What is SWM & How To Install It (by request)

[justinbwill]

What is SWM & How Do I Install It

First off SWM stands for Single Wire Multiswitch. What that means to you the customer is you don’t need to run 2 lines to a DVR. You can also use most existing wire, connectors, wall plates etc versus the standard KAKU HD install that would require you to use new RG6 cable, new wall plates, and two lines to all DVRs. The only CON to SWM is that you are stuck with 8 tuners or less. (DVRs count as 2 tuners)

How do I know if I have a SWM system already installed or not? Take a quick glance at your dish. Are there 4 lines coming down the dish or only one? (Now some may have 2 lines, or 3 lines coming down. This is because the installer was too lazy to run 4 lines off your dish as required by DTV during installation.) A SWM install will have only one line coming off the LNB. It is important to note that the actual "look" of the "eyeballs" will be different for everyone no matter what type of system you have. This is due to DTV using different companies to build the LNBs. So don't go by the look of the "eyeballs", go by the wires coming down.

This picture shows to the two different LNBs. The one on the left only has one wire (SWM), and the standard KAKU on the right has 4.



Normal KAKU HD systems are powered by the receiver. The receiver will send a max of 18v up the line to the KAKU. SWM needs 20-21 volts to operate, so you will have to use a SWM Power Inserter to “send up” the required 21v. Here is a picture of the SWM power inserter. Notice that the PI (Power Inserter) has a red and white port. The red port will send power up the line to the LNB, and the white port will send the signal to the receiver.



Every install is a little different depending on the house, and there are 2 different ways to wire the system. I will explain both. However, before you get started you will also need a SWM Power Passing Splitter. These come in different varieties and all cost the same, so I just use the 1X8 incase of future expansion. The SWM splitters come in 1X2 (one in, two out), 1X4 (one in four out), and 1X8 (one in eight out). Below are pictures of a 1X4 and a 1X8 respectively.






You will notice that there are red ports and white ports on the splitter. The red ports pass the 21 volts needed to power the LNB, and the white ports will not. One red port goes to the LNB, and the other goes to the room where the SWM Power Inserter is located. It does not matter which red port goes to the LNB and which red port goes to the PI. The white ports go to any room where there is a SWM capable receiver. (Standard Receiver of D-12 or higher, DVR of R-16 or higher, HDDVR of HR-20 or higher, HD Receiver of H20 or higher) Any older receiver will not work with SWM.

As I mentioned there are two different ways to wire the SWM system:

The first method is the one I prefer. This is where the Power Inserter is located AFTER the SPLITTER and behind a receiver. However the only drawback to this method is that if the PI is unplugged it will make all the receivers in your house go SFSS (Searching For Sat Signal). It is VERY important to NOT plug our receiver or the PI into a power strip/surge protector. I have seen numerous service call solved by simply plugging it directly into the wall. Here is a diagram of this type of install.



The second method is where the PI is located in the attic BEFORE the SPLITTER. You will have to have a plug in the attic to wire this way. The only negative to this method is if all of your receivers are SFSS you will have to get in the attic to check for the little green light on the PI to ensure it hasn’t failed. When using this method you do not need to worry about red and white ports on the splitter. This is because the 21 volts are being sent up directly from the PI. The only thing coming out of the PI and going to the splitter is signal.



I tired to keep this as simple as as I could. If you have questions or would like a more technical explanation of anything please let me know.

[WestDC]

Using this set up requires all RG6 Connections to be Compression Type (NO CRIMPED)-and all unused ports from the SWM Splitter be terminated with a 75ohm Cap.

[justinbwill]

Originally Posted by WestDC

Using this set up requires all RG6 Connections to be Compression Type (NO CRIMPED)-and all unused ports from the SWM Splitter be terminated with a 75ohm Cap.

If you (the customer) don't know what the terminator is... don't worry. Your SWM splitter will have these "caps" on all the ports. Just don't remove one unless you hook a line up to it.

[J-Rod]

Great post. Thats what I have been searching for, for a long time. Thanks JustinBwill!

I do have one question you show the receiver being hooked (in both diagrams) to one of the "red" inputs on the PI or splitter. If I had lets say 2 HD DVR's, 1 HD Tuner, and 3 SD Tuners, there is no way to plug in to that many "reds." So what am I missing. OR I guess how would the splitter look if you were hooking up multiple receivers?

Jarrod

[J-Rod]

Oh and I vote for a sticky!

Jarrod

[justinbwill]

Originally Posted by J-Rod

Great post. Thats what I have been searching for, for a long time. Thanks JustinBwill!

I do have one question you show the receiver being hooked (in both diagrams) to one of the "red" inputs on the PI or splitter. If I had lets say 2 HD DVR's, 1 HD Tuner, and 3 SD Tuners, there is no way to plug in to that many "reds." So what am I missing. OR I guess how would the splitter look if you were hooking up multiple receivers?

Jarrod

In example one.... the receiver is connected to the white port.

In example two it is connected to the red port of the splitter. This is becuase the PI is already passing power to the dish, therefore the colors of the splitter do not matter. (Becuase you are not passing power up from a room, to the splitter, then to the LNB.


It doesn't matter what receiver you connect to any port on the splitter unless you have the PI behind the receiver. If you do, then all you need to do is connect that rooms line (where the PI is) to one of the red ports on the splitter, and the line from the LNB to the other red port. Then connect the rest however you like.

Just remember the PI send power UP from it's red port. So if it's in a room the PI's red port needs to goto the wall outlet and that line i the wall needs to go to the red port of the splitter. Then the white port of the PI goes to the receiver.

Does this explain it better?

[Pike]

I have the second lnb pictured with 4 lines running to my utility room. From the utility room they connect to a wall plate which has the various lines running to each room in the house. So my question is, with the 4 lines running from the dish to the utility room, is the best way to install this in the utility room to just use 1 of the cables and hook it into a splitter, then from there wire to power inserter, then to the rooms. I currently am only using 2 lines, one line each to 2 dvr recievers which is why I want to instal the SWM. Thanks for putting this together, it is very helpful.

[justinbwill]

Originally Posted by Pike

I have the second lnb pictured with 4 lines running to my utility room. From the utility room they connect to a wall plate which has the various lines running to each room in the house. So my question is, with the 4 lines running from the dish to the utility room, is the best way to install this in the utility room to just use 1 of the cables and hook it into a splitter, then from there wire to power inserter, then to the rooms. I currently am only using 2 lines, one line each to 2 dvr recievers which is why I want to instal the SWM. Thanks for putting this together, it is very helpful.

I would disconnect a line at your util room that is going to your receiver. See which one goes searching for sat. Then you know what receiver to put the PI behind and what line in your util room to connect to the red port of the splitter. Then you will just need to determine which line to use coming off the LNB.

If your dish is properly tightened down you technically will not have to repeak the dish when you replace lnbs.... just be easy on it.

[rbinck]

justinbwill, I wonder if you could also include how legacy receivers are integrated with the SWM system. Post in this thread and I can include it in the original post.

[J-Rod]

Originally Posted by justinbwill

In example one.... the receiver is connected to the white port.

In example two it is connected to the red port of the splitter. This is becuase the PI is already passing power to the dish, therefore the colors of the splitter do not matter. (Becuase you are not passing power up from a room, to the splitter, then to the LNB.


It doesn't matter what receiver you connect to any port on the splitter unless you have the PI behind the receiver. If you do, then all you need to do is connect that rooms line (where the PI is) to one of the red ports on the splitter, and the line from the LNB to the other red port. Then connect the rest however you like.

Just remember the PI send power UP from it's red port. So if it's in a room the PI's red port needs to goto the wall outlet and that line i the wall needs to go to the red port of the splitter. Then the white port of the PI goes to the receiver.

Does this explain it better?

YES it does thanks!

Jarrod

[justinbwill]

Originally Posted by rbinck

justinbwill, I wonder if you could also include how legacy receivers are integrated with the SWM system. Post in this thread and I can include it in the original post.

SWM WILL NOT work with any receivers older than those stated in the original post.

[rbinck]

Originally Posted by justinbwill

SWM WILL NOT work with any receivers older than those stated in the original post.

I thought there was a multiswitch (SWM8) that supported SWM with a couple of legacy ports, no? I guess it requires a non SWM dish?

[justinbwill]

Originally Posted by rbinck

I thought there was a multiswitch (SWM8) that supported SWM with a couple of legacy ports, no? I guess it requires a non SWM dish?

I have never messed with the swm8 so I dunno..... I know SWM5 is only for new customers (becuase of the receiver qualification)

[rbinck]

I found these:

DIRECTV SWM-8 Reference and Installation Guide

SWM Specifications Sheet

ADDITIONAL Specifications

Wiring Diagram for Two SWMs (using SWM E2 Expander)

Wiring Diagram for Two SWMs (using four 1x2 splitters)

Wiring Diagram for SWM and WB68 (6x8) or WB616 (6x16) (w/one 5LNB Dish)

Wiring a Polarity Locker and Amplifier with a SWM

[Sykotic]

I havent seen one personally with the legacy ports you are referring to. I have heard it existing. I read up on it today and found one for sale on Weaknees *dot* com. $150. For the starter kit, not sure if it even includes the LNB. I doubt they are anything remotely near "standard install".
A new standard IRD is $69, HD $99, DVR $199. And I still would think you would have to have 2 runs to the DVR if not SWM compatable. Its almost cheaper to upgrade your equipment, than get the non legacy splitter.