NICE AND EASY: What’s so good about DIRECTV SWM?

DIRECTV SWM is more or less the “law of the land” these days. The SWM system rolled out in 2009 initially and is used for over 99.9% of new DIRECTV installations. It replaced a system which was more compatible with global satellite systems but took a lot of cable. Even commercial DIRECTV systems use SWM, although they use the “legacy” wiring scheme to get wires down from the dish. This allows commercial setups to be larger than residential systems.

Still, believe it or not, our tech team gets questions all the time about the SWM system and why it’s better than a non-SWM, or “legacy,” system. This guide will help answer the questions you may have about moving over to SWM.

A SWM system only needs one wire per receiver.

In the early days, you needed one wire for a receiver, two wires for a DVR. However, the Genie system started with the ability to record five things, and moved to the ability to record seven. That would mean seven cables into the main Genie DVR and potentially one cable out. That’s a lot of copper wire, and a lot of holes in the wall.

Genie DVRs and clients only work with SWM systems.

No one seriously entertained the idea of having that many wires going into and out of a Genie DVR. Honestly, most homeowners would have just said “nope.” So, the Genie system was designed around SWM. This makes it easy: one wire to each box, period. That wire carries up to 13 channels of satellite information and can send network information to 7 client boxes at a time. That’s a lot of work for one piece of copper.

All current and future DIRECTV products are SWM-only.

Today, there is only one DIRECTV box offered that allows a non-SWM install: the H24 receiver. The HR24 DVR also allows for non-SWM systems but most people can’t get it, as it’s reserved for replacements of existing hardware only. That’s not going to change. DIRECTV SWM is the way of the land, period, and no one is seriously considering going back. So if you want to use current equipment, SWM is the only way to go.

SWM systems let you do whole-home viewing.

One basic element of modern pay-TV systems is the ability to watch recordings and on-demand content in every room. Once upon a time, it was possible to do this with Ethernet cables, but that generally doesn’t work anymore. So, in order to get this capability, you need a SWM system. Wireless systems are available, but they are closely tied to SWM technology.

The network design used in SWMs is just better.

The satellite systems used in other parts of the world are based on technology developed in the mid-1990s. It’s reliable, but it suffers from a lack of capacity. That’s not a problem for European “freeview” systems that offer a dozen channels, but it’s a big problem for US customers who expect hundreds. Today’s SWM technology allows for much better use of the cable’s actual capacity, and does a better job of sending the information that the system needs. It’s just better built.

A SWM system can use a separate power inserter.

With SWM, you have options. Most folks use a separate power inserter that powers the dish. Yes, the dish itself does require power. If you’re into efficiency and simplicity, you can use the Genie DVR or server to power the dish. That means you have options. With older systems, the dish gets its power from the receivers directly, which can cause problem as receivers are moved or unplugged.

SWM systems can use splitters anywhere in the run, while older systems can’t be split.

The ability to use splitters anywhere in the run is a core function of SWM technology. It means less copper wire in the walls, lower cost to install, and faster installations. It’s made it easier for SWM to compete with cable TV and internet systems.

Ready for that upgrade now?

If you’re ready to upgrade your DIRECTV system, call the experts! We’re here for you at [email protected] during East Coast business hours. When you call, you’ll get someone on the line who really understands your needs. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours generally.