Hooking up multiple DirectTV receivers

[ericb]

I have the system being installed this Wednesday. I also want the second hookup in another room (I'm buying a second Tivo receiver this weekend) and I'm getting the 18x24 dish so the LNB isn't a problem. Can I use the existing coax from where my house was prewired for cable to transfer the signal from the primary room (and first receiver) and to the secondary room (and second receiver)? Where does the connection from the Satellite connect to the receivers...is it direct? Anything else I should be aware of?

 

[Amused]

If I remember correctly, each reciever will have to run a cable to the dish. And no, standard cable is not what's required.

 

[Amused]

You didn't say what brand you're getting, but here is RCA's installation guide. They should all be pretty similar:

link

 

[Dood]

Satellite cable is RG56 coax. Look on the cable and see if it is labelled as RG56.

 

[Tominator]

I think the cables is indeed standard coax....I might be wrong... Rg56?.

 

[NutBucket]

Not RG56, try RG6. Rated for higher frequencies.

 

[ericb]

It's a standard plastic 18x24 dish from the blockbuster deal with a cheapo Hughes receiver. I'll be buying a Phillips/Tivo receiver from Circuit City this weekend. Thanks for the install guide link AmusedOne.

 

[MrBond]

DBS Forums

Good place to check if you have problems. The cable in your house is probably RG59, which isn't supposed to work with satallite TV signals (hense the need for RG6) . I've heard it that RG59 works fine, but since I had RG6 run already for my CBand dish, I just used that.

If you're going to end up making cables, you'll probably see two kinds of ends, ones rated for satallite signals and ones that aren't. They're the same thing, regardless of price. The cable itself will be different (and noticibly more expensive).

 

[royaldank]

I can attest that regular old cable wires work for the satellites.

I have a spool that I've used for cable for the last ten years or so. Regular, standard cable wire. When I got the satellite, I read the same thing but figured I'd try what I have before buying anything new. I haven't had a problem in 2 years now.

Did you say you have 2 LNBs on there? You'll have a cable from one LNB to each receiver, with a subscription card in each unit. I have a single LNB unit and split the cable out of the reciever and run it through a switch box with my regular cable before running it to the bedroom. Then, if I want satellite in the bedroom, I just flip the switch and use a remote extender that I picked up at Walmart.

 

[ScottMac]

RG6 *IS* the standard cable for DSS. RG59 is *substandard*. RG59 is not recommended. Use it at your own risk of headache and frustration.

It may "work," but expect the following: Lower signal levels, which translates to longer-lasting more frequent rain fade (loss of signal) , possible occasional loss of half of the channels (loss of polarity switcing at the LNB), and less likely to expand the system beyond two/four receivers because the components to expand the port count further reduce the signal levels.

RG59 has much more loss and much less DC voltage carrying capability (power to the LNB is through the coax from the receiver +13VDC and +18VDC). RG59 is almost double the loss for each.

You CANNOT, CANNOT, CANNOT use any kind of splitter between the dish and the receivers (a multiswitch is not a splitter). Not even the ones with little pictures of satellites on them. They are for splitting the RF (TV out) output of the receiver ONLY.

If you try using a switchbox, make your choice wisely, some will ground the "off" port, which will smoke your receiver.

If your installer says RG59 is OK, and doesn't warn you that it's not recommended, send him home, get a different installer.

Get it done right, you'll be a much happier couch potato.

FWIW

Scott

 

[royaldank]

Yeah, I def. run the LNB cable to the receiver, then split the output cable before going to the TV. As for the other things you mentioned when using substandard cable, I've never had any of that happen. But then again, I'm using only 1 satellite LNB and 1 receiver. However, there is a good 50ft. (probably more) of cable running between the two.

Thanks for all the info ScottMac. Next time I have to move and redo the setup, I'll probably go ahead and invest in the finer cable for the satellite setup.