Combining Saorview/Aerial with Sky Tvlink- single cable

Tomc77

I've read a lot on the subject but am getting more confused the more I read and I think (hope) the solution is simple:
My current set-up: Sky+(2lines) & an aerial down to main TV. Aerial feed down to two other tv's in house. (all cables run through attic so handy for combining dividing etc). I need aerial feed and sky tv link on other two tv's (aerial feed to main tv not essential as not saorview and not needed).

Here are my options as I see them as I don't want to run an additional cabling to tvs:
Option A:
Run RF2 back from sky box. Combine this with aerial feed in attic and split to two tv's

Option B:
Cut one of the sky cables in attic. Add in the aerial feed to this cable using a combiner, split again using same combiner at sky box and plug both into sky box. Use RF2 out to send the signal to attic and use a simple co-ax splitter or 2 way F splitter sky link

And here are my questions?

1. I think they'll both work but want to know which option is better in terms of reception? (I know option A will mean no aerial on main TV but worth the sacrifice if I get better reception to others)
2. All connections in attic are old fashioned coax connectors. IF a Y-shaped coax splitter works is there much to be gained by switching to F-connectors/splitters where I don't have to. (it's a lot more work obviously to change connections add adaptors etc)
3. When combining the aerial signal with the sky satellite (option A) or tv link (option the aerial goes on the non-power pass side? I have a booster on the aerial signal. Should I leave this in place before the combiner?
4. Do you think I will need to boost the signal from RF2 or should it be ok for two tvs? If I need to boost is an amplifier like this at the point of splitting the best option?

Appreciate any expertise out there

Ronnie Raygun

What UHF channel are you receiving Saorview on? This can have an effect on the ease of combining for option A.

Tomc77

Ronnie: Sorry but I don't know. At the moment just receiving analogue signal (in Longford area). Haven't bought the saorview telly yet. Is there a difference in set-up whether it's Saorview or analogue?

Ronnie Raygun

Cairn Hill transmitter serves that area on UHF channels above ch 40, so combining the aerial & RF2 feeds could be done using a diplexer like this one.

The RF2 feed can be connected to the low frequency leg, which also passes the control signals from the magic eyes, as well as DC voltage (this is switchable).

This kind of frequency-selective combiner is more efficient than a normal splitter used "in reverse" & is less likely to give rise to any unpredictable problems.

Should also add that there's nothing wrong with option B, if you'd prefer to have the aerial signal available at the main tv.

Tomc77

Thanks Ronnie,
You obviously think option A is the best. Silly question but would the set-up you decribe allow analogue and saorview on high freq (are analogue channels lower?). Do I simply set the sky RF channel to a low channel like 20 (currently 68) to get this set-up to work.

The Cush

Tomc77 wrote: »

I've read a lot on the subject but am getting more confused the more I read and I think (hope) the solution is simple:
My current set-up: Sky+(2lines) & an aerial down to main TV. Aerial feed down to two other tv's in house. (all cables run through attic so handy for combining dividing etc). I need aerial feed and sky tv link on other two tv's (aerial feed to main tv not essential as not saorview and not needed).

Here are my options as I see them as I don't want to run an additional cabling to tvs:
Option A:
Run RF2 back from sky box. Combine this with aerial feed in attic and split to two tv's

Option A suggestion

RF2 back to attic
Combine RF2 feed with aerial feed (RF2 connected to power passing leg)
Combined feed to F120 tvLink distribution amp (2 outputs) - kits are available http://www.brymar.co.uk/acatalog/Sky_Digital_3.html

The RF2 uhf channel/frequency can be changed to avoid any conflict with existing analogue/Saorview frequencies.

If Saorview is required at the main TV in future the aerial feed can be combined with one of the feeds to the Sky receiver.

EDIT:
You could combine the aerial and Sky feed now to the main room, split it again before the Sky receiver, RF in to the Sky receiver. RF2 and aerial feed are then combined back to the F120 distribution amp in the attic.

The Cush

Tomc77 wrote: »

Silly question but would the set-up you decribe allow analogue and saorview on high freq (are analogue channels lower?). Do I simply set the sky RF channel to a low channel like 20 (currently 68) to get this set-up to work.

Analogue TV uses UHF channels 21-68, Saorview will use 21-59. Depends on transmitter/area.

After analogue switchoff in Oct UHF channels 61-69 will be transferred to mobile use from next year which might cause interference to distribution setups in homes using frequencies in that range. Best option is to find out which UHF channels are used in your area and select a channel not used to distribute RF2.

Ronnie Raygun

Tomc77 wrote: »

You obviously think option A is the best.

No, option B is fine & will give you RTE2 HD (not on Sky) at the main tv.

would the set-up you decribe allow analogue and saorview on high freq (are analogue channels lower?). Do I simply set the sky RF channel to a low channel like 20 (currently 68) to get this set-up to work.

Cairn Hill analogue channels range from nos. 40-50 so will be fine with the 3537 diplexer should you choose option A. This kind of combiner/splitter will lose less signal than a non-selective type & will be less likely to give rise to problematic interaction between the aerial & RF2 signals.

The RF2 can be set to any channel below 35 down to 21 but best to keep it a channel or two below 35.

Peter Rhea

Ronnie Raygun wrote: »

. . . will be less likely to give rise to problematic interaction between the aerial & RF2 signals.

What kind of interaction?

Tomc77

Appreciate your help guys. Here's how I got on.
Ordered stuff from a combination of Tvtrade.ie and buymystuff.co.uk.

Went with option B.

There wasn't a huge difference in reception between the expensive solution and the cheap way (when viewed on a 22 inch TV).

I used the 3537 diplexer although the difference was marginal when compared with a cheap f-plug splitter (power pass on one leg) to combine RF-2 out and aerial signal. I was getting some interferance with the cheaper option but by selecting a different channel (changing from 68 to 34 in my case) it dissappeared.

I ended up using a simple cheap plastic coaxial Y-splitter to split the combined signal to two tv's and the skylink still works. My signals were v strong so replacing it with an F120 didn't make any difference. I also had a cheaper "2 way F-splitter sky link" which split the signal fine but wouldn't allow me to work the sky eyes- from the description of the product it should have, so perhaps this was faulty.

Anyway job done now.