Of course you can - they are all the same signals i.e. the same "stations". It's only the EPG which is different.
Put a quad LNB on and run four separate receivers at once!!
I wish I had put an octo LNB now, but it is such a pain to get to my dish due to the height (requires cherry picker) that isn't going to be possible. That being said, I don't really hear of many people deploying OctoLNBs....have there been problems with them?
I wish I had put an octo LNB now, but it is such a pain to get to my dish due to the height (requires cherry picker) that isn't going to be possible. That being said, I don't really hear of many people deploying OctoLNBs....have there been problems with them?
No problems here using 2 Sky+ and three other feeds via DiSEqC switches to non Sky boxes.
Great, I thought it was possible but wanted to check as it's not for myself but a friend who is having a new house built and is at the cabling up stage.
I wish I had put an octo LNB now, but it is such a pain to get to my dish due to the height (requires cherry picker) that isn't going to be possible. That being said, I don't really hear of many people deploying OctoLNBs....have there been problems with them?
I don't believe so, but there are only a tiny number of occasions where one would be needed.
Just to upset everyone, we had a box of octo-LNB's come instead of quads (and we didn't know) - we just gave the box full to our installer who fitted them on normal Sky+ installs!
The other option to quad or octo LNBs (and the most future proof) is to fit a "quattro" LNB, which is not the same as a quad LNB even though it has 4 outputs, and use a distribution box like this:
You only ever need 4 cables from the LNB to the distribution box, but the boxes can support up to 24 independent outputs and can also send ordinary TV and radio alongside the satellite signal down the same cable to the wall sockets. Very neat, I have one and recommend it.
The box does the switching between horizontal/vertical polarity and low/high frequency bands, rather than the LNB doing it, and each of the 4 LNB outputs is fixed at low/H, low/V, high/H,
high/V - this is what makes it different to a quad LNB.
If you ever run out of outputs, just upgrade the box, no need to go anywhere near the dish.
I wish I had put an octo LNB now, but it is such a pain to get to my dish due to the height (requires cherry picker) that isn't going to be possible. That being said, I don't really hear of many people deploying OctoLNBs....have there been problems with them?
It might be possible to use a multi switch in order to run more that four tuners from your set up. The only problem would be making your quad output LNB behave as a quarto (for use in IRS systems and flats). I guess if you "manually" feed each outputs in turn with the correct combination of voltage and 22 KHz, and then AC couple the multi switch inputs to the LNB cables.
Or if they are available maybe you can buy a switch that will work with a standard quad LNB after all you have all the possible combinations available and four down leads.
Yes yes...I see the point. With 4 feeds you should be able to do everything.
Surely someone has created a multi-switch that applies the right voltages etc to achieve this from a normal quad LNB rather than the special quattro one?
Surely someone has created a multi-switch that applies the right voltages etc to achieve this from a normal quad LNB rather than the special quattro one?
There is one but it costs several hundred pounds. With quattro LNBs costing less than £30 it really is much more cost effective to fit one and connect to an ordinary distributor box.
is there any way of doing multiple out puts from a single lnb. just want to add freesat to another room. would change lnb but its 3 storys up and i dont like heights
is there any way of doing multiple out puts from a single lnb. just want to add freesat to another room. would change lnb but its 3 storys up and i dont like heights
No, LNBs are not the same as TV aerials in that you can't turn one feed into many with a simple aerial amplifier. A set-top box constantly sends signals to the LNB to configure it into one of four states (horizontal or vertical polarity, high or low frequency band) and if you connect several to one LNB output they will start fighting each other.
To connect more than one receiver to an LNB, you either need an LNB with multiple independent outputs such as the quad LNBs Sky install with Sky+ (these require a separate cable run from the LNB to each receiver), or the other option I mentioned previously using a quattro LNB with a distribution box.
If you go for the latter then you only have to experience vertigo once, in future if you ever run out of feeds you just change the distribution box, for the LNB it is fit and forget.
BTW you can't use a quattro LNB without a distribution box, you can't connect a set-top box direct to a quattro LNB, only to a quad (or single, or dual, or octo etc.) LNB. Very confusing terminology but that's how it is.
There is one but it costs several hundred pounds. With quattro LNBs costing less than £30 it really is much more cost effective to fit one and connect to an ordinary distributor box.
It would probably cost several hundred to get a cherry picker in place to change the LNB.
However, I found this http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page1b.htm and noticed the first multiswitch in the list says quattro OR quad and the price is relatively cheap (65 quid for 8 port).
Am I correct to think one could just place this directly in front of the quad LNB cables with no additional equipment. I am concerned about the note of insertion loss and the need for bigger dishes though.
is there any way of doing multiple out puts from a single lnb. just want to add freesat to another room. would change lnb but its 3 storys up and i dont like heights
If you only want to run 1 box at a time, you could install an automatic switch. These detect which box is active and switch the single LNB to 1 box or the other. Only 1 at a time has access to the LNB which avoids the boxes fighting each other.
I think it is because we are a bit puzzled with what you have said. "Return" is usually a normal co-ax aerial socket for sending RF out back to a loft mounted distribution amplifier. Do I take it that in this case it is an F socket connected to the LNB input socket of your Sky box? Weird. I suppose it could be a plate which has been modified.
There must be someone here who has an opinion on the question above.
I imagne yes and no, I would assume that to use the humax pvr it will need two dedicated feeds to act as a twin tuner like sky plus, However it might work in a single tuner setup, though you could only record the channel your watching etc. Which in your setup with the switcher will probably suit your needs. Will have to wait for more specs of the humax to come out.
I think it is because we are a bit puzzled with what you have said. "Return" is usually a normal co-ax aerial socket for sending RF out back to a loft mounted distribution amplifier. Do I take it that in this case it is an F socket connected to the LNB input socket of your Sky box? Weird. I suppose it could be a plate which has been modified.
Yes it is an F socket connected to the Sky Box LNB socket.
Another similar question. I have basic Sky box and the Foxsat. They are both running on a communal system via a multi switch.
There are two connections on my wallplate and the Foxsat is connected to the one labelled "Sat", the Sky box is connected to the one labeled "return".
My question is, will the expected Foxsat PVR run from the connection presently occupied by the FoxsatHD.
Yes, both outputs are effectively standard LNB feeds from the communal Multiswitch.
The multiswitch has the capability to combine a conventional UHF TV and FM/DAB Radio feed with the LNB feed. This is what is fed to every Multiswitch outlet.
What this (usually) means in practice, is that your wall "faceplate" will have a number of outlets (Sat, UHF, FM, DAB etc) but will be fed by only 2 LNB feeds. The SAT Return connector is connected exclusively to 1 of the feeds whereas the other (normal) SAT connector is effectively fed from the 2nd feed. The difference is that this feed has been split (by using a local triplexer) to provide the other outputs as well. The only effect of this is that the signal on the "normal" SAT connector will be a little lower than that on the "Return" SAT connector.
If you only have a "wallplate" with only 2 SAT connectors and nothing else, then the 2 feeds should be identical.
Sorry if the above is a bit complicated to understand.
It would probably cost several hundred to get a cherry picker in place to change the LNB.
However, I found this http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page1b.htm and noticed the first multiswitch in the list says quattro OR quad and the price is relatively cheap (65 quid for 8 port).
Am I correct to think one could just place this directly in front of the quad LNB cables with no additional equipment. I am concerned about the note of insertion loss and the need for bigger dishes though.
As far as I can see this should be a perfect solution for you, I can't see why ALL Multiswitches couldn't be designed this way, it only requires a minimum of extra circuitry.
I considered going for this solution as well, but have now decided to go for a 8 X 16 Multiswitch instead, which unfortunately doesn't support this feature, so I will have to use Quatros.
Yes, both outputs are effectively standard LNB feeds from the communal Multiswitch.
The multiswitch has the capability to combine a conventional UHF TV and FM/DAB Radio feed with the LNB feed. This is what is fed to every Multiswitch outlet.
What this (usually) means in practice, is that your wall "faceplate" will have a number of outlets (Sat, UHF, FM, DAB etc) but will be fed by only 2 LNB feeds. The SAT Return connector is connected exclusively to 1 of the feeds whereas the other (normal) SAT connector is effectively fed from the 2nd feed. The difference is that this feed has been split (by using a local triplexer) to provide the other outputs as well. The only effect of this is that the signal on the "normal" SAT connector will be a little lower than that on the "Return" SAT connector.
If you only have a "wallplate" with only 2 SAT connectors and nothing else, then the 2 feeds should be identical.
Sorry if the above is a bit complicated to understand.
Graham.
Thanks for that Graham. Not being that technically minded, I'm assuming when you "yes" at the beginning of the post you are saying yes the PVR should work with this setup i.e. both boxes?
There are only two sat connectors but to answer your query about "anything else" on the wallplate there is an output for digital terrestrial (in use) and a DAB radio output.
Once again thanks for taking the time to help me understand what I have and what I can do with the set up.
anyone know where I can get a quattro LNB that will fit a sky minidish, or the required adaptor to use a standard quattro LNB on a sky minidish?
I'm not aware of one, all the ones I've seen have a 40mm neck which won't fit a Sky dish. But the usual advice when using a quattro LNB/distribution box setup is to put up a slightly larger dish anyway, e.g. a 60cm dish, and they almost always are designed to take an LNB with a 40mm neck.
Comments
Put a quad LNB on and run four separate receivers at once!!
I wish I had put an octo LNB now, but it is such a pain to get to my dish due to the height (requires cherry picker) that isn't going to be possible. That being said, I don't really hear of many people deploying OctoLNBs....have there been problems with them?
No problems here using 2 Sky+ and three other feeds via DiSEqC switches to non Sky boxes.
Thanks for the speedy replies.
bsw
I don't believe so, but there are only a tiny number of occasions where one would be needed.
Just to upset everyone, we had a box of octo-LNB's come instead of quads (and we didn't know) - we just gave the box full to our installer who fitted them on normal Sky+ installs!
There are two connections on my wallplate and the Foxsat is connected to the one labelled "Sat", the Sky box is connected to the one labeled "return".
My question is, will the expected Foxsat PVR run from the connection presently occupied by the FoxsatHD.
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/95037/Electrical/TV-Range/Amplifiers-Distribution/Labgear-Enhanced-Multi-Switch-Distribution-16-Way
You only ever need 4 cables from the LNB to the distribution box, but the boxes can support up to 24 independent outputs and can also send ordinary TV and radio alongside the satellite signal down the same cable to the wall sockets. Very neat, I have one and recommend it.
The box does the switching between horizontal/vertical polarity and low/high frequency bands, rather than the LNB doing it, and each of the 4 LNB outputs is fixed at low/H, low/V, high/H,
high/V - this is what makes it different to a quad LNB.
If you ever run out of outputs, just upgrade the box, no need to go anywhere near the dish.
It might be possible to use a multi switch in order to run more that four tuners from your set up. The only problem would be making your quad output LNB behave as a quarto (for use in IRS systems and flats). I guess if you "manually" feed each outputs in turn with the correct combination of voltage and 22 KHz, and then AC couple the multi switch inputs to the LNB cables.
Or if they are available maybe you can buy a switch that will work with a standard quad LNB after all you have all the possible combinations available and four down leads.
EDIT: Somebody beat me to it:)
Surely someone has created a multi-switch that applies the right voltages etc to achieve this from a normal quad LNB rather than the special quattro one?
There is one but it costs several hundred pounds. With quattro LNBs costing less than £30 it really is much more cost effective to fit one and connect to an ordinary distributor box.
No, LNBs are not the same as TV aerials in that you can't turn one feed into many with a simple aerial amplifier. A set-top box constantly sends signals to the LNB to configure it into one of four states (horizontal or vertical polarity, high or low frequency band) and if you connect several to one LNB output they will start fighting each other.
To connect more than one receiver to an LNB, you either need an LNB with multiple independent outputs such as the quad LNBs Sky install with Sky+ (these require a separate cable run from the LNB to each receiver), or the other option I mentioned previously using a quattro LNB with a distribution box.
If you go for the latter then you only have to experience vertigo once, in future if you ever run out of feeds you just change the distribution box, for the LNB it is fit and forget.
BTW you can't use a quattro LNB without a distribution box, you can't connect a set-top box direct to a quattro LNB, only to a quad (or single, or dual, or octo etc.) LNB. Very confusing terminology but that's how it is.
It would probably cost several hundred to get a cherry picker in place to change the LNB.
However, I found this http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page1b.htm and noticed the first multiswitch in the list says quattro OR quad and the price is relatively cheap (65 quid for 8 port).
Am I correct to think one could just place this directly in front of the quad LNB cables with no additional equipment. I am concerned about the note of insertion loss and the need for bigger dishes though.
If you only want to run 1 box at a time, you could install an automatic switch. These detect which box is active and switch the single LNB to 1 box or the other. Only 1 at a time has access to the LNB which avoids the boxes fighting each other.
See about halfway down the page here:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page1b.htm
There must be someone here who has an opinion on the question above.
I imagne yes and no, I would assume that to use the humax pvr it will need two dedicated feeds to act as a twin tuner like sky plus, However it might work in a single tuner setup, though you could only record the channel your watching etc. Which in your setup with the switcher will probably suit your needs. Will have to wait for more specs of the humax to come out.
Yes it is an F socket connected to the Sky Box LNB socket.
Yes, both outputs are effectively standard LNB feeds from the communal Multiswitch.
The multiswitch has the capability to combine a conventional UHF TV and FM/DAB Radio feed with the LNB feed. This is what is fed to every Multiswitch outlet.
What this (usually) means in practice, is that your wall "faceplate" will have a number of outlets (Sat, UHF, FM, DAB etc) but will be fed by only 2 LNB feeds. The SAT Return connector is connected exclusively to 1 of the feeds whereas the other (normal) SAT connector is effectively fed from the 2nd feed. The difference is that this feed has been split (by using a local triplexer) to provide the other outputs as well. The only effect of this is that the signal on the "normal" SAT connector will be a little lower than that on the "Return" SAT connector.
If you only have a "wallplate" with only 2 SAT connectors and nothing else, then the 2 feeds should be identical.
Sorry if the above is a bit complicated to understand.
Graham.
As far as I can see this should be a perfect solution for you, I can't see why ALL Multiswitches couldn't be designed this way, it only requires a minimum of extra circuitry.
I considered going for this solution as well, but have now decided to go for a 8 X 16 Multiswitch instead, which unfortunately doesn't support this feature, so I will have to use Quatros.
Graham.
Thanks for that Graham. Not being that technically minded, I'm assuming when you "yes" at the beginning of the post you are saying yes the PVR should work with this setup i.e. both boxes?
There are only two sat connectors but to answer your query about "anything else" on the wallplate there is an output for digital terrestrial (in use) and a DAB radio output.
Once again thanks for taking the time to help me understand what I have and what I can do with the set up.
So the distribution amp supports diseqc?
I'm not aware of one, all the ones I've seen have a 40mm neck which won't fit a Sky dish. But the usual advice when using a quattro LNB/distribution box setup is to put up a slightly larger dish anyway, e.g. a 60cm dish, and they almost always are designed to take an LNB with a 40mm neck.