Swiching from Directv

[andyaxa]

Hi all,
We have been with Directv for five years, but just last week we started having problems and I traced it back to a bad LNB. Don't feel like buying parts and fixing it or paying someone to fix it...and more importantly we want to upgrade to HD and dvr. Seems five years with Directv doesn't get us much...Dish seems to be offering some attractive packages etc.

At any rate, I was wondering if the RG59 installed throughout the house six years ago is going to be okay with HD? From what I've read it seems it will be fine on short runs.

Also...feeling a little daft here... so excuse me if this sounds really stupid...but how do the dual-tuner receivers work? Is there another box at the second tv? How do you communicate with the receiver?

Thanks a bunch!

 

[kstuart]

RG-59 is fine between the receiver and the TV. All satellite cables between dish and receiver need RG-60 whether HD or not.

However, those RG-59 cables won't carry HD.

The number of Tuners is not the same as the number of Outputs.

For example, Dish has a model 612 HD-DVR that has two satellite tuners and one OverTheAir tuner - but only outputs to one TV. Models 622 and 722 have two outputs. But only one of the outputs is HD, the other is SD (and can be connected to the second TV in SD using the RG-59 cabling).

If you have two HD TVs, you will need two receivers IF you want them to have different programming at the same time.

 

[Ronnie-]

You need to go with RG-6. As stated, you cant use it for HD anyway between the box and the tv.

The dual tuner boxes (622/722) will control two tvs with one box. However, only one will get HD at a time. If you are in dual user mode, you can only view SD on the second set.

 

[Carl B]

About the only thing RG-59 coax is good for these days is analog cable and analog OTA. I don't even use it for my OTA DTV system in the house. My house was wired with RG-59 when it was built in 1988. I've abandoned the use of all of those runs and have made my own RG-6 runs where I needed a coax run. Retro-fitting coax through the walls is a PITA, but the results are worth it.

I use quad-shielded RG-6, 2.3 GHz, that can be purchased at your nearby home or hardware store. My Dish HD installer used 3 GHz RG-6, which is more flexible than my coax, but not as well shielded. My installer said 2.3 GHz coax wasn't a problem, but he wanted all grounding and barrel connectors (e.g., wall plates) to be 3 GHz.

 

[andyaxa]

Okay, thanks!
If I understand correctly... the installer will have to run the RG6 from the satellite to the main TV with HD(we only want one with HD). The other SD TV's in the house will be okay with the RG-59...for now, but we'll have to pull new cable if we want to add HD to any of those rooms.

With the 622 and 722, can you watch different programming on both sets at the same time? If so...with the one set downstairs and the second upstairs how does the remote work...wireless of some sort (as opposed to infra-red or whatever the normal old remotes use)? Sorry, still having trouble getting that though the old cement-skull.

Getting excited to finally use this HD set. I dropped our old set (no questions on that one), so I bought a new flat panel...just a 37". Tired of watching SD on an HD set!

 

[Jerryinvirginia]

All E* dual tuner receivers are supplied with 2 remotes. Your understanding of how these remotes operate is correct. Suggestion: try to locate a E* dealer that serves your area. Talk with that dealer concerning your special needs. You will probably find that many of your questions will be answered concerning promotions and hardware.

 

[KAB]

Okay, thanks!

With the 622 and 722, can you watch different programming on both sets at the same time? If so...with the one set downstairs and the second upstairs how does the remote work...wireless of some sort (as opposed to infra-red or whatever the normal old remotes use)? Sorry, still having trouble getting that though the old cement-skull.

You control the secondary TV with a UHF remote. Yes, each set can be watched independently of each other when set in Dual mode.

 

[tastim]

Okay, thanks!
If I understand correctly... the installer will have to run the RG6 from the satellite to the main TV with HD(we only want one with HD). The other SD TV's in the house will be okay with the RG-59...for now, but we'll have to pull new cable if we want to add HD to any of those rooms.

With the 622 and 722, can you watch different programming on both sets at the same time? If so...with the one set downstairs and the second upstairs how does the remote work...wireless of some sort (as opposed to infra-red or whatever the normal old remotes use)? Sorry, still having trouble getting that though the old cement-skull.

Getting excited to finally use this HD set. I dropped our old set (no questions on that one), so I bought a new flat panel...just a 37". Tired of watching SD on an HD set!

Most of our Dual Tuner receiver's can operate 2 TVs... with the exception of the 612.... if you have 4 rooms to connect, unless you ask for something else, you will have 2 receivers total to power those 4 rooms...

The 59 unfortunately needs to be replaced in any room that a receiver will be in... HD or not.... have I seen it work on receiver Sat lines? Sure. But it is not up to DNS standards (and eventually will "Burn out") RG-59 is not designed to carry the frequency range of our Satellite signal, so while the signal WILL pass through the RG59 if the cable is in good shape, it eventually will stop working as more bandwidth is required to allow the signal to freely pass to the receiver.

The rooms that don't have receivers are fine with RG-59 as no actual satellite signal pass through those cables... just VHF/UHF video signal... which 59 was designed for.

I can tell you from experience that there is a chance that the installer will try to just use the RG-59.... tell him up front when he does his walk-through that your house is wired with RG-59 so he knows you are aware of the regulations, just to make sure it gets done right. Don't expect him to wire your whole house... but the rooms with the receivers need to be done.

 

[andyaxa]

Thanks for all the help. Got it now. Was looking at info on the receivers and couldn't for the life of me get how the second remote was communicating with the receiver...UHF...duh.

One more question if I may...If they backhaul from the 722 to the main junction/splitter, we should be able to connect the second set (SD) in any room that has the existing RG-59 cabling, correct? For that matter am I correct in assuming we could hook up a set in each room? (Granted they would all be the same programming.) If this is true it is certainly a big plus over Directv.

Thanks again...calling to order this afternoon....