DirecTV DVR (TIVO) question.

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
I have a Triple LNB with 4 outputs but it was only setup for three outputs for three rooms.
check picture here pic
When the installer put this, it took a while, they replaced the old dish and added the new lines etc etc. Then he must have spent like half hour adjusting the signal, it looked complicated and he had all his cool tools.

Installing the dish is the tough part (although you can DIY that, too, but with most places offering free installation, there's not much point).

If that's one of the newer dishes, which it sounds like, i believe the mux is already built right in with the four outputs. If you only want one TiVo unit and you've only got 3 rooms set up, there is probably another output somewhere that you just have to extend to whichever room you want to have two outputs. If you can find that extra output cable, you're golden.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: rahvin
It amazes me everytime I see it that people let those things be screwed into their roof's. Nothing penetrates the structure of my home that I can't easily fix.

That's why I had the installer stick mine on my tool shed

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99

Originally posted by: Paulson
The R10 is the latest D*TiVo... there's going to be a new DirecTV DVR that's called the D15 I believe...

The R10 isn't hackable... all other ones are.

Unless you have a nice installer who asks what kind of DirecTiVo you want, you'll get whatever they give you.

I heard DirecTV is ready to release the R15 which includes their own version of "Tivo" and now they will make it hard for new users to get Real Tivo boxes.

Now i don't know what to do, i was going to try and get the dual Tivo in a few weeks.

I own one of the very first TiVo's ever released, and currently have 2 HD DirecTiVo's. I've seen the R15 and you're in for a disappointment if you think it remotely compares. Like Comcast's DVR offering it lacks usability, and is even unstable at times. If a PVR isn't intuitive then I'm out.

Shame of DirecTV to skimp like this. TiVo isn't about the *ability* to time shift programs, it's about making it easy and usable. Why all these companies need to reinvent the wheel is beyond me.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
I have a Triple LNB with 4 outputs but it was only setup for three outputs for three rooms.
check picture here pic
When the installer put this, it took a while, they replaced the old dish and added the new lines etc etc. Then he must have spent like half hour adjusting the signal, it looked complicated and he had all his cool tools.

Installing the dish is the tough part (although you can DIY that, too, but with most places offering free installation, there's not much point).

If that's one of the newer dishes, which it sounds like, i believe the mux is already built right in with the four outputs. If you only want one TiVo unit and you've only got 3 rooms set up, there is probably another output somewhere that you just have to extend to whichever room you want to have two outputs. If you can find that extra output cable, you're golden.

There is no fourth output, the installer decided to use only three. I was told that the face plate would have to be removed to add the 4th cable etc etc. I have to research this more.

 

[iwearnosox]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
I have a Triple LNB with 4 outputs but it was only setup for three outputs for three rooms.
check picture here pic
When the installer put this, it took a while, they replaced the old dish and added the new lines etc etc. Then he must have spent like half hour adjusting the signal, it looked complicated and he had all his cool tools.

Installing the dish is the tough part (although you can DIY that, too, but with most places offering free installation, there's not much point).

If that's one of the newer dishes, which it sounds like, i believe the mux is already built right in with the four outputs. If you only want one TiVo unit and you've only got 3 rooms set up, there is probably another output somewhere that you just have to extend to whichever room you want to have two outputs. If you can find that extra output cable, you're golden.

There is no fourth output, the installer decided to use only three. I was told that the face plate would have to be removed to add the 4th cable etc etc. I have to research this more.

He's just saying the MUX is built into triple lnb units. If the line is not there it's not hard to run it yourself.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: rahvin
It amazes me everytime I see it that people let those things be screwed into their roof's. Nothing penetrates the structure of my home that I can't easily fix.

That's why I had the installer stick mine on my tool shed

I trenched 4 lines across my yard and mounted the dish to the side of my shed.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: iwearnosox

Originally posted by: Jnetty99

Originally posted by: Jzero

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
I have a Triple LNB with 4 outputs but it was only setup for three outputs for three rooms.
check picture here pic
When the installer put this, it took a while, they replaced the old dish and added the new lines etc etc. Then he must have spent like half hour adjusting the signal, it looked complicated and he had all his cool tools.

Installing the dish is the tough part (although you can DIY that, too, but with most places offering free installation, there's not much point).

If that's one of the newer dishes, which it sounds like, i believe the mux is already built right in with the four outputs. If you only want one TiVo unit and you've only got 3 rooms set up, there is probably another output somewhere that you just have to extend to whichever room you want to have two outputs. If you can find that extra output cable, you're golden.

There is no fourth output, the installer decided to use only three. I was told that the face plate would have to be removed to add the 4th cable etc etc. I have to research this more.

He's just saying the MUX is built into triple lnb units. If the line is not there it's not hard to run it yourself.

I think, if possible i will get the receiver from Best Buy for 99$ and do the rebate and activate it myself and later on worry about the second input.

 

[rahvin]

Are you not understanding? The oval dishes have a multiswitch built into them. You already have four ports off the dish, all you need to do is add a another run of coax up to the dish to get your fourth port active.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: rahvin
Are you not understanding? The oval dishes have a multiswitch built into them. You already have four ports off the dish, all you need to do is add a another run of coax up to the dish to get your fourth port active.

Yes i know, but i still have to figure out how to open the panel to add the extra cable etc etc. I also don't have the tools to make a new cable and also drill the new hole for the cable. So really it might be better if i just have it done by a professional.

If you know of a good website with turorials please let me know.

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99

Originally posted by: rahvin
Are you not understanding? The oval dishes have a multiswitch built into them. You already have four ports off the dish, all you need to do is add a another run of coax up to the dish to get your fourth port active.

Yes i know, but i still have to figure out how to open the panel to add the extra cable etc etc. I also don't have the tools to make a new cable and also drill the new hole for the cable. So really it might be better if i just have it done by a professional.

If you know of a good website with turorials please let me know.

I don't know what you are talking about when you say panel. Are you referring to the dish itself or are you talking about a patch panel that all the cables are routed to?

 

[Insane3D]

I'm in a condo, and mines on the roof, but the unit next to me has their roof come up a little higher, so it's bolted to the wall on the next door unit.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: rahvin

Originally posted by: Jnetty99

Originally posted by: rahvin
Are you not understanding? The oval dishes have a multiswitch built into them. You already have four ports off the dish, all you need to do is add a another run of coax up to the dish to get your fourth port active.

Yes i know, but i still have to figure out how to open the panel to add the extra cable etc etc. I also don't have the tools to make a new cable and also drill the new hole for the cable. So really it might be better if i just have it done by a professional.

If you know of a good website with turorials please let me know.

I don't know what you are talking about when you say panel. Are you referring to the dish itself or are you talking about a patch panel that all the cables are routed to?

Look at the pictures
is the un-used output inside the first picture?

Edit: I just got a good explanation here at work on the setup of the dish and the cable and the angles from a satellite guy.
Very incredible stuff

 

[Insane3D]

I just found this article that says DTV will be releasing the new R15 boxes with 100 hour capability soon, so I may wait, and then make sure retentions will guarantee I get one..

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000200055954/

 

[rahvin]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Look at the pictures
is the un-used output inside the first picture?

Edit: I just got a good explanation here at work on the setup of the dish and the cable and the angles from a satellite guy.
Very incredible stuff

There are 4 connections you can screw an F-Connector (RG6) onto inside the arm where the LNB's are. In the third picture if you uncrew those two screws right next to the LNB head and pull it out slightly you will see the connections.

Second thing is your dish is not properly grounded, the ground block those cables go into should have a green ground wire connected to it and routed to your house ground. The installation violates NEC's guidelines and you have the risk of shorting your equipment out or buring your home down if there is a nearby lightening strike.