Questions on multi-room and contracts

nenil

I am new to Satellite and Sky so forgive my 'noob' questions

I am looking at both FTV/FTA systems and Sky packages, I have searched around here a bit, but don't see info on the following:

1. Who owns the Sky equipment after 1 year contract is up and if I don't renew it do I have to give back minidish, receiver etc?
2. If they are not taken back can I still use the Sky receiver to view FTA/FTV channels, or must i replace the receiver with a FTA one?
3. My house is prewired for TV in several rooms, so is it possible to buy a FTA receiver and use it in parallel with the Sky receiver so I can watch different channels in seperate rooms?

Paul

watty

1) You own all the equipment from the day it is delivered.
2) Yes without a subscription it still works for free channels, you can even change over to UK EPG and have all the BBC and ITV on the EPG.
3) Not as simple as that. Each receiver needs a separate LNB connection on the dish arm. The normal Sky supplied LNB is single output, for Sky+ and SkyHD, a Quad output LNB is used as these have two tuners, so as to watch one channel and record a different one.

Only special distribution systems fed by Quattro LNBs can enable splitting or sharing of a Satellite signal (Starting at about 16 outlets and going up to 2000).

nenil

Thanks Watty, appreciate your insightful help.

So to futureproof; ISky+, SkyHD or Multiroom should be ordered to get a system with 4 LNB's. Are the number of LNBs increased above 4 if Sky+, Multiroom and SkyHD are all ordered, or is there any reason to have any more than 4 (I wouldn't expect to have any more than 4 televisions)?

Also I presume that if the subscription is dropped to a basic package that the additional LNBs can be used for additional FTA/FTV receivers?

The process of "change over to UK EPG " is covered ion the Sticky: 'How To Tune In UK Terrestrial Channels On Your Sky Digibox' right?

Thanks in advance, and can I say that these boards are fantastic.

watty

It is cheaper / simpler in subscription terms to buy either:
Quad LNB = 2 x PVRs or 4 ordinary receivers, or mix. Less than €65 once off payment.

Octo LNB = 4 x PVRs or 8 ordinary receivers, or mix. May be in short supply.

Quattro LNB + 16 way Multiswitch = 16 receivers, or 8 PVRs or a mix, can be expanded to twice this simply with four passive satellite splitters and 2nd Multiswitch. Easy to get but will not generally fit Sky dish without a separate adaptor ring.

The Sky versions of Quad and Octo LNBs simply clip in. No drilling or special tools etc. No tape on connector as a click down cover pops out. Some multiswitch allow up to four satellite feeds too. A Sky box canonly "see" the first feed though.

nenil

Excellent information should save me a few quid