Upgrading to HD

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Glenn3

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Hi...first poster here...nice site

Iam looking into upgrading my 6 receivers (3100) to HD and mabe PVR...Iam kinda confused as to what my options are. I have been reading that the 9242 receivers have 1 HD output and 1 digital output with PVR for both of them...that dont make sence to me....I need both tuners to be HD. So this is true?

So if I want HD/PVR I have to purchase 9242 receiver...even thou it has a dual tuner.

And if I get the dual turner HD/PVR (9242) I will have to deactivate two of my 3100 receivers? I have 6 right now and I guess the 9242 acts like 2 receivers so... You are only able to have 6 tv's hooked up under one account as I understand it.

Deactivating an extra receiver is a problem...I have wire the house myself when it was new...all wires are in the walls and hook directly to the dish 2 stories up on a brick wall. If I get the 9242 would I have to run new lines? or get a new LNB?

The 2 receivers that Iam wanting to replace for now are both hooked to the same dish..those are the only two receivers on there at this point . I guess thats what they call a dual LNB?

I prefer to do the install myself..can I just not use the SAT cable that is there now? I really dont want to run any new cables at this point...everything is so clean looking now.

Really would rather just buy HD/PVR receiver for each room...6 of them. That way I just hook em up....anything new comming out that I may be missing?

Iam kinda new to this Sat thing so hopfully I explained my self ok

Thanks Glenn
 
Hello Glen,
The PVR HD (dual tuner) receivers require two feeds but are classified by Bell as being one receiver only (even though dual feeds). The two feeds are for the dual tuners within these receivers. With these dual tuners you have the option of watching TV and recording (2 channels) at the same time or running a second TV off the receiver and two Tv's can operate indepentently via an IR remote (host tv) and a UHF remote (second TV). The UHF remote will not change channels on the IR host TV if it is located nearby. This configuration will limit your recording capabilities with the receiver. If the TV's are in bedrooms sharing common walls passing a couple of wires between receiver/second TV may be a solution for you.
You will need a second feed though for this system (PVR HD, dual tuner)to work and this complicates things with the number of receivers you are considering upgrading.
Another option may be acquiring the HD 6141 receiver that is a single feed, single tuner without PVR. This model has an outlet port that will allow an external HDD (Hard Disk Drive) to be attached and allow the future recording of shows. It has not been activated at this time (That I am aware of), but is reported to be soon. It will not be complicated to switch out these units with your existing equipment.
You may want to research the Dish network forums as I believe there was a wiring configuration for their HD PVR receivers requiring only 1 feed to the dish. I believe these systems need some fancy switching relays (multi switches) but worth taking a look at all the same.
Good Luck
 
Hey Bent

Thax for the info...Iam starting to get smarter a little at a time lol

So if I get the HD/6141 would I have to change the LNB on the dish?? right now I only have 2- 3100's hooked to it. The LNB is a dual one Iam thinking....it only has 2 cables comming from it.

Thanks again
 
Hi Glen,
For HD, you need the dish that has 2 LNB's and a skew adjustment. That dish can receive both satelites. 91 has all the regular programming and the guide, 82 has all the HD programming.
Usually, Bell will replace the dish on the same mast. When you upgrade to HD, Bell includes basic install, buy you have to sign up on contract.

Yes, you need 2 lines to each 9242, unless you buy DPP LNB's and switches yourself, because they are not used or supported by Bell.

Dual tuner, when used on 1 HD TV gives you the ability to record 2 and playback another program, or record 1 watch 1. If 2nd output is used for a second (analog only) TV as well, you can only record 1 on each tv.

I have two 9242's, one 9200 and two 2700's. Since this all grew bit by bit, I've got quite familiar with installing. :) I put the dishes on the garage roof, the switches in the garage and ran the lines outside the house to the upstairs bedrooms. (it's my house, i'll drill holes anywhere i want) The original wire in my house was all RG-59 with splitters buried in the walls.

Lots more info in the install forums, including diagrams and pictures.
 
Installing the 9200/9242 is covered in GREAT detail in the installation forum. PLease read through that entire thread as it covers all your basic questions. I'm confused though, do you have 2 or 6 existing receivers? Not that it really matters since you are looking at upgrading the dish (20"), LNB (adding a second one) and cabling (more lines and at least one switch depending on the number of receivers/tuners)in any case.
 
Thanks guys for the posts

I have 6 receiver right now..(NOT ALL ON THE SAME DISH) and Iam thinking of just going with 1-6141 hd receiver for now...so I will de-activate a 3100 for a new 6141.

With a 6141 receiver I will need a new dish ? The dish Iam going to use only has 2- 3100's hooked to it now. Would I be able to remove 1 of the 3100's and just replace it with A 6141? or do I still need to upgrade dish and LNB?

Oh and I just looked at my dish...It has a LNB that has 2- 3100's hooked to it. It looks like there is another slot for another Lnb to be installed just beside it.

Thanks again guys...kinda new at this :D
 
If this is your first time with Bell HD you should qualify for a free installation.
 
Pinza

I have been with bell for years...but would rather install it myself...I dont think it is an issue at all with a new install...I will just start from scratch.

Just wandering if the current dish I have installed now will work...Iam guessing that answer is no.

Thanks

Glenn
 
If the dish has a 'Y' on the arm and a Skew adjustment, then it will work for HD. But you still need a switch. a SW21 would make your HD rx work and the other 3100 can stay on the other port of the 91 LNB.
 
Lets say I have 2 dishes....can I point 1 dish to the 91...run all my cables and then run another dish to the 82? will this give me a better single to 82 for HD?

I have been reading its hard to get both just right and I do Have a second dish I can install.

Right now I only run 2 3100 and most always get 95-99%..would like to keep it that way.

Thanks
 
It depends on your location. Two dish's are better if you are way up North for example.

Also with the launch of Nimiq 4 at 82, the signals on that bird are now much higher, I am guessing that with 95-99% on 91 degrees, there is no need for a second dish.
 
Since you are making changes, I'd suggest running all 6 receivers off the same dish. As pointed out, there is littel advantage any more to running multiple dishes. I've gone from 3 down to 1.
 
Hey guys thanks very much for the info...great

So if I wanted to run 2 different dishes...1 to 91 and 1 to 82..it works that way...great!!


If I were to run all 6 receivers...some of them will be over 100' from the dish...The house is kinda large and I thought I should not run over 100' of rg6 cable....it could weaken the SAT signal I thought.

Again thanks very much for helping out...Iam learning alot
 
100 feet of RG6 is fine, as long as the cable is a good quality one, Commscope or Belden are what Bell use and it is all FT4 and swept to 3 Ghz.

Bringing all 4 lines, 2 from each LNBF into the house, will help for any troubleshooting in bad weather, etc.
 
I made my mind up...Iam going to go with 2 dishes..heres why

The tv's that Iam going to be uising HD on already have the LNB at 91 SAT. So I get all the channels from that SAT dish except for HD channels.

I really dont want to run anything else from there..last time I was up there I almost fell.....Its about 30 feet up on the side of the house. So I will not touch that SAT dish again....only if its a must.

I'll put the new SAT dish about 15-20 feet under it and run the 82 SAT from that for HD..much saver for me lol

Yes....Iam afraid of heights
 
I see your thinking.

What about mounting the New Dish lower as you planned with BOTH LNBF's and an SW44 etc, and then cut the 2 lines coming from the High Dish and use them as feed into the House.

That would give you 91 & 82 all on the one Dish and all you need then is to get a friend to remove the High Dish later for you.

Do not forget that on 82 are lots of other channels, not just HD, some are even free, dare I say.
 
Hey Pinza

That cant work for me....those 2 lines comming from that Very high dish run right through the bricks at the dish. I had the brick layer pull them through while the house was being bricked. Then they zig zag through the house to make the shortest possible distance to the sat receiver.

I know now that it was not the way to go. I can still cut em off or just unplug the receivers and run new cable from the new dish...but I really think I'll get better reception from using 1 dish for the 91 sat and 1 dish for the 82 sat. It's gonna be there so why not use it.
 
It was just a thought.

I think the signal levels will be much the same using 2 x 20" Dish's as just the 1. You would get better levels using 2 x 18". Well just to qualify that, I get higher levels here in Southern Ontario with 2 x 18"s than with 2 x 20's. The reason is that the 20" is a compromise shape to catch BOTH birds anyway, the 18" is focused for just the ONE bird.

82 is a stronger signal now anyway so i doubt you will have any problems getting in the upper 90's on it.
 
Pinza

I have no ideal what size I have now...nerver really thought about it. So what size dish do you think the installer will drop off?

Should I be asking him for an 18 inch dish...since Iam going to use 2 dishes like I said in earlier post.
 
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