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Awkward Multiroom installation

  • 07-07-2008 08:55PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭


    I've had SkyHD for about a year and have been trying to get multiroom installed for a while now but keep running into dead ends. The main problem I seem to have is that my phone/broadband provider is Magnet which I am told is incompatible with Sky, as Sky need an analogue phone line and Magnet use a high speed digital exchange.

    The HD box is plugged into a point which goes to some kind of converter Magnet supply for phone services. When I check the system settings it says 'phone line connected' and I can order box office movies using the remote. When the Sky installer came out to set up the Multiroom he tried to do a call back from the HD box and this kept failing. He told me that 'phone line connected' and actual call backs were two very different things, there was nothing he could do and then he left.

    Some neighbours in this and neighbouring estates (with Magnet phone lines) managed to get multiroom installed on second or third attempts. Unfortunately the successful installations all seem to be due to the installer arguing over the phone with someone in Sky and just 'got it switched on' It's really starting to annoy me now because I know it can be done but everyone seems so vague about how its done.

    Has anyone had any experience of Multiroom using Magnet phone lines? Can any installers who might read this tell me if I am wasting my time?

    The second part of my long-winded problem is the wiring. We are in a three story terraced house with the dish at head height at the back of the house. I'm hoping to get the second box (Sky+) in the third story bedroom at the front of the house. Ideally I'd like the wiring to go up and into the attic so it can drop back into the bedroom. I think this rules out a Sky installer due to insurance. If anyone knows of an installer who might be interested in a job like this could you PM me? Its the type of one off job I wouldn't mind paying a few extra quid for just to get it done right.

    Sorry for rambling on a bit, was trying to get as much info in as possible.

    Thanks in advance for any replies.


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 960 ✭✭✭Rippy


    The phone lines for multiroom have to stay working. So even if an installer persuades someone in call centre to manually activate 2nd card, eventually you will get a letter from sky pointing out that both boxes must be connected, and eventually they will charge you two full subs. Only thing I can suggest if you cannot get a conventional landline into the house, is to just get a FTA box at the second location, TV aerial if you don't have one already for Irish channels, and an extension off of RF2 of the sky box(or video sender) to let you watch output at second location. None of this is what you want of course, but that is as good as you can get. Any competent independent aerial and satellite rigger could sort all this out for you, including cabling through the attic. Might be an idea to check he has liability insurance before letting him in the attic. If he's professional he will have it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    Cheers Rippy,

    Yeah I had a feeling some of the neighbours have letters on the way alright.

    Most people give out about having to have the two boxes plugged into a phone line. I've no problem with that and even have a phone line right next to where I want the second box. Its a bit of a sickener to hear that its the wrong type of phone line. We are in a new house with Magnet FTTH fully wired throughout and their broadband is outstanding so it'd be pretty hard to give that up for a standard phoneline.

    So close, yet so goddamn far...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    Could anyone tell me how to force a call back from my Sky box? I'd actually like to see this failing with my own eyes before I put this to bed.

    Thanks


  • Moderators, Regional North West Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 19,200 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    CL32 wrote: »
    Could anyone tell me how to force a call back from my Sky box? I'd actually like to see this failing with my own eyes before I put this to bed.

    Thanks
    Press Services, 4, 0, 1, Select.

    This should bring you to installer menu.

    Then choose New Installation, and press Select where prompted. You'lll eventually get to a "Callback in progress" screen. If it succeeds you'll get "Installation Complete"


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    ...Failed

    I guess thats that then.

    Thanks for the help lads.


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  • Moderators, Regional North West Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 19,200 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    Watty would be more clued up on these things, I believe the things (ATA's I think) that Digiweb use can successfully work with analogue modems, though not sure if Magnet can be configured to work likewise.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    Nice one - a small ray of light.

    I think the thing Magnet supplied us with is an ATA converter alright. Theres a bewildering amount of gizmos out there so I was hoping there was something to do the trick in this case.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,362 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Contact magnet directly, last time i spoke to the guys there they said they had solved this problem.

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    Will do, thanks Tony. Sounds like good news.


  • Moderators, Regional North West Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 19,200 Mod ✭✭✭✭byte
    byte


    CL32 wrote: »
    Will do, thanks Tony. Sounds like good news.
    Report back on your findings, as it could help others in the future.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,362 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    CL32 wrote: »
    Will do, thanks Tony. Sounds like good news.

    My pleasure, as Byte says let us know how you get on. If you get no joy let me know here and i'll make a call .

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    Thanks lads, I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow. I asked a few neighbours in the same boat to ring Magnet too so we can compare answers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    Well I rang Magnet today but I don't really trust the response I got.

    The guy I was talking with said that only a standard Sky box can make a call back over Magnets phonelines. Both Sky+ and HD are unable to perform a call back. I asked why this was and he said he wasn't quite sure and 'thats what he was told'. I admit I'm out of my depth in these matters but that just doesn't sound too plausible to me.

    The guy I was talking to was front-line customer support as I could not speak to a supervisor or a manager who may be more familiar with any new developments.

    Tony, if you are talking to your contacts in Magnet would you mind asking about this issue please? I am going to try again tomorrow to see if I can get a hold of someone who could explain why + and HD boxes can't call back if that is indeed the case.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,422 ✭✭✭Batesy


    CL32 wrote: »
    Well I rang Magnet today but I don't really trust the response I got.

    The guy I was talking with said that only a standard Sky box can make a call back over Magnets phonelines. Both Sky+ and HD are unable to perform a call back. I asked why this was and he said he wasn't quite sure and 'thats what he was told'. I admit I'm out of my depth in these matters but that just doesn't sound too plausible to me.

    The guy I was talking to was front-line customer support as I could not speak to a supervisor or a manager who may be more familiar with any new developments.

    Tony, if you are talking to your contacts in Magnet would you mind asking about this issue please? I am going to try again tomorrow to see if I can get a hold of someone who could explain why + and HD boxes can't call back if that is indeed the case.


    This actually may be the case as I have the 'RX Wireless Phone Jack' working on an eircom line and it apparently isn't compatable with Sky+ and Sky HD boxes but works fine with a standard Sky box.

    I heard that Sky are hoping to resolve the issue with a future firmware update.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,683 ✭✭✭Kensington


    Magnet use VoIP for their phone lines - the box they install into your home/apartment is a VoIP ATA as mentioned. Unfortunately, analogue modems (any analogue modem - dialup on PC, fax machine - not just Sky boxes) really don't like VoIP lines and so no future firmware update on Sky's behalf will sort it. It's the same reason why people on Blueface etc. can't use their VoIP line to get a sky box to call back. Until Sky drop the multiroom phoneline requirement (highly unlikely) or develop another way of sky boxes to contact sky HQ, then it's gonna be a growing problem as more and more people go to VoIP or VoIP systems.

    For Digiweb and UPC, they use a system called PacketCable in their cable modems which I think is better able to handle the likes of sky boxes, fax machines.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,362 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Kensington wrote: »
    really don't like VoIP lines and so no future firmware update on Sky's behalf will sort it.

    I must disagree thats simply not true

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,362 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Sure, cannot reach him by phone so I've emailed and I'll let you know the response. May take a few days as I am off on holidays from Sunday.

    Edit: Good news CL my guy in Magnet says the sales guy you were talking to got it wrong and it is possible to sort this out .He will Pm you and sort this for you directly as magnet has an account with boards.

    CL32 wrote: »

    Tony, if you are talking to your contacts in Magnet would you mind asking about this issue please? I am going to try again tomorrow to see if I can get a hold of someone who could explain why + and HD boxes can't call back if that is indeed the case.

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 269 ✭✭CL32


    Truly above and beyond the call of duty Tony. I really appreciate it.

    Enjoy those holidays.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,362 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    happy to help, let us know how it goes

    CL32 wrote: »
    Truly above and beyond the call of duty Tony. I really appreciate it.

    Enjoy those holidays.

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,582 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Kensington wrote: »
    Until Sky drop the multiroom phoneline requirement (highly unlikely) or develop another way of sky boxes to contact sky HQ, then it's gonna be a growing problem as more and more people go to VoIP or VoIP systems.

    Sky will have to come up with a work around for this, as BT in the UK is planning to move their entire phone network over to a pure IP VOIP network, over the next few years.

    This will break all existing Sky boxes, so Sky will need to come up with an alternative solution.


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  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Kensington wrote: »
    For Digiweb and UPC, they use a system called PacketCable in their cable modems which I think is better able to handle the likes of sky boxes, fax machines.


    Hate to hijack a thread but Tony pointed me in the direction of this one(Thanks Tony)

    Just wondering if anyone can confirm that UPC`s phone service will definately work with multiroom before I drop Eircom and get UPCs BB and phone service.
    Ive had multiroom for nearly 3 years now and really dont want to lose it over a phone line issue.
    Thanks
    Richie


  • Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 9,137 Mod ✭✭✭✭Aquos76


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    Hate to hijack a thread but Tony pointed me in the direction of this one(Thanks Tony)

    Just wondering if anyone can confirm that UPC`s phone service will definately work with multiroom before I drop Eircom and get UPCs BB and phone service.
    Ive had multiroom for nearly 3 years now and really dont want to lose it over a phone line issue.
    Thanks
    Richie

    I'll run a cable for you in the morning and let you know. I dont have multiroom just Sky+ but I'll try a new installation in the installers menu and post my results.


  • Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 9,137 Mod ✭✭✭✭Aquos76


    OK here it goes
    DSC00293-1.jpg
    phone cable in UPC modem
    DSC00294-1.jpg
    other end in Sky+ box
    DSC00295-1.jpg
    From the system setup screen (option 7)
    DSC00296-1.jpg
    In the Installers menu (0, 1, select)
    DSC00297-1.jpg
    Going through the new installation option
    DSC00298-1.jpg
    Callback in progress
    DSC00299-1.jpg
    Online light on
    DSC00300-1.jpg
    Success.

    So YES, a successful callback have been carried out using UPC/NTL telephone service.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    Thats excellent Aquos--Bye bye eircom time so :)


  • Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 9,137 Mod ✭✭✭✭Aquos76


    So atleast we now know for definite that Sky can call back using UPC's phone service.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,362 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Outstanding work Aquos

    Owner: satellite.ie



  • Moderators, Arts Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 11,139 Mod ✭✭✭✭Hellrazer


    One more probably stupid question--If the phone cable coming from the back of the UPC modem is an ordinary phone jack/cable could I assume that I could join it up to where my eircom main line came in and make all the old phone points work??

    Cant see any reason why it wouldnt work and would be very very handy for the multiroom boxes.


  • Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 9,137 Mod ✭✭✭✭Aquos76


    Hellrazer wrote: »
    One more probably stupid question--If the phone cable coming from the back of the UPC modem is an ordinary phone jack/cable could I assume that I could join it up to where my eircom main line came in and make all the old phone points work??

    Cant see any reason why it wouldnt work and would be very very handy for the multiroom boxes.


    You can indeed, thats exactly what I did.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,797 ✭✭✭sweetie


    Kensington wrote: »
    For Digiweb and UPC, they use a system called PacketCable in their cable modems which I think is better able to handle the likes of sky boxes, fax machines.

    I have the digiweb metro phoneline but when I rang sky they said it doesn't work with them. Is it just that they are uninformed? Also if it doesn't I can pay 37.50 extra to do without. What do I lose by not having the phoneline connected?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 336 ✭✭Wheels


    I'm coming to this late but had SKy installed on Tuesday in a new apartment wired for Magnet. Didn't even think of checking if it could dial out or not through the Magnet system. Just assumed it could.

    So, the installer came and installed Sky+ and Multiroom. Both boxes failed to do a call back and he high tailed it out of the apartment saying that I could ring them or to just keep trying. I instantly thought it was a Magnet issue so didn't argue. He left and I rang Magnet, one guy said they were going to send a fix to ATA box and it should resolve it and they'd call back. Before they called back I tested the Sky+ box and it worked. I then tried to regular Sky box and it failed and has been doing so ever since.

    Is there any fix for this? If not, what do i do? I have the second room box installed and its getting FTA channels.


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