Satellite telly

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Just wondering whether I need to change the dish in my house to run a second satellite box from the dish? I have the standard 40cm sky oval dish and am currently running it quite happily with one sky box but I would like to run a second box in the bedroom without a second dish. Is this going to be possible would you guys know? Thanx in advance.

[rugmuncher]

Yeah, course you can, do you think all the houses you see with dishes are only running one box!

On the line from the dish just put in a 'splitter' and run off your other box,,,

You should be able to run 3-4 boxes from one dish before the signal weakens too much,,,

Probably get some more replies soon,,,,,,



Or you can do it the cheap way without another box:

Sky Extender

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Oh good boy - yes perhaps not the best worded query but so as to not look a complete prat I had been led to believe that I would need a dual LNB and wasn't sure whether I could have got one of those for the minidish BUT from what ya tells me I don't need to bovver at all??? Cheers

[ORAC]

The dish is fitted with an LNB which is, probably, a single LNB which can be either switched to detect Horizontal or Vertical polarised channels. Meaning that only half the channels will be available at one time, whichever way the controlling box has switched the LNB. The LNB, but not the dish, will need to be replaced with a twin LNB, also needed to feed a Sky+ receiver with 2 internal tuners. This has two outputs, with a cable running to each satellite receiver. You would be better off with a quad LNB which, in the longer term will support 2 Sky+ boxes.

See here

Also means running additional cables from the dish/LNB to each receiver.

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Hi Orac - how're you enjoying Madrid?

I'm konfuzed now...... Can I get away with the one dish and split as Rugchewer suggests or not? Am thinking the more convenient way might be for the fancy adaptor as shown on the link if they're reliable.

I should state it's only the basic sky channels I'm getting with the freeview card too

Cheers

[ORAC]

As I said, a single LNB can only be orientated one way, vertically ot horizontally, which means that, at any one time, only half the transponers/transmitters will be accessible. If you want each box to be able to be able to access all the channels independently you need a twin LNB. No adaptor can get around that.

All the Sky eye allows you to do is extend the picture from one box to a second TV and control the box remotely. Both TVs receive the same channel from the same box.

[lekkerste]

As ORAC says, you need a quad LNB. After getting Sky+ I installed the spare box in another room. I got the cable and connectors from Maplins and the instructions from the site linked to above. If you want the same Sky channels as you have on your main subscription available on your second box, you will have to pay another £10 per month for Multiroom. I wasn't too bothered so bought a freesat card from Sky for a one-off £20 which gives you the free channels.

A splitter will not work as each box sends a voltage to the LNB which will conflict.

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Yes I was wondering about the voltages too - and the ruggy was so certain??? I don't have extra channels as I said - all I have is the basic free stuff plus the 20 quid card. So can I get a correct LNB for the standard sky minidish anyone know? Only ever seen them on bigger dishes. The mounting must match of course.....

[Conan the Librarian]

Went through this carry on with Sky a few months ago. I have a "spare" second box and wanted to get it all wired up. Needed the better LNB and the local aerial specialists wanted about £90 to get it all singing and dancing. Spoke to Mr. Murdochs' drones and they said "Give us £50 and we will give you a new box, upgrade the LNB to a four way one and then charge you ten quid a month for all of the exisiting channels on box 2"

When the Sky bod came to install, I pointed out the "spare" box and asked him how much I might have to cross his palm with to get it plumbed in as well. £20 later, I have 3 working Sky digiboxes! Pity that there is sod all worth watching on TV though... Still some things never change....

Conan

[Wing Commander Fowler]

Well thanx for all ya help chaps - went with the ruggies idea of the sky extender in the end and since I'm not using any of the aerial outlets in the house was even able to feed the signal into the house aerial array and then pull it out in the bedroom! So I didn't need to run a cable specifically for the job and I'm guessing I can watch one channel of sky in 32 different chambers hehe!

[ORAC]

Use a similar system myself. I'm single so not a problem as I'm never in two rooms at the same time.....