FAQ: Multiswitches
FAQ H.1
I installed a multiswitch and I don't receive any signal. What can I do?
First check if the multiswitch requires external power supplies to power the LNB. Once excluding any power problems, if the problem persists, make sure not to have mistakenly connected the cables between LNB and multiswitch. Indeed, if the cables of the four polarizations are not connected properly, the decoder isn't able to receive the pretuned channels by commanding the multiswitch.
FAQ H.2
How can I combine TV and SAT signals in a multiswitch system?
In multiswitch systems you can combine TV signals with those SAT already within the upright column through the use of TV-SAT multiswitches, which are multiswitches with 5 inputs (4 H-V-H-V SAT inputs and 1 DTT input) on whose derived outputs TV-SAT signals come already mixed. The TV-SAT versions are available both in the case of headend multiswitches that in the case of the two series of cascadable models respectively represented by adjustable multiswitches and dCSS multiswitch.
FAQ H.3
Can I receive signals from two different satellites with a single satellite dish in a multiswitch system?
The use of cascadable multiswitches allows to properly balance the system. The multiswitches with adjustable gain MW series, moreover, offer the benefit of realizing even large size systems with only two models, thanks to the presence of a switch that allows to set different gains for the various floors of the building.
FAQ H.4
Can I connect more decoders, independent of each other, to the same derived output of a multiswitch?
Yes. In case of systems with Legacy multiswitches, you need to install a multifeed for two LNBs and a second H-V-H-V LNB on the satellite dish. Organise the multiswitches in two flanked upright columns and connect each derived output pair with a DiSEqC switch for multiswitches.
To find some examples of what has just been said, you can refer to our Guided research for systems schemes.
To learn what Legacy mean see FAQ K.4.
To learn more about the DiSEqC protocol see FAQ K.3.
FAQ H.5
Can I install a SCR multiswitch in a system realized with traditional multiswitches?
Yes, but only if it is a SCR multiswitch or a dCSS multiswitch.
With SCR model you can connect up to 4 independent tuners on the derived output using a single cable thanks to the employ of 4 user bands. With dCSS model, instead, connect up to 16 independent tuners on the derived output using a single cable thanks to the employ of 16 user bands.
To learn more about the SCR protocol see FAQ K.5.
To learn more about the dCSS protocol see FAQ K.6.
FAQ H.7
Can I install a dCSS multiswitch in a system realized with multiswitches with Legacy outputs?
Yes, provided that you observe certain precautions.
Since MSW dCSS series multiswitches are characterized by a considerable absorption and they are all able to take power supply from V/L polarity connectors, prior to their connection to the system column it is necessary to ensure that they are properly powered by a dedicated power supply or, alternatively, that the power supply available on the V/L polarity is sufficient for the operation of all devices (LNB and multiswitches) present in the system.
In this regard, please refer to the datasheets of the individual products, given that each model differs from the others in type and power mode.
To find out the correct way to supply power to a multiswitch cascade click here.
FAQ H.8
What kind of decoders can be connected to the output of a dCSS multiswitch?
If the multiswitch is equipped with dCSS/Legacy outputs, that is it is able to receive both 13÷18 V 0÷22 KHz switching commands and switching commands typical of SCR/dCSS standard, you can connect any kind of SAT decoder.
Otherwise, if the multiswitch is able to receive only dCSS switching commands, since the dCSS technology is backwards compatible with SCR technology, you can connect to the multiswitch outputs both the multituner decoders with dCSS technology (e.g. Sky Q) and the decoders with SCR technology, while there are excluded those decoders which only consider 13÷18 V 0÷22 KHz switching commands.
FAQ H.9
MW series multiswitches, equipped with legacy outputs, allow the LNB to be powered by decoder without install a power supply along the multiswitches column. Is this yet true in the case of the new dCSS multiswitches?
No.
While MW series multiswitches are characterized by a rather moderate absorption (75 mA max), which allows the decoders to provide the necessary and sufficient power for their operation and for operation of LNB, dCSS multiswitches are characterized by a more substantial absorption, so it is mandatory the installation of one or more power supply units able to provide the right supply to all devices (multiswitches and LNB) installed along the system.
For more info on power supply unit models and potential DC inserter models to use in support of dCSS multiswitches please refer to the data sheets of individual products.
FAQ H.10
I installed a dCSS multiswitches, but it doesn't work. Why?
Since dCSS multiswitches are characterized by a considerable absorption, first of all it is necessary to ensure that they are properly powered and that the same happens for LNB.
In this regard, please refer to the data sheets of the individual products, given that each model differs from the others in type and power mode.
dCSS multiswitches
FAQ H.11
I replaced the multiswitch previously installed in the system with a new dCSS multiswitch, but the decoder is not able to receive any channels anymore. How can I solve my problem?
First of all please verify that the just installed multiswitch is right powered.
After this, if the decoder connected to the dCSS multiswitch output considers switching commands typical of SCR/dCSS standard (this is the case of both the multituner decoders with dCSS technology, e.g. Sky Q, and the decoders with SCR technology) it will be simply enough program the decoder in SCR or dCSS mode, depending on the model.
Instead, if the decoder only considers 13÷18 V 0÷22 KHz switching commands, it will be necessary to employ a multiswitch equipped with dCSS/Legacy outputs, which behave like Legacy or SCR/dCSS outputs depending on the decoder type connected.
FAQ H.12
I noticed that in correspondence to some dCSS products it is specified that they can operate in dynamic mode or static mode. What does it mean?
The dCSS devices (LNBs and multiswitches) with this feature can operate in a mode rather than another depending on how they are programmed.
The 'dynamic' mode allows to distribute a potentially unlimited number of transponders to a maximum of 32 devices, independent of each other, using just as many User Bands.
In 'static' mode, on the other hand, there are assigned to a maximum of 32 transponders as many frequencies in band 1 IF. The 32 selected transponders can be distributed to a potentially unlimited number of users.
If you need to update the program or switch between the two modes, these devices can be reprogrammed using a dCSS programmer (cod. 15-701 P-MSW dCSS), sold separately.
FAQ H.13
Can I distribute satellite signals within a condominium exploiting the pre-existing unicable distribution?
If previously laid cables, splitters/taps and outlets are suitable for satellite signals distribution and there is already a H-V-H-V LNB installed on the satellite dish, you can leverage the existing distribution using a dCSS multiswitch cod. 15-700 MSW52 dCSS 32 porte, programmed in static mode, and a SAT in line amplifier.
This multiswitch, indeed, if programmed in static mode, can assign to a maximum of 32 transponders as many frequencies in band 1 IF. The 32 selected transponders can be distributed to a potentially unlimited number of users.
A detached programmer (cod. 15-701 P-MSW dCSS) allows to reconfigure the multiswitch setup whenever it is necessary to change the selected frequencies.
If in a TV system there isn't installed any LNB, a LNB cod. 13-210 LNB dCSS 32 porte can be used alternatively to cod. 15-700 MSW52 dCSS 32 porte.
FAQ H.14
What do you mean when you talk about "Wide band" multiswitches?
When you talk about Wide band multiswitches you mean a category of multiswitches able to handle the signals received from a satellite using only two coaxial cables (the first one dedicated to vertical polarization, the other one dedicated to horizontal polarization), on which signals of a same polarization are distributed in the frequency range 290÷2340 MHz. They must be used in combination with LNBs of the same type, e.g. cod. 13-290 LNB WIDEBAND (see also FAQ B.14).
