KVH tracvision M1DX and new Dish DVR

[rszasz]

I'm in the process of setting up a sat system on a boat. We currently have a KVH tracvision M1DX. If I understand correctly it emulates a DISH 1000 switcher, and points at the 110, 119, and 129 depending on the control signals sent from the receiver connected to the "Unstacked" output. It also outputs the selected polarization on the "Unstacked" output. On the "Stacked" output it outputs both polarizations using standard frequency multiplexing. Is there any way to set up a 722k or equivalent with this system? Right now we have two 211k's (installed for less then 24h) which seem to work within the limitations presented, but would like to upgrade one to a full DVR with the ability to remote schedule when away from the boat, and things like that. If I understand correctly the 722 uses a diseqc like command, and controls a frequency multiplexer in the switch to allow fully independent satellite/polarization control to each tuner over one cable. Is there any way to disable the second tuner? or a similar full DVR with only one tuner?

 

[JohnL]

I'm in the process of setting up a sat system on a boat. We currently have a KVH tracvision M1DX. If I understand correctly it emulates a DISH 1000 switcher, and points at the 110, 119, and 129 depending on the control signals sent from the receiver connected to the "Unstacked" output. It also outputs the selected polarization on the "Unstacked" output. On the "Stacked" output it outputs both polarizations using standard frequency multiplexing. Is there any way to set up a 722k or equivalent with this system? Right now we have two 211k's (installed for less then 24h) which seem to work within the limitations presented, but would like to upgrade one to a full DVR with the ability to remote schedule when away from the boat, and things like that. If I understand correctly the 722 uses a diseqc like command, and controls a frequency multiplexer in the switch to allow fully independent satellite/polarization control to each tuner over one cable. Is there any way to disable the second tuner? or a similar full DVR with only one tuner?

RS,

The M1DX has several different modes, it can use 119, 110, and 129, or Hybrid mode 119,110, and 61.5 or Eastern Arc mode 61.6, 72.7, and 77.

The problem with using a Dual DVR Dish receivers is you can not disable the second tuner.

Your best bet would be to call Dish and pay the one Time DVR fee on your account to enable any and all 211k receivers on your account to use the USB port to be able to connect external Hard Drives to either or both 211k's.

Once connected your 211k's will become Single Tuner DVR's with the 9 day EEPG.

If you only get one External Drive you will be able to swap the external Hard Drive between any 211k's on your account.

John

 

[rszasz]

Thanks JohnL, That's not what I was hoping for, but it is what I was expecting. Now for the next question I had. We are planning on having a fixed dish set up on a pylon at the dock. Basic dish setup is fairly straightforward, even if getting access to the location will be a bit of a pain. I was planning on running one cable back for each receiver but am unsure how to do the switching. Is there a manual switch out there that I can use to throw over between the KVH output to a direct connect to the switch at the dish? And can you recommend a tv/dish combiner/splitter pair (inexpensive is good). I'll try and draw up a diagram of what I'm thinking of and what my restrictions are.

 

[rszasz]

I've attached diagrams of our current and my proposed setup. Other then having to duplicate the OTA splitting function of the destacker in order to allow for source switching (kvh or standard dish) I think this is as good as I can make it. If I could get comments and suggestions I would appreciate it.

 

[TimberWolf]

If you want to switch between the KVH dish and the fixed dish, you may have to run a checkswitch on each rec everytime you change over. You can use diplexers to bring in the fixed dish signal and OTA signal over a single line.

 

[Pepper]

I can think of a way such a setup would work with a dual tuner receiver, that's if you had two of the antenna things and connect one to each tuner.

 

[rszasz]

Thanks for the responses. It looks like I have to run the check switch a couple times when things change to get the receiver and antenna control system to sync up. I put in a diplexer to put the OTA and Dish signal on the single cable, and that works. When I hooked up a second diplexer as a splitter (I think that's the correct way to do things) the Dish Receiver started making a high pitched squeal and started heating up. I put in an A-B Switch and that went away, but now I have to flick a switch to either feed the combined signal to the tv (which ignores the sat signal) or the Dish which ignores the OTA. They are paladin diplexers, I'm going to try using the destacker as a de-diplexer and see if the dish box still whines. It's interesting, the diplexer (combining) at the far end of the cable doesn't cause a problem but one splitting the sat and OTA causes the dish box to not work. any suggestions? should I try a longer bit of cable between the splitting diplexer and the Dish box? I'll report if putting in a passive cable splitter then using the destacker to just break off the OTA signal works.

I'll try and make up new diagrams as the system was set when I had problems, and how it is set up now.

 

[rszasz]

Ok, here are diagrams of the setup that didn't work (receiver squealed and got hot) and the current setup. The "Splitter" was just a duplicate diplexer put in backward (combined connected to the cable that was the output of the other diplexer) I tested it with both the tv and OTA connector of the Dish receiver connected, with nothing attached to the OTA side, and with only the tv connected to the OTA side and the Dish receiver squealed each time.

 

[TimberWolf]

That squeal almost always means a short on the line, 2nd diplexer probably bad