DirectTv, Motosat, Nomad 2 and recording

[danes-on-tour]

Our TV setup is a DirectTv HD package, a Motosat aerial (the one with the blue LED light), and a Nomad 2 box.

Our DirectTv box was playing tricks on us and on the advice from DirectTv, we decided to opt for the new Genie recorder that they have just announced.

2 weeks wait, and a mobile installer comes to the RV. Takes a look at the Motosat and the Nomad 2 and says that a Genie recorder can not be installed. First of all we would need to replace the Motosat HD dish to "a swimming ??? aerial , and next our Nomad 2 doesn't have 2 aerial outlets and will not work for that reason

He also says that because we don't have the 2 outlets on the Nomad 2, we can't have "the old style" recording unit from DirectTv.

Does this make sense to any of you? I can't believe that noone with a Motosat system has installed a DirectTv recorder?

Since both Motosat and Mosat are out of business there is no reason asking them. The new owners of Motosat - Niasat - do not seem to have continued the line of RV aerials.

[Route 66]

Try RF Mogul, they are the previous owners, engineers, developers, etc of MotoSAT and they repair MotoSAT.

Niasat looks to be more of a commercial/business supplier rather than a consumer supplier.

[FlyingDiver]

He didn't know what he was talking about. I have a Motosat HD-SL5 dish, Nomad SD controller, and the Genie (HR-34) DVR.

The newer DirecTV receivers require an SWM (Single Wire Multiplex) feed from the dish. Normally, DirecTV will do that with an SWM LNB. But you can't put that on a Motosat HD dish.

You need an SWM-8 converter/switch You take the four outputs from your Motosat HD-SL5 and feed those into the SWM-8 inputs. You take the regular output from the SWM-8 and run it to the HR-34. You connect the input on the Nomad to one of the Legacy outputs on the SWM-8. You also need a PI-29 (power inserter) in there somewhere. I can be between the HR-34 and the SWM-8 if you use the #1 output on the SWM-8. Or you can put it somewhere else and run it to the #1 by itself, and then run the #2 to the HR-34. Or you can run the power directly to the #3 Legacy output (I think).

You can install the SWM-8 either on the roof right next to the HD-SL5. That's the best choice if you don't have all four outputs already running into the coach. In my case, all four cables ran together into the basement, so I installed the SWM-8 in the basement. I also installed the PI-29 in the basement. Then I ran 1 output from the SWM-8 to the LR cabinet where the HR-34 is installed, and the other output to the bedroom where an older DVR is

Here's a document that Winegard wrote for how to do this. It only refers to Winegard satellites, but the HD-SL5 is almost the same as the SK-3005. The only difference is that you will need an additional cable from one of the Legacy outputs to the Nomad input.

http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/2452242.pdf

[FlyingDiver]

Your best bet is to buy and install the SWM-8 yourself, then have the installer bring out the Genie. They SHOULD provide the SWM-8 for free with the upgrade, but most installers won't do it - they'll want to replace your dish, which you can't do.

[wiirv]

FlyingDiver

Great answer. I've been trying to pry that info from a local DTV store so I could make that change. Now you've provided me with al the answers. Thanks.


One other question though. Did your monthly DVR service go up? I was told it was going to $27.95 per month for the new Genies. Wow!


LJ
Currently on the Left Coast

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by wiirv

FlyingDiver

Great answer. I've been trying to pry that info from a local DTV store so I could make that change. Now you've provided me with al the answers. Thanks.


One other question though. Did your monthly DVR service go up? I was told it was going to $27.95 per month for the new Genies. Wow!


LJ
Currently on the Left Coast

I had to pay an extra $6/mo for the receiver, since I wasn't deactivating either of my current ones (both had stuff on the DVR we wanted to watch). And I had to add the whole home dvd for $3/mo, I think. They're switching to a single advanced receiver fee instead of the individual charges for HD, DVR, and whole home, I think.

[twobachs]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

He didn't know what he was talking about. I have a Motosat HD-SL5 dish, Nomad SD controller, and the Genie (HR-34) DVR.

The newer DirecTV receivers require an SWM (Single Wire Multiplex) feed from the dish. Normally, DirecTV will do that with an SWM LNB. But you can't put that on a Motosat HD dish.

You need an SWM-8 converter/switch You take the four outputs from your Motosat HD-SL5 and feed those into the SWM-8 inputs. You take the regular output from the SWM-8 and run it to the HR-34. You connect the input on the Nomad to one of the Legacy outputs on the SWM-8. You also need a PI-29 (power inserter) in there somewhere. I can be between the HR-34 and the SWM-8 if you use the #1 output on the SWM-8. Or you can put it somewhere else and run it to the #1 by itself, and then run the #2 to the HR-34. Or you can run the power directly to the #3 Legacy output (I think).

You can install the SWM-8 either on the roof right next to the HD-SL5. That's the best choice if you don't have all four outputs already running into the coach. In my case, all four cables ran together into the basement, so I installed the SWM-8 in the basement. I also installed the PI-29 in the basement. Then I ran 1 output from the SWM-8 to the LR cabinet where the HR-34 is installed, and the other output to the bedroom where an older DVR is

Here's a document that Winegard wrote for how to do this. It only refers to Winegard satellites, but the HD-SL5 is almost the same as the SK-3005. The only difference is that you will need an additional cable from one of the Legacy outputs to the Nomad input.

http://www.winegard.com/kbase/upload/2452242.pdf

I have the HD SL5 now.

I want to upgrade to the directv genie so this is good news. However, when I move the present boxes to the MoHo I have to change the directv antenna/dish setting to "round" form the SM 5 and back when I put them back in the house. Does the Genie have the ability to change antenna or dish configurations?

[wa8yxm]

Dang few installers understand RV type antennas.