Is 4 receivers on one dish possible?

[tjay19]

I am currently using the old 18" dish with a dual LNB to power 2 receivers with H Cards. I would like to add 2 more receivers to my household and I have 2 more H Cards as well. Is it possible to change to the elliptical dish with 2 dual LNB's to accomplish this? The elliptical dishes that I have seen are marked with a directv plus logo and I read something along the way that said that you cannot use an H card on a directv plus setup. My additional receivers are not directv plus receivers, so I believe it should work unless the elliptical dish is different than the old standard ones. I am trying to avoid mounting another dish on my house in order to get this going... Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[zeromedic]

All you need is a new multi-switch. 2-in, 4-out.

An eliptical dish won't help anything. Your non-plus ird's
don't have what it takes to select the other satellite feed.

zero

[tjay19]

Thanks, Zero. Do you have any brand recommendations?

[gsd103]

Check the dealer links here at the den. Empire satellite and http://www.multidish.com have them.


gsd103

[HAVMAN]

So if I have four older hughes IRD's, all I need is one dual LNB, and a two-in,four-out multiswitch?

[arealRookie]

yes

[cUl8tr]

Yup add as manny as you want, keep splitting, amplifing, and adding. Digital does not care, as long as there is enough signal. We put 4 way with a single dual LNB in all the time . Only $5 more per reciever to Dave.

[obi1]

As I noted on another thread, there can be a problem using the standard Recton or Rca multiswitches. I tried a 1/2 dozen of them with the same problem. I would every couple of minutes get a 2 or 3 second picture freeze up on anyone of my receivers(3 RCA's and 1 Sony(RCA's are better by the way). I called Dave to no avail, called Thompson(RCA) same result. Finally called Recton and got a Tech who was sharp. He told me that current switches have a manual relay(this is why they are noisy----click, click, click--- and they had a new prototype that had an electronic switch that he would send me when available. He did so, I installed and works perfectly. The old bad RCA's and Rectons are still out there so be carefull and you cannot tell the good Recton from the bad by the packaging(Kinda dumb).

I use 4 receivers to get pic in pic on all my tv's throughout the home and works great. S-video connectors go to tv's, dolby digital audio goes to amp. For remote rooms such as bedroom or garage I use TV antenna out and send through coax. Now am using new Sony T60 Tivo which is great. Only problem is how to use H card as always must be connected to phone line for TiVo stuff. You do need a smart Remote if trying the pic in pic stuff with audio going directly to Amp as you must switch audio source when swiching pic in pic. I use an Home Producer 8 All in One Remote with macro's to control system. Works far better then Sony or Phillips Pronto remotes for this purpose. They are 2 large, require 2 hands to run, you must look at screen to minipulate, and go thru to many panels to accomplish what you wish. Home Producer works far better and you can run with one hand and touch type.

[BigD]

Quit advertising for people.................
If they want to sell here, they can rent a banner ad.

QUIT trying to skirt the rules................

[Edited by Muggles on January 7th, 2001 at 07:37 PM]

[obi1]

Originally posted by BigD
Quit advertising for people.................
If they want to sell here, they can rent a banner ad.

QUIT trying to skirt the rules................

[Edited by Muggles on January 7th, 2001 at 07:37 PM]

Next time I try to help I will mention Brand X receiver, using brand Y co-ax, and Brand Z Multi-Switch and will suggest buying it at Brand M retail store. I thought that this was the place to exchange ideas on what works and what does not. It can be difficult without mentioning the products by name. I do notice many products/vendors mentioned by name such as Sony, RCA, Radio Shack etc. Seems there is a distinction without a difference here.

[BrettFavre]

These 2 in 4 out switches, can they be placed outside or must they be inside away from the weather?

[smack]

The 2X4 (or 3X4 if they have a cable TV/Antenna-in jack) are usually indoor-rated. Some are rated for outdoor use, most aren't. Check the specs closely before you buy.

Most, if not all, 4X4 (or 5X4) multiswitches are rated for use indoors or outdoors. If you think you might expand to multi-satellite viewing in the future, get one of these and cap off the "Sat B" inputs until you're ready to use 'em.

Hope this helps.

Scott