DirecTV satellite dish types


Go BackGallery For
What kind of dish do you have? - A guide to identifying your DIRECTV satellite dish antenna.
AU9-SL3 Triple LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line AU9-SL3 Triple LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line SWM MPEG-4 Compatible "Slim line" Ka/Ku Band Dish MPEG-4 Compatible "SWM Line" Ka/Ku Band Dish SWM AU9-SL5
Original AU9-S (4) Outputs Each Output Carries 99 101 103 110 119 Ka Satellites are listed in yellow boxes
Original AU9-S (1) Outputs The Output Carries Ka Satellites are listed in yellow boxes
Dish Notes This New Slimline dish from DIRECTV is smaller, lighter and better looking. This kit comes with a SL3 LNB to receive 101°, 99°, 103° degree satellites. This dish can receive MPEG-4 compression (better quality) HD content, which is the format the new HD content is broadcast in. The SWM Version of the SL3 gets all the same satellites, but offers the added convenience of carrying the signal down a single cable. From that cable you can split the signal up to eight times. This is one of the few dishes that require a power supply. Dish integrates a built-in switch to handle both Ku and Ka (99°/103°) satellite signals. This dish receives exactly what the Phase III dish does, with the addition of the newest satellite in the sky for local HD channel programming. This dish can receive MPEG-4 compression (better quality) HD content, which is the format the new HD content is broadcast in. The SWM Version of the SL5 gets all the same satellites, but offers the added convenience of carrying the signal down a single cable. From that cable you can split the signal up to eight times. This is one of the few dishes that require a power supply. Compatible Multiswitch List
Note: The first digit is the number of inputs, second digit is the number of outputs. For example, a 4x8 multiswitch has four inputs and eight outputs. An odd number of inputs (3 or 5) means that there is an additional input for TV Antenna or Cable TV feed. Using the additional input also requires the use of diplexers, which separate the satellite and alternate feeds at the receiver drop point. Satellite signal is the primary feed on an output from a multiswitch, so it is not necessary to use a diplexer if you do not plan to utilize the alternate feed at any one receiver point.
Other Currently Available DIRECTV Satellite Dishes Older (no longer available) DIRECTV Satellite Dishes
Phase II
Satellite Dish
(Two LNBs)
Phase II Plus
Satellite Dish
(Three LNBs)
MPEG-4 Compatible Ka/Ku Band
Satellite Dish
Channel Master
Gain Master
Satellite Dish
Phase II Dish Output Carries 101 119
101
Original AT9
110 119
This dish may have two or three LNBs. The SAT-C LNB may have been installed after initial installation, connected with a SAT-C combiner to SAT-B as in the Gain Master dish. Typically, a 4x4 multiswitch is used to combine either SAT-A and SAT-B or SAT-A, SAT-B, and SAT-C. From the 4x4 switch, a 4xn or 5xn multiswitch can be used to distribute to n receivers. Very similar to the Phase II satellite dish, with the addition of an integrated 5x4 multiswitch. The LNBs on this dish clip into place, right into the inputs of the 5x4 switch. From the integrated 5x4 switch, a 4xn or 5xn multiswitch can be used to distribute to n receivers. All four feeds must be connected to the switch in order receive all three SATs on n outputs, Dish integrates a built-in switch to handle both Ku and Ka (99°/103°) satellite signals. This dish receives exactly what the Phase III dish does, with the addition of the newest satellite in the sky for local HD channel programming (in select markets where available). The difference is, this dish can receive MPEG-4 compression (better quality) HD content, which is the format the new HD content is broadcast in. Dish LNB head has built-in 5x4 multiswitch to combine SAT A, B & C signals to four identical outputs carrying all three SATs. This is the most popular DIRECTV dish due its size and capabilities. From the integrated 5x4 switch, a 4xn or 5xn multiswitch can be used to distribute to n receivers. All four feeds must be connected to the switch in order receive all three SATs on n outputs, Compatable Multiswitch List
Note: The first digit is the number of inputs, second digit is the number of outputs. For example, a 4x8 multiswitch has four inputs and eight outputs. An odd number of inputs (3 or 5) means that there is an additional input for TV Antenna or Cable TV feed. Using the additional input also requires the use of diplexers, which separate the satellite and alternate feeds at the receiver drop point. Satellite signal is the primary feed on an output from a multiswitch, so it is not necessary to use a diplexer if you do not plan to utilize the alternate feed at any one receiver point.

Slim Line Dishes Explained:

The SL3 SWM, has all the features of the standard SL3, with the addition of a single wire multiswitch. There is a single output on the dish, once ran into the building, the single line can be split up to eight times using DirecTV approved splitters. This system does not allow usage of diplexers for off-air TV reception or cable TV.

AU9-SL3 Triple LNB K The SL3 3LNB mounts on the same dish that the original Slim Line 5LNB uses. It picks up 99, and 103 on the Ka band and 101 on the Ku. For most customers there is no need for the 110 and 119 and were used on the previous 3 LNB because DIRECTV is moving legacy HD over to 103 and 99. This increases the coverage area of the satellites so more people can get programming.

AU9-SL3 Triple LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line SWM

The SL3 SWM, has all the features of the standard SL3, with the addition of a single wire multiswitch. There is a single output on the dish, once ran into the building, the single line can be split up to eight times using DIRECTV approved splitters. This system does not allow usage of diplexers for off-air TV reception or cable TV.

MPEG-4 Compatible "SWM Line" Ka/Ku Band Dish SWM AU9-SL5 SWM

The SL5 uses the Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM) technology to carry multiple channels of satellite signal down one line. Once inside the building you can split this up to eight receivers, something previously possible with cable tv. However this dish does not currently allow Diplexing since there is no off-air antenna input on the dish.

MPEG-4 Compatible "Slim line" Ka/Ku Band Dish AU9-SL5

The Slim Line dish is DIRECTV´s first 5-LNB dish, it receives satellites 99, 101, 103, 110 119. This dish was also the first to use the KA band by DIRECTV (satellites 99 and 103). It is called the Wide Band system because these new satellites run a lower frequency not previously used, and is also the reason you cannot use previous satellite equipment on it that passes 900-2150MHz. The Wide band runs on 250-2150MHz, which overlaps frequencies used by cable TV and off-air broadcasts. Diplexing, or the merging of CATV or off-air TV with satellite is not possible on this dish, because of the frequency conflict.
Triple LNB Ka/Ku Slim Line SWM PART 1 PART 2