Dual TV/SAT Combiner

philahern

I have decided to move from Chorus and go down the Media Center PC/Satellite/DVB-T route. I am at the stage of running cables from satellite and terrestrial now. I currently have a single run of cable used for chorus signal that's well hidden throughout my house. Reading about stackers/destackers on here seems like I may be able to use this cable for all three signals that come into the house (two satellite, one terrestrial)?

Is the product listed on this page under "Dual TV/SAT Combiner" what I'm after? I presume I just buy two of these (one to combine and one to split again). Does anyone have experience with this product?

Thanks in advance.

Phil

MBSnr

Each different sat receiver "should" have its own independent cable. This is due to the different voltage levels that the receiver uses to select polarisation (Vertical or Horizontal) for each viewed channel. IE the voltage that defines the V/H settings is sent by the receiver to the LNB. You can run 2 sat receivers off one cable using a splitter but the 2nd receiver will be limited in what channels it can "see" with the 1st box being the master and setting the V/H voltage levels. (If that makes sense) .

I use a single sat/terrestrial combiner that feeds a dual wall plate splitter that breaks them out to each box. Works well except that your sat signal db strength is lower due to the connections and the combiner/splitter. I only run one terrestrial TV from the dual socket so I can't say how well it works with multiple terrestrial TVs hooked up to the same cable. Also I don't know how well it transmits the new DTT (digital terrestrial TV) as I only feed a VHF RTE signal to the TV (plus the sat feed to a Sky box). I have a quad LNB with 3 feeds going to one room for a Sky+ box and a generic FTA box. I have the other feed going into the splitter/combiner for a different room in the house.

So depending on your set up you could feed 1 x sat and possibly multiple terrestrial TVs depending on the signal strength etc per cable. Also things depend on the number of cables from your LNB. You'd need a twin LNB for 2 sat receivers but you'd be better off buying a Quad if you don't have the LNB already.

Oh and I don't know anything about the type of cable that Chorus uses. I'd imagine it would do the job. I have standard RG6 with "ok" braided shielding, put in by the electrician as I didn't spec otherwise. Works transmitting the sat signal even over a 30ft run.

Hope that kinda helps...

philahern

Thanks for the reply.

I don't want to split one cable into two. I have two cables running from satellite but just want to combine them while going through the house and then split them again before entering the htpc. From what I've read here a stacker will do the job but I just don't know if that product is the right thing or if it's any good.

Edit: It says it does "1 x Terrestrial input + 2 x SAT inputs." which sounds perfect

MBSnr

OK - I see - I wasn't sure of your setup.

What you link to is below but the key point I think is in bold. You get 3 inputs (TV and Sat x 2) and 2 outputs (combined TV/SAT on both)

Dual TV/SAT Combiner

This device allows you to combine and distribute both terrestrial and satellite signals to 2 receivers.

1 x Terrestrial input + 2 x SAT inputs.

2 outputs with both Sat & Terrestrial on each output.

Use TV/Sat combiners to break the signals back up into TV & SAT.

Unless others know any different I don't think you can do that as effectively you'd have 2 x LNBs -> single cable -> dual cable -> receivers. The single cable in the middle can only do one voltage level at a time meaning channel loss one way or another.

Seems you can buy a unicable solution but it appears you need compatible receivers for it. Can't imagine it'll be cheap either.

philahern

Thanks. I didn't actually catch that. So this just joins the terrestrial signal to each lnb signal. Not what I'm after however I thnk the "stacker/destacker" listed at the bottom of this page will combine and split the two lnb signals. Maybe then I can just add the terrestrial signal to one of these first. I think I will give it a go and post here if it works.

MBSnr

Looks promising! Definitely post back to let us know if does or doesn't work out!