Thread: Whole home configuration question

I have 4 DVRs, 3 HD and one legacy (standard def) box. I had whole home professionally installed. Instatller used two 8 channel Msplit8r1-02 and commented how he had to balane the system since each dvr tuner had to be counted separately. Four hours of his tie and then erratic performance after that. Next day another 3 hours of tech time and he said "no, you can only have 8 tuners total on the system." But then he got all units working and said "i dont know why but it seems to be working, I'm leaving." Brilliant. That was about a month ago and performance can best be described as erratic. Receivers falling on and off the network. Reboots, reset the swim, reset network connections etc. Throw in some "searching for sat signal.." for extra fun. Yesterday I watched an entire show on one of the non DVR receivers (yes, victory!)but since then it cant see any playlists (despite resets, reboots etc.)

Current state is that DVRs can see one another, other receivers can't even though their DECAs indicate normal network activity. Current config is two dvrs and one HD on each Msplit8r; std def box is on legacy port on the swim.

Am i violating a limit on how many tuners can be set up on whole home? Any other thoughts on how to stabilize (and get non DVRs to see playlists)? Does it matter which ports on the Msplit8r are used? should port "caps" be used on the unused ports (does it matter?).
thanks

You said he used 2 8-ways? Did he install a SWM 16? You're currently trying to use 12 tuners but the normal SWM set up only works 8 max. You need a SWM 16 to be installed and the problems will stop. All unused ports need terminators on them.

Can you watch and record from any single DVR?

Sounds like a 16 should have been installed and instead he set each DVR to a single tuner just to get it to activate then left it like that.

Definitely need a SWM16.

I verified i have a swm16 installed. i capped all the unused ports as was suggested. Rebooted swm. now have lost all netwrok between DVRs even after reboots and manual attempts to reconnect (restore defaults, connect) ; this morning was getting choppy signal on both dvrs i had on. Going backwards.

Is it possible i have a coax problem? the installer reterminated all the coax going into the splitters which i thought was a good idea. I was considering disconnecting receivers one at a time in an effort to isolate a potential problem connection.

thanks for your thoughts so far. please continue with suggestions.

The 8-way splitters are an obvious mistake. There should be two 4-way, green label splitters to cover the seven SWiM boxes (I'm assuming that the legacy SD receiver is running off of a legacy output on the SWiM16).

Depending on the length and cable quality of the individual runs, the 8-ways are probably spreading the DECA signal too thin.

When you say that you "capped" the unused connectors (at least 8 by my count), did you use slip-on rubber covers or terminators (dummy loads)?

Hi,

Are both of the splitters the Green Swm Splitters? If they are, that is the problem the green splitters have a filter (similar but not as strong as the red bandstop filter) that filters out and does not pass MRV/Decca signal. The filter is there so that mrv communications don't flood your swm8 switch/lnb with such a strong reverse RF signal from the decca adapter. The SWM8 and SWM 32 switchs both have built in diplexors in the switch sending the MRV/Decca to the Off Air input/output, so filtered green splitters are not needed. Through field experience I have found an issue where when daisy-chained or run in parralel as your system is. these green swm splitters can filter out the decca signal so well that the boxes can't see each other and/or the internet. For best results, the splitter that does not have the decca addapter connected to it should be switched from 8 way green to 4 way NON Green lable MFH2/SWM splitter (our part# SWS4) this one does not have the filter, and will let your boxes talk again. The other 8 way green splitter could be switched to a 4way green splitter, but it may not be necessary. Contrary to Directv's instructions to their installers, There should only be one Green SWM splitter in any standard residential SWM installation and that is the one closest to the SWM switch/lnb.

The other thing that can mess with a swm install is Diplexors. if there are any diplexors PM me for a solution.

I hope this helps.
Chip

Hope this helps

Originally Posted by harshness

The 8-way splitters are an obvious mistake. There should be two 4-way, green label splitters to cover the seven SWiM boxes (I'm assuming that the legacy SD receiver is running off of a legacy output on the SWiM16).

Depending on the length and cable quality of the individual runs, the 8-ways are probably spreading the DECA signal too thin.

When you say that you "capped" the unused connectors (at least 8 by my count), did you use slip-on rubber covers or terminators (dummy loads)?

No, 8 ways is what he's suppose to have. Just because the SWM 16 is installed doesn't mean 2 4 ways will give you 16 tuners. He still needs the 8 ways

Originally Posted by Hutch1814

No, 8 ways is what he's suppose to have. Just because the SWM 16 is installed doesn't mean 2 4 ways will give you 16 tuners. He still needs the 8 ways

I'm sorry but Yes it does ! You should only be installing a splitter large enough to cover the number of receivers without going beyond eight tuners per SWM switch ouptput. 4 way splitters have half the loss of 8way splitters, so if you have 4 dvrs, you would want to use one SWM output with a 4way SWM splitter. the only reason to use an 8way SWM splitter is if you are putting more than 4 receivers on a swm line. ie ( 2 HDDVRS and 3 HD receivers) 5 receivers but only 7 tuners so all could be on one swm output.

Pateco is completely correct on this. Each DVR or receiver needs to be connected to the multiswitch by a SINGLE cable, that will drive either one or two tuners. The DVR has an internal splitter to drive the two tuners. So four DVRs need four connections, i.e. an SWM4. Using an SWM8 when you only need an SWM4 reduces the signal strength to each DVR by 50%