Damned DVR....DTV question.

treitz3

Here's what's going on. I have had a DirecTV DVR hooked up to the TV downstairs for a couple of months now and I've been able to record what my wife would like to watch while watching what I would like to watch [or vise-versa]. Long story short, the HD failed on the DTV DVR we were using. We got another one, no problems until we went to record something and watch another show.

Called tech support and it has been determined that SAT2 is receiving no signal. When I switched SAT1 with SAT2, SAT1 had a signal but now SAT2 had no signal. Now, I know that "technically" you need two dedicated lines running to your DVR from the satellite. This is a standard response I have always gotten from DTV.

I know for a fact that that's BS because we have been using the DVR downstairs for months with not one issue until the DVR HD took a dump. Back when we thought that this was mandatory, I spent the better part of two weekends, ripping out sheetrock, drilling, running the lines up a story, making a big mess and repainting just to have two "dedicated" satellite runs going to the DVR upstairs. Well, that room is now my newborn sons room and there is absolutely no reason to have a DVR in that room.

Added note: A single line upstairs is split right off the outlet to serve as a satellite signal to the TV in my son's room and the WI-FI. No issues whatsoever and the computer hasn't slowed down a lick. Even when running two computers on it and watching TV upstairs. Two lines needed my **** :rolleyes:. Hell, I'm typing this post off the same splitter that goes to the WI-FI feeding this computer as my wife is watching TV on right now.

Ok, now that you know this, I still only have one line working on the downstairs with no easy or affordable way to tap off one of the dedicated lines that are now available upstairs. Downstairs I currently have a 2.0 GHz splitter after the wall satellite outlet. Here's my question.....

Can a splitter go bad and it's just coincidence that it went bad at the same time as the HD on the DVR -or- do I have another bunk DVR?

I think that splitter was around 20-30 bucks when I purchased it. Yes, the easy answer would be to just purchase another one and find out if it's the splitter but I just don't see how a splitter can go bad. If you know anything about this or maybe what I need to do to correct the issue, I'm all ears.

Just don't tell me that I need two dedicated lines running from the satellite. That's too much work, too much cost and why should I when it was working for months before with only one line?

disneyjoe7

Tom, Directv is correct you need two cables coming down from the dish. Thinking you have a dish with 4 rf jacks on it, if not correct me. You need two cables for this dish from another rf jack, if not you could have the trouble you have.


Long story short Yes you need 2 cables you can't split them.

treitz3

Sorry, not buying it Steve. I ran a splitter upstairs for the 'puter and the TV and had it that way for years until I got the DVR. They said I needed two lines for that as well. Uh-huh.

treitz3

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Thinking you have a dish with 4 rf jacks on it, if not correct me.

I have a dual LNB dish. Two lines coming directly from the dish, split into 4 lines outside. Been that way since we moved in.

Couldn't you just amplify the signal or some ****?

disneyjoe7

Do you get HD?

disneyjoe7

Tom,

I think you need this http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=02&p=SAM-4402&d=Zinwell-DIRECTV-Approved-4x4-Multiswitch-(SAM44023A)&c=Multiswitches&sku=SAM-4402


Not a splitter but a switch.

treitz3

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Do you get HD?

No, sir.

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Tom,

I think you need this http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=02&p=SAM-4402&d=Zinwell-DIRECTV-Approved-4x4-Multiswitch-(SAM44023A)&c=Multiswitches&sku=SAM-4402


Not a splitter but a switch.

Hmmm, do you know that this will work? Thank you for taking the time to look into this, my friend. I really don't want to tear up the house again. I just got my stereo hooked up and all I want to do is listen. Knaw'mean?

polkatese

Tom, my .02 cents. Steve is correct, DTV requires two lines for SAT 1 and 2 Tuner. The triple LNB (HD) has built in Multiplexer that you can run lines down to each DVRs (two each) to give you the ability to watch on one and record on the other. I never bother to run two lines for the reason of not wanting to run the cables (house was built in with one line each to 3 rooms. I have three DTV HD20-100/700 and quite happy with only have the ability to record and watch on SAT1 (basically my recorded shows are scattered in 3 DVRs) around the house. Not ideal, but has no desire to mess around with drywall works.

disneyjoe7

Tom,

It should work ok for non HD system, if you do HD then you need to remove that and wire another cable to the dish.

Steve

thsmith

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

Tom,

I think you need this http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=02&p=SAM-4402&d=Zinwell-DIRECTV-Approved-4x4-Multiswitch-(SAM44023A)&c=Multiswitches&sku=SAM-4402


Not a splitter but a switch.

+1. HD DVRs require seperate runs.

treitz3

So, do I need a multiplexer or a switch?

Thanks again fellas....

disneyjoe7

Not sure but I think they are one in the same.

thsmith

I do not think Direct makes a duplexer yet that will take 1 feed and split it into 2 feeds for the HDDVR. Could be wrong but in these situations I go to DBStalk.com for best answers.

treitz3

Thsmith, I don't have an HD DVR. Mine's a regular/standard one.

treitz3

Well Steve, I talked with Cliff [ext. 7453] at Solid Signal for about 45 minutes this morning. It turns out that I was just lucky to have had the DVR run off of one line, that it just isn't supposed to happen. He told me that I probably burned up the tuners in the old box and that is most likely why it crashed on me.

I was also informed that the multi-switch would not work in my case as I have the older round dish. He gave me plenty of options to work with that would allow me not to have to run a second line to the DVR downstairs but it would involve doing some serious upgrades across the board. Looks like I will have to get a new dish, new switch and all new boxes.

We'll see what DTV will do for me. As a long term customer, I'm hoping that they won't kill my wallet but we'll see. After all is said and done, I might actually have HDTV capability which he said would provide better sound. I'm all for that!

treitz3

Oh, and to all you DTV customers.....apparently in March, there is a new thing coming out. For those that are compatible, you can use a DVR and record a program. When you want to watch that program, you will not be restricted to watching it on that DVR. You can watch it on any one of [up to 5] other boxes in the house at the same time, or separately. That's pretty cool.

I was informed that the upgrade will also be compatible for other cool stuff coming as well.

polkatese

treitz3 wrote: »

We'll see what DTV will do for me. As a long term customer, I'm hoping that they won't kill my wallet but we'll see. After all is said and done, I might actually have HDTV capability which he said would provide better sound. I'm all for that!

Tom, with anything else when it comes to CSRs, find the right person. When I upgraded all of my DVR to HR20 series (HD DVRs, come in two flavors: 700 and 100), the CSR upgraded all three for free, if I agree to renew the contract for another 2 years. Of course I agreed. This was 2007. I've been with DTV since 2000 and have no complaint. If you've been with DTV for a prolong period, your leverage and chances to get a sweet deal is very high. Be nice and find the right CSR, that's my mantra.

kevhed72

treitz3 wrote: »

We'll see what DTV will do for me. As a long term customer, I'm hoping that they won't kill my wallet but we'll see. After all is said and done, I might actually have HDTV capability which he said would provide better sound. I'm all for that!

I have been a long term customer of DTV as well, and every time I have brought up an issue / suggested I may have to switch to another provider, they have more than went out of their way to resolve the issue. Also, when you do upgrade to HDTV, you should receive Dolby Digital sound on the HD channels, which is well worth the extra 10.00/mo IMO...

treitz3

kevhed72 wrote: »

Also, when you do upgrade to HDTV, you should receive Dolby Digital sound on the HD channels, which is well worth the extra 10.00/mo IMO...

How would you describe the difference between regular DTV and the Dolby Digital sound? Big difference or just a noticeable change?

Right now the XM channels are listenable only at low volume levels and the regular stations are decent at best.

thsmith

I use DD which is fine for movies but anything on XM with DTV is bad sounding to me.

disneyjoe7

RCA audio vs. DD sound Night vs. Day.


Good luck Tom.

polkatese

Tom, on movies DD via DTV optical make a big difference. Watching Fringe with DD on and 5.1 is an experience.

Tracy, this is something that I wonder, listening to XM DTV through my system sounding compressed. My Pre/Pro is XM/Sirius ready, I am thinking of getting Sirius (which I have in my car) but wondering if it will sound as bad as XM on DTV or better.

treitz3

polkatese wrote: »

....listening to XM DTV through my system sounding compressed....

Yes, compressed and extremely veiled. Thoroughly disappointed there. CD Quality, as they advertise? I think not.

I'm all for better sound.

thsmith

polkatese, I have no experience with Sat radio outside DTV.

mutelight

The second run is only needed if you want to run both tuners. With one run you will be limited to recording/watching only one station at a time.

With the newer 3 LNB dishes with a SWM system, you only need one coaxial run going to each DVR and it feeds both tuners which is currently how my place is set up.

treitz3 wrote: »

Oh, and to all you DTV customers.....apparently in March, there is a new thing coming out. For those that are compatible, you can use a DVR and record a program. When you want to watch that program, you will not be restricted to watching it on that DVR. You can watch it on any one of [up to 5] other boxes in the house at the same time, or separately. That's pretty cool.

I was informed that the upgrade will also be compatible for other cool stuff coming as well.

The beta is rolling out right now. My two HD DVRs and one HD receiver are already all set up and working with multi-room viewing. I can watch whatever show is recorded on either DVR on any box. :cool:

polkatese

mutelight wrote: »

With the newer 3 LNB dishes with a SWM system, you only need one coaxial run going to each DVR and it feeds both tuners which is currently how my place is set up.

how do you do this? did you use splitter before it goes to the filter and to the each DVR tuner coax?

treitz3

According to what I was told, you don't have to hook anything up different. The DVR sends the signal back to the switch and it routes the signal to up to 5 receivers.

mutelight

polkatese wrote: »

how do you do this? did you use splitter before it goes to the filter and to the each DVR tuner coax?

The actual SWM system is up near the dish and there is a single coax line running down into my place. That one run hits a splitter which runs to each receiver. One of the lines coming out of the splitter does need a power box on the coax line before it hits one of the receivers. This is to power the SWM system.

Overall the SWM system is fantastic for simplicity because when wiring you only need one run to each box. However, one of the downsides is that there is a slight delay when changing channels.

treitz3

Bummer. It already takes my standard receivers a second or so to pick up the video portion of the signal.

Sorry, I didn't realize you needed a power box in the mix....

polkatese

Got it. I guess I need the new SWM (Single Wire Multiplexer) Ka/Ku Slimline LNB in order to take advantage of this feature.

oh well, perhaps in the next DTV upgrade cycle. Thanks for the info though.

ps: I downloaded a DTV training powerpoint for the installers, looks pretty intense.

kevhed72

treitz3 wrote: »

How would you describe the difference between regular DTV and the Dolby Digital sound? Big difference or just a noticeable change?

Right now the XM channels are listenable only at low volume levels and the regular stations are decent at best.

When I first received the HD DVR, the "technician" never switched it to Dolby sound, even though I let him demo my system while we were waiting for the DVR to do the initial download off the satellites. I went about 3 weeks listening to a stereo signal, which I had my receiver convert to Dolby PLII Movie, TV Surround, or other format the receiver can convert the stereo signal to.
After a couple of weeks, I figured out the tech never turned the Dolby on, and the difference was quite noticeable. I also have Netflix via a Roku box, but unfortunately there is rarely, if ever, a movie to download with Dolby Digital sound. Currently, I much prefer to via TV / Movies via the DTV signal vs. watching via Netflix with no Dolby sound. Short answer, between the HD video signal and Dolby Digital sound, the small increase in my bill is way worth the benefits.