Power consumption of quattro lnb and vision multi switch

randombar

Hi Lads,

Just wondering how much power those multi-switches use?

I could get an Octo LNB as I dont have 2 tvs let alone 8 but I'm also thinking about when SaorSat comes out and I'll need a way of joining the two LNBs

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Gary

gtg60

Don't bother with a multiswitch unless you've a fairly complex system, get Diseqc switches, you can get 2 way ones for a fiver. Also stay away from Octo LNB's if you'll never need more than 4 outputs.

randombar

But if you have sky plus in two rooms? That's 4 outputs already??

So a Diseqc switch can merge two LNBs?

watty

for four tuners or two PVRs you need FOUR Diseqc switches.

Multiswitches are much more reliable than a basic single output Diseqc switch.

If you are going to EVER have more than 2 tuner inputs, then a Multiswitch is superior solution.

Always put 28.2E (Sky/Freesat) on Port 1 (first four inputs) as a Sky box will then always work.

Disqec switch is really only suited to a single non-PVR and are not easily expandible. A Multiswitch system can start with two feeds and only two tuners and be expanded to up to four satellite feeds and over a thousand PVRs.

Also ordinary Diseqc switches seem less reliable.

In theory a Quattro is simpler than a Quad, so should be "better". Octo are bad news for weight, size, cabling and reliability.

The Multiswitch is self powered from mains and powers the Quattros, it only takes enough current from a tuner to convince it that something is connected. About same as a energy saver bulb or less for a 17 in 16 out switch.

gtg60

GaryCocs wrote: »

But if you have sky plus in two rooms? That's 4 outputs already??

What are you saying now? In your first post you said you don't even have 2 tv's. My post still stands, UNLESS you need more than 4 outputs stay away from Octo LNB's!

GaryCocs wrote: »

So a Diseqc switch can merge two LNBs?

Or more, it's a switch controlled by most sat receivers (not Sky boxes though).

randombar

gtg60 wrote: »

What are you saying now? In your first post you said you don't even have 2 tv's. My post still stands, UNLESS you need more than 4 outputs stay away from Octo LNB's!

Or more, it's a switch controlled by most sat receivers (not Sky boxes though).

Ya I might have more than one tv in the next couple of years though so I guess I'm thinking of some basic future proofing.

watty wrote: »

for four tuners or two PVRs you need FOUR Diseqc switches.

Multiswitches are much more reliable than a basic single output Diseqc switch.

If you are going to EVER have more than 2 tuner inputs, then a Multiswitch is superior solution.

Always put 28.2E (Sky/Freesat) on Port 1 (first four inputs) as a Sky box will then always work.

Disqec switch is really only suited to a single non-PVR and are not easily expandible. A Multiswitch system can start with two feeds and only two tuners and be expanded to up to four satellite feeds and over a thousand PVRs.

Also ordinary Diseqc switches seem less reliable.

In theory a Quattro is simpler than a Quad, so should be "better". Octo are bad news for weight, size, cabling and reliability.

The Multiswitch is self powered from mains and powers the Quattros, it only takes enough current from a tuner to convince it that something is connected. About same as a energy saver bulb or less for a 17 in 16 out switch.

Thanks for that watty (and sorry about jumping between forums.

So I'm thinking I'll go for the 80cm dish for sky and the soon to be launched SaorSat

Plus the Quattro LNB for Sky and maybe a bracket that I can add the LNB for saorsat also and a 9/16 multiplexer which hopefully not draw more than an energy saver.

Any recommendations on where to go for all this??

watty

gtg60 wrote: »

What are you saying now? In your first post you said you don't even have 2 tv's. My post still stands, UNLESS you need more than 4 outputs stay away from Octo LNB's!


Or more, it's a switch controlled by most sat receivers (not Sky boxes though).

A sky box only works with one satellite anyway, so you put 28.2E on port one of a Multiswitch. All the other receivers can select any satellite. By default with no Diseqc commands you get port 1.

Stay away from Octo LNBs, period.


Sky box doesn't really work with any other satellite, even with NO switch. It will never be able to select Saorsat, or work with it even without a switch (of any kind).


Diseqc switch: 2 or 4 inputs, but only one output. No use for a Sky box. You need two for a PVR, fed by Quad LNBs. You can't expand simply.

Multiswitch: 2, 3 or 4 inputs, 4, 6, 8, 12 or 16 outputs. You can split the feed to a multiswitch and easily drive over 100 multiswitches, so easy to expand beyond 16 outputs. No matter HOW many outputs, only 4 cables per satellite feed from the dish generally. Some Satellites only need two cables and some (Ka-Sat/Saorsat) will only need one coax from LNBF to the Multiswitch.

With a Multiswitch you can have some receivers that have no Diseqc commands. They always only see the 1st Satellite. This is sensible since the LNB used by perhaps a Sky box can be used by other receivers on the other outputs that can switch. With a regular Diseqc switch there is only one outlet, so you never connect a Sky box to it. Only Diseqc enabled receivers.

There ARE Multiswitch and Diseqc switch that can take 8 or 16 Satellite inputs. Fewer receivers worth with them.

The regular multiswitch system looks like a regular Sky LNB to a Sky box as long as port 1 inputs are on 28.2E. A diseqc enabled receiver works as if it's connected exclusively to a 4 input + 1 outlet ordinary Diseqc switch, even if the system has 2000 outlets.

fat-tony

watty, gtg60 - what's the issue with octo LNBs? I have one using six outputs (two PVRs + STB + Freesat TV) without problems for the past number of months. Here's a pic of it with some snow on it:)

watty

If it's OK for you don't worry.

But they are less than 1/2 as reliable as Quad LNB and slightly poorer performance.

Eight coax into house instead of four for a Multiswitch (no matter how many tuners are used).

A Sky Octo, is only for a Sky shaped dish of course.

More expensive than Quad or Quattro (some Multiswitch can take at least one Quad rather than Quattro).

Pointless if you want more than one Satellite or more than 4 PVRs.

gtg60

+1

Also found them to be more unreliable and have on more than one occasion pushed a Thompson HD's PSU over the edge.

If you really need one, your dish is accessible and you getting them cheap then they're fine. As I recommended to the OP if you need less than 4 outputs then stick with a Quad.

fat-tony

I've had a quad for years, but recently needed to add two more feeds and unlikely to need more so the octo was the most cost-effective option for me (thirty something euro). That dish is solely for Astra 2 / Eurobird reception. I'll see how reliable it is long-term;)

watty - I've a separate 1.1m dish and motor with a twin LNB feeding my Manhattan STB (which drives the motor and does blind scanning in the low symbol rates with 4MHz tuning steps if needed) and my Windows 7 machine with a DVB-S2 PCI card.

randombar

Nice one for the info lads, any recommendations on where to go for the satellite quattro and multi? Dwyers in Cork reasonable??

watty

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