[jay9890]

I am upgrading from standard DTV Tivo to the HD Tivo (HR10-250) for one of my sets. The other set will continue to use a standard DTV Tivo. I currently have a round dish with two cables coming off it which then connect to a multiswitch that provides the two feeds to each Tivo. When the new 3 LNB dish is installed will I need a different multiswitch to power the Tivos?

 

[ebonovic]

Yes... You will need to get a 4x8 (or larger... 4x12, 4x16) to work with the new dish.

As you will now need 5 feeds and to properly get the entire HD signal to the HR10-250, you will need the correct switch.

 

[jay9890]

Wow - thanks for the quick reponse - ebo. What do you mean 5 feeds? Is the fifth for the OTA? Also - any suggestions on the "correct" switch? Thanks again.

 

[jmarks2001]

I'm contemplating making the same upgrade, but I"m not sure why he'd need a new multiswitch. What are the five feeds?? HD-Tivos only have two satellite inputs, correct? Is the 5th for OTA? Does the elliptical dish have an OTA antenna built in?

 

[JimSpence]

If you don't need more than the four feeds that the triple LNB dish provides, then you don't need another multiswitch. Otherwise, just add a 4x8 or 5x8 multiswitch to all four outputs from the dish. Then distribute from it. The 5x8 multiswitch allows you to diplex an OTA antenna onto the outputs of the multiswitch. Then you use a diplexer to separate the OTA for use at whatever location requires it. The elliptical dish doesn't have an OTA antenna built in.
HDTiVos have two satellite inputs and one OTA input.

I suggest that the four lines from the dish (and one from the OTA) be run to the same location inside the house or some convenient location. Here is where you distribute to your receivers and connect the added switch if needed.

 

[rlj5242]

First, the title is misleading. A 2 LNB dish is one design to receive signals from 101 and 119. Your description of the dish you have is a dual LNB dish. Meaning a single LNB with 2 outputs.

I am upgrading from standard DTV Tivo to the HD Tivo (HR10-250) for one of my sets. The other set will continue to use a standard DTV Tivo.

You will not need any additional equipment. Two cables come from the PhaseIII dish to your HD DirecTivo. The other two cables from the Phase III dish will go to your SD DirecTivo. Your OTA can be diplexed to one of the lines to your HD DirecTivo.

Does the elliptical dish have an OTA antenna built in?

No.

-Robert

 

[jay9890]

Robert thanks for the clarification. If I read you reply correctly, there is no way around the need to run four cables from a 3 output LNB dish, if I want to have a two Tivo set-up - correct?

 

[rlj5242]

You can use a pair of stackers, a pair of dual destackers and a 4x8 switch. That will cost you between $600 and $700 for the equipment. I can go into the detailed and very complicated wiring if you want to persue that. Most people find it cheaper to run 2 more cables.

-Robert

 

[ebonovic]

You need all 4 runs from the tripple LNB structure, to a multiswitch.

Here is why... with the 3LNB (3 hockey pucks on the end), there are 4 Parts to the overall SAT signal. A,B,C,D

Each cable is only capable of carrying one at a time.
So what the multiswitch does is lock each one of the outputs to one of those parts.

Then the multiswitch intercepts the requests from the tuners (Be it one of the two inside of a Tivo, or one from a standalone machine), and sends it the appropriate piece.

Make sense?

(Note: I originally said 5 outputs, as you said you had two TiVos and where adding the HR10-250... I missed the part "upgrade").

So based on your setup of only having 2 TiVos.... If you want to use both tuners on both of them... You need all 4 from the dish... As TunerA and TunerB of the TiVo can ask for seperate parts.

If you only want to use one tuner on one of the units... then you can get away with only having 3

 

[scimini]

Just want to double check. I currently have a dual LNB that using a multiswitch into 8 lines. Can I upgrade to a Phase III dish and one HD Tivo but keep the rest of the normal TIVOS or do they all have to be HD with the Phase III. Or do I need two dishes?

 

[rlj5242]

Any receiver can be connected to the Phase III dish. In fact, you can easily upgrade and you have a variety of wiring options. If your existing receivers don't need access to the programming on 110 and 119, then you can run 2 cables from the Phase III dish to your new HR10-250. The other 2 cables from the Phase III dish can go to your existing multi-switch. The other receivers will work exactly the same way as they do now. Your HR10-250 will receive the extra programming from 110 and 119.

-Robert

 

[scimini]

Thanks for the help.