Rf1/Rf2 Query

Widescreen

I have 3 tv's served by 2 digiboxes and dvd recorder from one main location.

One of my digiboxes is operated by magic eyes on the other 2 tv's. The problem I have seems to be caused because I have the rf1/rf2 cables from the digibox going into the dist.amp using a splitter.No choice but to do this as their is only one other input and that is in use. Basically what happens is that my terrestrial TG4 suffers in quality but the magic eyes and all other channels work fine and that is perfect for me.

However, every 3 days or so the magic eyes stop working,the Tg4 goes perfect and I have to give the splitter a bit of a push into the socket and then the magic eyes work again and tg4 goes back down! Now when i say "push the splitter into the socket" there is no actual movement of the splitter involved but just doing this fixes the problem.I think that if I only had the rf2 going into the amp things would be ok, but the downside then is that the channels as viewed through the video recorder lose quality so I could not tape anything. I could though still watch pre recorded stuff clearly.

I probably haven't explained this too well,but does anyone know if there is a splitter that may solve this problem for me out there.

thanks

scout353

Had an issue where my magic eyes worked intermittently until I stripped back the connections and ensured they were really well connected. Since then I have not had any problems. Check all your connections because even the slighest touch of a stray outer core wire will affect the ability of the cable to carry the magic eye signal!

The other problem I found was that in one room the builder had put in a TV socket that had a resistor( not sure if this is right, but something anyway) in the build and this blocked the magic eye. Once this socket was changed there was no issue!

Widescreen

thanks for feedback. Its probably a difficult one for me to explain.

If i just use only the rf2 cable directly from digibox into the dist.amp all is ok as far as magic eyes/picture quality etc. But then I won't be able to tape from terrestrial channels as the picture quality suffers through the video channel. If I feed both rf1 and rf2 from digibox into the amp connection using a splitter the problem surfaces. It seems the splitter cannot accomodate both rf1and rf2 without effecting one of the services. its either the magic eye working fine and tg4 poor(which is ideal) or no magic eyes and perfect tg4. Both rf1 and rf2 used on their own separately work fine,but if I do not use the rf2 I will have no magic eye. I am pretty certain problem relates to the splitter?

If there is a better splitter out there that would sort this problem I would appreciate if anyone knows about one, otherwise I will just put up with not taping from terrestrial as I use Sky plus mostly anway.

Finne1993

Widescreen wrote: »

thanks for feedback. Its probably a difficult one for me to explain.

If i just use only the rf2 cable directly from digibox into the dist.amp all is ok as far as magic eyes/picture quality etc. But then I won't be able to tape from terrestrial channels as the picture quality suffers through the video channel. If I feed both rf1 and rf2 from digibox into the amp connection using a splitter the problem surfaces. It seems the splitter cannot accomodate both rf1and rf2 without effecting one of the services. its either the magic eye working fine and tg4 poor(which is ideal) or no magic eyes and perfect tg4. Both rf1 and rf2 used on their own separately work fine,but if I do not use the rf2 I will have no magic eye. I am pretty certain problem relates to the splitter?

If there is a better splitter out there that would sort this problem I would appreciate if anyone knows about one, otherwise I will just put up with not taping from terrestrial as I use Sky plus mostly anway.

Sounds like the RF channel on your video recorder is clashing with RF on Sky, change the RF OUT channel on the video recorder and see if that helps.
Something I can't understand is you feeding BOTH RF1 and RF2 into a splitter or a distribution box, its recipe for total overload, its a wonder anything works in that case!!

Ideal scenario: (pity I cant draw a diagram on this thing!)

Aerial cable (coming from power supply or direct from aerial whichever one applies to this case) should be connected to the RF IN of your Sky box1.
Another cable should then be connected from RF1 on the Sky box1 to RF IN of Sky box2.
A cable then from the RF1 of sky box2 to the RF IN of your DVD REC.
A cable should then come from the RF OUT of your DVD REC into the RF socket in the back of your main TV.
A cable then should come from the RF2 of your Sky box2 into the UHF IN socket in your distribution unit and then in turn every other TV in the house that is fed from the distribution unit will be able to view all the Sky and terrestrial channels and the magic eye should work in whatever rooms you have one (Again working on an assumption the distribution unit has digital bypass to allow the magic eyes to function properly).
Connect Sky box1 to main TV with a scart as well to achieve best possible picture
Make sure the RF OUT channels of both Sky boxes and the DVD recorder are'nt clashing with each other or with the terrestrial channels.
Just to note the DVD will only be viewable on the main TV in this case.

Widescreen

Finne1993 wrote: »

Sounds like the RF channel on your video recorder is clashing with RF on Sky, change the RF OUT channel on the video recorder and see if that helps.
Something I can't understand is you feeding BOTH RF1 and RF2 into a splitter or a distribution box, its recipe for total overload, its a wonder anything works in that case!!

Ideal scenario: (pity I cant draw a diagram on this thing!)

Aerial cable (coming from power supply or direct from aerial whichever one applies to this case) should be connected to the RF IN of your Sky box1.
Another cable should then be connected from RF1 on the Sky box1 to RF IN of Sky box2.
A cable then from the RF1 of sky box2 to the RF IN of your DVD REC.
A cable should then come from the RF OUT of your DVD REC into the RF socket in the back of your main TV.
A cable then should come from the RF2 of your Sky box2 into the UHF IN socket in your distribution unit and then in turn every other TV in the house that is fed from the distribution unit will be able to view all the Sky and terrestrial channels and the magic eye should work in whatever rooms you have one (Again working on an assumption the distribution unit has digital bypass to allow the magic eyes to function properly).
Connect Sky box1 to main TV with a scart as well to achieve best possible picture
Make sure the RF OUT channels of both Sky boxes and the DVD recorder are'nt clashing with each other or with the terrestrial channels.
Just to note the DVD will only be viewable on the main TV in this case.

Hi I appreciate the detailed reply. My set up allows me to watch dvd's in all rooms and tape from all channels, ie 4 terrestrial and my 2 digiboxes. Only thing I do which is different to your explanation is I have both the rf1 and rf2 into a splitter and then into the uhf in socket.(why do these amps only have one input!) If I just plug in the rf2 cable to the uhf in,nearly all is ok including watching dvd's on all tv's but then I cannot record using the dvd recorder as the channels are then fuzzy through the video channel.

I agree that there must be an overload so it looks as if to ensure the magic eye works continuously I will have to sacrific the manual record facility on the dvd. Unless there is some other solution?

Finne1993

Did you check if the RF frequency of TG4 is clashing with the frequency of either Sky box or the dvd recorder? That would be the first thing to make sure of.
I'm thinking here and drawing out diagrams in my head so I'll post back but at first thought I don't think there is a simple solution apart from using the set up I described and running another 2 scart cables to the TVs and using a scart distribution unit to split the signal and view your dvd on them TVs through your AV channel although that probably is'nt feasible in your case to be running cables.

Edit: Any chance you could explain your set up in full as its hard to understand how you can record from BOTH sky boxes and the 4 terrestrial channels and watch them all in all rooms while the magic eye works!!

Finne1993

This should work, I set up something similar here and it works for me:

Aerial cable (coming from power supply or direct from aerial whichever one applies to this case) should be connected to the RF IN of your Sky+ box.
Another cable should then be connected from RF1 on the Sky+ box to RF IN of DVD REC.
A cable then from the RF OUT of DVD REC to the RF IN of your Sky box.
A cable should then come from RF1 of your Sky box into the RF socket in the back of your main TV.
A cable then should come from the RF2 of your Sky box into the UHF IN socket in your distribution unit.
Connect Sky box to DVD via scart/AV
Connect Sky+ box to main TV via scart

This way the channels on the Sky box are recordable through the AV channel on the DVD REC and are viewable as normal in the other 2 TVs and the Sky box channels can be changed through the magic eye, if its the Sky+ box thats used in the other rooms just reverse what i've done on between the Sky and Sky+ boxes

Widescreen

Finne1993 wrote: »

This should work, I set up something similar here and it works for me:

Aerial cable (coming from power supply or direct from aerial whichever one applies to this case) should be connected to the RF IN of your Sky+ box.
Another cable should then be connected from RF1 on the Sky+ box to RF IN of DVD REC.
A cable then from the RF OUT of DVD REC to the RF IN of your Sky box.
A cable should then come from RF1 of your Sky box into the RF socket in the back of your main TV.
A cable then should come from the RF2 of your Sky box into the UHF IN socket in your distribution unit.
Connect Sky box to DVD via scart/AV
Connect Sky+ box to main TV via scart

This way the channels on the Sky box are recordable through the AV channel on the DVD REC and are viewable as normal in the other 2 TVs and the Sky box channels can be changed through the magic eye, if its the Sky+ box thats used in the other rooms just reverse what i've done on between the Sky and Sky+ boxes

Thanks a lot for this. Gonna print it off and as soon as time allows in the next few days will go through it in practice. Will feedback outcome..

Widescreen

Finne1993 wrote: »

Did you check if the RF frequency of TG4 is clashing with the frequency of either Sky box or the dvd recorder? That would be the first thing to make sure of.
I'm thinking here and drawing out diagrams in my head so I'll post back but at first thought I don't think there is a simple solution apart from using the set up I described and running another 2 scart cables to the TVs and using a scart distribution unit to split the signal and view your dvd on them TVs through your AV channel although that probably is'nt feasible in your case to be running cables.

Edit: Any chance you could explain your set up in full as its hard to understand how you can record from BOTH sky boxes and the 4 terrestrial channels and watch them all in all rooms while the magic eye works!!

Actually, before I look at the alternative set up you gave me, are you saying I will lose some of the functionality that I have at present if I use it? thanks

Finne1993

Widescreen wrote: »

Actually, before I look at the alternative set up you gave me, are you saying I will lose some of the functionality that I have at present if I use it? thanks

Sorry, only checked back now, no you should'nt lose any funtionality, only difference will be if you want to record anything onto DVD from the standard Sky box you'll have to go to the AV/Scart channel on the DVD Recorder to do so instead of channel 5/6/7 or whatever one you used.
Again I'll say to make very sure none of the RF frequencies on all of your devices are'nt clashing with each other or your terrestrial stations

Widescreen

Finne1993 wrote: »

Sorry, only checked back now, no you should'nt lose any funtionality, only difference will be if you want to record anything onto DVD from the standard Sky box you'll have to go to the AV/Scart channel on the DVD Recorder to do so instead of channel 5/6/7 or whatever one you used.
Again I'll say to make very sure none of the RF frequencies on all of your devices are'nt clashing with each other or your terrestrial stations

Hi again! Was going to try this, however, just on your point two when I was going to run a cable from RF on Sky Plus Box to RF In of dvd rec. My dvd recorder has two options, one is TV Aerial (RF In?) the other is video out. I would have had to use a different cable to do this as the connection was the "other way round " to what I had used previously?Does that mean I am on the wrong track? My dvd recorder is a samsung dvdr/vcr combi about 2.5 years old.

Also fyi, here is my set up... I can watch all channels on all tv's, dvd record all channels and watch dvds on all tv's. As I said the only bit I don't like is the splitter.I would fancy using your set up as you say you can do all mine does and ditches the splitter.


1. Terrestrial Aerial into Sky Plus box.
2. RF1 on Sky plus box to Aerial In on the Std sky box.
3. TV socket on dvd to Distribution Amplifier Input (in 2 way splitter)
4. DVD Video out to RF1 on Std Sky box.
5. RF2 on Std Sky box to Distribution Amplifier Input (in 2 way splitter)

6. a)Cable from Dist. Amp output to Main tv
b)Cable from Dist Amp output to Kitchen TV(worked by Magic eye)
c) Cable from Dist Amp output to Bedroom TV ( worked by Magic eye)
d) Cable from Dist Amp output to 2nd reception room tv(worked by Magic Eye)

Finne1993

Just looked at your set up, are you sure your points 3 and 4 are correct? They are both inputs on point 3 and outputs on point 4 so there is no way that could work, I'm guessing here you mixed up which one was which when you wrote this.
Perhaps your set up is this, actually it must be this way otherwise it would never have worked!! :

3. DVD Video out to Distribution Amplifier Input (in 2 way splitter)
4. TV socket on dvd to RF1 on Std Sky box.


The aerial in on your DVD should be RF IN (female socket) and the video out should be the RF out (male socket). Whichever socket on the DVD REC is the same as RF1 and RF2 on the sky boxes is your RF OUT.

4 of these connections require a male to female lead but going by what you say your own set up is you already have 4 male to female leads in use so just unplug everything, have all your leads in front of you and start from the beginning.
Just one thing is your whole set up and distribution box beside your main tv? Should'nt make any difference if its not but would be good to know.

Sorry about replying so late but I'm top of my head, I won't get checking back till late tomorrow night again but make sure you let me know how you get on anyway.

Widescreen

Will check this asap at work. However, confusing bit is on the dvd, one socket says TV and the other says video out.The tv socket is below the one that says dvd video out.|

My set up is all under the main tv, ie dvd,2 sky boxes,sky gnome(that uses rf2 off the Sky plus box separately, and dist. amp. All I can say is it works ok. Only prob I have is a bit of interference(waves) on TV3 terrestrial which I can't get rid of totally despite changing rf channel numbers all over the place.(any suggestions?)

Also with your set up does it mean you cannot watch dvd's on the other tv's?

cheers

Widescreen

Finne1993 wrote: »

Just looked at your set up, are you sure your points 3 and 4 are correct? They are both inputs on point 3 and outputs on point 4 so there is no way that could work, I'm guessing here you mixed up which one was which when you wrote this.
Perhaps your set up is this, actually it must be this way otherwise it would never have worked!! :

3. DVD Video out to Distribution Amplifier Input (in 2 way splitter)
4. TV socket on dvd to RF1 on Std Sky box.


The aerial in on your DVD should be RF IN (female socket) and the video out should be the RF out (male socket). Whichever socket on the DVD REC is the same as RF1 and RF2 on the sky boxes is your RF OUT.

4 of these connections require a male to female lead but going by what you say your own set up is you already have 4 male to female leads in use so just unplug everything, have all your leads in front of you and start from the beginning.
Just one thing is your whole set up and distribution box beside your main tv? Should'nt make any difference if its not but would be good to know.

Sorry about replying so late but I'm top of my head, I won't get checking back till late tomorrow night again but make sure you let me know how you get on anyway.

I have now checked points 3 and 4 and they are as I said,but they work. The cable which comes out of the tv point(RF in on dvd)is a mother connection and then goes to the dist amp.

However,I cannot get my set up to work totally without the splitter into the dist amp taking the above mentioned cable and the rf2 cable from the std sky box??

Finne1993

You will be able to watch the dvds on all the tv's, everything will work as normal apart from having to go to the dvd recorders AV/scart channel if you want to record programmes from your standard sky box.

I'll repeat it again

Terrestrial Aerial cable connected to the RF IN of your Sky+ box.
Another cable should then be connected from RF1 on the Sky+ box to RF IN(female socket) of DVD REC.
A cable then from the RF OUT(male socket) of DVD REC to the RF IN of your Sky box.
A cable should then come from RF1 of your Sky box into the RF socket in the back of your main TV.
A cable then should come from the RF2 of your Sky box into the UHF IN socket in your distribution unit.
Connect Sky box to DVD via scart/AV
Connect Sky+ box to main TV via scart

This way the channels on the Sky box are recordable through the AV channel on the DVD REC and are viewable as normal in all TVs and the Sky box channels can be changed through the magic eye.

Believe me, this works, I set the whole thing up in my own house as an experiment before i replied to your earlier posts and it worked perfect.

What might have to be done to eliminate the waves on TV3 is to fit an in line attenuator in your input to the distribution box, the fact 2 sky boxes and and a DVD player are linked in the one set up has likely increased the gain on all channels and too much gain is usually the cause of waves in TV reception.

Widescreen

Finne1993 wrote: »

You will be able to watch the dvds on all the tv's, everything will work as normal apart from having to go to the dvd recorders AV/scart channel if you want to record programmes from your standard sky box.

I'll repeat it again

Terrestrial Aerial cable connected to the RF IN of your Sky+ box.
Another cable should then be connected from RF1 on the Sky+ box to RF IN(female socket) of DVD REC.
A cable then from the RF OUT(male socket) of DVD REC to the RF IN of your Sky box.
A cable should then come from RF1 of your Sky box into the RF socket in the back of your main TV.
A cable then should come from the RF2 of your Sky box into the UHF IN socket in your distribution unit.
Connect Sky box to DVD via scart/AV
Connect Sky+ box to main TV via scart

This way the channels on the Sky box are recordable through the AV channel on the DVD REC and are viewable as normal in all TVs and the Sky box channels can be changed through the magic eye.

Believe me, this works, I set the whole thing up in my own house as an experiment before i replied to your earlier posts and it worked perfect.

What might have to be done to eliminate the waves on TV3 is to fit an in line attenuator in your input to the distribution box, the fact 2 sky boxes and and a DVD player are linked in the one set up has likely increased the gain on all channels and too much gain is usually the cause of waves in TV reception.

Hi, I am printing this off for reference. Next time I have to do something with my layout I will reassemble everything using what you say. At moment all working spot on(apart from slight waves on tv3 terrestrial)so am loath to do any fiddling around until I need to.

However, can you just clarify that with your set up, all terrestrials and both sky boxes viewable on all tv's and recordable? I know u said dvd's were watchable on all tv's.

many thanks for help...

Finne1993

Widescreen wrote: »

Hi, I am printing this off for reference. Next time I have to do something with my layout I will reassemble everything using what you say. At moment all working spot on(apart from slight waves on tv3 terrestrial)so am loath to do any fiddling around until I need to.

However, can you just clarify that with your set up, all terrestrials and both sky boxes viewable on all tv's and recordable? I know u said dvd's were watchable on all tv's

many thanks for help...

Yes, both Skys, DVD and terrestrials are viewable on every tv and are all recordable!!

Finne1993 wrote: »

You will be able to watch the dvds on all the tv's, everything will work as normal apart from having to go to the dvd recorders AV/scart channel if you want to record programmes from your standard sky box.

If ever you do try it out post back and let me know how you get on.

Widescreen

Finne1993 wrote: »

Yes, both Skys, DVD and terrestrials are viewable on every tv and are all recordable!!



If ever you do try it out post back and let me know how you get on.

Will be trying it for sure,just not sure when. Will need everyone out and a day off probably but should get there in January!

Once again many thanks!

169

I have sky box in the sitting room and have bought a magic eye so I can watch sky on the TV bedroom. I think there is 2 options (might have to be 3) to take the cable from the sky box to the bedroom TV:

1) There is a cable from the attic down to the sitting room that is marked FM on the swith. I am currently using this as FM with a FM aerial in the attic. Have radio on sky box now so not required. Can I use this cable and connect it into the SKY distribution box in the attic, which then has a cable running to the TV in the bedroom?

2) Take a new cable to the oustide of the house and up the wall to the attic and then into the SKY distribution box in the attic?

3) Same as 2) but take the cable directly to the bedroom TV?

Any help would be great

Finne1993

1. This will work as long as the distribution box you have has integrated digital bypass (which allows the Sky magic eye signal to pass through it)

2. This will work also but as above you need the proper distribution amplifier.

3. This will work no problem

169

Thanks,

Will ckeck the spec of the distribution box.

One other thought, will i lose the terrestrial signal on the cable from the distribution box to the bedroom tv when the new sky cable is connected

Finne1993

169 wrote: »

Thanks,

Will ckeck the spec of the distribution box.

One other thought, will i lose the terrestrial signal on the cable from the distribution box to the bedroom tv when the new sky cable is connected

Once your terrestrial aerial cable is connected into the aerial in socket in the back of your sky box (Which I assume it is), your terrestrial channels will come through along with your sky