Hi,
I currently have a Bell SD PVR in my living room, and just recently got a HDTV for that room. I also have a 9200 receiver in my theater. I am thinking about getting a HD receiever (non-PVR) for the living room, but want to keep the SD PVR as well. If I split the single feed that now goes to the SD PVR and ran this to both my PVR and a HD receiver, would both receivers work? Running another cable to my living room would be a very difficult undertaking, but I don't want to lose the PVR.
Thanks in advance for the help,
Tyler

No, I do not think it's possible to "split" a satellite feed.

Every receiver needs its own separate cable run...I'm guessing you have a sw44 for your 3 exsisting runs, 1 for sd pvr and 2 for 9200 so you have 1 spare outlet on the sw44 for the new hd receiver. You can install an A/B switch to run one receiver at a time...this could be very frustrating because each time you switch receivers it'll take a few minutes to sync up.
Install a new cable.

You might be able to do it with the coax "out" from your 9200 and diplexers (looks like a cable splitter, but allows a single cable to carry both a "analog" and "digital" signal at the same time. This is going to be complicated, so bear with me:

The "TV 2" of your 9200 can send a "analog" output via coax cable. If this analog signal can be read by your current SD PVR in your living room by screwing it into the "external antenna" input on your SD PVR, then you should be able to use diplexers to send this analog signal from your 9200 to your living room through the cable (or one of the cables) that carries the digital satellite signal to your 9200 and the cable that currently feeds your living room SD PVR. You would need one diplexer at the back of the 9200, then need two more diplexers at the place (electrical panel?) where the cable that feeds your living room TV starts: one diplexer at the end of the cable feeding the 9200 to "remove" the analog signal and a second diplexer to then feed this analog signal into the cable that goes to your living room SD PVR. Finally, you'd need a fourth diplexer in your living room to once again "remove" the analog signal to feed the SD PVR and pass through the digital signal to the HD receiver.

This is a slight variation of my setup (which works fine), with one major qualifier - this only works if the analog signal from the 9200 can be fed into and "read" by your SD PVR the way it (presumably) would read any OTA analog signal. I haven't a clue whether it would. If it did, you would probably have to use your 9200 "TV2" remote, which is UHF.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I didn't think a splitter would work, since that would make things far too easy :)

Also, running anything from my 9200 is out. They are 2 floors apart, and running that cable would prove difficult.

So, is it a definite that if I put an AB switch behind my TV, run my single cable run to it and a run from the switch to each receiver, that I would be able to run one receiver or the other? I'm not too worried about waiting for receivers to sync.

The alternative of running another cable would involve major deconstruction of built in shelving and possibly some drywall removal. This makes it not really an option. The only way I'll consider getting the HD receiver is if the AB switch would work for sure.

Thanks again!
Tyler

An "AB" switch will work but it is not recommended. If you do decide to get one, make sure it will handle at least 2 Ghz, a regular Cable "AB" switch will NOT work.

Another option is to get a "Push Fit", which is a small attachment for on the Coax that provides a simple Push fitting onto the exposed "F" connector on the receiver and not a screw on fitting.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb213/Nimiq_1/PushFit.jpg

That would work, cost you only 2 or 3 dollars but you would still have the delay, as the receiver will need to verify Sat reception etc and download a Guide before it will operate correctly.

Other thing to be aware of, is that if one receiver is left disconnected for an extended period of time, you may have to call Express Vu to get it active again.

Without a doubt you are better off running another line of RG6.

Also, running anything from my 9200 is out. They are 2 floors apart, and running that cable would prove difficult.


Actually, what I was describing wouldn't require you to run any cables - you're just using the cables that are there already and "forcing" them to carry two different signals - one digital and one analog.

I've got the same problem in my forty year old house - there's really no way of running any more cables without tearing down drywall, etc. Using diplexers and splitters, I've been able to feed sat receivers, digital cable receivers, cable modems and analog TVs all without having more than a single cable in the walls (and it's R59 to boot!).

I couldn't run cables inside the walls to the second floor of my house either.

I ran the cables outside, neatly anchored to the outside of the bricks, drilled a hole where i wanted new outlets, sealed it up and its all good. My house, I'll drill holes wherever i want! :)

I have been using AB switch and it works fine , but BEV does not recommend it. When you don't use one of the receivers then you have to wait for a few minutes before it starts working again , but don't unplug it from power or you will have to call BEV to reactivate it again.

The activation comes down the sat link so unplugged or not makes no difference if the sat cable is disconnected through the non-selected port in the switch. If there is no sat signal getting to the receiver then the prgramming will expire.

I would get a second 9200 (or 9242) and sell the PVR. Then you can get a DishPro or DPP LNB and feed the 92xxs with a single cable and a DP/DPP splitter. With the current specials on 9200s/9242s, you will come out about even and have a much better second PVR as well. You might even get free installation. ;)