I don't plan any more then 8 probably only 6.
then all you need is the uncommitted one
What is an uncommitted switch? I never knew there were committed/uncommitted switches
Diseqc 1.0 switches (the ones most of us have) are committed. These are 2x1 or 4x1 switches
uncommitted/committed (Emp Centauri is example) is a 8x1 or bigger switch that allows you to use one of the following
Diseqc 1.0....ports 1-4 would work
Diseqc 1.1....all ports would work
Diseqc 1.2....you can set the switch up like a motor (if you use fixed dishes)...setup is harder to do
The drawback of the Emp Centauri switches is even if you use Diseqc 1.1 settings it isnt 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 etc. Its a weird setup like
Committed 1
uncommitted 3
if you wanted to use port 7 as example
The digiwave 8x1 is uncommitted and personally I think its more flexible. These are 8x1 switches. Setup is a breeze. In the receiver select Diseqc 1.1 and under uncommitted just select the port. 1-8. You can also add 4x1 diseqc switches on the ports to have alot more dish setups. You would setup the 4x1 switch like you normally would but you add the uncommitted part too. So if you attached a 4x1 diseqc switch off say port 7 setup would be
committed 1,2,3,4 (depending on port)
uncommitted 7 (all 4 would be set that way)
My review I posted above shows how the settings are
The one drawback of a uncommitted switch is the receiver MUST MUST MUST support Diseqc 1.1 If the receiver doesnt support 1.1 dont buy it. Only port 1 would work
Advantages are easy setup and can cascade switches
The Emp Centauri you can't cascade switches (you can add 22k switches) and if your receiver doesnt have Diseqc 1.1 you can't use it with a motor (only ports 1-4 would work). On the plus side they have a heckuva multitude of switches....from 8x1 all the way up to 17x16 which is misleading as its 8 inputs 16 outputs (you would need dual LNB's)
So you set the Diseqc 1.0 to none?
correct. If it doesnt allow you to turn off Diseqc 1.0 then just set it to port 1....its a moot point what its set to honestly.
Will the receiver automatically detect an uncommitted switch?
you have to set the port on each satellite properly in the setup menu.