OTHER Need recommendation on multi-receiver switch

[comfortably_numb]

Would like to purchase a switch to select between 3 different FTA receivers. Need something with good isolation. A simple A/B/C switch seems to have "leakage." Any suggestions?

 

[cyberham]

Me too. I want one.

 

[comfortably_numb]

Ordered this as a temporary solution. Should split the LNB signal to all 3 receivers. Power pass on just a single output. One receiver will be the "master" and provide LNB power and blind scan capability. The "slave" receivers will be able to access the H or V polarity based on what the "master" is tuned to.

Amazon.com

 

[a33]

Need something with good isolation. A simple A/B/C switch seems to have "leakage."

Meaning "crosstalk", as with 3 LNBs to one receiver?
But what kind of leakage would there be, from where to where, with 3 receivers to one LNB? I'm not sure.

Regarding your temporary solution: you explicitly want a 'master' receiver, that is always ON, for the other receivers to function?
There are also splitters with 4 diodes, giving control to the receiver with (the highest) voltage. And sat priority switches (master-slave switches), but they only come in 2/1 version.
But maybe you already know that.

Greetz,
A33

 

[arlo]

1 coax from the dish that can fan out to 3 receivers?

 

[comfortably_numb]

1 coax from the dish that can fan out to 3 receivers?

Correct.

 

[cyberham]

Would this one be more appropriate?
Amazon

 

[comfortably_numb]

Would this one be more appropriate?
Amazon

As far as I can tell, the only real difference is the number of ports?

 

[cyberham]

The one I posted indicates you connect multiple receivers to a single LNB. The one you posted indicates you connect one receiver to multiple LNBs? I find this all confusing.

 

[comfortably_numb]

The one I posted indicates you connect multiple receivers to a single LNB. The one you posted indicates you connect one receiver to multiple LNBs? I find this all confusing.

The one I bought should be here today, I will report back with my findings!

 

[arlo]

There is a conundrum gonna' happen. The master receiver will put out either 13 or 18 volts depending on the tp polarity it is currently tuned to.
Any SWM device is designed to work with just that. SWM components from the lnbf (ku band) to the receiver. Far as I know from folks hammering the facts at me. Some of the chinabox receivers in "that other community" can have firmware that allows use of switches like the DPP-44.
EB slapped up a post that briefly addresses this issues of one cable, multiple receivers.
Some C band lnbf's like a Panasat with dual output ports have one port for H and the other for V. Voltage independent.
I'll slap up a photo of my current setup.
One dude on Legit was using priority switches. A complicated explanation that was hard to understand and even cheesed EB off.
But still. "One Guy" (receiver) is providing either 13 or 18 VDC output and that throws the lnbf into horizontal or vertical polarity. And keeps it there.
There are unicable lnbf's. Not so sure about ones for C band though. And when used. Apparently blind scans go *poof*...fuhgedaboutit!

In my setup I'm sending voltage out over a coax who's only job is to power a power inserter. The Tru-Spec.
If you look it has a selector switch. Either one port gets 13 and the other one 18 VDC, or both get the same voltage.
I'm using twin Norsats on an ortho for C band. The RF outputs go to the multi-switch.
Took a bit to 'get it'. The multi-switch gets H & V polarities. So a voltage controlled dual port lnbf could be used with the Tru-Spec setting fixed voltage.
H & V polarities are present on the Zinwell. When a receiver sends 13 or 18 volts to the output port. The Zinwell switches the lnbf in port.
But since the receiver ports are "split" and voltage selectable. No other ports are affected. Another receiver hoked to an output port would do the same.
And everyone is happy. But.
That's for C band only. My Ku lnbf along with C band are fed into the diseqc switch.
It works without a burp. A bit of thinking and another type of, or extra, multiswitch. Diseqc switch. All moved inside. Would make for a seamless distribution system.
But of course. Extra cabling from the house to the dish would be needed. Perhaps put it all in a weatherproof box outside and wifi link several receivers inside.
Anyway. Others have better scenarios I'm sure.

 

[Titanium]

Ordered this as a temporary solution. Should split the LNB signal to all 3 receivers. Power pass on just a single output. One receiver will be the "master" and provide LNB power and blind scan capability. The "slave" receivers will be able to access the H or V polarity based on what the "master" is tuned to.

Amazon.com

If one receiver will provide power (polarity selection) from a single output, single LO, LNB, you only need a regular splitter to connect up additional STBs. Turn off the LNB power on the additional STBs (or insert a DC power blocker) to prevent polarity confusion between the STBs. Just be prepared for insertion loss, so don't have any more ports on the switch than you need, This item should work fine for your application.

On multiple receiver systems, you may experience a voltage on ground from the STB interacting with other STBs on the system. This can wreak havoc with LNBs. This gremlin can be difficult to resolve, since ground is common on most splitters and switches.

 

[primestar31]

On multiple receiver systems, you may experience a voltage on ground from the STB interacting with other STBs on the system. This can wreak havoc with LNBs. This gremlin can be difficult to resolve, since ground is common on most splitters and switches.

I can attest to this issue, and it's a bitch to figure out how to resolve it. It fried one of the ports on a Titanium dual C-band lnbf for me. So, be very careful!

 

[cyberham]

Years ago, I tried to connect two receivers to a common dish. I did something wrong and blew out my $5 Chinese receiver. No great financial loss but I was so proud of finding locally a $5 receiver that worked well until I blew it up. To this day, I prefer to physically change cables to accomplish using different dishes with multiple receivers.

 

[a33]

The one you posted indicates you connect one receiver to multiple LNBs? I find this all confusing.

There is one picture at the given link that shows 1 input, 4 TVs. So that is allright.

The arrow on the splitter to output 1 is indeed confusing. If there is a diode inside, the arrow indicates the wrong way.
However it also might be with this splitter, that the port has 'power through both ways' (bidirectional). That would function correct as well.

Alas, with many splitters, you have to measure yourself if the ports have power through, and in which direction, as descriptions and drawings on the housing are often inconclusive.

Greetz,
A33

 

[a33]

On multiple receiver systems, you may experience a voltage on ground from the STB interacting with other STBs on the system.

I am trying to understand what you mean: Do you mean that the "ground" of the LNB port of one receiver has another voltage (relative to the 110V power supply?) than the "ground" of the LNB port of another receiver?
Or do you mean something else?

And what symptoms do you then see happening?

I've had an installation (3 receivers + TVs) where you could 'feel' a little tension on the "ground" part of all the (interconnected) equipment. It could be measured that depending on the way you plugged a receiver or TV in at 230V (europe: 1 live pole, 1 neutral pole), the voltage towards the "Neutral' was more, or less. Especially some TVs had higher voltages towards the Neutral, plugged in one of the ways. So reconnecting all equipment using the 'lowest' leaking voltages, improved it all.
I had no reception problems, though.

So is this more or less what you are describing?

Greetz,
A33

 

[comfortably_numb]

This item should work fine for your application.

The splitter arrived. Disabled LNB power on the "slave" receivers as you suggested. So far all 3 receivers are working as expected.

 

[one_db_compression]

The splitter arrived. Disabled LNB power on the "slave" receivers as you suggested. So far all 3 receivers are working as expected.

View attachment 183297

Even though this should work for many splitters, for sake of documentation, what is the specific part you ordered?

Thanks!

 

[comfortably_numb]

what is the specific part you ordered?

STEREN 4-Way 2.4GHz 90dB 1 Port Power Pass DC Passing On One Port F-Pin Coaxial Splitter [201-234]

Amazon.com

 

[cyberham]

So this handles one LNB. You have other LNBs and a C-band dish almost installed. How will you incorporate additional LNBs to this multi-receiver configuration?