Trying to connect old receiver while keeping 2 DVR signals active

[mjdesign14]

I just recently moved, and I have my TiVo connected on my main TV upstairs. I have cable run to a unit downstairs, and i tried to connect my old DirecTV receiver to it, but i can't seem to 'split' the signal from the DVR to run a signal to my basic receiver in the basement? When I connect a splitter (forgive my lack of techie knowlege of what brand, etc) its a 5-58000 i believe? to one of my DVR cables, the TV downstairs has a signal, but the line upstairs goes out. Is there a trick to this? should I Split it from the satellite? or do i need a more powerful/amplifying splitter?

Im not too savvy when i comes to these things. abit of trial and error, really. Ive gone to a few computer/bestbuy type stores looking for tips but no one is really savvy there, either. I would really hate to call the satellite installer to come out and charge me to do something i would be able to do myself? Any help (with some specifics, laymen's language) would be of GREAT help! Trying to get a signal downstairs in time for College Football on Sept 2nd!!

thanks in advance.

 

[damaged]

The way you describe what you did (trying to split the signal from the DVR out to drive a standard receiver) the signal you are trying to get out of your DVR has no satellite signals on it, it is just RF (meant to goto a TV not a D* tuner), if you want to drive the standard receiver, you will have to take a coax from your dish (or multiswitch) and plug that into the basic receiever, splitters cannot split these kinds of satellite signals (the splitter won't pass the signal that switches LNBs and it will fight with whatever is sharing it) that are between the dish or multiswitch and the tuner, you can only split the RF output (between the DVR and TV) with a splitter.

To summarize, no splitters!

If you can describe your setup, such as what kind of dish, how many tuners are in use now, so we know whether or not there is a multiswitch, etc. it would help.

If you are trying to 2 DVRs and one standard receiver, for a total of 5 tuners, (5 total, since each DVR needs 2 lines, and the standard needs one), you will need 5 lines coming from a multiswitch (without a switch, the dish only has 4 outputs, thus only 4 tuners can be driven without a switch), since I assume you now have either a PhaseIII or AT9 dish, which only have 4 outputs from the dish, so if you do not have a multiswitch, you will have to get and install one, if you have a PhaseIII, you'll want at least a 4x6 cascadable multiswitch, if you have the AT9, you will want a 6x8 zinwel, now, _all_ four lines MUST come from the dish TO the new multiswitch (let's say a 4x6), again, ALL FOUR, not 1 not 2 not 3, not 2 split into 4, but all 4, THEN you can put each receiver on one of the 6 output ports on the switch, you would use 2 for each DVR and one for the standard receiver, leaving you one extra for another tuner.

 

[mjdesign14]

thank you

Ill look at how many ports i have in the back of my dish tonight, (and make note of models, etc) I have a round dish. and my old dish (in my basement from old apt) only has two jacks in the dish...so i hopefully have the 4 line dish you talk about!
it seems from your reply that i have to run a 'main line' directly from my dish, to my non-dvr, and keep my setup for the DVR as it is (un split) So, that makes sense, hopefully it all works when i try it tonight!

A bit of clarification: I tried to 'split' the cable that ran from the dish inside to where the 'extension' cables started and the next cables were connected (the two lines that then ran up the wall and into the box upstairs) a total of 3 cables (as far as i can tell) were what it took for each reception (sat 1 and sat 2) to reach from dish to DVR. I tried to split after the second cable.

I had reception to my DVR for both sat 1 and sat 2. everything worked perfectly for my main tv, the problem was when itried to split to the non-DVR receiver. I would get reception for that one (with everything split/hooked up) but then the upstairs would not work for the line that i split.


Thanks again!

PS where can i purchase a multiswitch if in fact, i need one?

 

[damaged]

it seems from your reply that i have to run a 'main line' directly from my dish, to my non-dvr, and keep my setup for the DVR as it is (un split) So, that makes sense, hopefully it all works when i try it tonight!

Right, from the dish (or multiswitch if you have need for more than 4 lines).

A bit of clarification: I tried to 'split' the cable that ran from the dish inside to where the 'extension' cables started and the next cables were connected (the two lines that then ran up the wall and into the box upstairs) a total of 3 cables (as far as i can tell) were what it took for each reception (sat 1 and sat 2) to reach from dish to DVR. I tried to split after the second cable.

Ok, just the way I read it was a bit muddled, but, yes, that is why it won't work as expected.

I had reception to my DVR for both sat 1 and sat 2. everything worked perfectly for my main tv, the problem was when itried to split to the non-DVR receiver. I would get reception for that one (with everything split/hooked up) but then the upstairs would not work for the line that i split.

The tuners are fighting who has control, and when one gets it, it locks the other one.

Thanks again!

PS where can i purchase a multiswitch if in fact, i need one?

No problem...Good luck,

You could get a multiswitch directly from D*, I am not sure whereabouts in your area you can buy them, perhaps someone else can answer that, but the switch MUST be cascadable, and if you have an AT9 dish, you will need a switch which can handle the new Ka/Ku setup for mpeg4.

You could have a round at home with only 2 outputs (whereas the phaseII and AT9 have 4), if so, than you will likely have a 2x4 (or 3x4 with ANT input) switch on it now, you would have to replace that with a 2x6.

Keep us posted on if you have a switch or not and what kind of dish, you know, before you go buy a switch and all.

 

[mjdesign14]

okay. another update.

so i only have a dual LNB round dish. and i do not see any multiswitch anywhere... (neighbors love seeing girl climbing around at dusk disassembling dish..) just two cables running from dish through wall, up to main tv DVR... yay.

I have found some multi switches online, seems like i have to purchase one compatible with DirecTv Systems?

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SSMS241F

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=sam3402

seem pretty reasonable... any recommendation?

thanks again!

 

[damaged]

so i only have a dual LNB round dish. and i do not see any multiswitch anywhere... (neighbors love seeing girl climbing around at dusk disassembling dish..) just two cables running from dish through wall, up to main tv DVR... yay.

I have found some multi switches online, seems like i have to purchase one compatible with DirecTv Systems?

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SSMS241F

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=sam3402

seem pretty reasonable... any recommendation?

thanks again!

Ok, so you only have one DVR connected total, that means you are using both outputs of the dish, so, if you just want to add one more DVR _or_ a standard receiver (actually, up to 2 standard rec.), you will want the 2x4, the 3x4 is only needed if yuu have an OTA antenna diplex setup, but you can still use ther 3x4 if you wish since it's cheaper, you just won't use the 3rd port on the 3 side.

Remember when hooking the switch up that the 2 cables that are running into your wall from the dish will have to be put into the 2 side of the 2x4, then you will use the 4 side to hook up to each tuner, and, remember to unplug the DVR from the power (turning it off is not good enough), while installing the switch, not doing so can increase the chances of shorting a coax, and thus your LNBs could be damaged.

Good luck.

 

[mjdesign14]

It worked!

Thanks damaged!

The multiswitch arrived in one day, simple to hook up, and now i have DirecTv downstairs! thanks again!

 

[damaged]

Thanks damaged!

The multiswitch arrived in one day, simple to hook up, and now i have DirecTv downstairs! thanks again!

No problem, glad it worked out.