I cannot figure out which HD satellite dish / LNB to purchase

[XL5]

I started with DirecTV back in 1997. In those days, you would go into an electronics shop, purchase your dish and some receivers and do-it-yourself.
I had a multi-switch in the attic and distributed the signal to about 8 televisions. Not too difficult, but the choices were few.

I now want to go HD. My problem now is that I cannot figure out which satellite dish / LMB to purchase. There are many choices! I understand I must purchase new receivers and TiVo units also. I wish to receive the normal USA high-definition channels. Nothing for any foreign countries. The one unusual requirement is that I need to be able to also receive a signal to operate one legacy SD DirecTV TiVo unit.

Thank you.

 

[raoul5788]

to Satelliteguys XL5!

I suggest you call Directv. They are probably your best choice to install a new dish and equipment.

 

[XL5]

>> I suggest you call Directv. They are probably your best choice to install a new dish and equipment. <<

I want to purchase and install the equipment myself. Anyone know what type of satellite dish I should purchase ?

 

[raoul5788]

Depending upon where you are, you want either a 3 or 5 lnb, and a Slimline dish. You can get the equipment from several online dealers like Solid Signal, but where ever you get it, it will be a lease, not a purchase. If you get it through Directv, they may well provide the receiver/dvr for no or not much money. They may insist on doing the install. Why do you want to do it yourself?

 

[XL5]

>> Depending upon where you are <<

Dallas TX


>> you want either a 3 or 5 lnb, and a Slimline dish <<

OK, I saw those on line. Can I use a "SWM" ? Is a Slimline always a SWM ?

I need to be able to also receive a signal to operate one, legacy SD DirecTV TiVo unit. Should I buy a 3 or 5 LNB for this need ?

>> but where ever you get it, it will be a lease, not a purchase. <<

I find many online that SELL them, not lease.

>> If you get it through Directv, they may well provide the receiver/dvr for no or not much money.<<

Don't care. I BUY DirecTV Tivo units from others with larger drives.

>> Why do you want to do it yourself? <<

My installation standards exceed what anyone else is capable (or willing) to do.

( Do you really have a Studebaker ?! )

 

[Joe Diamond]

>> Depending upon where you are <<

Dallas TX


>> you want either a 3 or 5 lnb, and a Slimline dish <<

OK, I saw those on line. Can I use a "SWM" ? Is a Slimline always a SWM ?

I need to be able to also receive a signal to operate one, legacy SD DirecTV TiVo unit. Should I buy a 3 or 5 LNB for this need ?

>> but where ever you get it, it will be a lease, not a purchase. <<

I find many online that SELL them, not lease.

>> If you get it through Directv, they may well provide the receiver/dvr for no or not much money.<<

Don't care. I BUY DirecTV Tivo units from others with larger drives.

>> Why do you want to do it yourself? <<

My installation standards exceed what anyone else is capable (or willing) to do.

( Do you really have a Studebaker ?! )

XL5,
You are really talking about a box swap & a new dish. Directv pays spit for installers to do "upgrades". Installers tend to blow through them because there is no motivation to do much. So you do see a bundle of cable tossed into a closet because there is no time / money to tack the cable to a baseboard after the customer clears the crap.

In any case, IF you will just make access to all TVs, the tech will arrive and install the correct dish for your area and..........using existing cable you already approve ............swap the receivers you have for the receivers you want. With the Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM) eq some cable will be unused. With the Genie & Client eq even more cable will be unused.

Compose your end result expectation & share it with the CSR & the tech.

A thing to consider is how many HD receivers do you want or need and........ are there any areas of your home that could function with one TV providing audio for several other units with video on but running the same feed?
Do you plan to end all SD use? Stuff like that. You can do your own cable run fetish or pay the tech.

PLZ share your standards.

Joe

 

[TheTechGuru]

ok, in the Dallas market a Slimline 3 will work but if you have a full clear view of the southern sky you might as well get a Slimline 5 so you get everything there is to get (extra SonicTAP's, CCTV, etc).

Now, unless you tell us the model numbers of all of the receivers you intend to use I can't tell you whether you need a SWM or non-SWM model.

I can tell you it will not be possible to mix a non SWM compatible DVR with SWM only H25's.

My recomendation is that if your legacy DVR is not SWM compatible that you order H24 HD receivers and a non-swm dish and a zinwell multiswitch if you're going to need more than 4 outputs from the dish. If there are many tivo units an HD receivers you may need more than one of the zinwell multiswitches. One will give you 8 outputs, each additional will give 4 more after cascading them.

OR! you could leave the 18" dish up for the legacy DVR and install a SWM Slimline for the HD receivers.


Please post unit count and model numbers of all the receivers you intend to use.

 

[XL5]

I have 5 coaxial cables that travel from the satellite dish location to an equipment room. I intend on locating 3 DirecTV TiVo's in this equipment room.

From the equipment room, there are 2 CAT6 cables, and 3 RG6 cables running to each television location.

A common source for my DirecTV equipment is weaknees.

I need to have one DirecTV TiVo unit with S-Video out.

All of my present equipment is SD so I will be purchasing all new DirecTV TiVo units.

>> PLZ share your standards. <<

I mount the satellite dish properly (NEVER on shingles). All coax is in conduit. I like to know exactly what equipment I'm getting in advance. Phone calls to DirecTV show this is not possible using their installers.
And besides, putting all this up is a bit of a hobby for me, I enjoy the work.

 

[Jimbo]

I have 5 coaxial cables that travel from the satellite dish location to an equipment room. I intend on locating 3 DirecTV TiVo's in this equipment room.

From the equipment room, there are 2 CAT6 cables, and 3 RG6 cables running to each television location.

A common source for my DirecTV equipment is weaknees.

I need to have one DirecTV TiVo unit with S-Video out.

All of my present equipment is SD so I will be purchasing all new DirecTV TiVo units.

>> PLZ share your standards. <<

I mount the satellite dish properly (NEVER on shingles). All coax is in conduit. I like to know exactly what equipment I'm getting in advance. Phone calls to DirecTV show this is not possible using their installers.
And besides, putting all this up is a bit of a hobby for me, I enjoy the work.

Your going to go HD and choose to use 8+ year old (or there abouts) TIVO HD equipment ?

Bad idea.

Personally, I would look into HR24's (dvrs) or H24's (Non dvr), unless you want to go to the newest which would be the HR34/44 Genie equipment ... Personally, I would stay away from the "Clients"

 

[XL5]

>> Your going to go HD and choose to use 8+ year old (or there abouts) TIVO HD equipment ?

Bad idea. <<

I will have all new TiVos and receivers. I have one application where I wish to use legacy TiVo unit.

I was once told by a former DirecTV installer that it was possible to run all of this with just one satellite dish. Apparently, this is now in the category of “lost knowledge”.

Based on the one recommendation I received here, I will purchase a Slimline 3.

 

[coolman302003]

I will have all new TiVos and receivers. I have one application where I wish to use legacy TiVo unit.

I was once told by a former DirecTV installer that it was possible to run all of this with just one satellite dish. Apparently, this is now in the category of “lost knowledge”.

Based on the one recommendation I received here, I will purchase a Slimline 3.

Reading through what you would like to accomplish, you have a few different options:

Option 1: Slimline 3 Dish (no SWM built in to LNB), requires 4 coax cables from dish to separate (non SWM) KaKu mutiswitch, each 'new' HD Tivo will require 2 coax cables for dual tuners. The legacy Tivo will be able to connect to the mutiswitch also, and will still need 2 coax cables.

Option 2 (two dishes): Slimline 3-SWM Dish (with SWM built in to LNB), only requires one coax from dish to a DIRECTV SWM approved green label splitter(s), the 'new' THR22 HD Tivos will only need 1 coax cable (per each receiver) from the Directv splitter for utilizing dual tuners for recording since they are SWM compatible. The problem with this option is your legacy Tivo can't be connected in this setup since it is not SWM compatible. However, if you keep a separate 18" round dish with only the legacy Tivo connected it will continue to work. It will need two coax cables from the dish [or mutiswitch] to the receiver.

Option 3: Slimline 3 Dish (no SWM built in to LNB), separate SWM 8 or 16 mutiswitch, requires 4 coax cables from LNB to external SWM mutiswitch, then out of the SWM 8 or 16 it connects to a DirecTV green label splitter(s) then 1 coax cable per 'new' THR22 HD Tivo for utilizing dual tuners for recording since they are SWM compatible. The difference between this and option 2 is that the external SWM 8 and 16 mutiswitch's have 'legacy outputs' for you to connect your legacy Tivo, now the legacy will still need 2 coax cables from the legacy out ports to the receiver for dual tuner recording (unlike the 'new' THR22 HD Tivos).

Option 1 may require an external power supply depending on the mutiswitch used. Option 2 requires this 21 volt power inserter to power SWM LNB. Option 3 requires this 29 volt power inserter to power the external SWM 8 or 16 switch.

I think I covered most everything but I may have left a few steps out but others might chime in as well.

Blog post about a similar situation to yours here. (much like option 1 above except they used a 5 LNB)

You might also have trouble getting DirecTV to enable HD Access on your account without a technician coming out and/or a new 24 month agreement when you activate the THR22's.

 

[XL5]

WOW ! Thanks coolman302003.

I'm not sure I need to keep my old legacy TiVo working. If I can buy one new HD Tivo with S-Video out I can get all new equipment. I contacted and Weaknees, They told me such a unit does not exist. However, when I look at pictures of the back of a THR22 DIRECTV HD TiVo DVR, I see S-Video!

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=thr22

 

[XL5]

WOW ! Thanks coolman302003.

I'm not sure I need to keep my old legacy TiVo working. If I can buy one new HD Tivo with S-Video Out, I can get all new equipment. I contacted and Weaknees, They told me such a unit does NOT exist. However, when I look at pictures of the back of a THR22 DIRECTV HD TiVo DVR, I see S-Video!

Home-Owners Association (reluctantly) only permits 1 dish.

For some strange reason, I am not allowed to post a link! I was trying to include a link showing S-video on a Weaknees THR22 DIRECTV HD TiVo.

I am moving into a new house. 5 coaxial cables were run from the satellite dish location to an equipment room where we will locate DirecTV receivers. From this equipment room, the video will be sent out to other rooms in the house.

 

[texasbrit]

The THR22 does have an s-video output.
Are you absolutely sure you want the THR22? It is TiVo software running on an old DirecTV platform (the HR22) which is much slower than current models. And the TiVo software is very limited, it does not have any of the new features in the current and previous TiVo standalone models, and does not have the function set of the current DirecTv boxes. IMHO you would have to be absolutely convinced that nothing but a TiVo is acceptable to take this route.

 

[raoul5788]

Some people are very attached to their TIVOs. I've never used one, perhaps fortunately.

 

[TheTechGuru]

I don't understand why S-Video is needed. Are you archiving programs to SVHS tape? Or maybe to a computer with a capture card with S-Video?

If you're archiving to a computer via S-Video, why not upgrade and start archiving in HD? (the hard drive companies will love your business).

This is what I would use to archive HD content from DirecTV with: http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/h264prorecorder For HDCP channels like HBO just use component.

 

[XL5]

>> Are you absolutely sure you want the THR22? <<

No, but must have 1 unit with S-Video. What would you suggest?

>> It is TiVo software running on an old DirecTV platform (the HR22) which is much slower than current models. And the TiVo software is very limited, it does not have any of the new features in the current and previous TiVo standalone models, and does not have the function set of the current DirecTv boxes. IMHO you would have to be absolutely convinced that nothing but a TiVo is acceptable to take this route. <<

About 5 years ago I did try a DirecTV DVR. I preferred the TiVo much better. Perhaps DirecTV is the leader now?

 

[XL5]

>> Or maybe to a computer with a capture card with S-Video? <<

Bingo ! I have a Grass Valley ADVC-300 and a Mac Pro. The ADVC-300 takes S-Video and converts it to FireWire400. I get good SD quality using iMovie 06 (I own and hate iMovie 08-11). I ONLY use it with public domain material. Never anything that is copyrighted, and only for my own personal use. If I can buy it, I do not archive it.

>> why not upgrade and start archiving in HD? <<

Maybe I can, but I haven't figured out how (Mac software wise).


>> This is what I would use to archive HD content from DirecTV with: http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...264prorecorder <<

In reading the information on your link. This product may be a good solution. Apparently it can capture from S-Video OR Component Video. I guess the output is USB 2.0? I'm surprised that USB 2.0 is fast enough to capture HD quality.

Thank you for taking an interest in my problem. I have been with DirecTV so long, I can remember my first receiver actually had commands and controls for "out to VCR" ! When you want to do similar things today, Hollywood makes you feel like a crook. I've never cost Hollywood a dime.

>> For HDCP channels like HBO just use component. <<

I don't watch HBO. HDCP is evil.

 

[coolman302003]

No, but must have 1 unit with S-Video. What would you suggest?

I believe all of the HR2X HD DVR's have S-Video output. I can confirm 100% though that my HR24 does indeed have S-Video output.

I do know that the Genie HR34 and HR44 both do not have S-Video output.

HD non DVR receivers such as the H24/25 also do not have S-Video output.

About 5 years ago I did try a DirecTV DVR. I preferred the TiVo much better. Perhaps DirecTV is the leader now?

I like both the Genie HR44 (5 tuners) and HR24 (2 tuners) HD DVRs personally. The software, features and user interface has improved dramatically in the past 5 years.

 

[TheTechGuru]

>> Or maybe to a computer with a capture card with S-Video? <<

Bingo ! I have a Grass Valley ADVC-300 and a Mac Pro. The ADVC-300 takes S-Video and converts it to FireWire400. I get good SD quality using iMovie 06 (I own and hate iMovie 08-11). I ONLY use it with public domain material. Never anything that is copyrighted, and only for my own personal use. If I can buy it, I do not archive it.

>> why not upgrade and start archiving in HD? <<

Maybe I can, but I haven't figured out how (Mac software wise).


>> This is what I would use to archive HD content from DirecTV with: http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...264prorecorder <<

In reading the information on your link. This product may be a good solution. Apparently it can capture from S-Video OR Component Video. I guess the output is USB 2.0? I'm surprised that USB 2.0 is fast enough to capture HD quality.

Thank you for taking an interest in my problem. I have been with DirecTV so long, I can remember my first receiver actually had commands and controls for "out to VCR" ! When you want to do similar things today, Hollywood makes you feel like a crook. I've never cost Hollywood a dime.

Well you're in luck, BlackMagic's products are both PC and MAC compatible.

Software Included:
Media Express, Blackmagic System Preferences and Blackmagic driver on Mac OS X™.
Media Express, Blackmagic Control Panel and Blackmagic driver on Windows™.

Ya, I once had the Hughes receiver that had the IR transmitter to auto record stuff with a VCR.

That H264 device is probably the cheapest option for recording from a DirecTV receiver in HD and in a format that does not take a ton of space. I have the Intensity Pro because that H264 device was not invented yet, The Intensity Pro is a PITA to use because it records in MotionJPEG format then I have to post process encode into a compressed format like H264. I want to upgrade to that live H264 encoder as soon as I can afford to.

The next step up from it would be some $1000+ HDV tape deck since DVHS decks have gone defunct.

I think you can take a look around the software without actually having the device.

http://software.blackmagicdesign.com/DesktopVideo/Blackmagic_Desktop_Video_Macintosh_9.9.3.zip

You'd be using that instead of iMovie or in addition to.