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Multiswitch
FAQs (1) |
Multiswitch
FAQs (2) |
Satellite
TV FAQs |
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1. What is a
multiswitch and what is it used for?
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A multiswitch takes the input from both of
the LNB's (both cables from a dual LNB dish HAVE to be connected to the multiswitch)...it then locks one of the LNB's to always look at the even
transponders and the other LNB to always look at the odd transponders. This is why a multiswitch only works with Dual LNBs and not single
LNB's. The switch then has multiple outputs to receivers (4,8,etc). When you connect the receiver to the multiswitch, the switch determines which
of the two LNB's the receiver needs to look at depending if it needs to view odd or even transponders. When you change the channel, the switch
then swaps your connection to the other LNB when needed. With a multiswitch, the LNB's never change which side they are looking at.
For a little deeper explanation of how LNBs and multiswitches work
together, CLICK HERE.
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2. What about multiswitches with Elliptical dishes?
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If you have the oval dish with two "dual LNBs" (4 cables), each of the Dual LNB's look at
different satellites (101 degree and 119 degree satellites). A multiswitch is needed to see the second satellite. A multiswitch comes with the
dish and is usually have 4 outputs. Multiswitches for elliptical dishes need to have 4 inputs so it can switch between the 4 LNBs rather than the 2 in the
explanation in question #1 above.
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3. If my receiver sends voltage changes to switch between odd and even
transponders on the 101 satellite, how does it tell the multiswitch that it wants to see the 119 satellite? |
The receiver sends a 22khz tone
over the cable along with the voltage change so it tells the multiswitch that it wants either odd or even transponders by the voltage and that
it wants the 119 by sending the tone. |
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4. What is the 2x4, 2x8, 3x4, 3x8, 4x4, 4x8, 5x4 & 5x8 designations
mean when referring to a multiswitch?
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The first number in the number of
inputs from the dish (or antenna) the switch has. The second number is the number of outputs the switch has.
A 5x8 multiswitch would handle 4 DTV inputs (Two Dual LNBs looking at the two satellites) and a Cable TV or antenna input if you wanted. It would have 8 outputs that could go to 8 DirectTV receivers, 4 Dual Tuner DirectTivos or any combo in between. |
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5. Can I connect two Multiswitches together (cascade one to another)
to add more connections? |
Well, that really depends. If you are using an
18" Dual LNB dish, then you could "cascade" two switches together....so you could take a 2x4 switch and have 2 of the outputs feed the inputs
of another 2x4 switch to give you a total of 6 outputs. There are many issues that you have to be aware of though....length of cable, quality
of multiswitches and whether they are powered or non-powered may affect
whether or not this will work. If you have an 18x24" elliptical dish, it is a little more complex, but can be accomplished.
As mentioned
above, the receiver will send a 22khz tone to tell the multiswitch that it
wants the 119 degree satellite. This tone is only used by the multiswitch and is not sent back up to the LNB's....if you have two 4xn switches
connected or a 4xn multiswitch connected to the built in multiswitch on a dish, the "2nd" one will never tell the "1st" one that it needs to
see the 119 so the receivers connected to the "2nd" one would ONLY see the 101 satellite.
There are switches designated as "cascadable" that
WILL send that 22khz tone upstream, thereby allowing you to connect it in series with another multiswitch (such as a built in one on the dish). These are more expensive than non-cascading models. The other way is to get "tone generators" which go on the two cables designated for the 119 satellite. They go inline between the two multiswitches (or between dish and multiswitch if you have the built in multiswitch on the dish).
These tone generators put the 22khz tone on the line so that the 1st multiswitch (or built in one) sees the tone
and puts that line over to the 119 satelllite. |
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