New satellite set-up

dubsaab

Apologies in advance if this has all been covered before, and, if this is in the wrong forum could the mods please move it.

I am based in Dublin and I am planning to install a satellite system, and here is what I have in mind:

WaveFrontier T 90

3 x Octo LNBS to receive the following satellites
13E, 19E, 28E

I have four rooms which will have the following:

Room 1: Sky+, Freesat, Saorview
Room 2: Sky, Freesat, Saorview
Room 3: Freesat recording, Saorview
Room 4: Freesat, Saorview.

I would be grateful for any assistance with the following questions.

I believe Sky does not work with a Diseq, so will I need 2 sky cables into room 1 and 1cable into room 2 for Sky direct from the LNB?

Can I use a diseq to bring Freesat into the house from each LNB in order to keep down the number of cables coming in to the house and then use a multiswitch to take it into each room?

Can I bring just one cable from the Saorview antenna into a multiswitch and then take it into each room?

Can I combine the Freesat and saorview into one cable into each room and then split them once in the room?

Can I Mount the dish & antenna on the same pole using T & K brackets?

Thanks in advance.

The Cush

dubsaab wrote: »

WaveFrontier T 90

The Wavefrontier is a big dish, have you seen one up close? Also difficult to setup.

dubsaab wrote: »

3 x Octo LNBS to receive the following satellites
13E, 19E, 28E

I have four rooms which will have the following:

Room 1: Sky+, Freesat, Saorview
Room 2: Sky, Freesat, Saorview
Room 3: Freesat recording, Saorview
Room 4: Freesat, Saorview.

I would be grateful for any assistance with the following questions.

I believe Sky does not work with a Diseq, so will I need 2 sky cables into room 1 and 1cable into room 2 for Sky direct from the LNB?

Can I use a diseq to bring Freesat into the house from each LNB in order to keep down the number of cables coming in to the house and then use a multiswitch to take it into each room?

Yes on cabling for the Sky receivers.

Freesat is a trade name and only available from 28E, the channels from the other LNBs are free-to-air channels. I'm not too sure how Freesat certified receivers handle DiSEqC and how user friendly they are at handling free-to-air channels from other satellites, others may be able to post information regarding this. I use a free-to-air satellite receiver for this setup.

If using a multiswitch you'll have purchase one that can work with octo/quad LNBs, some only work with quattro LNBs. How will a multiswitch work with Sky feeds? Have you priced a 13/8 multiswitch?

dubsaab wrote: »

Can I bring just one cable from the Saorview antenna into a multiswitch and then take it into each room?

Yes, that's possible. A distribution amp or passive splitter is also possible.

dubsaab wrote: »

Can I combine the Freesat and saorview into one cable into each room and then split them once in the room?

Yes, but in the room where you want Freesat recording you may require 2 separate satellite feeds from 28E if you want to be able to record one watch one or record two channels at the same time.

dubsaab wrote: »

Can I Mount the dish & antenna on the same pole using T & K brackets?

When I installed my T90 some years ago it came with its own non-standard 60mm mount. It wasn't possible to mount an aerial on that setup.

Mexecutioner

dubsaab wrote: »

here is what I have in mind:

WaveFrontier T 90

3 x Octo LNBS to receive the following satellites
13E, 19E, 28E.

That dish is wasted on those 3 sat. positions, just get a normal 80 - 100cm.

Mexecutioner

Examples of what's involved for multi-room, multi-sat & kits available here.

dubsaab

Thanks The Cush for the detail reply, it has really helped.

The Cush wrote: »

The Wavefrontier is a big dish, have you seen one up close? Also difficult to setup.

I have seen one up close, in a friends house in the UK. It was there where he moved in.

If using a multiswitch you'll have purchase one that can work with octo/quad LNBs, some only work with quattro LNBs. How will a multiswitch work with Sky feeds? Have you priced a 13/8 multiswitch?

I have been looking around at multiswitch but so far I have not been able to track down one that will work with Octo LNB's.

dubsaab

Mexecutioner wrote: »

That dish is wasted on those 3 sat. positions, just get a normal 80 - 100cm.

Point taken Mexecutioner, but this is only my starting point, I intend to expand in the future once I get the system up and running.

dubsaab

Thanks for the link

Mexecutioner wrote: »

Examples of what's involved for multi-room, multi-sat & kits available here.

I have had a look at these, but they do not appear to take account of the Sky boxes I want to put in.

Mexecutioner

dubsaab wrote: »

I have had a look at these, but they do not appear to take account of the Sky boxes I want to put in.

Just connect them to the multiswitch, if no diseqc commands are present, they should just default to 28E if it's set up right (28E on 1st set of inputs).

Google 'sky and multiswitch' or similar, for a few pointers on potential problems.

Vince Cable

dubsaab wrote: »

I have been looking around at multiswitch but so far I have not been able to track down one that will work with Octo LNB's.

Why would you want to use an octo LNB with a multiswitch?

dubsaab

Mexecutioner wrote: »

Just connect them to the multiswitch, if no diseqc commands are present, they should just default to 28E if it's set up right (28E on 1st set of inputs).

Google 'sky and multiswitch' or similar, for a few pointers on potential problems.

Thanks, things are getting a little clearer now.

As I see it, I need the following number of feeds from the relevant LNB pointing at:

28E 8 feeds
19E 5 feeds
13E 5 feeds

If I use Octo LNB's I will not need a multiswitch and will run total of 18 cables from the dish into the house and then split them up to each room as I need them. This, I think will allow me to expand in the future if I add more LNB's. Is there a way of combining the non-sky cables so that I would only take one cable from the attic into the room? Also, could I combine the Saorview signal into this single cable?

If I go the multiswitch route, then I will take four feeds from each of three quattro LNB's and then distribute these to each room. This will combine the Saorview signal and would reduce the number of cables going into each room.

Have I got this right?

The Cush

dubsaab wrote: »

I have seen one up close, in a friends house in the UK. It was there where he moved in.

Was it a T90 or T55?

dubsaab wrote: »

I have been looking around at multiswitch but so far I have not been able to track down one that will work with Octo LNB's.

Quad/quattro LNBs will suffice for a multiswitch (satellite signal = 4 sub-bands = 4 LNB outputs = 4 multiswitch inputs). An octo only required if you wished to feed other satellite receivers independently of the multiswitch.

dubsaab wrote: »

Point taken Mexecutioner, but this is only my starting point, I intend to expand in the future once I get the system up and running.

A free-to-air satellite receiver would be the most flexible for future muti-satellite viewing.

Vince Cable

dubsaab wrote: »

Is there a way of combining the non-sky cables so that I would only take one cable from the attic into the room?

DiSEqC switches & they can be outside near the dish.

Also, could I combine the Saorview signal into this single cable?

For multiple rooms, I wouldn't bother unless I was using a multiswitch.

If I go the multiswitch route, then I will take four feeds from each of three quattro LNB's and then distribute these to each room. This will combine the Saorview signal and would reduce the number of cables going into each room.

Yes, but why do you want all sat. feeds in all rooms?

If you add more later & it becomes more of a hobby setup, what then?

dubsaab

The Cush wrote: »

Was it a T90 or T55

It was a T90

dubsaab

Vince Cable wrote: »

DiSEqC switches & they can be outside near the dish.


Thanks.

For multiple rooms, I wouldn't bother unless I was using a multiswitch.

How would I get the Saorview signal into the four rooms if not using a multiswitch?

The Cush

dubsaab wrote: »

If I use Octo LNB's I will not need a multiswitch and will run total of 18 cables from the dish into the house and then split them up to each room as I need them. This, I think will allow me to expand in the future if I add more LNB's. Is there a way of combining the non-sky cables so that I would only take one cable from the attic into the room? Also, could I combine the Saorview signal into this single cable?

If I go the multiswitch route, then I will take four feeds from each of three quattro LNB's and then distribute these to each room. This will combine the Saorview signal and would reduce the number of cables going into each room.

Have I got this right?

It not really possible to combine satellite feeds down one cable (to feed multiple receivers), a satellite receiver must have independent control of the LNB or multiswitch output. (There is a stacker/destacker option, do a search here or on google, wouldn't really recommend it).

Edit - the DiSEqC switch option will combine 4 different satellite feeds down one cable to feed one receiver input, but not more than that.

Combining satellite and terrestrial on one cable isn't a problem. It can be done via the multiswitch or combiner

Quattro LNBs are probably the best option with the multiswitch if the Sky receivers can default back to 28E without DiSEqC being required.

Vince Cable

dubsaab wrote: »

How would I get the Saorview signal into the four rooms if not using a multiswitch?

Seperate cables or seperate (and seperately fed) satellite/terrestrial diplexers.

tmcw

Waiting for Saorsat LNBs to become available might simplify things a bit; the T90, with the other sat positions should be well able to cope (good choice, IMO), and you still have room for other sat positions in the future. You then don't have to concern yourself over a terrestrial aerial, splitters/combiners or combo boxes.

Curious, why would you want Sky(+) and Freesat in the same room?

The Cush

Vince Cable wrote: »

Can't four (or 2) 4-way (or 2 way) switches (diseqc 1.1 or 2.1) be combined for multiple feeds into 1?

Also, afaik there are 8 & 10 way diseqc switches, but I'd doubt they work with all receivers.

Cascading (up to 16 sources) depends on the DiSEqC level witin the receiver but can only feed one receiver input in any case. The multiswitch will be the better option for multiple receivers/inputs.

Vince Cable

Sorry, deleted that post as I realised you meant single receiver input rather than diseqc being limited to 4 feeds.

Mexecutioner

dubsaab wrote: »

I have been looking around at multiswitch but so far I have not been able to track down one that will work with Octo LNB's.

Google 'Q2 multiswitch', one of these can work with a quad LNB or 4 outputs of an octo, leaving the other 4 free, if that's what you want.

Here's a 13 in, 20 out version.

With your proposed setup & later planned additions, you need to gain an understanding of what each component can do individually & in combination with others, particularly DiSEqC controls & different receivers' abilities in this regard.

dubsaab

tmcw wrote: »

Waiting for Saorsat LNBs to become available might simplify things a bit; the T90, with the other sat positions should be well able to cope (good choice, IMO), and you still have room for other sat positions in the future. You then don't have to concern yourself over a terrestrial aerial, splitters/combiners or combo boxes.

Curious, why would you want Sky(+) and Freesat in the same room?

Have you any idea when the Saorsat LNB's will be avaialble, if it was going to happen in 2011 then it would be an option.

Just wanted to be sure that if (when) I drop sky there will be no issue getting all the FTA channles in that room.

dubsaab

Mexecutioner wrote: »

Google 'Q2 multiswitch', one of these can work with a quad LNB or 4 outputs of an octo, leaving the other 4 free, if that's what you want.

Here's a 13 in, 20 out version.

With your proposed setup & later planned additions, you need to gain an understanding of what each component can do individually & in combination with others, particularly DiSEqC controls & different receivers' abilities in this regard.

Thanks for that and for the good advice. I will have to get my head around things before I end up going down the wrong path.

dubsaab

Vince Cable wrote: »

Seperate cables or seperate (and seperately fed) satellite/terrestrial diplexers.

Thanks for that

dubsaab

The Cush wrote: »

It not really possible to combine satellite feeds down one cable (to feed multiple receivers), a satellite receiver must have independent control of the LNB or multiswitch output. (There is a stacker/destacker option, do a search here or on google, wouldn't really recommend it).

Edit - the DiSEqC switch option will combine 4 different satellite feeds down one cable to feed one receiver input, but not more than that.

Combining satellite and terrestrial on one cable isn't a problem. It can be done via the multiswitch or combiner

Quattro LNBs are probably the best option with the multiswitch if the Sky receivers can default back to 28E without DiSEqC being required.

I think this is route I will be going down, I just want to sit down with a piece of paper and sketch out what I need and how this solves it.

dubsaab

First off, I want to thank The Cush, Mexecutioner, Vince Cable & tmcw for all the advice and feedback so far.

I am looking at this multiswitch from satshop24.de, but am unsure if it will work here in Ireland.


http://www.satshop24.de/satshop24_s/profi_class_multischalter_17_12_piu_6_vo.html


and also, this LNB, to go with the WaveFrontier T 90


http://www.satshop24.de/satshop24_s/inverto_quattro_black_premium_idlb_qutl4.html

Any advice that you could offer would be much appreciated

Vince Cable

The multiswitch works with 90-265 V AC, 50 or 60 Hz according to the manual.

The Cush

dubsaab wrote: »

Any advice that you could offer would be much appreciated

You shouldn't have any problem with either of those two items.

Mexecutioner

dubsaab wrote: »

I will have to get my head around things before I end up going down the wrong path.

This forum seems to have plenty of specialist knowledge & photos & descriptions of some pretty impressive setups.

dubsaab

I am concerned about my cable runs. The dish will be going on the back wall of the garden, as this will give the best view of the sky. My longest cable run, from dish to STB, will be 33 metres and the rest will be approx. 25 metres each.

I will be using Triax TX100 cable and this multiswitch.

http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/en/multischalter-profiline/profiline-multischalter-ms-17-12-piu.html

Will I have reception problems with cable runs this long and will I need an amp for the Saorview aerial?

Vince Cable

Those cable lengths won't be any trouble for the satellite side. That multiswitch doesn't seem to have line-power for an aerial pre-amp, so it would require its own psu between aerial & switch if needed; does the aerial have to be in the same place as the dish?
A high location is best for the aerial, the dish can be at ground level as long as it can see all the sats. you wish to receive. Once the dish has a good view, protection from damage (weather or accident/vandalism) should come next in priorority.

dubsaab

Vince Cable wrote: »

Those cable lengths won't be any trouble for the satellite side. That multiswitch doesn't seem to have line-power for an aerial pre-amp, so it would require its own psu between aerial & switch if needed; does the aerial have to be in the same place as the dish?
A high location is best for the aerial, the dish can be at ground level as long as it can see all the sats. you wish to receive. Once the dish has a good view, protection from damage (weather or accident/vandalism) should come next in priorority.

Since I posted I have got agreement from my better half to site the aerial on the house so the cable run for this will be considerably shortened.

The site for the dish is the most sheltered location in the garden and is well protected from both weather and damage/vandalism.