I've read the last couple of threads about this , but I'm still unclear on the subject. If I understand correctly, are all new dtv dishes requiring 5 rg6 to make any new stb function or just some new incarnation of hdtv stb's? I am not a sat dealer & usually just deal with what customer has already, but I got called onto a new construction site today to recomend basic surround design etc. & the electricians had provided very basic phone & cable prewire with only 2 rg6 upto proposed dish location from basic distribution panel. Customer has not chosen between Dish or DTV. I just want to do the right thing for this guy before the walls get closed up. TIA Erik

Watch the demo.
[Link: solidsignal.com]

4 rg-6 from the dish, then one or two to each receiver (TiVo needs two) - but remember that the OTA needs to be an additional cable to each receiver, with the new satellites you can't diplex the OTA with the sat signal.

But with the new dish etc, the locals come from the bird in a lot of markets now, and most if not all eventually.

Thanks for the link, DIRTE! Very helpfull!

I've been pulling 2-cat5 and 3-RG6 (solid copper) to each sat location for quite some time, allowing for those installs where the receiver may be located at the display, as opposed to in a central equipment closet. Just seemed like the thing to do......

Only the major networks however. And only the "X-1" channels, not the "X-2. X-3" etc. You'd still be better off using an OTA if you can get a good signal. More channels, not to mention less chance of compression.

me too...

So, whats your point, guys? It appears you're still short one rg6. Am I missing something here?

How do you figure??

From the Sat location I run 7 coax to the hub, from the hub to the STB location I run 3 coax and 2 cat5 at a very minimum.

Ok, Ok! I was missing something. Why 7 from dish to multiswitch? And why 3 from multiswtch to stb?

I run 8 from dish to the multiswitch location in the hub area. At least 3-5 for dish or direct, leave a couple in case cust wants sat internet (1 uplink, 1 downlink), and couple of spares (you never know whats coming down the road).

3 to stb would be for dual tuner recievers with a spare for ota.

I've been schooled! Thanks guys! Makes total sense. I do not do much prewire, mostly retro, so I do not have to deal with these issues very often. In my market, most people don't use ota because of terain & proximity to Seattle, so I'm not thinking of ota much if at all as an option. Cable or sat. Comcast, Wave Broadband, DTV or Dish. The last time I dealt with ota was like 5 years ago for a customer that wanted better reception than the rabbit ears provided! They could not see paying for tv. All they wanted was PBS & had a clear shot to Seattle from across Puget Sound. Really wierd people. I bid high cause I did not want the job & they said ok! Money's money!