My current setup in my 2009 Bounder is a TracVision dome, 2 HD tvs and the multi-switching device from the factory. I know the dome won't get HD. I have just gotten a DTVHD antenna with SWM head on a tripod and the power supply. I want to take my Genie HR44 and a C31/41 client and use it with the NEW HD antenna, etc. in the motorhome.I have some questions: 1. Can the client be used with the rear TV? Will it be controlled independently from the front tv? How do I install the Genie and the client? 2. Assuming the new HD setup works, what will be needed to return to the dome (SD), an old SD receiver(which I have), and everything work just as it can from the factory (if I had trouble with new system or someone stole the dish)?Thanks for your help,Pee-paw

1) I assume you can as long as you run the correct wiring from the front to the rear TV.2) Some how you are going to have to run a dedicated coax from the remote dish to the RV. Then run a dedicated line throughout the RV. For my install, I did not go with SWM technology simply because we like to boon dock and SWM requires a constant 120VAC to power it. Since you are running SWM you need to run a single coax cable from the back of the receiver to the antenna, and another I assume coax cable from the back of the receiver to the dumb receiver in the bedroom. Best IMHO to run dedicated cabling for your outside antenna. That way to switch back to the dome it is a simple matter of changing the coax coax cable.

I have some questions:1. Can the client be used with the rear TV? Will it be controlled independently from the front tv? How do I install the Genie and the client?Yes, you will need to run one coax cable from the antenna to the Genie and another to the Client. The SWM head will only have one coax output so you need to add the SWM splitter in your setup somewhere either inside or outside depending upon where it makes the most sense to run the 2nd cable. 2. Assuming the new HD setup works, what will be needed to return to the dome (SD), an old SD receiver(which I have), and everything work just as it can from the factory (if I had trouble with new system or someone stole the dish)?Any DirecTV receiver will work that does not require SWM. Currently that's only the Genie (HR34 or 44) and the H25. Or you could add SWM8 hardware to your dome as well and use the Genie and clients with that setup. You just won't get the HD versions of your programming.

Bill:Are you saying that I cannot use the existing coax in my MH to the rear TV? The existing wiring sends 1 coax from the receiver to the multiswitch.

That is because the coaches manufacturer probably used RG-59 coax, which satellite does not like very much. Run new quality RG-6 coax cable and you will be good to go.

donn0128 wrote:That is because the coaches manufacturer probably used RG-59 coax, which satellite does not like very much. Run new quality RG-6 coax cable and you will be good to go.If easily done, yes. If not, probably won't matter.

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11 Replies

mikestock
Explorer
Dec 19, 2013
I got around the problem of feeding the signal from the LR to the BR by altering the wiring at the original amplifier/splitter. In my case the antenna splitter was located in the bedroom but the amplifier would keep the satellite signal from passing through to the BR receiver. I altered the wall plate by drilling and installing a barrel connector. The short black coax in the foreground is simply a jumper that interrupts the feed to the LR tv and when attached as shown completes the circuit normally, through the amplifier.

By unscrewing the black coax from the barrel connector I can attach the input to the DTV receiver in its place and bypass the amplifier. This allows me to use the built-in coax to bring the DTV signal from my living room to the bedroom receiver. Difficult for me to explain but I hope this makes sense.
docj
Explorer
Dec 19, 2013
Why not wait until you can get a C41W wireless client and avoid running any new coax?
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 19, 2013
Yes, this will work but it is my understanding the the Genie will not allow HD and SD outputs simultaneously (but I have not verified this) so if you have a modulator in the RCA jacks you may not be able to set the HD output any higher than 480. If anyone has done this I would like to hear from you.
pee-paw
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
Ok. I'll use the Slimline HD dish, power supply, Genie DVR, HDMI to front TV. Then use RCA video/audio from Genie to a video modulator, coax from modulator to multiswitch. So I'll have HD/DVR to the front TV and still be able to view SD on rear tv. Also I could change input setup to view SD on front TV if desired. Will this work?
Popsie
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
donn0128 wrote:
That is because the coaches manufacturer probably used RG-59 coax, which satellite does not like very much. Run new quality RG-6 coax cable and you will be good to go.
We have a front and rear TV running off a SWM antenna. The cable from the antenna goes to the power inserter, then a short cable from the power inserter goes to a broadband splitter, then one cable goes to the front TV and one goes to the rear TV using the RG59 cabling originally installed in the RV when it was new 14 years ago. There are no problems with the strength of the signal even though it goes through the RG59 coax.

Of course legacy coax in an older RV can be vulnerable to failed connectors (most common problem) or damage from a nail in a wall, etc.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2013
Yes, I am saying you cannot use the existing coax unless you want to use it and not use any other inputs that might have gone to that TV. You will not be able to watch anything other than satellite. No OTA TV, no VCR, etc., just satellite.
Pirate1
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
donn0128 wrote:
That is because the coaches manufacturer probably used RG-59 coax, which satellite does not like very much. Run new quality RG-6 coax cable and you will be good to go.
If easily done, yes. If not, probably won't matter.
donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2013
That is because the coaches manufacturer probably used RG-59 coax, which satellite does not like very much. Run new quality RG-6 coax cable and you will be good to go.
pee-paw
Explorer
Dec 18, 2013
Bill:
Are you saying that I cannot use the existing coax in my MH to the rear TV? The existing wiring sends 1 coax from the receiver to the multiswitch.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2013
I have some questions:
1. Can the client be used with the rear TV? Will it be controlled independently from the front tv? How do I install the Genie and the client?

Yes, you will need to run one coax cable from the antenna to the Genie and another to the Client. The SWM head will only have one coax output so you need to add the SWM splitter in your setup somewhere either inside or outside depending upon where it makes the most sense to run the 2nd cable.

2. Assuming the new HD setup works, what will be needed to return to the dome (SD), an old SD receiver(which I have), and everything work just as it can from the factory (if I had trouble with new system or someone stole the dish)?

Any DirecTV receiver will work that does not require SWM. Currently that's only the Genie (HR34 or 44) and the H25. Or you could add SWM8 hardware to your dome as well and use the Genie and clients with that setup. You just won't get the HD versions of your programming.