Multiswitches

Macy0161

Hi,

Just looking for some advice from the experts...

Someone's given me a quattro lnb that they ordered by mistake. My existing quad is full, so if I add another receiver/ go freesat+ I'll have to get an octo lnb. However, mains powered 5x8 multiswitches are coming in similar in price to the octo's I've seen.

Is it as simple as swapping the quad for the quattro and then using the current 4 cable runs to feed the multiswitch? I have 3 satellite grade cable runs to each TV point in the house, so there would also be a cable saving in not changing over to an octo lnb. Is there signal loss or anything that might make it harder for a DIY installer? I've an 80cm dish pointed at 28.2.

watty

Some multiswitches work with quad or Quattro.

4 cables per satellite/LNB to multiswitch input (they come in 1, 2 or 4 satellite inputs = 4, 8 or 16 inputs). Many have a 950MHz diplex for cableTV, MMDS, terrestrial input.

Then each output feeds a receiver input.

LNBs have a very high level signal amplifier inside. So signal level is set by dish size.

cormacl

If you want a brand recommendation.. I'd suggest emp-centauri

Their website pages have wiring diagrams that tend to show the use of just quattro or both quad/quattro. Handy for ensuring it meets your needs. I've had one for about 3 years now. Never had an issue with it. I'm sure most of the other brands are also as good for the job.

The single biggest advantage to them IMO is the easy diplexing of the aerial feed. It makes managing the whole solution a lot easier. The thought of having multiple LNBs and diseqc switches and then splitting the aerial feed several times and running all that cable to each room is no match for tidier distribution from a multi-switch. Mine also boosts the aerial input a bit.

Bear in mind that with a multi-switch, you can always add a larger one in the future should you decide to add more dishes/LNBs.

In your example, where you would need a quad or quattro option..

Profi-line 5x8
http://www.emp-centauri.cz/products.php?id_kateg=5&id_pkateg=11&id=17
http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/multischalter-emp-centauri/emp-multischalter-5-8-economy-line-e143-ap.html

Economy Line 5x8
http://www.emp-centauri.cz/products.php?id_kateg=6&id_pkateg=31&id=292
http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/multischalter-profiline/profiline-multischalter-5-8-p143-up.html

slicedpanman

cormacl wrote: »

Profi-line 5x8
http://www.emp-centauri.cz/products.php?id_kateg=5&id_pkateg=11&id=17
http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/multischalter-emp-centauri/emp-multischalter-5-8-economy-line-e143-ap.html

Economy Line 5x8
http://www.emp-centauri.cz/products.php?id_kateg=6&id_pkateg=31&id=292
http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/multischalter-profiline/profiline-multischalter-5-8-p143-up.html

Excellent stuff cormacl... I'm looking into this myself at the moment and delighted to find that you can get multiswitches that work with a quad (which I have).

Any idea what the differences between the Profi/Econm switches above are? Is the additional €20-ish for the Profi worth the extra features?

watty

Not generally. But maybe some Econ don't do Quad and the Profi may.

I have old 17 x16 Emp Centauri with gain pots on each channel and "dip" switch to set up a Quad on the first port. Though really you could design it that you don't need the DIP. Bought before they split range in different product categories of Econ and Profi

I have 13, 19, 23.5 and 28E on a triax bar on a 90/95cm Triax that Astra gave me for testing Casablanca.

4 x Quattro LNBs. Found no difference between Alps (cone feed) and Triax (ring/horn feed) LNBFs

cormacl

slicedpanman wrote: »

Any idea what the differences between the Profi/Econm switches above are? Is the additional €20-ish for the Profi worth the extra features?

I think the integrated terrestrial amplifier is key TBH.. and thats what I went with to ensure there was some signal boost for fear the multiple outputs drained the signal. So go the profi model if you ask me.

Their website says..

Profi Class is a line of products designed for the uppermost demands. These products have an extended temperature range and an extended four-year warranty.

Main features of Profi Class

extended four-year warranty
extended temperature range
all standalone multiswitches have input attenuators
all standalone multiswitches offer active/passive terrestrial path switching, Quad LNBs compatibility, terrestrial preamplifier DC supply
all switches and multiswitches for more than 1 satellite are DiSEqC 2.0 or lower version compatible

Economy Class is a line of products designed for the standard demands, suitable for most applications. These products have a standart two-year warranty.

Main features of Economy Class

two years warranty
standalone multiswitches with passive or active terrestrial path
standalone multiswitches Quattro, Quad or Twin LNBs compatible
all switches and multiswitches for more than 1 satellite are DiSEqC 2.0 or lower version compatible

slicedpanman

watty wrote: »

Not generally. But maybe some Econ don't do Quad and the Profi may.

I have old 17 x16 Emp Centauri with gain pots on each channel and "dip" switch to set up a Quad on the first port. Though really you could design it that you don't need the DIP. Bought before they split range in different product categories of Econ and Profi

I have 13, 19, 23.5 and 28E on a triax bar on a 90/95cm Triax that Astra gave me for testing Casablanca.

4 x Quattro LNBs. Found no difference between Alps (cone feed) and Triax (ring/horn feed) LNBFs

cormacl wrote: »

I think the integrated terrestrial amplifier is key TBH.. and thats what I went with to ensure there was some signal boost for fear the multiple outputs drained the signal. So go the profi model if you ask me.

Cheers cormacl...
Sorry watty - I couldn't find an appropriate option in google translation for techie-->clueless

cormacl

watty wrote: »

Not generally. But maybe some Econ don't do Quad and the Profi may.

Thats exactly what I originally thought.. and maybe it was that way a few years back.. but certainly now, some of the economy versions offer support for quad/quattro. The economy model I referenced earlier, shows this in the wiring diagram.

And their spiel I quoted earlier also references the quad/quattro support.. strange.. very strange.

watty

The profi comes with and without integrated amp.
The version with integrated amp is no good to combine Metro or Cable broadband and may be too much gain if you have a mast amp.

I used the non-amp version with DTT/Metro/Analogue/Cable BB distribution fine. Suitable Cable Broadband trunks amps and DTT/Analog mast amps driving.

byte

I got an EMP Centauri 5x16 Profiline last year for a customer. Picked the Profiline as it had terrestrial gain and support for quad LNB (the Eco equivalent I saw at the time didn't seem to support quads). Not sure if the Eco also has the option to adjust the levels of each incoming cable (HH/HL/VH/VL)?

Anyway, I think they're a fantastic multiswitch.:)

slicedpanman

Sounds like an unequivocal "thumbs up" all round for the Profi version of these switches... I already have an aerial for DTT and a quad lnb for Freesat so I'll be getting one of these (5x8) for my house rewire to distribute Saorview + Freesat round the house

thanks guys