If there’s any piece of equipment that is more misunderstood than the lowly band stop filter, I can’t think of it. The band stop filter has one purpose in life. It lets your satellite signal in but keeps your whole-home signal out.
Because they will keep any receiver from sharing programming, you can use them to keep your kids from seeing your bedroom DVR. Commercial installers use them to keep apartments from seeing each other’s DVRs. But really, the basic use of this little red dongle is to make sure your whole-home system works right.
Band stop filters are only used on SWM systems. If you have an older system that runs two wires into each DVR, you don’t need them. But, you might consider upgrading. If your SWM system was made in 2010 or any time after that, and if you have newer equipment, you might never need a band stop filter. On the other hand, here are three cases where someone might need a band stop filter:
Older or SD equipment If you are using the D12 standard definition receiver, the THR22 TiVo, or if you are using any equipment that is not compatible with the SWM system, you must use a band stop filter before every receiver. This will protect it from being damaged by the high-powered whole-home signal.
SWM equipment made before 2010: If you are not sure how old your SWM system is, you will want to connect a band top filter to your splitter where the satellite line connects to it.
HR20-100: If you have the rare HR20-100 DVR (look for a sticker on the back or near the access card to tell you) there is a special configuration that is required in order to network your DVR. A band stop filter is used on “satellite in 1” in order to allow the system to work right.
Here’s a PDF showing the proper installation of band stop filters. If you need to know more about hooking up DECAs, especially with the HR20-100, read our guide here.
Band Stop Filter LR
