C h a p t e r 1

C o n n e c t i n g

Round

Single LNB

Single satellite

Round

Dual LNB

Single satellite

Oval

Dual LNB

Two satellite

Required for all HD programming:

Oval

Triple LNB

Multi-satellite

Satellite Dish Antennas and LNBs

Satellite dish antennas come in two shapes, Round and Oval. A Round dish receives signals from one satellite (Sat A), while an Oval dish can receive signals from two or three satellites (Sat A, Sat B, and Sat C). Every satellite dish antenna includes at least one Low Noise Blocker (LNB). The LNB is the device at the focal point of the satellite dish that gathers the signal reflected by the dish and sends it to your HD DVR. (It’s the mushroom shaped “finger” pointed back at the dish from the extended “arm.”)

There are three types of LNBs, single, dual, and triple. A single LNB sends one signal and has one jack, or connector, inside the arm extending from the dish. A dual LNB sends two signals and has two jacks. A triple LNB dish adds an extra LNB for the third satellite (Sat C). The LNBs determine the number of independent signals your dish can send to your

HD DVR.

If you have a two satellite dish, or a multi-satellite dish, your HD DVR will not work properly unless you have connected a multiswitch as well. Some satellite dish antennas have a multiswitch built-in. For more information about multiswitches, see page 6.

Remember, you need a triple LNB multi-satellite dish for full functionality: to receive all high-definition programming from DIRECTV, and to take advantage of the HD DVR’s dual tuner functionality (described on page 6). If you can’t tell by looking at it, the easiest way to determine what type of dish you have is to consult the documentation that came with the dish. Disassembling the dish to determine its type is not recommended. If you currently own a different type of satellite dish, contact the installer or retailer for information about upgrading your dish.

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