When we ordered our 630 yesterday, our deal included the installation of a multiswitch. I'm not sure if it's the 4 X 8 or the 5 X 8. Anyway, I must admit, I'm not entirely sure what the purpose of it is. We will have four lines when the installation is complete. My understanding from what I've read here is that you need all four lines to use the multiswitch. We will then have a 630, a 530 and a 505. That's why we received the multiswitch. So, let's say we plug in all three receivers. What is the benefit of this? We still only have the programming available on four separate feeds at the same time, right? It isn't like we suddenly have eight separate feeds available to us just because we have the multiswitch, right? So, in theory, we can record two things on the 630, one thing on the 530 and watch the other feed off the 530. That's four. What can the 505 do separately from this if it's plugged into the multiswitch? Do you understand what I'm asking? I know this may seem like a lame question, but honestly I don't understand it and the threads I've read don't clarify it for me. By the way, I'm also happy to read an explanatory thread. If someone knows of one, that would be great if you would paste in the thread.
has anyone done a signal loss test with any of these switches? I'm at the low end of the signal spectrum, so a unit that has a 6db loss as opposed to 3db loss is significant to me.
and there IS a difference with these things, as I found out implementing a UHF/SAT combiner. One unit padded down the signal enough so there was NO signal.
thanks
has anyone done a signal loss test with any of these switches? I'm at the low end of the signal spectrum (southern exposure), so a unit that has a 6db loss as opposed to 3db loss is significant to me.
and there IS a difference with these things, as I found out implementing a UHF/SAT combiner. One unit padded down the signal enough so there was NO signal.
thanks
Powered Multiswitches are designed to actually boost the signal a little (~1.5dB) to overcome insertion (connection) losses. If decent cables and F connectors are used your net effect should be always positive with a bit better signal at the reciever.
If you look at www.picomacom.com you can find the full specs for a line of multiswitches. I am using the TSMS-5/8, and there is a TSMS-4/8, both of which are powered, so should produce signal gain. Unfortunately, the gain/loss specs they quote leave me confused, as it shows -5 dB for the 5/8 but 0 dB for the 4/8.
Hello there, happy new year in advance to everybody.
I have the elliptical with dual Lnb with 4 output feeding 4 receivers (two upstairs and two in the basament)
Just bought a 630 and they sent me a 5x8 aspen.
Im unable to make holes to bring more coax upstairs I was wondering If I can feed the multiswitch with only two coax coming from the antenna so I can have 4 output upstairs or at least 3 (since I will replace one 505 with 630.
So basically use to out from the lnb and feed two input on the multiswitch to have 4 output.
Thank you if you can answer otherwise happy new year to all!
thANk you pinza (your nick sounds italian....like me
well I guess I have to find a spot where to put the multi switch(close to the antenna) then I have to run another coax for the power.....
guess If I can mix shaw analog cable and use a multiplex/diplexer at the receivers/tv to separate the signal
Is there any talk of SD every making use of Dish Pro Splitter like technology? This allows you to only need your switch and the splitter at the receiver so you only need one line at the receiver.
I have contemplated SD many times, but hate the thought of having two cables at every receiver (I have three PVRs and 1 HD receiver currently).
The posted diagram shows a quad LNB feeding 2 Eagle Aspen multi-switches, each via 4 2-way splitters. A 2-input sat receiver is fed through a 2-way splitter off one of the multi-switch outputs.
Does this mean that if I have a quad LNB feeding a single Eagle Aspen multi-switch, I can take one of the outputs and feed a 2-way splitter into a 2-input sat receiver (a 530)?
Previous posts have indicated a 2-way splitter won't work to feed a 2-input receiver, but those only addressed lines coming directly off a quad LNB.
Here's a Quick version of what you can do off a Quad LNB. You can take each output from the LNB and feed into a Tuner of a Reciever. A PVR Reciever has 2 Tuners so it needs 2 Feed Cables from the Quad LNB. So therefore you can feed one PVR (a 530 or 630) and another PVR, or 2 single tuner reciever (505 or 605s for HD) with a PVR.
Now if you involve a single Multiswitch it needs all 4 of the outputs of the LNB but gives you the ability to drive up to 8 Tuners (and no I'm not going through all those permutations ). You still need to feed 2 of these lines directly into the inputs of your 530 PVR. You cannot split Sat signals and use one cable to feed both inputs into a PVR (a 530 or 630).
To me this is one of the real limitations of this technology, but the benefits outweigh it. I expect some day SD will learn how to multiplex it's signals bi-directionally at the dish into a single cable and let you peel them off as needed. Having to run 2 cables to each TV (where you want a PVR) in an already built house is somewhat punitive.
That is one way. They way Dish does it, I think, is send one tuner's signal on the regular band, and the other tuner on the higher band.
Of course, doing that would require somthing a bit smarter, but likely is doable with existing receiver hardware (except a more or less simple splitter), but will need a new LNBF/Multiswitch.
I get the 4x8/5x8 multiswitch i think. All four outputs from the LNB must go into multiswitch for it to work.
Now, i am only using 2 lines from my dish, both hooked up to 605 recievers. Its to cold to go out and ad another line from the LNB. So can i still use a different type multi switch to add another reciever from in the house? I guess that would make it a splitter?
I get the 4x8/5x8 multiswitch i think. All four outputs from the LNB must go into multiswitch for it to work.
Now, i am only using 2 lines from my dish, both hooked up to 605 recievers. Its to cold to go out and ad another line from the LNB. So can i still use a different type multi switch to add another reciever from in the house? I guess that would make it a splitter?
No you still don't get it. SD Sat signals cannot be split. The only way is to run a separate feed direct to each Tuner. A PVR has 2 Tuners in the Reciever, so it needs 2 separate feeds. That's either from the LNB or a Multiswitch.
You'll have to wait for Spring, or put on your woolies it seems.
after using the Phillips for three weeks, it's rather hot to the touch, so much so that you couldn't hold it in your hand that long. is that the same with your Phillips?
just installed an aspen eagle 5x8, all 8 lines being used going out to receivers,no issues with feed coming from multi-switch
has anyone noticed how very warm they can get?
I originally placed it where my four line come in along a 2x10 beam
in an enclosed area, relocated to an open area and placed it along some fireproof drywall. Precaution I thought I should take.
I trhought I was clear on this, but after reading some of this forum i am a little confused. I orderer a 5x8 multiswitch from Shaw Direct. I assumed I could attach my OTA antenna along with the sat feeds and get the local OTA channels, It appear that I also may need a diplexer from what I'm reading? Does this connect before the multiswitch?
you would need a diplexer for each receiver/tv combo you want to use both Sat and OTA for; you would attach this to the line before your receiver AFTER the multiswtich; the sat out on the diplexer would go to the receiver and the TV out would go to the tv. If you have tv/receiver that you do not want to use OTA, diplexer is not necessary. I hope this makes sense.
Thanks for the quick reply. As I was reading your post as my multiswitch arrived at the door.
A. What you say makes sense. i assume I will need to change the input on the TV to change from OTA and Sat?
B. To confuse me more, though, the instructions with the multiswitch show both the Sat out and the TV out going to the receiver? I don't see how this would be possible as there is no connection on the receiver for the TV out.
Would appreciate your comments on B. the instructions.
In some older Sat Recievers DSR505 vintage and earlier, they would tune OTA signals (according to my manual) but today's DRS605 and HDPVR630 don't have this capability.
One more question if that OK? I notice the multiswitch has inputs for Sat B 18V, Sat A 18V, Sat B 13V and Sat A 13V. Does this mean I have to figure out which cable from each output on the LNB goes to what input on the multiswitch
The beauty of running the Sat out and TV out to the receiver is you wouldn't have to change the TV input source to switch between OTA and Sat. This is something my wife would find impossible to do (don't ask ).
Hopefully I can use this configuration with my older DSR505.
No Shaw Direct receivers had ATSC tuners. Some versions of the 505 (and maybe 530) hardware could have an ATSC module fitted, but it would need software support. Shaw never promised or released ATSC capability, or the tuner module.
Using RF out from a 505/530 to an HDTV is just wrong. You will not get HD from the satellite receiver that way. Connect the antenna (or diplexer antenna out) to the TV directly, and the satellite component or DVI/HDMI to to the TV.
Scoured the net for days now and can't find the answer I'm looking for. Hoping you guys can help. My *C service is currently set up for stacked(2 beer can lnbf) my question is: Would I have to change the service from stacked to non stacked (call *C and ask them to change it) to use a quad lnbf with a multiswitch or does the multiswitch do the conversion to stacked for you?
Want to clarify my upgrade path here. I currently have a 630 and a 505. I'd like to add another 630 while keep the others. SO...I'm lacking 1 output from my LNB. The LNB I have is a dual side by side with 4 outputs.
So to add the new 630 I'll need the receiver and a 4/8 multiplexer correct? What's the usual cost on the multiplexer?
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