How to Install a Satellite TV Receiver

All via coaxial cable

Satellite TV receivers serve as the middleman of sorts between your satellite dish and your television, and are crucial in the satellite installation process. The coaxial cable from the dish must be run to the receiver, and the receiver must communicate with your television via the A/V cable. None of these steps require the aid of a professional satellite technician, though; you can take care of the task, even if you have no expertise in satellite installation.

Things You'll Need

• Coaxial cable
• A/V cable

Instructions

1. Run the coaxial cable from the satellite dish outside to the satellite receiver inside. This coaxial cable comes out of the rear of the dish's mast. Do not use a wire splitter on this cable, as it will diminish its signal strength greatly. Instead, simply run it down to the receiver and plug it into the back of the unit via the "ANT IN" port.

2. Connect the television to your receiver. The receiver will have shipped with a standard A/V cable. This cable has two sets of prongs, one on either of its ends. Each set has one red, one yellow and one white prong. There is also a set of A/V ports for these prongs, one on the back of your TV and the other on the back of the receiver. Each set of ports has one red, one yellow and white port. Match each prong up with each port according to their color. Make the connections.

3. Plug the receiver's power cord in. This cord already runs out of the top left or top right of the back of the satellite receiver, depending on the exact model. Plug this cable into the wall outlet directly, or insert it into a surge protector or power strip.

4. Power on the satellite receiver and the television. After a few moments, the receiver's menu should appear on the television if you have made the correct connections. As long as you have correctly installed the satellite dish itself, the receiver will now be able to communicate with the dish outside and successfully provide you with satellite television programming.

5. Bring up the "Signal Meter Screen" option from the receiver's menu if you are not receiving satellite programming from the dish. It is likely the dish is not correctly pointed to the main satellite above. The meter screen provides feedback on whether the dish is correctly pointed. If it indicates that some of the coordinates are not being reached by the dish as-is, go outside and make up/down and left/right adjustments to the orientation of the dish as required. Then return inside and attempt to pick up satellite programming once more.

References

• Practical Home Theater Guide: Satellite Dish Installation Guide