Do I need a 5x8 Multi Switch

[spepi]

I have a 3 head DTV dish....I was running on a 5x8 multi switch, but a recent power surge killed the power supply...can I get a way witha 3x4?

I have 1 DTV/Tivo with 2 antenna's, 1 DTV d10 and comcast cable......do I really need a 5x8?

[phox_mulder]

It looks like you just need 3 lines from the dish, so you could use the 3LNB dish's built in multiswitch.

Any multiswitch added in would need all 4 outputs of the dish't built in multiswitch connected to it or you'd lose satellites.


edit: Is the Comcast hooked to the "antenna" portion of the 5x8?
If so, then you do need a 5x8, or you need to run the comcast line all the way instead of diplexing it.


phox

[rminsk]

With a 3x4 multiswitch you will only be able to see the 101 satellite. Depending where you are your locals could be on another satellite.

[NDFord005]

...
Any multiswitch added in would need all 4 outputs of the dish't built in multiswitch connected to it or you'd lose satellites.
...
phox

Not true.... If an additional multiswitch is used it doesn't need all four of the satellite outputs. You can hook up a 3x4 multiswitch for a total of 6 outputs from the satellite. Only the four from the external multiswitch could carry an antenna or cable feed though. The other two (from the satellite) could still carry the antenna/cable signal but you would have to use two diplexers on each cable instead of just one at the receiver.

[rminsk]

NDFord005
With a 3x4 multiswitch you would only see the 101 satellite. In order to see all 3 satellites you do need to run all four lines.

[NDFord005]

NDFord005
With a 3x4 multiswitch you would only see the 101 satellite. In order to see all 3 satellites you do need to run all four lines.


Not so, I have this setup (3 LNB oval dish w/ integrated multiswitch...two outputs going directly to a DirecTiVo, the other two going to a 3x4 Multiswitch which feeds two other DirecTiVos)...and every receiver connected sees all of the satellites just fine....

[rminsk]

A 3x4 multiswitch will only see the 101 satellite. You may be getting readings on the other satellites but that is because the DirecTiVo thinks it is seeing the other satellite but is receiving the 101 satellite. Take a look at the test channels 490-494 (I think that is the numbers) and they will all be on the 101 satellite.

[NDFord005]

Test Channel results...

490 - Test 1 SAT A (101) Odd Txp 13V
491 - Test 2 SAT A (101) Even Txp 18V
492 - Test 3 SAT B (119) Odd Txp 13V
493 - Test 4 SAT B (119) Even Txp 18V
494 - Test 5 SAT C (110) Even Txp 18V

[rminsk]

Then you are not using a 3x4 multiswitch. It is impossible to use a 3x4 and get all 3 satellites.

[NDFord005]

Well I don't know what to say but it's definitely a 3x4....Terk BMS-34....

[bugsmasher]

I'm currently using a 3x4 off a 3 LNB Terk Dish. I have a Hughes HD and Samsung DTV Tivo connected to it. They said this wouldn't work, but it does.