multiroom tv network

Jasin

Hi,Watty and all expertise, Would like to expect to get your valuable inputs.
I am newbie need your help on the following to setup highend multi-room tv in a new house which is under construction now.

Have a plan to take sky+ and sky HD in some stage.Found some good wall sockets (Bigger one with phone socket is for living room and smaller one is for all other bedrooms, refer the pics.)
The bigger one has two F connectors, and 1 DVB radio & 1 for TV aerial another one for return path back to attic for distribution to other bedrooms.

How many cables that I need to run from attic to these sockets? Am I correct to say the bigger socket requies 2 cables for Sat1 & Sat2, another one for the multipluxed downlink(tv aerial + FM/DAB) and another one for uplink. Smaller one requires 2 cables. one for sat?

What cable type requie for the satallite F connector ? Also would it be possible to use the same grade of cable to the normal tv aerial connector , digiweb and all over the house?

The distribution amplifier at attic would be Labgear HDU641. Any other will do better?

I also need to use hotbird satallite(13e),need one more LNb input..So can I use one additional LNB with the existing SKY dish or require extra dish?


Would it be possible to multiplex the sat1 of sky minidish with the hotbird LNB signal over the cable.? or requires extra F connector socket? Also not decided about the receiver type model for the Hotbird. My favourite channel is free view but some times I may require viewing card to view.. So I want to buy the compaitable receiver. Any particular model that comes with both analog and digital tuner with viewing card option, good stereo, AV outputs?
(Hotbird channel: FEC : ¾ Polarisation : vertical Symbol Rate : 27500)

I would like to get the UK & Irish digital terrestrial TV channels(DTT), also would like to get a dedicated FTA receiver with the UK viewing card. Do I need extra dish, or the existing SKY minidish with one more LNB should work..

Regarding to receive the digital terrestrial broadcasting, what sort of the outdoor ant best for this and DAB (next generation radio)....

....
Any one from Limerick area is available for installation?

Thinking of to route digital optical cable to main bedroom for the high speed next generation broadband & high quality (HD) digital video, surround sound distribution.

Any Ideas? It would be easy to do layout these connections if the building is in the construction



-Jasin.

byte

Right.

Let's try get this straight.

You want Sky+ (or SkyHD). Also digital receiver for Hotbird channels. Also a Sky box with UK card.

Do you intend to put all these boxes in the one main room? Or will they be in different rooms?

Sky+ or SkyHD needs 2 cables. Hotbird box needs another cable. And Skybox with UK card will need another cable. Then another cable for Terrestrial input, and one for return to your distribution point.

Johansson make "Stacker-Destacker" for combining 2 satellite signals into one cable, but you would be much better off having seperate cables for each.

Instead of using phonecable, maybe use Cat5 (or Cat6?) network cable, in case you plan on having a broadband network in the house in the future?

Satellite cable type to use would be CT100 (or QF100). All wires and foil on this cable is copper, best for satellite signals.

For your Hotbird signals, I recommend you use a seperate 80cm satellite dish.

In relation to your queries about DAB and DTT, I will leave that to Watty, as I think he may be familiar with signals in Limerick.

watty

There is no DAB or DTT in Limerick. It could be years before there is DTT. DAB maybe slightly sooner.

Run separate cables and either use separate dish or else 90/95cm Triax with Triax 4 way mounting bar for Sky (Quad LNB), Hotbird etc.

Jasin

Thanks a Million Byte & Watty.
Which one would be good? Keep all the receivers in one area, or keep the free view in one of the bedrooms and rest of them in living room.
For sky HD, Will I get two receivers one for Sky HD and another for sky+?

Regarding the Satallite cables, CT125 would it be a better grade than CT100.
Also, found different cable, one with foam filling, and airfilling.

I am planning to go for foam filling CT100/CT125 cables. Any suggestions.

Living room: sky+ plate(2F,1-return,1-tvaerial,1-phoneline),
4F connectors plate(hotbird,sky free view,digiweb,another future link)

1st bedroom: 2F connector plate,std plate(1F,1from distrbution amp)
2'nd bedroom: 2F connector plate,std plate(1F,1from distrbution amp)

the extra 2F plates could be used for additional future sat recivers.

I want to install a good indoor wideband UHF-VHFantenna in attic space, would this be possible or always requires line on sight, external ant.

Any specific brands? Does it requires booster in Limerick town area...

Regarding the 95CM triax dish, Do I need to get planning permission becasue of the bigger size dish?

I am planning to go for the backside wallmount or Ground level Garden area.

Would it be possible to install this in Ground level , with special holding. If so, Would I expect good signal strength?


-Jasin

watty

SkyHD is simply a Sky+ box that has a HD decoder built in and HDMI connector for HDTV.

If using plates (bad) use barrel double F-Female and a extra deep box to avoid cable kink and use F-Plug on cable instide box/Plate.

It's offically a 90cm dish so no planning needed. If width measured

watty

An outdoor VHF and UHF separate aerials and diplexer to combine in attic. Then if reception is not good enough move one or both outdoor. My best reception is via gap in trees on shed roof. Reception is rubbish on the Chimney or in attic!

Jasin

Thanks Watty. I have little confusion to select the cable type.

RG223U (double sheilded, less interference) seems to be better performance than CT100/CT125?.What would you recomend?

I don't understand your suggestion
"If using plates (bad) use barrel double F-Female and a extra deep box to avoid cable kink and use F-Plug on cable instide box/Plate."

Would this mean I need to buy barrel F connector nut or plate (inside/outside plugable F pin) with extra deep box?

Please advise.

Labgear needs 240V power supply at attic. Any complication to run power supply at attic? Requires special insulation ?

Thanks

-Jasin