Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Pre-SWM8 Installation

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Pre-SWM8 Installation

    What does a normal Slimline LNB3 installation look like? I've been searching for pics but haven't found any. I ask because I can't get on the roof right now and am wondering where those 4 wires from the dish normally go(the ones that plug into the swm8). Do they normally all go into the house? or do they break out into one or two lines that then wire into the house? My attic has a bunch of wires some not even connected to anything that I know go to the dish when i watched the Directv guy do the installation.

    I was hoping I wouldn't have to get on the roof or have someone come out and install this thing.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    All four lines would come off the LNB. Sometimes they're snaked into the arm of the dish and they exit the bottom of the arm. But they cannot be combined into fewer wires - if you see fewer wires, you'd likely have a SWM LNB.
    Been here a long time . . .

    Comment

    • #3
      I see. Do the 4 lines coming from the dish coorespond to anything specific? Or are they just 4 feeds? The 4 ports on the SWM unit are specifically marked. I can see 4 lines running from the dish into the attic, though, I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between each one without getting up there. Even still, once inside the attic, it looks like it would be a challenge determining which wire is connected to which ouput of the dish.

      Thanks for any insight you can provide.

      Comment

      • #4
        Well, the four lines coming off the dish can plug right into the SWM8. The SWM8 then tells the LNB what it needs on each input, and it all works out.
        Been here a long time . . .

        Comment

        • #5
          So even though the 4 inputs on the swm8 are labeled, the 4 cables from the dish can be plugged in any order? That would be good news for me.

          Comment

          • #6
            Yes, that's exactly right.
            Been here a long time . . .

            Comment

            • #7
              I had some time and was able to get up in the "attic" area to check out the wiring. I was able to identify and label 3 cables coming from the dish as well as label where they are going. One is not in use. I could not find a forth, but also didn't want to crawl to the wall where the cables come through. I'm guessing the installer just didn't run that one, or theres a short one over there somewhere.

              Is it possible to use a splitter on one of these lines to feed 4 into the swm8? I have a few things I've collected over the years and found a few things up there from a previous installation.

              LPD-2p 10-2150MHz 2 way splitter
              Regal 5-1000MHz 130db EMI Isolation 2-way splitter
              Antronix 5-1000MHZ 4-way splitter (-7db on four outs)

              If none of those can be used, is there something I can buy to split one of the three feeds? Or do I just need an addtional solid cable running from the dish?

              Thanks again for the help. Trying not to have anyone come out if I can avoid it.

              Comment

              • #8
                No. ALL FOUR LINES must go into the SWM. No exceptions; no splitters. Sorry.

                Comment

                • #9
                  So I finally have someone coming out Saturday to install one more line from the SAT to the attic. Is there anything else I need to know? I could have him place the SWM8 at the dish and use two of the current three already going into the attic, but I prefer to have the SWM8 in an area where I can get to it so i can take it if I move more easily.

                  Currently I have 3 live wires from the dish feeding 3 recievers in 3 rooms. When I get the 4th line, all 4 go into the SWM8 and I'll plug the room feeds into their ports. Can I still feed 3 recievers, or will I be down to 2? 2 is fine with me. 1 is HD and 2 are SD. The 2 SD are close enough where I can use a long a/v cable from one room to the next. It's not important to have both SD recievers operational, but it's nice.

                  The most important thing for me is to be able to use the full capability of the HD reciever. Not have to watch the show that's being recorded, or record two shows at once. Having that capability on the SDs is not as important.

                  Thanks for any tips and suggestions.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Sounds like you'll need a 1x2 splitter at least, since the SWM8 only has two outputs.

                    But are you also sure the SD units are SWM compatible? If not, you can just use legacy ports, and then you don't need the splitter.
                    Been here a long time . . .

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      One of my SDs died a few weeks ago. I just got the replacement(which is when I ordered the line too), and it is an R15-500 and the other is an R22-200(this is tivo - i think that number is wrong). That's what it says on my directv page, I'm not at home so I'll look later. One of them is an older Tivo and I know that's not the number on it.

                      When I ordered the SWM, I'm pretty sure both that I was using were compatible, I only recently hooked up the Tivo one again.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Looks like the replacement SD dvr they sent me is the R15-500. The other one I have is a Tivo, they have it listed as R22-200 on my account, but the tivo box says SD-DVR80. I don't see any of these on the SWM list, so I'm going to assume they are both legacy models.

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          BaBam! Installation complete.

                          Well, after spending the past two years in the late 90s I've come back to the future with this device. Even though I knew about it when I moved here I finally got my 4th line installed after buying the swm8 in oct.

                          I used 2 legacy ports for my downstairs dvrs and the main swm port for my HD line. After setting my HD setup to SWM, works like a charm so far.

                          How hot does the power insterter get? I have it near my tv equipment. It's not confined or anything, just sort of sitting upright between the tv stand and a subwoofer with plenty of ventalation space around it. I would have put it in the attic but couldn't find any power outlets.

                          Anyway, great device. Wish my lazy butt would have got going on it two years ago.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Yup - these are a whole different world.

                            The power inserter gets warm, but generally not hot. Where you have it it should be fine.

                            Congrats!
                            Been here a long time . . .

                            Comment

                            Previous template Next
                            Working...
                            X