(Presumably) Simple LNB/Multiswitch question

[VK-30]

Hi there. We just moved from a house with a dual-LNB elliptical dish, with 2 wires each to each DTiVo, to a new place with an odd setup.

There's an elliptical dish with 3 LNBs up there, with only 2 wires coming out. One wire goes to one room, the other to another.

The DTiVos see 3 satellites with the single wire.

DTV says that this dish has a multiswitch inside the sheet metal where the 3 LNBs are. I can't see it.

Anyway, what I'd like to know is whether there's a kind of multiswitch I can buy for each room that will split the combined signal into 2 signals, one for each input on the TiVos. Thus I don't have to run wires. That's really my question. Further info not key to the question:

DTV said to buy a 3x4 multiswitch, which I did. It has inputs for 18 and 13V Satellite as well as antenna, and 4 outputs. When using it, you get the result that one or the other "side" doesn't have signal on Satellite 2, 199 deg. The DTV guy said I should have 1 connector on one side, 3 on another, and 4 on a 3rd. The picture showed that, but what arrived just had 3 and 4. I'm clueless if the advice was correct or not.

TIA.

VK

[CrashHD]

What kind of tivos do you have? HR10, or others? How many of them?

If you only need to see the main satellite (101), the multiswitch you have will work, for up to four tuners (2 tivos with dual tuner in use).

Is your dish the Phase III dish, or an elliptical with 3 separate lnbs at the end of the lnb arm?

[stevel]

The dish does indeed have a multiswitch inside (as did your previous one) with four outputs. Early elliptical dishes were sold with two LNBs and the "C" LNB for the 110 satellite was an add-on. I had one of these.

You really need a "5x8" multiswitch for this if you want more outputs. There is not a way to "split" a single feed other than an expensive "stacker-destacker" combo which will work for a single satellite only.

The simplest approach is to run two more feeds to the dish. Once in the house with four feeds, you can use a 5x8 multiswitch to expand as needed. DTiVos will still need two feeds for dual tuners.

DirecTV DVRs (HR20/HR21) now have the option of a "Single Wire Multiswitch" which allows you to split the feed and connect just one wire to get dual tuner capability. DTiVos don't work with this method.

[CrashHD]

If those are Standard Definition DTivos, then they should only need to see a single sat (101), in which case, the 2 wires could service both tivos with the 3x4 MS, with no need for an additional cable drop.

The first thing to determine here is if the other sats are necessary for this setup.

[VK-30]

Thanks for the rapid responses, everyone!

I have a S1 Hughes GXCEBOT and a S2 Phillips DSR7000.

Here's a pic of the dish:
10361

Dual wires in a single cable coming out:
10363

If I'm reading you guys right:

First, there's no way to just buy some sort of multiswitch to output the signal to Sat 1 and 2 in, and use of a splitter impossible,

2nd, I can open the LNB area by removing these screws, then run 2 more wires, one to each DTiVo?
10362

=-VK

[CrashHD]

Yes. There are 4 coax ports in that lnb. If you remove those 2 screws, you will be able to remove the lnb from the end, fish 2 more cables up through the lnb arm, and connect them.

That is the 5LNB slimline you have there. That's the best dish you can get, it sees all 5 satellites used for most programming.

[JimSpence]

I'm still amazed at installers only running two lines from four output dishes. I know it might not be required at the time of installation, but you need to look ahead for expansion.

For VK-30, when you run the other two lines, you should locate them in the same area of the house. Then you can add another multiswitch (WB68) if you want to add another receiver or two or three. :)