cascading SW44 switch for 5+ tuners

[dosborne]

This is getting off topic...............

But, yes, to some extent. Personally, I expect them to be sales people, not technical, but as I said, if they don't know, they should not guess or make stuff up. They should refer the customer to someone that actually knows.

[jimmy1]

I have two bell receivers and want to add two more but have 6 outlets. I read in the forum that I can use two 4 x 4 switches and two 44 switches for a reliable connection.

Do the switches have to be Dish or can I use a brand such as the Microyal for the 44 and other brands for the 4 X 4

I called a retailer today and he told me that I had to use Two Dish 44as and two 44 switches with bell receivers. Not sure if he is telling the truth or trying to up sell.

[Pinza]

Bell use VideoPath SW44's and Eagle aspen for 4 way and 8 way single sat switch's.

I have used Microroyals in the past and they work just fine.

SW44a's are not approved or officially supported by Bell but again, work fine.

I read in the forum that I can use two 4 x 4 switches and two 44 switches for a reliable connection.

I think you mean 2 x 4 way switch's and 2 x SW44's.

[ScaryBob]

It's cheaper to use four 2 way splitters (dish style with DC blocking on 1 leg/DC pass on the other) and two SW44s. One SW44a and one SW44 is also cost effective unless the SW44s are surplus/cheap or on hand. Other brands are Ok, as long as they are Dish/Bell compatible. Diseqc, Shaw, DirecTV, etc switches will not work with Bell receivers.

[Pinza]

Splitters MUST pass 2 Ghz or higher.

[jimmy1]

Thanks guys I had a feeling the guy was just selling me more than I needed.

I will try this set-up as described in the forum using the method as described in the forum.
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I happen to have one eagle aspen 3 x 4 multi switch.
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I will get two Microyal SW44 Automatic Multi-Dish Switch
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Please lwt me know if i can improve on anything.

[manuelj43]

Sadly they just do not understand how to cable for more than 4 Tuners, at most Bell World & The Source Stores I come across.

Funny; even through sky dish, when i call in to activate a customer, I had a rep argue with me to install the power insterter on a multiswitch, And that the multiswitch that I installed was a sw-44.

[sctlenz]

What is the difference between a 44a and just a 44?

[Pinza]

Firstly an SW44A is NOT an approved or officially supported Switch for use on Bell TV.

The SW44, has 4 inputs from the LNBF's, and 4 outputs to feed 4 Tuners.
The SW44A, has 4 inputs from the LNBF's, 4 outputs to feed 4 Tuners and 4 outputs to feed an SW44, if required.

[Quivox]

Is there such a thing as a SW22? I went to a bell store today and that's what he advised, but I haven't seen that switch mentioned here. Right now I have dual Lnb's connected to an SW44, and I'm running 2 pvr's, but I want to add a third PVR as well as 1 line for a non pvr box.

[ScaryBob]

Never heard of an SW22. He probably meant SW21. SW21s will support, at most, two receivers. For 3 or more receivers, one or more SW44s are required. There are oddball configurations using SW24s combined with SW21s or commercial options but SW44s are the best solution for residential use.

[dm_4u]

Originally Posted by Pinza

Firstly an SW44A is NOT an approved or officially supported Switch for use on Bell TV.

The SW44, has 4 inputs from the LNBF's, and 4 outputs to feed 4 Tuners.
The SW44A, has 4 inputs from the LNBF's, 4 outputs to feed 4 Tuners and 4 outputs to feed an SW44, if required.

However I have an SW44a switch working in tandem with an SW44 switch...without any issues...to power the following receivers: 9242, 9200, 6100 and two 3100's.

On the other hand I did all the install work myself...and I'm no professional installer...

(Pinza...in fact I wish you were selling those switches on a board, two months ago...in fact I still almost bought #1...except shipping would probably be an issue).

All I'm saying is that it may not be officially supported by Bell-TV...but it does work.

[Quivox]

Thanks for the answer! My set-up right now is 2 Lnb's connected to an SW44 switch, which are then run to 2 dual tuner receivers( 9242 and 9241) I want to add another 9241 as well as a 6141 and a 6100.

The satellite guy I talked to today said the best solution is to add 2 3X4 ZINWELL SAM - 3402's and another sw44.
which is similar to the 2nd option in this thread. Will this work? Are Zinwell products rated highly? He said he would supply the SW44, the 2 3x4 switches and the cabling for $200.00.

[ScaryBob]

He said he would supply the SW44, the 2 3x4 switches and the cabling for $200.00.

That's a bit expensive. An SW44 is worth at most $100 new or about $35, including shipping, on eBay. (Forget what Bell charges, nobody else wants that much.) 4 Dish compatible splitters can be used for about $5 each or two off-brand SW24s can be used for $15 each. The cables can be purchased or made for about $2-$3 each. For $200, he should be installing it too.

[rosenqui]

Originally Posted by Quivox

The satellite guy I talked to today said the best solution is to add 2 3X4 ZINWELL SAM - 3402's and another sw44.

On the other hand, wiring-wise, the simplest thing would be for you to just get a SW44A and put that in front of your existing SW44. Not "officially" Bell supported, but works well for many other users.