Multi Switch question

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DHARRIS

New member
Sorry if this has been answered a million times already but I want to activate my 6100 along with 2 of my older standard definition receivers. I had my Bell dish upgraded just recently by Bell. I know I need a multi switch and it looks like from what I have read it needs to be an SW44 or similar. Can someone tell me if I need 4 lines coming from my dish (currently I only have 2) into the SW44 or can I leave it like it is. Also where is the best place to buy the multi switches, I have seen them on ebay for $30 or so.

Thanks
 
Just read this thread. There are are mutiple setups, just remember a 9200 needs 2 feeds and a 6100 needs one (both from both sats of course91/82.)http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=26721
YOu can get stuff off ebay for good prices.
 
So, basically I can take the two lines from the dish (one for each satelite) and put them into an SW44 and then run my three lines out of that.

Thanks
 
you need 2 feeds from 82 and 2 from 91 for a sw44. So 4 in the box
Just like this pic
9200_sw44_2.jpg
 
I think what he means is 2 LNBs (each LNB has 2 connectors = 4 possible).

One line from each LNB is currently going into a SW21 to feed 91 & 82 into the 6100. The other line is fed directly from the 91 LNB into the SD receiver.

Personally, I'd go with the SW44 in this situation and run the extra output lines......
 
or, you could run another line down from the dish (82) , and then attach it to a sw 21, with a small jumper from a 2x4 switch
could save you some money in the short run, but i would go with the sw44, a few more buck$, but every line will then be HD, or 82 ready
 
That wiring pic is very helpful, thanks.

If the switch is outside (on the roof, on the side of the house, how many coax wires have to be brought into the house to deliver to 2 TV sets, one with a dual-tuner PVR?

If it is inside, it looks like 4 coax cables need to come inside.

Does the powered inserter reside inside or outside of the house?

Thanks!
 
I was thinking of leaving the 6100 input (combined from the 82 and 91) straight to the 6100 receiver. The other line that is coming from just the 91, can that be split to the 2 SD receivers that I have in any easy way. Just trying to avoid getting back up on the roof and running more cables.

Thanks for all the help.
 
I don't think so - the "separators" you see referenced in this forum from time to time are only useable with a 9200, IIRC. In other words, they won't work as you envision.

Again, if you don't want to have more than two cables coming into your house, but need to feed at least three receivers, I believe your only options are either DP or DPP switches, which as Nimiq has pointed out are not supported by BEV. However, lots of people on this forum use them and those people are a great help if you have problems.

You have indicated you'd like to avoid swapping LNBs if possible, which leads me to a question I've had for some time - assuming I have two "DP" single LNBs (I believe I've got at least two among the six or seven that came with the dish/receiver packages I've purchased over the years), can I use them along with "DP" SW21s (or legacy SW21s, for that matter) to feed a DP34? If so, this would avoid the need to get a DP "Twin" LNB. In your case, dharris, in a best case scenario (i.e., you have two "DP" LNBs already installed and either already have or can pick up an extra SW21 for cheap), the only thing you'd need to get to feed your three receivers off of two cables in is a DP34 switch, which you can pick up for around $20 on ebay.
 
You definitely want the power inserter on the inside of your house. It is not rated for outdoor use.
 
Nimiq 1,

Dish Pro hardware IS supported by BEV firmware, they just choose not to OFFICIALLY support it. What I mean is that in the firmware loaded on my 6100 and 3200, if I do a check switch to see how my setup is performing, I get the DP34 properly identified on the check switch screen!

You have to remember that all BEV hardware, receivers, firmware, dishes, LNBs are purchased from Echostar and it's suppliers. If if works for DISH in the US then it will work with BEV.

So I stand by my installation - have had it up for almost 3 years, never touched anything and no problems whatsoever. Two cables into the house from the Dish Pro Twin LNB, nice and neat. Even the picture above shows DISH as the hardware vendor because they are!

John
 
I am not disagreeing with you johnny_marin, I am stating the fact that Express Vu do not license Dish Pro or Dish Pro Plus, therefore if there is an issue and an installer comes out, expect some fun, as no installer carries, or is permitted to work on a system that has DP or DPP products, he has to walk away and report it back to Express Vu.

I know it works right now but who is to say that the next round of firmware will still support it. AFAIK all Express Vu firmware is written in house not bought in from Echostar.

I too love Dish Pro Plus, I use it on VIP and commercial installations when there is no other way to get the 4 cables into a building, however the customers are ALWAYS told that they contact us, before contacting Express Vu. Hell we had to use DPP for an installation for a Bell World and they were and are delighted with the result, again they were fully informed of the option and will call us in the event of an issue.

Express Vu will not buy a license for DP or DPP because it gets the Legacy equipment so cheap its unbelievable, it's all about costs.

I don't quite follow what you were saying here;


Are you trying to say that this image is from a Bell website.?




Nimiq 1
 
its best that those thinking of going dp/dpp are aware of the licensing issues, so if bell decides in their infinite wisdom, to change their software to no longer recognize dp/dpp, they wont be surprised
it can cost a few hundred $$$ easily, to change from one set up to the other
if you think that bell would NEVER do a change like this, you are mistaken
if they would just get off of their butts, and license it, then there would be no worry about them changing their software
offer legacy switches/lnbs with free installs, if you want dp/dpp, then let people pay
at least give people an option, sometimes, dp/dpp is the only way to get their equipment up and running
 
Run all 4 lines inside, then mount the SW44 and Power Inserter close to the Hydro panel if its convenient. Try to make sure there are NO splices in the lines outside, every splice is a potential problem later in the life of your cable so keep them to a minimum, if you HAVE to splice keep them indoors away from the weather.

What is going to be the total number of Tuners.?

This will determine exactly what equipment you require.

Nimiq 1
 
I agree about the licensing issue with DP/DPP but my setup works for me and it WAS installed by a BEV licensed installer. They said it wouldn't work, I told them to point the dish and connect the cables. They did the initial check switch test and right off the bat the firmware identified the DP hardware and tested fine. I have had at least four firmware updates on both receivers since the installation and each time no problems. I don't see BEV changing the firmware that much other than remove the 9 day guide feature. It costs too much to rewrite firmware when DISH can do most of the work for you. You buy the finished product and make a few minor changes to suit your market. BEV just doesn't want to pay for licensing the hardware and it gives them leverage when the customer has a problem, that is true.

John
 
The copy rights to the firmware on expressvu receivers is owned by echostar, any dp receiver will always surport dp/dp plus equipment
 
Even if that is true, there is no reason why EV couldn't ask to have it removed/disabled:
a) Just because they feel like it
b) To make "room" for other features

Not saying that they would, but since it isn't officially supported there is no reason why they couldn't.
 
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