942/switches/diplexer questions

[TFLeonard]

I'm thinking of upgrading my existing setup with a 942 and hopefully utilizing the dual TV option to replace two receivers. I could use some help understanding if what I want to do is possible, what I need to do it, and if there's a better way.

My current setup is:

Receivers: Model 6000, Model 301

Dishes: three separate dishes with three LNB's for 61.5, 110, 119

Switches: SW34 with two SW21 in a cascading setup

Diplexer to pump satellite signals and CableTV (unscrambled) into house.

I have one satellite feed going into a diplexer and then into the 301. The other feed goes into another diplexer and then into a Model 6000. The other connection on each diplexer is a straight unscrambled Cable TV signal that the two satellite TV's get as well as two other TV's that just get the cable TV feed.

I'd like to retain the capability of feeding CATV into the house for any TV to feed off of through the existing COAX wiring.

I'd like to replace the 6000 and the 301 by the 942 and use the 942's "internal broadcast" feed to feed the TV that used to have the 301.

I know the 942 needs another satellite feed for its second tuner so the first question is:

1. Which is better: to re-direct the former 301 feed downstairs to feed the 942's second tuner (I assume that I can leave all my switches (I don't think they're PRO) and dishes alone, - or - buy a SW44 to replace my existing switches and run the dual satellite feed over the single existing coax that used to feed my model 6000? Leaving me the option for a future second or third receiver (MPEG4?).

2. Once the 942 is operational, how do I get its TV2 signal back upstairs to the bedroom? If my Model 6000 diplexer is still in its current configuration (satellite/CATV) I don't know how I can send the presumably TV2 RF signal up to my bedroom TV? Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm assuming TV2 is an RF signal that the bedroom TV just tunes to channel 3 or something right?

3. Having read the 942's manual it seems that the terrestrial tuner can tune unscrambled cableTV channels similar to your average TV in addition to ATSC digital over the air channels, is this true? If it is, I'd like to feed the CATV signal into the 942 so that I can DVR and watch cable programming.

4. Can I renumber the cable TV channels in the guide so that they correspond to the broadcast channels? Is there a way to tell the guide which stations I receive on my cable system, or am I stuck just with manual timers?

Thanks a million for your help.

 

[mdonnelly]

...
1. Which is better: to re-direct the former 301 feed downstairs to feed the 942's second tuner (I assume that I can leave all my switches (I don't think they're PRO) and dishes alone, - or - buy a SW44 to replace my existing switches and run the dual satellite feed over the single existing coax that used to feed my model 6000? Leaving me the option for a future second or third receiver (MPEG4?).
...

Not the SW44, that won't do the one cable thing. You want a DP+44 switch, and a DP+ Separator at the receiver.

 

[Grandpa J]

There are many better people on this site to answer these questions but I can about my set up.
I diplex wires for a) Sat & OTA antenna down leads from roof and b) Sat down leads & RF distribution from receivers to other locations in the house. I use a 500 (110/119) and a 300 (148). 2-811s, 1-301, and new 942. I just upgraded to DP and DPP 4:4 so I could use single line option with separator for 942.
Every thing is working just as it did before DP & DDP 4:4 upgrade and separator.
Item 1) Upgrading to DP & DPP 4:4 does cost but hopefully will service now and later needs. MPEG 4 - I do not know what will happen.
Item 2) I am sending the TV2 signal to other rooms on RF using diplexers but I do not know about cable. If cable uses same RF range as OTA it seems it should work but others would know more than me.
Item 3 - 4) Do not know.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Switches: SW34 with two SW21 in a cascading setup

No such animal as a SW34, and no need for SW21s if there WAS one.

How about you find out what you've REALLY got, and then we can give you some proper advice.

 

[TFLeonard]

Sorry I have 1 SW44 with 2 SW21's

 

[SimpleSimon]

OK. Assuming you've got a good reason for having to have three separate dishes, you can either run another line from the SW44 to the 942, or move the old 301 feed.

If you're using the existing house wire, I've got to assume that it doesn't go the bedroom that has the 301. So, don't move the old feed - just tie it to the 942's TV2 output.

As for your third question, the way I hear it, the 942 can not use NTSC (analog) signals at this time. In ANY event, it will NEVER record them.

Fourth answer is "no".

 

[TFLeonard]

OK. Assuming you've got a good reason for having to If you're using the existing house wire, I've got to assume that it doesn't go the bedroom that has the 301. So, don't move the old feed - just tie it to the 942's TV2 output.

There is existing coax in both locations that is being used with diplexers to pump sat and cableTV. The thing I can't figure out is how to pump the TV2 signal on existing house cabling. Wouldn't TV2 collide with the SAT/Cable TV feeds?

 

[SimpleSimon]

There is existing coax in both locations that is being used with diplexers to pump sat and cableTV. The thing I can't figure out is how to pump the TV2 signal on existing house cabling. Wouldn't TV2 collide with the SAT/Cable TV feeds?

I missed that part - sounds too complicated for me to deal with.