The Dish Network User's Resource
The Dish Network User's Resource
DishPro LNBFs are a new technology that is only supported in the newest receivers from Dish Network (Models 301, 501, 508, 721, and future 3-digit models). DishPro LNBFs and switches allow for longer runs up to 200 feet from receivers to the dish. DishPro installations are easier as there are fewer cables to run from the dish to the switch(es) for more than 2 receivers as well as simpler installations if more than 4 satellite feeds are needed (especially important now that 721s and 921s need 2 satellite feeds per receiver).
Quick lesson: all DBS providers have up to 32 frequencies to use per orbital slot. The Frequencies are opposite polarities either even or odd. Legacy LNBFs and switches can only transmit one polarity at a time down the feed cable to your receiver. Legacy switches and LNBFs use a voltage signal from your receiver to change the polarity of the LNBF it is connected to, 13 volts is odd, 18 volts is even. Since voltage will drop as the length of the cable gets longer, at some point the attenuation of the cable will drop the voltage from the receiver below 18 volts so that the LNBF can't switch to the even polarity even though the signal from the receiver is 18 volts the LNBF is only able to use the 13 volt or odd polarity.
DishPro is different as it will stack or transmit both even and odd signals down the same wire, by shifting the frequencies up so both polarities can travel the same feed to the receiver or switch. Since this is the case the LNBF doesn't need the receiver voltage to switch back and forth. A switch is necessary to be able to connect one stacked 119° feed and one stacked 110° feed to each receiver. The only way a legacy receiver will work with this arrangement of LNBFs and Dish Pro switches is with a DishPro adapter that can down convert the stacked frequencies to the standard odd or even only frequencies. Each legacy receiver has to use this adapter which must be installed within 10 feet of the receiver.
All cabling and equipment must be rated for the following:
This applies to all cabling, in-line amplifiers, surge protectors, diplexers. They are usually only rated for about 500 mA DC. Upper level RG6 will have to be used - check it - some cable will not be rated for the higher frequencies!! In other words, RG59 cabling can no longer be considered adequate.
DishPro Plus makes it possible to hook up a dual tuner receiver with just a single run of RG6. As explained above, DishPro LNBs stack the even transponders to a higher frequency range, then a DishPro switch sends all the transponders from one satellite to the receiver.
DishPro Plus puts a new twist on that by being able to control which transponders from which satellite are translated into the low and high range. For instance, the switch can be directed to translate even transponders from 119° to the low range for tuner 1 and odd transponders from 110° to the high range then put them on the same receiver output. Each range is directed to one of the dual tuner receiver's inputs by a DP Plus Separator installed at the back of the receiver. While often thought of as a splitter because of its appearance, the DPP Separator is actually a diplexer. A DPP Separator is included in the packaging of the DVR942.
Since the DPP Separator passes control codes back to the switch from only one of its outputs, and one receiver has no way to know what channel is needed by another, DP Plus can not be used to connect two individual receivers.
Another advantage of DP Plus is that legacy receivers can be connected without the DishPro Adapter that is needed with standard DP switches.
DishPro Plus switches include the DPP44, DPP Twin, and the 3-LNB “triplet” head for the Dish 1000.2/1000.4.
DishProX is used on the Hopper to put a 3rd satellite feed on a single line. It does this by taking 2 receiver outputs of a DishPro Plus switch (either integrated or external) to an XiP node which will band-translate part of one of the lines up to the 2500-3000MHz range and combine the 3 onto 1 RG6 to the Hopper.
| Legacy | DP/DPP | dpX |
|---|---|---|
| 950-1450MHz | 1650-2150MHz | 2500-3000MHz |
Thanks to John Lodge for the explanation of DishPro vs legacy.
Have a correction or addition? Contact the Editor