Some questions about upgrading to HD

[peterl1365]

Okay, I'm finally getting close to replacing my old 32" CRT with an LCD HDTV. I have a few questions about the equipment.

I've been with D* for a about 4.5 years. I'v got 3 DirecTivo units for my three SD sets. The dish is a triple-LNB tied to an Eagle Aspen (if I recall correctly) 4x8 multiswitch.

I called D* and received the following offer:

1 free HD DVR
1 additional HD DVR for $99
New dish
Free install

My questions are:

1. Can I use the HD DVR for an SD television? Since it's only $99, it would be worth the money to have a new box with the larger recording capacity. I'm also hoping to be able to implement multi-room viewing at some point, and I'm pretty sure that my old DirecTivo will never be supported.

2. Will the new dish support SWM? The television in the bedroom only has one coax line running to it. Running a second line would be unsightly. I would love to be able to have the two tuner capability, which I believe is supported by the SWM. If it matters, I'm in the Los Angeles, CA DMA.

3. Is it really important whether I get the HR23 or the HR22? I'm not sure I understand what the built-in B-band converters are for.

4. Will the one remaining DirecTivo coexist nicely with the two new DVR's if they are using SWM?

 

[Zynergi]

My questions are:

1. Can I use the HD DVR for an SD television? Since it's only $99, it would be worth the money to have a new box with the larger recording capacity. I'm also hoping to be able to implement multi-room viewing at some point, and I'm pretty sure that my old DirecTivo will never be supported.

Yes you can, however some HD shows may look slightly distorted (tall and skinny) but you will have the SD version of that channel to watch. You will need an open Composite input available on that set or be ready to buy a RF Modulator +-$20

2. Will the new dish support SWM? The television in the bedroom only has one coax line running to it. Running a second line would be unsightly. I would love to be able to have the two tuner capability, which I believe is supported by the SWM. If it matters, I'm in the Los Angeles, CA DMA.

The new Dish (Slimline) has SWM LNB's that can be used for it, but your TiVO's are not compatible. So if you want the SWM setup you will have 2 dishes. Chances are very high they will not put SWM on the work order and you will have to ask the tech to go the 2 dish route.

3. Is it really important whether I get the HR23 or the HR22? I'm not sure I understand what the built-in B-band converters are for.

Its not a big deal either way. the 23 doesnt need the converters. If you have SWM installed then it wont matter anyway.

4. Will the one remaining DirecTivo coexist nicely with the two new DVR's if they are using SWM?

See answer 2.

...

 

[peterl1365]

Zynergi,

Thanks for the quick reply.

I don't think the two-dish solution is going to be acceptable to the wife. Would it be better to just upgrade the last Tivo while I'm at it? I could live with a standard SD converter, but I just might be able to get D* to throw in an R-22. I presume an R-22 will play nicely with 2 HR-2x's, correct?

As for viewing SD channels with the HR-2x, would they be any different from using an SD DVR? Or would I be better off just getting 1 HR-2x and 2 R-22's. I don't anticipate upgrading the bedroom TV to HD anytime soon.

Thanks again.

 

[rad]

My understanding was that only new DirecTV installs were getting a SWMLNB, upgrades were getting a non-SWM LNB, is that still the case folks in the know?

If it's correct that you wouldn't get a SWMLNB you could purchase a SWM8 module on your own which would solve your problem, single cable to the HD DVR's and use the legacy ports on the SWM8 for your old Tivo unit.

 

[peterl1365]

My understanding was that only new DirecTV installs were getting a SWMLNB, upgrades were getting a non-SWM LNB, is that still the case folks in the know?

If it's correct that you wouldn't get a SWMLNB you could purchase a SWM8 module on your own which would solve your problem, single cable to the HD DVR's and use the legacy ports on the SWM8 for your old Tivo unit.

The SWM8 appears to be approx $160 or so. For $99, I can just replace the Tivo with an R-22, and everything would be SWM-capable, correct?

If that's the case that only new installs get the SWMLNB, is there any way to get D* to include it for a fee? Or perhaps to make arrangements with the installer? For some reason, I thought I saw a posting that said that the LA market was getting SWM dishes. Could have meant Louisiana, but I doubt it.

Solid Signal sells the SL5-SWM Slimline Single Wire Ka/Ku Five LNB With Built-In Multiswitch (SL5-SWM) for $89.99. Is this something that I could replace myself? Would I have to re-aim the dish?

 

[charper1]

"You will need an open Composite input available on that set"


... or S-video with Audio IN

 

[peterl1365]

"You will need an open Composite input available on that set"


... or S-video with Audio IN

That part is no problem. Will I have to deal with any letterboxing on SD channels? That's my main concern. Or will I have to enter in special channel numbers if the default numbers map to HD channels?

 

[Aurora]

That part is no problem. Will I have to deal with any letterboxing on SD channels? That's my main concern. Or will I have to enter in special channel numbers if the default numbers map to HD channels?

You can set up the guide to either hide or show SD duplicates, and they are on the same channel (ESPNHD and ESPN are both 206). Some channels are HD only (HDNET, HDTheater), I think you can't avoid letterboxing or "squished" picture with those.

 

[peterl1365]

You can set up the guide to either hide or show SD duplicates, and they are on the same channel (ESPNHD and ESPN are both 206). Some channels are HD only (HDNET, HDTheater), I think you can't avoid letterboxing or "squished" picture with those.

Thanks. That was exactly what I was looking for.

 

[bateau980]

An extra note: The receiver does give you the option of adjusting the picture format(Format Button on the remote)... Crop will cut the edges to help with the letterboxing. You might play around with it for a while to get things set how you like it.

 

[peterl1365]

After doing some more research, I guess I'm leaning towards the SWM-8 solution. I see where they're going for about $110-120 on ebay.

My question is: Do I need to purchase any splitters if I already have a home run to each room?

 

[rad]

The SWM8 has two SWM outputs on it, so if you only need to cable run to two receivers you're set. But if you have any more then two receivers then you'll need to get splitter(s) to connect more then two. That's assuming that they're SWM receivers, if it's a legacy receiver then you can use one of the three legacy output for those receivers.

 

[peterl1365]

I see. When I saw that the specs allowed for up to 8 receivers, I assumed that it meant the SWM-8 had 8 outputs. Your explanation makes perfect sense. Thanks, rad.