TVLink Not Working on Std Sky Box

lufinn

Hi,
I bought a TV Link set a few weeks ago and tried it out using a short cable on my Sky+ box - worked perfectly.
We finally got around to running a cable from our standard Sky box in the bedroom to a TV in the kitchen. We get a perfect picture but the remote won't work (I'm using the original correct remote).
There is no light on either the eye or the TV link thingy (sorry!). We attached it directly to the Sky box (RF2) - same result, no lights.
I thought maybe it had got damaged in the time since I bought so i popped it on to the RF2 on our Sky+ box and it works perfectly.

I came on here and did a search and found a mention of a batch of Sky boxes that had problems with the TV Link. We got our box in August 2007 - it has the blue lit 'SKY' logo on the front. Is there any truth in this dodgy batch and would I have any comeback with Sky for a replacemet seeing as the TVLink is their product? Or even, is there anything I can do to get it working?

Thanks,
Lufinn

byte

on the Sky menu, press Services, 4, 0, 1, Select.

This will bring you into the Installer Menu.

Go into Option 4: RF Outlets.

Scroll down to RF Outlet Power Supply, and toggle it to ON, then go down to Save settings and press Select.

That should sort it.

lufinn

Hi Byte,

Thanks for the answer but I have already toggled this to On.

I can get a picture but the remote won't work.

Thanks,
L

byte

Bar unplugging the Sky box from the mains for a while then, I guess the RF2 power output is faulty.

200motels

Do you have a booster box to boost the signal? If you have the magic eye will not work if the signal is boosted.

Tony

Edit: sorry just re read your original post. As byte says probable cause is power supply on sky box, assuming you have the power set to on in the installer menu.

Cuchulain

Oops nevermind.

Zico-PES

Hi Lufinn,

I had the same problem with my digieye and and this was because the connections on the end of the cable were not attached correctly so the power was not getting to the tv link.

byte

He has already said that when plugged directly into the Skybox RF2 port, it still doesn't work (but does work when plugged into back of his Sky+ RF2 port).

Noviceman

I am having a similar problem to this. I have my sky+ box in one room cabled up to attic and then cabled to another room in house with another tv. I can get the sky reception in the other room, but my sky eye isn't working. i get power on the eye when i connect it directly to the rf output on the sky+ box, but don't get power when connecting to the end of the cable in the attic, i don't understand why. Anyone any ideas? and yes it is the correct cable in the attic.

Tony

Noviceman wrote: »

I have my sky+ box in one room cabled up to attic and then to another room in house with other.

I don't understand this part can you elaborate please?

Noviceman

ok, not very good English, edited original entry, does that make sense?

Nothing complicated going on here, just have all the aerials going back to central point in attic, just connecting the sky+ box to one of the tv points for the moment (via the attic), just can't get the eye working

xsiborg

i had the same trouble getting my sky eye to work with my sky+ box, but it just turned out to be that the plastic connectors that came with it were crap and wouldn't stay on properly. some new metal connectors and it works fine, just make sure aswel theres no kinks in the cable. try connecting the same length of cable from your sky+ box to your sky box and see if that works, at least it might tell you that your cable could be the problem if it works.

Tony

Ok are you using a sky compatible amp in the attic?

Noviceman wrote: »

ok, not very good English, edited original entry, does that make sense?

Nothing complicated going on here, just have all the aerials going back to central point in attic, just connecting the sky+ box to one of the tv points for the moment (via the attic), just can't get the eye working

Noviceman

well it said it was sky compatible, can't remember the brand, need to check it this evening, but i don't think that's the problem. when i put the remote eye directly into cable in attic coming from rf2 output i don't get power, yet i do get power when i plug the eye directly into rf2 output at the box itself, what could cause this loss of power

Tony

The cable or connectors between rf2 and the end of the cable, pretty obvious I would have thought.

Noviceman wrote: »

well it said it was sky compatible, can't remember the brand, need to check it this evening, but i don't think that's the problem. when i put the remote eye directly into cable in attic coming from rf2 output i don't get power, yet i do get power when i plug the eye directly into rf2 output at the box itself, what could cause this loss of power

Noviceman

but why, it all seems fine... it sends the tv signal just not the power...

Tony

Noviceman wrote: »

but why, it all seems fine... it sends the tv signal just not the power...

It may seem fine but its not working for a reason. Rf and voltage behave in different ways.

Noviceman

so, what could be wrong? you're not giving a lot away, could you give me some more specific advice on how to troubleshoot this, i checked the connections last night and to me they are connected properly, this is driving me daft

Rippy

Make absolutely sure that the outer braid is firmly clamped. Ensure that the inner core is connecting the inner of the connector. Not one strand of outer should touch inner. If using plastic male to male adapter on RF2 make sure that this contacts firmly. Squeeze gently with pliers if not. Check wall plate if you are using one. Some types are designed to block DC power. There should be no circuit board behind plate. Make sure connections inside plate is good. If all this fails call out your local competent independent satellite specialist.

Noviceman

ah, i think that might be problem, there is a wall plate and there is a circuit board behind it, my spark wired this... i asked my brother in law who is also a spark, could this possibly lose power and he said no way, so i had that ruled out, this was my initial thoughts as to what was wrong...

thks

Tony

Noviceman wrote: »

so, what could be wrong? you're not giving a lot away, could you give me some more specific advice on how to troubleshoot this, i checked the connections last night and to me they are connected properly, this is driving me daft

I cant be specific as I have not seen your set up but you should re check your connections using rippy's advice. Nobody is obliged to give you help here so i'd be a little more careful with your choice of words in future.

byte

Noviceman wrote: »

ah, i think that might be problem, there is a wall plate and there is a circuit board behind it, my spark wired this... i asked my brother in law who is also a spark, could this possibly lose power and he said no way, so i had that ruled out, this was my initial thoughts as to what was wrong...

thks

That sounds like the likely culprit so.

Sam Radford

Useful free instructions to download here:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/tvlink2.htm

Most people make the mistake of NOT soldering the plugs to the cable, as described here:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/tvplugs.htm
(Amusing movie!)

Tony

I think soldering is overkill to be honest, I usually just put a small "kick" in the centre conductor to make good contact

Sam Radford wrote: »

Most people make the mistake of NOT soldering the plugs to the cable, as described here:

Sam Radford

Tony wrote: »

I think soldering is overkill to be honest, I usually just put a small "kick" in the centre conductor to make good contact

Everyone thinks it's overkill till the magic eye stops working. :rolleyes:
Copper oxidises - especially in damp places such as kitchens, cellars.

Tony

Thats the thing though I've never had one stop working because of lack of solder. If a place is damp the tv or digibox will most likely stop working long before the copper goes green.

Sam Radford wrote: »

Everyone thinks it's overkill till the magic eye stops working. :rolleyes:
Copper oxidises - especially in damp places such as kitchens, cellars.

Socos

Have a tv link on two tvs in my house. They were working perfectly for the last year. Than the other day neither of them would work. The light on the tv links is still lit but I cannot control the box from them. any taughts on what might have gone wrong.

Tony

Theres an existing thread on this

Socos wrote: »

Have a tv link on two tvs in my house. They were working perfectly for the last year. Than the other day neither of them would work. The light on the tv links is still lit but I cannot control the box from them. any taughts on what might have gone wrong.

byte

Socos wrote: »

Have a tv link on two tvs in my house. They were working perfectly for the last year. Than the other day neither of them would work. The light on the tv links is still lit but I cannot control the box from them. any taughts on what might have gone wrong.

As Tony said, existing thread on the subject. Your thread merged with existing one.

Socos

byte wrote: »

As Tony said, existing thread on the subject. Your thread merged with existing one.

My problem is different than this thread as my tv links worked perfectly for the last year and then just stopped working

Tony

Socos wrote: »

My problem is different than this thread as my tv links worked perfectly for the last year and then just stopped working

makes no difference when your links stopped working the same principles apply.

Socos

I've tried all of the above. The eyes are receiving power as the red lights are on. Could it be a fault with the box itself?

Noviceman

Tony wrote: »

I cant be specific as I have not seen your set up but you should re check your connections using rippy's advice. Nobody is obliged to give you help here so i'd be a little more careful with your choice of words in future.

touchy...

Tony

Nice one yet another constructive post.

Noviceman wrote: »

touchy...

Sam Radford

Socos wrote: »

My problem is different than this thread as my tv links worked perfectly for the last year and then just stopped working

Are the plugs soldered? This is typical of a connection that's starting to oxidise. It might let enough current through to light the LED but not enough for the signal transmitter. See my previous comments in this discussion.