Triple LNB question

[dancancount]

I have an easy question that I can't seem to find the answer to.

I currently have a Triple LNB dish for one HD Directv TiVo receiver, one Directv TiVo receiver, and one regular Directv receiver. Can we add another regular Directv receiver to our current set-up to make it a total of four receivers or do I have to add something to the dish to increase the number of outputs?


Thanks a lot.

[wmschultz]

You would need a 4x8 multiswitch if you want to have multiple satellite inputs on any of your Tivo's.

[rlj5242]

You are using 5 of the 8 outputs on your multi-switch. Just run another cable from your switch to the location of your new receiver.

-Robert

[Philly Bill]

Yeah, get a 4x8 multiswitch... run the four lines from your dish to it and run 4 of the 8 lines out to where the 4 lines from the dish originally went. Then run a fifth line from the multiswitch to your new receiver. The other 3 will just be 'spares'.

[JimSpence]

You are using 5 of the 8 outputs on your multi-switch. Just run another cable from your switch to the location of your new receiver.

-RobertHe doesn't yet have a 4x8 switch. :)

[stalemate]

He doesn't yet have a 4x8 switch. :)I'm not sure we have enough information to know either way :)

one HD Directv TiVo receiver, one Directv TiVo receiver, and one regular Directv receiver.If he has 2 lines going to each of the tivos, then he already has the multiswitch and is using a total of 5 outputs. Right?

[JimSpence]

True enough, but he could be using one DVR on one input.
And he didn't mention another switch.

So to the OP, exactly how many cables are you using now?

[sloan]

The debate is over the math:


one HD Directv TiVo receiver (usually 2 cable runs needed)
one Directv TiVo receiver (usually 2 cable runs needed)
and one regular Directv receiver (1 cable run needed)

When I say "usually", it means you'll get maximum benefit by running 2 cables.
You technically can run 1 cable run, but then you can't record 2 shows at once.
(or record 1 and watch another).

That's 5 already.

You can get either a 4 x 4. (4 inputs x 4 outputs)

Since you already need 5, and want to add, you step up to a 4x8.

If you want to (co) run your antenna feed, then you get a 5x8
(4 directv + 1 antenna = 5) (8 outputs)

If you do the 5x8 thing, then you need a corresponding diplexer at the end of each cable run where you want antenna.

Its usually just as easy to run a seperate cable for the antenna.
Especially if you dish is .... (example) .... on a pole 3 feet above the ground, and your antenna is on your rooftop.


..

[dancancount]

Thanks a lot for all of the infomation and suggestions.

I am actually not quite sure how many cables I currently have running from the antenna/dish to my receivers, I'll check this weekend.

I do know though I can only record one show at a time on my Directv TiVo receiver but two shows at the same time on my HD Directv TiVo receiver.

Sounds like I will need a 4 x 8 switch.

Thanks again.

[sloan]

Yeah, that's the probably the ticket.

The general rule of thumb is:

2 lines per Tivo directv unit.
1 line per non Tivo directv unit.

Sounds like you currently have
2 + 1 + 1

But optimally you'll have
2 + 2 + 1 + (more receivers)

You probably only have 1 line on the nonHD tivo unit, because that's what you could get by with on a 4x4 unit.

................

Alternatively, you could put up a second (probably round) dish.

Use the 3LNB dish for the HD tivo.
Use the round dish for everything else.
The rule of thumb here is that usually only HD channels come in on the alternate satellites. Its not exactly that cut and dry, but thats a basic rule of thumb.


I am actually doing this type of setup. Mainly because of the cable runs.
It was easier just to put up another round dish for my non HD units.

[rlj5242]

The rule of thumb here is that usually only HD channels come in on the alternate satellites. Its not exactly that cut and dry, but thats a basic rule of thumb. There are over 450 local channels that come from the 119 sat location and over 180 local channels that come from the 72.5 sat location. Without knowing the person's location, you can easily give out wrong information if you follow your rule of thumb.

-Robert

[dancancount]

I definitely don't want another dish on my roof. I had to convince my wife to let me install the HD local antenna on our roof last year so I doubt I could convince her to install another dish.

I also don't want to run another wire down from the dish/antenna to my tvs. Our roof is pretty high up so I would much rather just have to buy one or two 4 x 8 switches.

That leads me to my next question, do I just need one 4 x 8 switch up on my roof or will I need another switch inside my house?

Also if anyone knows someone good in the DC/Northern VA area that I could hire to properly set up everything I would really appreciate it. I need to have another line fed into our guest room that has never had directv or cable before.

Thanks again.

[sloan]

Ok. I was just presenting options (and for future readers also).

Hmm. About your question.

You only need 1 4x8 switch.

If it were me, I would chose to have 4 cables coming from the satelitte dish, into the attic.

And put the switch there.

Then, with the switch connected (with 4 cables to the dish), you run singles or paired lines to your receivers. As in, you use the 8 outputs to run cables to each of your devices as needed.

Again, I don't know your exact situation, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

Here is a typical unit.

http://www.solidsignal.com/images/products/SP48DTV_zoom.gif

4 inputs on the top. 8 outputs on the bottom.

(The extra one on the right side is an optional input, which actually is for DC power, running through a coaxial cable)

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