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Need a bit of SWM-8 info
This thread has 14 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Monday May 2, 2016 at 15:12
Ernie Gilman
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I'm onsite at a client's. He's moving in. I'm working to change the wiring of a mostly dismantled SWM-16 system into a SWM-8. I don't have the SWM-8 and would like confirmation of how I remember it's set up.

As I remember it, one of the SWM outputs can be used to supply power to the unit. Is there also a separate power connection? I can't modify the three cables going through the roof penetrations and want to make the best use of them, and knowing this will help.

Thanks.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 2 made on Monday May 2, 2016 at 15:20
tweeterguy
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Start at page 17

[Link: sbca.com]
Post 3 made on Monday May 2, 2016 at 20:25
Brad Humphrey
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I'm guessing you or the customer didn't do the "mostly dismantling" of the SWM-16 system and don't have all the missing parts? Including the SWM-16 switch itself?

Otherwise, makes no sense why you would be trying to change it.
OP | Post 4 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 01:20
Ernie Gilman
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I have the SWM-16. There are three roof penetrations and two wires that look ugly going all the way down the side of the house, nailed, nails missing, cable crunched by errant hammer slams, right next to the side entry from the driveway.

I also have two four way splitters and an eight way. (But we were going to have DirecTV provide new equipment.)

The ugly runs down the outside of the building are a) power to the SWM-16 and b) signal to the family room system. They only want a total of five receivers. If I can use a receiver signal lead for power, then the three roof penetrations are all I need. Today we located the upstream ends of the five cables. Three are in the basement and two are in the attic near one of the roof penetrations.

I'll get rid of the ugly runs down the side of the house and use one of the three basement cables to supply power to the SWM.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 01:23
Ernie Gilman
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On May 2, 2016 at 15:20, tweeterguy said...
Start at page 17

[Link: sbca.com]

Those are all very helpful and confirm that one of the signal feeds will feed power to the SWM-8, but they bring up another question.

The drawings never show more than two receivers running off the SWM-8, so the limits of the unit are not shown.

Can SWM-1 be split 8 ways, or can SWM-1 only have up to four receivers and SWM-2 only have up to four receivers? I'm surprised this never occurred to me to ask before!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 6 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 02:00
Mario
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On May 3, 2016 at 01:23, Ernie Gilman said...
Those are all very helpful and confirm that one of the signal feeds will feed power to the SWM-8, but they bring up another question.

The drawings never show more than two receivers running off the SWM-8, so the limits of the unit are not shown.

Can SWM-1 be split 8 ways, or can SWM-1 only have up to four receivers and SWM-2 only have up to four receivers? I'm surprised this never occurred to me to ask before!

SWM-8 = 8 tuner(s) capable
HR24 = 2 tuners
Genie = 5 tuners
etc.
Post 7 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 02:03
Brad Humphrey
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Receivers doesn't matter, tuners do. And a basic SWM system will accommodate 8 tuners (hence the name SWM8 - where as a SWM16 would support 16 tuners).
So it depends on what receivers you are putting in. A Genie (HR34, HR44, HR54) has 5 tuners in it - client boxes (C31, C41, etc.) do not take any tuners at all. Regular HD DVR (HR24, HR23, etc.) take 2 tuners. And regular HD boxes (H25, H24, etc.) take 1 tuner.

Once the signal leaves the SWM8 switch, it just like a cable TV feed. You can split it however you like. But you have to calculate your losses. You could run the feed into an 8 way splitter, then 1 output of that into another 8 way splitter, then to a receiver. It will work depending on signal loss in the rest of the system but that is usually stretching it.
Best to use the smallest splitters you need to get the job done. Just like in cable TV.

Also: Why not use a SWM LNB and do away with a switch entirely?
Also (2): I would recommend running the power down it's own coax to the SWM8 switch. If the power supply has to go at a receiver, do NOT put it with the Genie. I can't tell you how many times I have had to fix a system because the power supply will not pass all frequencies properly to a Genie (which uses 5 tuners).
Post 8 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 07:40
davet2020
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DirecTV now have SWM-13 and SWM-21 LNBs. That way you can install a two set splitter on the roof. Run one coax into the attic and one coax down to the basement. Install splitters as needed in the attic and the basement.

Put the power supply either in the basement or behind one of the TVs.
If you are going to do the job...why not do it the right way?
www.fairfaxavi.com
Post 9 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 07:47
Ranger Home
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Ive never needed more than one coax going to the satellite for this set up. Am I missing something?
Post 10 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 08:25
Mario
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On May 3, 2016 at 07:47, Ranger Home said...
Ive never needed more than one coax going to the satellite for this set up. Am I missing something?

No.
I mean... yeah. You're missing an apostrophe :-)
Post 11 made on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at 13:41
Brad Humphrey
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On May 3, 2016 at 07:47, Ranger Home said...
Ive never needed more than one coax going to the satellite for this set up. Am I missing something?

Yes. If you are using a SWM switch, you have to have at least 4 coax from the satellite dish. It has always been this way.

If you use a SWM LNB on the dish, then you only need 1 wire. But in the past have been limited to only 8 tuners with that setup.

As Dave pointed out above, they now make SWM-13 & SWM-21 LNBs. BUT! careful with those. As far as I know, the signal output from the LNB is still the same strength.
So example with a SWM-21 = you go off installing multi 8-way SWM splitters everywhere to hookup all the receivers and multi-tuners. And find you have lots of problems, because you didn't have enough signal strength for all the splitters and loss. Then you are installing HF amps, etc... and end up just as complicated and expensive as it would have been for a SWM-32 switch.
Post 12 made on Friday May 6, 2016 at 09:16
Jesse.Pinkman
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I would ditch the hassle of wiring in a new switch. I can sell you a SWM-21 LNB. 1 wire from the dish, into a splitter. Doesn't get easier than that!
Post 13 made on Friday May 6, 2016 at 12:19
tweeterguy
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On May 6, 2016 at 09:16, Jesse.Pinkman said...
I would ditch the hassle of wiring in a new switch. I can sell you a SWM-21 LNB. 1 wire from the dish, into a splitter. Doesn't get easier than that!

You know this is Ernie, Yes That Ernie, right? Odds are, it will never be easier than that ;)
Post 14 made on Friday May 6, 2016 at 21:10
schlepp571
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There is a SWM-30 in the works announced at Revolution this year that will require 6 drops vs the 4 according to a coworker who went. Cover yourself just in case.
No, it doesn't come preprogrammed.
Post 15 made on Saturday May 7, 2016 at 01:58
Mario
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On May 6, 2016 at 21:10, schlepp571 said...
There is a SWM-30 in the works announced at Revolution this year that will require 6 drops vs the 4 according to a coworker who went. Cover yourself just in case.

Nah, everything is wireless now.


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