Anyone using multiple receivers with DirecTV without signal loss?

[IVB]

i finally setup the 2nd PVR-250 and RCA DRD435RH receiver I have for DirecTV after a year of having them laying around.

I've immediately got satellite signal loss issues. I know this is the issue as when i unplug either one, the issues immediately go away. It doesn't matter which one I unplug.

Has anyone used either this receiver or other serial-controllable DirecTV receivers with no issue?

As I have multiple in the same location and as it's a small enclosed area, it's important that I use serial so as not to have any stray IR siganls mistakenly picked up by both/wrong receiver.

[dbfresh23]

I have 2 Different DirecTV receivers(1 Sony and 1 Mitsubishi), both controlled via serial. They are connected to PVR150s and I've not had any problems with quality or signal loss. I am using a Triple LNB Oval Dish w/ 8 way Powered Multi-Switch and Quad-Shield RG6 for everything.

If only 1 works at a time it could be a cable quality issue. Are you using shielded cables? Are they RG6 not RG59? Hopefully you're not trying to use a regular splitter off a single cable...

I don't quite understand where serial control comes in play as it pertains to signal loss, unless you are looking for suggestions on other receivers.

[dagar]

I am. I'm running 4 D10-100 receivers. I installed an indoor multiswitch in my wiring closet so I can expand to a 5th and 6th easily

right now, only 2 of them are on my video server. Need to get 2 more STBs so I'll have 4 on it and 2 dedicated.

[IVB]

It's all RG6, i should make sure they're shielded - good callout. I've got them run for 50' right next to each other, so any interference will obviously cause problems.

These are all home-run back to the original DirecTV splitter.

My point with the IR vs serial is that since I've got 2 identical receivers, xmitting an IR code will set both of them to the same channel.

I'll look into alternate receivers if I can't get anywhere - everything sounds like it should work.

[Wakecrash]

Original directv splitter?
For two recievers you should not have a splitter but each cable should be directly connected to the dual LNB (part of the feed horn) at the dish. Perhaps the LNB is defective. Make sure nothing is shorting on any of the connectors, the LNB recieves power the the RG6 cable.

I am thinking some older recievers you may have to set it up for dual reciever operation in the setup programing, but I may be way off base here.

Also, what is your signal strength with one working, perhaps the dish is pointed slightly off.

[dagar]

lol, yeah, no splitters ... need to use multiswitches!

[SprDtyF350]

Originally Posted by IVB

It's all RG6, i should make sure they're shielded - good callout. I've got them run for 50' right next to each other, so any interference will obviously cause problems.

These are all home-run back to the original DirecTV splitter.

My point with the IR vs serial is that since I've got 2 identical receivers, xmitting an IR code will set both of them to the same channel.

I'll look into alternate receivers if I can't get anywhere - everything sounds like it should work.

I have 4 receivers running with serial control with no issues. If the splitter you are talking about is really a multiswitch it should work. If it is a diplexer, or a regular splitter it wont. Each receiver has to have it's own dedicated input from the LNB. The receiver sends one of 2 different voltages to the LNB to select even or odd transponders according to the channel you are watching. A multiswitch uses both LNB inputs and sets one at even, and the other at odd and then can supply multiple receivers with what they need. Sounds like your problem started when you added a receiver. If your stuff isn't hooked up as described I could see you having the problem you talked about. One receiver is going to win, and the other one won't tune. You may already know all of this but if not I hope it helps.

[IVB]

Thx for the info. Yes, I'm oversimplifying - it's the original D* multiswitch. I also checked the cable, and can't tell by the writing on the outside whether it's quad-shield or not. It says RG6, but I'm a little concerned that I may have phased and picked up the non-shielded one. I just ran that 2nd cable, and a few days later noticed issues, so that's a solid suspect. It's ok - i've only got 300' left on the spool...

I did have an interesting occurence - one of the receivers died tonight. It was going on 4 yrs of use. I wonder if, as part of it's last legs, it was throwing weirdness on the line that made it back to multiswitch, then back out to my other RCA. Combine that with non-shielded cable, and uh-oh.

But my 3rd RCA just came in the mail today - picked one up for $0.01 [+$10 shipping] on eBay 2 weeks ago so I'd have a spare. I'll have to try that out this weekend to see if that helps.

Thx for the help.

[SprDtyF350]

I'm not sure why the term "Shielded cable" keeps being used. It's all shielded cable. Unless you are working next door to a high powered radar or something cool like that if the cable says RG-6 it should be fine. If you want to bury it then add a "U" to the RG-6. Since your receiver died and you are having signal troubles I would be looking more at a short in the cable between the center conductor, and the outer "Shield"... before I hooked up another. My Sonys will let me know if the cable is shorted, don't know about others.

[Wakecrash]

I don't understand why you would have a multiswitch with two recievers. Are you using a dual LNB at the dish, you should have two cables coming straight off the dish and each going direct to the reciever. I don't believe multi switches operate with just one input.

I don't understand your config, but to troubleshoot I would get as simple as possible, One cable from the LNB at the dish, straight to the reciever, straight to the TV, then do the same with the other side on the LNB.

[SprDtyF350]

Originally Posted by Wakecrash

I don't understand why you would have a multiswitch with two recievers. Are you using a dual LNB at the dish, you should have two cables coming straight off the dish and each going direct to the reciever. I don't believe multi switches operate with just one input.

I don't understand your config, but to troubleshoot I would get as simple as possible, One cable from the LNB at the dish, straight to the reciever, straight to the TV, then do the same with the other side on the LNB.

Only reason I could see a multiswitch at the dish would be if he has a triple LNB dish for receiving international stuff and some of the locals.