[Darthchaffinch]

Hi, am trying to connect a new satelite decoder box to my desktop PC so that it can access on demand stuff- I thought plugging a network cable into both boxes would work but it didn't. The router is on the other side of the house so can't plug it straight into there, what if anything can I do?
Thanks

edit: the desktop is connected wirelessly to the router.

[nvingo]

In Windows, enable the bridge between the two network ports (wifi and LAN). I did this once on a laptop to get iPlayer on a STB. Sorry though, cannot remember the steps involved.

[Darthchaffinch]

Thanks a lot!!

Just tried bridging the wireless internet connection with a local area connection icon (intel(r) pro/100 VE network). Lost all net access when I did it.
Both of these are the only icons in the LAN or high-speed internet section of the network connections box,
The other options are internet gateway.

[stephen122333]

Get one of these

It is what I have and it does a great job.

[Darthchaffinch]

Originally Posted by stephen122333

Get one of these

It is what I have and it does a great job.

thanks, that looks useful, but am a bit concerned from one of the Amazon reviews that placing it in a decent wireless-strength area (like where the tv is) slows the speed down?

[c4rv]

Is the PC near the decoder ?

[Stig]

Originally Posted by Darthchaffinch

Hi, am trying to connect a new satelite decoder box to my desktop PC so that it can access on demand stuff- I thought plugging a network cable into both boxes would work but it didn't. The router is on the other side of the house so can't plug it straight into there, what if anything can I do?
Thanks

edit: the desktop is connected wirelessly to the router.

Get a pair of Netplugs (power line adapters) and connect the router to one and the STB to another.

[Darthchaffinch]

Originally Posted by c4rv

Is the PC near the decoder ?

Yep right next to it, that's why I tried a network cable.

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by Darthchaffinch

Yep right next to it, that's why I tried a network cable.

Get a cross-over ethernet cable, this is required to connect two computers without the use of a router/switch*

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-Cat5e...2167744&sr=8-2


Then as nvigo suggested you need to internet connection sharing on your wifi adaptor in network properties. The steps vary depending on your operating system but there are plenty of tutorials on youtube,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifDyMaWC0Mk


This allows the PC to share the wifi internet connection via the ethernet port.



* yes I realise the that gigabit ethernet adaptors are auto-sensing for x-over but I'm not taking any changes without knowing what PC OP has.

[Darthchaffinch]

Thanks very.much! I have a dell 5150 dimension on xp.

The netplugs look excellent, but can't work out if they will work here without earth!

EDIT: found these that work in Sweden but not sure if there's anything fundamentaly different in the specs; voltage is the same here, but it's the earth that is missing on most sockets.

http://www.unifymall.com/Sweden/unif...er-p-1818.html

[Darthchaffinch]

Just found out from IT chap here that the netplugs don't work here

[JeffG1]

As an aside, here's an American site (about.com) I wouldn't trust to tell me the first thing about electrical matters:

some older, smaller appliances don't work with the strong 220v current in Europe.

!!!!

[Hugh Jarse]

If your sky box has component outputs, you could use one of these & capture in HD.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hauppauge-Ca...f=cm_lmf_tit_1

Not sure if some of the newer sky boxes have component outputs, or if you're bothered about capturing in HD, but if so, that would work well.

[nvingo]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jarse

If your sky box has component outputs, you could use one of these & capture in HD.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hauppauge-Ca...f=cm_lmf_tit_1

Not sure if some of the newer sky boxes have component outputs, or if you're bothered about capturing in HD, but if so, that would work well.

[Darthchaffinch]

It's.not a sky box, its a canaldigital box (i'm in Sweden)

[cmorris]

How do I connect a SKY, SKY+ or SKY HD box to my PC? Can I do this via the VGA port or the HDMI port?

[chrisjr]

Originally Posted by cmorris

How do I connect a SKY, SKY+ or SKY HD box to my PC? Can I do this via the VGA port or the HDMI port?

Not by a direct cable link from a port on the Sky box to a similar port on the PC. The ports (either flavour) on both Sky box and PC will be output only.

Perhaps the simplest option is to get hold of a Video Capture device that plugs into a USB port on the PC and has video and audio inputs that you connect to the video and audio outputs on the Sky box, most likely the SCART socket using an adapter plug or lead as necessary.

It is possible you might find something that plugs into a HDMI output but I have a feeling the HDCP copy protection might kick in and scupper that. Though I have seen it suggested that you could use a HDMI to Component Video converter which might get round that. But then you would need a capture device capable of Component video, which is probably rarer than ones that do Composite video.

[cmorris]

What happens if I connect HDMI from Laptop to HDMI on SKY Box

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by cmorris

What happens if I connect HDMI from Laptop to HDMI on SKY Box

The laptop HDMI is for output only as is the Sky box! You cannot use either HDMI for input as they are not like the HDMI on a TV (Input only)

[Darthchaffinch]

Back on thread....: had a look on YouTube which had a vid suggesting I might just need to allow sharing in the network & sharing centre?

[c4rv]

Originally Posted by Darthchaffinch

Back on thread....: had a look on YouTube which had a vid suggesting I might just need to allow sharing in the network & sharing centre?

can you just clarify what you are trying to do. Your first post seems to suggest that you to want internet enable your sat box to view on demand content.

Then there is talk of recording stuff on the PC from sat box.

If you are just talking about internet enabling your sat box and your PC is Windows 7 then yes, Network and Sharing is the correct place to enable internet connection sharing (ICS)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ection-Sharing

[chrisjr]

Originally Posted by cmorris

What happens if I connect HDMI from Laptop to HDMI on SKY Box

Well since both are outputs and both carry 5V I would imagine they might not like it very much.

If they survive the ordeal then one thing you will never get is the Sky TV images appearing on your laptop's screen.

[spiney2]

u cd always revert to usb video capture. eg easycap.

sd quality only since uses pal analogue tv system. and 2.0 sound although thats still dolby surround.

[Darthchaffinch]

Originally Posted by c4rv

can you just clarify what you are trying to do. Your first post seems to suggest that you to want internet enable your sat box to view on demand content.

Then there is talk of recording stuff on the PC from sat box.

If you are just talking about internet enabling your sat box and your PC is Windows 7 then yes, Network and Sharing is the correct place to enable internet connection sharing (ICS)

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ection-Sharing

I never mentioned recording!?! I just want to internet enable the sat box yes. The pc is XP btw. Thanks for your help!

[mac2708]

If all the OP wants to do is internet enable the satellite box, this (or something similar) may do it
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vonets-VAP11...2192944&sr=8-1

A friend uses one of these on a Smart-TV downstairs (but could be a sat box etc.) with the router upstairs at the opposite side of the house.

Or have I misread the situation?