You can't put switches or splitters in the cables to Direct TV satellite dish.
The reason is that the LLB unit is phantom powered, that is to say that in addition to the digital signal being received there are two DC voltages going up to the HD unit. There is if I remember about 13 volts on one line, and about 18 volts on the other, but it does not matter which way round the cables go. The cables have to go direct to the receiver or HD DVR. It is these units that supply the phantom power.
I have got to know quite a bit about their system. I have two of their HD DVRs. The techs they send out are clue less. I won't go on roofs, but I have to talk them through every step of the way of fault analysis and usually have to loan them equipment such as a FET VOM. They come with no ability to accurately measure voltages from a high impedance source.
I had a siege of trouble, and I can tell you their equipment is very fragile. It is especially sensitive to voltage fluctuation, especially low voltages and the phantom powered LLB units seem especially vulnerable.
I had one unit in the studio powered from one of the large on line studio UPS system. The unit in the lower level living room only had surge protection. After getting through 3 system, putting a good online UPS on that system solved the problem.
These units really redefine price points, and they are frail.
These units redefine low price points!
I'm sorry I misunderstood your question. I thought you were trying to switch in the house. The multi switch you are talking about is also Phantom powered, and has to be on the roof. Usually the roof unit supplied by Direct TV contains the multi switch, mine does.
You have the HD 20, I have two of them. Now you need this dish, the last one on this page. This has to be your set up for the HD 20.
https://www.satpro.tv/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=123
Now each HD 20 requires two lines from the LNB. So the max you can drive is two HD 20s. Despite what Direct TV says, these units only power four cables. So you can use up to four devices that use only one line and only two that require two.
The other thing is that when you are messing about make sure the HD 20 is powered down, those roof units are easily blown by connecting and disconnecting the phantom powering. As I said, fragile is their middle name. At least they are better than the previous HD units, that weren't properly sealed and kept filling with water!
The other thing is there mast and stays are flimsy and in my view inadequate. When my dish was replaced, I sent the technician home for a day, and really beefed up the mast and stays. I made an extra stay. It comes with two. It needs three!
Satellite is the only way of getting a signal at my location, but I can tell you, I would not put up with it if there was an alternative. When everything is working right the picture is very good. I have to give them that.
I have suggested they if sell this cheapo set up, they should make available an alternative for those that would be prepared to pay for better. I even spoke to the CEO, but they, just are interested in the descent to the bottom, like everyone else.
