Once you have more than one or two decoders, something has to distribute the signal to all of them. That is the multiswitch: it takes the LNB feeds in and provides an independent output per decoder tuner, so each room can watch a different channel without fighting over the same polarity and band.
Multiswitch vs splitter — not interchangeable
This distinction causes an enormous number of "why can't room two watch what room one is watching" complaints. A splitter simply divides one signal — every output gets the same thing, and each split costs you signal strength. A multiswitch actively selects the correct band and polarity per output, which is what independent viewing genuinely requires. A splitter fitted where a multiswitch belonged is one of the most common faults we inherit from a previous installer.
Powered, and therefore mortal
Multiswitches need power, and that power supply is a real failure point — particularly after a surge. The signature is unmistakable: every decoder in the property loses signal at the same instant. If one TV is out, look at that TV's cable; if all of them are out, look at the head-end.
Design headroom
We size the head-end for the property you will have, not just the one you have now — a 5×8 where a 5×4 would just barely do costs very little more today and saves a full re-cable when you add a room later.
Brands we fit and service
The multiswitch & splitter market splits into hardware built for South African conditions and lookalikes that fail at the first hard season. These are the manufacturers we trust on our installations:
- Inverto
- Triax
- Ellies
See our brand guides for how these manufacturers compare.
When the multiswitch & splitter goes wrong
These are the failures we're called to most often — each with its symptoms, causes and our fix on the dedicated problems page:
- Extra View not working on the second TVE48-32 on one decoder — The main decoder works perfectly while the second one has no signal, or the two interfere — changing channel on one dist…
- All TVs lost signal at onceE30, E48-32 on every decoder — Every decoder in the property lost signal simultaneously. No storm, no visible damage, nothing changed.
- Some channels missing on one TV only — One decoder gets most channels but is missing a specific group, while other decoders in the same house receive everythin…
Need this fixed or installed?
Our Multi-Room Installation service covers multiswitch & splitter work — from R1 450, quoted upfront and backed by our 12-month workmanship warranty.