Directv question

[xobituaryx]

Hey,
I recently got directv and got one hd receiver box with it. I purchased 2 regular digital boxes from the flea market. I was wondering for the 2 boxes that are not hooked up, do they have to be dedicated from box straight to the dish line? or can you split a cable to go to 2 diffrent boxes of one line? I think they gave me a lnb-5 dish, but instead of me running dedicated lines everywhere, I wanted to use the lines that were in my house when i had cable. that consisted of 2 lines going into the house. 1 went to the basement and split into an upstairs room. the other went to another room. I know this is confusing but try to paint a picture and let me know what you come up with. the one line that went to the basement I'd like to split but not sure if its possible. Thanks.

[Barnabas]

No, you can't use a normal splitter from cable TV. You need a special switch, sort of a splitter.

[xobituaryx]

do you know what the name is or what kind?

[Barnabas]

They are known as a multiswitch.

RCA makes them, so do many other companies. Ebay has tons of them. If any of the cables currently run go to a normal splitter, you will have to take the splitter out of the line.

You have to be careful buying used receivers, as if you buy one that had it's service terminated due to lack of payment, they will refuse to authorize the receiver. Happened to me once when I bought a used Dishnetwork system on Ebay.

[lordsmurf]

Look for a DBS diplexer, one that splits 4 or more ways.