Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: HolyCount on 25 October 2009, 13:00:27
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I currently have Sky + and an HD ready TV --- don't want to fork out £10 extra per month for the few channels Sky offer in "quasi HD", but, just for the hell of it, was thinking about installing Freesat alongside the sky box and using that for the "HD-ish" channels they broadcast.
Now .... can I piggy back off the same dish --- or do I need a seperate dish ? And, if I can use the same dish, how would I connect it all up ? (in words of one syllable, please ).
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you can piggy back off the same dish just a case of splitting the cable you can buy the kits in maplin :y
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You would need a new LNB with multiple channels to do it properly because the set top box can comand the LNB to change channel, which would scupper any boxes slaved from it... Assuming you need to use the skybox and freesat at the same time.
Kevin
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As Kevin say's, think Sky+ already uses a 2 port LNB, so your probably going to need a Quad one.
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LNB thats the device that sits facing the dish, and focuses the signal from the satellite?
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I've fitted a quad LNB, it was easy enough to do and quite cheap off Ebay, its been up for about a year and i've not had any problems ;)
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LNB thats the device that sits facing the dish, and focuses the signal from the satellite?
Correct, and also reduces the Sat frequency to a lower IF frequency for the reciever to play with. :y
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LNB thats the device that sits facing the dish, and focuses the signal from the satellite?
Yes, but it does much more than that. The signal is in the K-u band (10GHz) which would be impractical to pipe down to the set top box so the LNB amplifies it and drops it down to an intermediate frequency. Frequency and pollarisation are normally switcheable by the set top box, hence the need for an independant LNB channel for each tuner.
Kevin
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As Kevin say's, think Sky+ already uses a 2 port LNB, so your probably going to need a Quad one.
So --- I need to replace the dual LNB with a quad, run an extra co-ax lead to the freesat and the two current leads to the sky box ???
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LNB thats the device that sits facing the dish, and focuses the signal from the satellite?
Yes, but it does much more than that. The signal is in the K-u band (10GHz) which would be impractical to pipe down to the set top box so the LNB amplifies it and drops it down to an intermediate frequency. Frequency and pollarisation are normally switcheable by the set top box, hence the need for an independant LNB channel for each tuner.
Kevin
You forgot to mention the other bit Kevin, that the LNB is powered from the Reciever up the coax, so again two recievers feeding one LNB is a no, no.
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LNB thats the device that sits facing the dish, and focuses the signal from the satellite?
Yes, but it does much more than that. The signal is in the K-u band (10GHz) which would be impractical to pipe down to the set top box so the LNB amplifies it and drops it down to an intermediate frequency. Frequency and pollarisation are normally switcheable by the set top box, hence the need for an independant LNB channel for each tuner.
Kevin
You forgot to mention the other bit Kevin, that the LNB is powered from the Reciever up the coax, so again two recievers feeding one LNB is a no, no.
True. You'd need a splitter that handles the DC path correctly too. :y
Kevin
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LNB thats the device that sits facing the dish, and focuses the signal from the satellite?
Yes, but it does much more than that. The signal is in the K-u band (10GHz) which would be impractical to pipe down to the set top box so the LNB amplifies it and drops it down to an intermediate frequency. Frequency and pollarisation are normally switcheable by the set top box, hence the need for an independant LNB channel for each tuner.
Kevin
You forgot to mention the other bit Kevin, that the LNB is powered from the Reciever up the coax, so again two recievers feeding one LNB is a no, no.
True. You'd need a splitter that handles the DC path correctly too. :y
Kevin
...interesting point but does running two Sky receivers - as in 1 HD box and 1 Sky+ box for example - off 1 quad output LNB not suggest that this factor has been taken care off?
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Not played with Digital much lately, but if it's an independent Quad LNB then should be fine for Multi Recievers.
Forgot to mention, I get 33% discount of my Local Trade supplier (Not Boxes or TV's) if anyone needs any bits.
Chris :y
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Quad LNB two for Sky and two for Freesat
There is only 1 decent Freesat receiver and it is much better than the Sky PVR
Humax HDR :y :y
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Just to give a slightly different option - I ran a FreeSat HD Box and a Sky Digibox (without subscription) off a single LNB with a Maplins splitter (reverse wired 1input to 2 outputs) - this was a mechaincal switch between the two and worked fine.
I recently moved to Sky HD and now paying load of money again.
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Just to give a slightly different option - I ran a FreeSat HD Box and a Sky Digibox (without subscription) off a single LNB with a Maplins splitter (reverse wired 1input to 2 outputs) - this was a mechaincal switch between the two and worked fine.
I recently moved to Sky HD and now paying load of money again.
It worked fine because it was a mechanical switch (which meant that both boxes could not possibly offer to provide power to the LNB at the same time).
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Just to give a slightly different option - I ran a FreeSat HD Box and a Sky Digibox (without subscription) off a single LNB with a Maplins splitter (reverse wired 1input to 2 outputs) - this was a mechaincal switch between the two and worked fine.
I recently moved to Sky HD and now paying load of money again.
Can I ask why you switched from Freesat HD back top back to Sky? Do you consider the Sky HD service worth the subs ?
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Can I ask why you switched from Freesat HD back top back to Sky? Do you consider the Sky HD service worth the subs ?
You do get more (if you don't include european stuff), but no....it's not worth the extra subs (especially as it isn't true HD).
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the problem with FreeSat HD is you only get BBC/CH4 & ITV1. Which only broadcast a small percentage of their programming in HD
If you already have sports and movies on your subscription you get loads of HD channels (around 70)
Sky1 HD is a complete mirror of Sky1
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I was using totally free sub solution plus football etc from Setanta. When Setanta went bust it coincided I think with the Ashes and the various cricket competitions - so one day just bit the bullet - have now gone to the opposite end of the spectrum with ESPN as well.
The HD stuff is ok and I actually got a 1 year refund on the HD by changing to Sky Talk - they pay your line rental for 1 year so it is a saving on £10 a month or so.
I also worked out the cost of new LNB, cabling etc for new LNB and HD box and decided to give SKY a go for the £39 installation fee it was on offer at.
When the year is up will review but now have totally new dish, LNB, wiring etc to give more options.
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If you already have sports and movies on your subscription you get loads of HD channels (around 70)
What part of 1080i NOT being HD do your paymasters not understand?
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If you already have sports and movies on your subscription you get loads of HD channels (around 70)
What part of 1080i NOT being HD do your paymasters not understand?
Its interlaced vs progressive, Sky broadcast in interlace format to save bandwidth.
'High Definition' is just anything higher than 576.
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Sky could broadcast in 1080p if they wanted to, but sending each entire frame in HD compared with interlaced is the cost you pay to get more channels.
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'High Definition' is just anything higher than 576.
With all due respect Tunnie.....'dangle berries' mate.
You know that HD is 1080p minimum, I know that 1080p is HD minimum, and the most of the world knows the same.
The only idiots that don't know what true HD is are the ones paying the extra tenner per month.
Sky could broadcast in 1080p if they wanted to, but sending each entire frame in HD compared with interlaced is the cost you pay to get more channels.
They already take the pi$$ for the crap they provide, and they know it!
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Actually what is HD is up to the person defining it, in Austrailia 576P is defined as HD in the UK 1280x720P is HD, as is 1440x1080I and 1920x1080P
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Funny that person is also experienced in I.T as well ;)
Much as I'd love to claim it, I don't have anywhere near 16 years of experience in the IT field.
I am glad you came back KW, it was booring before having no one to wind up ;D
So it's true when everyone else says you are a troll then? ;D
Back to the subject matter though.....if that is me then I should be an even easier target for you to face up to....or are you scared of blokes in skirts as well as blokes in general when it comes to real life?
The "subject matter" was how to connect up a freesat and sky+ box. I don't give a gnat's left bollock what constitutes HD in the fair land. JJust want a decent picture for the least outlay ---- maybe the same as found on Tunnies site --- more bang per buck ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
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Off-topic posts removed.
Kevin
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I think we can probably leave this matter here, guys.
Kevin
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Please keep the posts relevant to the OP's request. Its getting a bit tedious otherwise....
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Can we just delete the whole thread please
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As Kevin say's, think Sky+ already uses a 2 port LNB, so your probably going to need a Quad one.
So --- I need to replace the dual LNB with a quad, run an extra co-ax lead to the freesat and the two current leads to the sky box ???
Correct,
Have a look here, http://www.sccdistribution.co.uk/
I have a Trade account and good discount wth them, if it helps you.
Chris. :y
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As Kevin say's, think Sky+ already uses a 2 port LNB, so your probably going to need a Quad one.
So --- I need to replace the dual LNB with a quad, run an extra co-ax lead to the freesat and the two current leads to the sky box ???
Correct,
Have a look here, http://www.sccdistribution.co.uk/
I have a Trade account and good discount wth them, if it helps you.
Chris. :y
Cheers Chris --- will have a peek. Though might well just stick with the Sky+ for the mo -- not sure if HD is worth the hassle at the moment.
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Can we just delete the whole thread please
Locking at OP's request. Its been dragged waaaay too far off topic....