Different types of satellite Dishes

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

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.