sure your display will do better upconverting than any D* hardware..

Just so you know, DirecTV is getting very good at limiting signals to within the US borders. No provider sends 1080p. It's only available on some HD DVD players and game boxes. It's not one of the ATSC specified resolutions.

As such, i do not have access to any satellite installers, and in addition, I will most likely be using DirectTV, bought through a US address, and hence will not have direct access to DirectTV techs(we will be doing the electrical work ourselves).

Make sure you prewire all coax to the South part of the home as the dish will be secured there. It the demark location on the South is near utility ground that is even better as the dish should be grounded as well as the coaxial cable. Use a high frequency ground block for grounding the cable. Download a PDF for the KAKU 5LNB Slimline dish to see the materilas you need for the install and the know-how to do it. The dish mast must be perfectly plumb, (level in two directions) to gain signal. Use two monopole struts to secure the dish against wind. You will use 10 lag bolts. Use a 1/2" nutdriver to fine tune the azimuth and elevation bolts and the 99 and103 SAT adjustments. Make a 4" service loop at the dish and a small drip loop at the ground block. Seal everything, it is your folks home.



Essentially, i need to know what prewireing needs to be done on 4 DirectTV Set top boxes, 1 HD DVR(does this replace a set top box? or is it in addition to), and one OTA antenna attached to the dish.

All TV's using DIRECTV service need their receivers because their access cards are mirrored with each receiver for security. Yes, your new HD receiver will replace the set box. (4 displays will use 4 DIRECTV recievers). You may not need a OTA as the new dish finds local and HD locals. (In Canada you may be limited to what your dish finds).

From what im reading, i need 4 RG6 runs from the dish to a central node, and then 1 RG6 run to each box, with each HD DVR requireing an extra RG6 run from the central node? Then from each set top box i can send out component or HDMI to the TVs. Is this all correct?

Correct. 4 coax lines come in from the dish to your "OnQ" wiring panel. From this central point terminate and distribute all cable from the multiswitch. 4 coax lines from the dish connect to the multiswitch, then you have 8 outputs. Research: "Zinwell 6X8 multiswitch". HDMI and Component are output only interconnects from the DIRECTV recievers to each display.

Do the directTV boxes i see on their website(and HD DVR) have hdmi outputs?

All MGEG4 DIRECTV HD receivers have HDMI out. DIRECTV and DISH NETWORK do not yet offer 1080P.
------edit:( i see that the HD PVRs offered on their website do have hdmi outputs, but they only output at 1080i, should i be looking for an alternative that does 1080p?)

Again, thanks in advance, im finding it difficult sifting through threads looking for tidbits of information that isnt really applicable.

www.lsdinc.com offer tools to wallfish those cables from your dish to OnQ panel.

This was discussed similarly on another forum, where they were upgrading a large condo project.

If you are using D*, and want HDTV, you'll need at least 4 coax from the dish to the central distribution point (basement, utility room, garage, etc). This is the minimum for their latest stacked system. Add at least one additional line for OTA....you never know when you'll need it. If you want the two side-satellites, for ethnic programming, add two more lines for the two more dishes. So, 5-7 lines from the "roof", total.

You'll want two satellite lines, and one OTA line, to each location where you might place a dual-tuner receiver or PVR. So, three lines to each "room".

You might want to research some of the "Home Theatre" type magazines, as well as the web sites of companies like Channel Plus, etc for some more info. They offer catalogs with everything you need, including the basic theory and layouts.