Splitting dish signal pre-multiswitch

[Meathead]

I have the newest 5-LNB dish and two Zinwell WB68 (unpowered 6x8) multiswitches. Right now I only have a need for 6 of the 8 outputs, but in the coming month, I plan on setting up at least three more HD & SD DirecTivo boxes in my house requiring six more outputs (for a total of 12 or more). The problem is that the WB68 is not cascadable due to it being unpowered.

I have a DTV installer coming to my house on Tuesday to deliver a new HD box. I plan on asking him for a powered multiswitch as I understand that will solve the cascading problem, but I am not holding my breath on him having anything other than the WB68. Which leads me to my question...

Can I split each the individual lines using a basic 1x2 common cable splitter and connect them to each of the inputs on the two multiswitches as long as I keep the cables in order (i.e. cables from splitter 1 go to the same jacks on both switches and so on)? I used to think this was not possible because of the tones that need to be sent to the LNB, but if the split happens between the dish and goes to the same input on both multiswitches, I don't see why it would not work.

[JimSpence]

This will work as long as you use high frequency splitters. Plain old common cable splitters won't work.

[cramer]

Possibly. But not recommended. Splitters rob you of a significant amount of power. You're better off with a larger switch, a stackable switch, or a passthru distribution unit. Of course, splitters are cheaper and easier to find. Make sure they're "dc passthru" or the LNB's won't get any power -- unless the switch mounted on the dish has it's own power.

Ah... here's (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=HRPID1422) exactly what you're looking to build. Click the product technical file to see the diagram in the pdf. If the splitters and extra cables eat too much signal, a pair of amps (142a's) will help -- see page 2. :-) ($36 each)


(I'm assuming your running the split signal to a second non-stackable WB68. You're building a basic "MDU" -- multi-tenant distribution unit.)

[Marino13]

I have 2 WB68's cascaded using all 12 outputs and they work fine. Three HR10-250s', Two HR20-700's and Two H20-600's.

[jeff125va]

According to what I found out here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=88947) you should be able to cascade them. Scroll towards the bottom.

[poppagene]

I have the newest 5-LNB dish and two Zinwell WB68 (unpowered 6x8) multiswitches. Right now I only have a need for 6 of the 8 outputs, but in the coming month, I plan on setting up at least three more HD & SD DirecTivo boxes in my house requiring six more outputs (for a total of 12 or more). The problem is that the WB68 is not cascadable due to it being unpowered.

I have a DTV installer coming to my house on Tuesday to deliver a new HD box. I plan on asking him for a powered multiswitch as I understand that will solve the cascading problem, but I am not holding my breath on him having anything other than the WB68. Which leads me to my question...

Can I split each the individual lines using a basic 1x2 common cable splitter and connect them to each of the inputs on the two multiswitches as long as I keep the cables in order (i.e. cables from splitter 1 go to the same jacks on both switches and so on)? I used to think this was not possible because of the tones that need to be sent to the LNB, but if the split happens between the dish and goes to the same input on both multiswitches, I don't see why it would not work.
Alternatively, if you have a mix of older mpeg2 only satellite reveivers and newer mpeg4 capable H20 and HR20 receivers you can use your old (powered or not) 4 by 8 multiswitch in concert with the new Zinwell by using satellite splitters to feed each multiswitch keeping the cables in the same order as you mentioned above.

[jeff125va]

Alternatively, if you have a mix of older mpeg2 only satellite reveivers and newer mpeg4 capable H20 and HR20 receivers you can use your old (powered or not) 4 by 8 multiswitch in concert with the new Zinwell by using satellite splitters to feed each multiswitch keeping the cables in the same order as you mentioned above.
That's what I do now, although I'll be doing it differently after my 3rd HR-20 arrives on Thursday.

Now, I have 4 cables from the dish to the Zinwell. Four of those outputs to my HR-20s, the other 4 to splitters, then to my old multiswitches. Gives me 20 outputs total but I don't need nearly that many any more, but I have to reconfigure since I've maxed out my available outputs for the HR-20's.

As of Thursday, it'll just be from the dish to the splitters, then one from each splitter to the Zinwell and the other from each splitter to one of my old multiswitches.

[wolflord11]

I have the newest 5-LNB dish and two Zinwell WB68 (unpowered 6x8) multiswitches. Right now I only have a need for 6 of the 8 outputs, but in the coming month, I plan on setting up at least three more HD & SD DirecTivo boxes in my house requiring six more outputs (for a total of 12 or more). The problem is that the WB68 is not cascadable due to it being unpowered.

I have a DTV installer coming to my house on Tuesday to deliver a new HD box. I plan on asking him for a powered multiswitch as I understand that will solve the cascading problem, but I am not holding my breath on him having anything other than the WB68. Which leads me to my question...

Can I split each the individual lines using a basic 1x2 common cable splitter and connect them to each of the inputs on the two multiswitches as long as I keep the cables in order (i.e. cables from splitter 1 go to the same jacks on both switches and so on)? I used to think this was not possible because of the tones that need to be sent to the LNB, but if the split happens between the dish and goes to the same input on both multiswitches, I don't see why it would not work.

The WB68 (unpowered model) can be cascaded. Whoever told you that they cannot doesnt know much at all.

Running splitters will cause more problems than what you have. Just cascade the 2 WB68's.

[jeff125va]

I just re-did mine this evening, and it works perfectly. I did use the splitters because I still need my older one to run the OTA through for my HR-10's. I just made sure that the two cables out from each splitter (one from each cable from the dish) went to the same input on the multiswitches. I.e., the 13/0, 18/0, 13/22, 18/22. I also made sure (might not be absolutely necessary, but I'd recommend it) that the cables on the power-passing outputs of each splitter all went to the same multiswitch.