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multiswitch or no ?

  • 03-07-2012 7:11pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,372 ✭✭✭


    quick question if ye have a minute

    if ye were wiring a few rooms for satellite+saorview - for the sake of argument 3 rooms, each having a freesat-type PVR (and so needing 2xsatellite feeds) + 1 saorview, - would you

    A) use a multiswitch to combine the satellite+TV signals and feed them down 2 cables to each room? (does this need a diplexer wall plate on each cable outlet)?

    B) use a multiswitch just to split/duplicate the satellite signals and feed down the TV signals separately, thus avoiding the hassle of diplexer wallplates. this would need more cables but would be slightly less complicated.

    C) something else ?

    I might get a pro installer out to have a look, any recommendations by PM welcome.

    thanks.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,341 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    Really depends on whether you need to expand the system for more rooms later on . For example and Octo lnb would take care of the satellite side of things and an aerial with an amplifier will take care of saorview . If you use two cables to each room you need a diplexer and a wall plate, if you run three to each room you do not need diplexers or wall plates.

    If you use a multiswitch you need to make sure that it can handle a standard quad lnb for simplicity , a lot of multi switches need a special type of lnb called a quattro.

    silverside wrote: »
    quick question if ye have a minute

    if ye were wiring a few rooms for satellite+saorview - for the sake of argument 3 rooms, each having a freesat-type PVR (and so needing 2xsatellite feeds) + 1 saorview, - would you

    A) use a multiswitch to combine the satellite+TV signals and feed them down 2 cables to each room? (does this need a diplexer wall plate on each cable outlet)?

    B) use a multiswitch just to split/duplicate the satellite signals and feed down the TV signals separately, thus avoiding the hassle of diplexer wallplates. this would need more cables but would be slightly less complicated.

    C) something else ?

    I might get a pro installer out to have a look, any recommendations by PM welcome.

    thanks.

    Desktop PC Boards discount code on https://www.satellite.ie/ is boards.ie



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,852 ✭✭✭✭The Cush


    silverside wrote: »
    quick question if ye have a minute

    if ye were wiring a few rooms for satellite+saorview - for the sake of argument 3 rooms, each having a freesat-type PVR (and so needing 2xsatellite feeds) + 1 saorview, - would you

    I'd run a min. of 3 cables to each room and a spare 4th cable, in future you might require it and it's easier to be looking at it than looking for it.

    Multiswitch or no - if 8 feeds or less are required I'd go for the Octo LNB, more than that I'd go the multiswitch route.

    I'd also run a few Cat5/6 cables while I'm at it.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    silverside wrote: »
    if ye were wiring a few rooms for satellite+saorview - for the sake of argument 3 rooms, each having a freesat-type PVR (and so needing 2xsatellite feeds) + 1 saorview . . .

    2 coax. feeds is enough to any tv point, consider putting more than 1 in each room, you might want to change the layout at some stage.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,905 ✭✭✭steveon


    Peter Rhea wrote: »
    2 coax. feeds is enough to any tv point, consider putting more than 1 in each room, you might want to change the layout at some stage.

    I would personally recommend running more than 2 as u never know whats around the corner, triple tuner linux boxes are already in existence and I would also recommend running cat5 or cat6 for higher transfer rates if possible .Yes the cost at the beginning is high but u only get one chance to get it rite.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,285 ✭✭✭Peter Rhea


    You can diplex (or triplex) signals on coax. I agree about the cat 5/6, didn't mean that should be neglected.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 407 ✭✭LLU


    If aesthetics are important to you and your dish is in a visible location, consider how it will look with a bundle of 8 cables leading along the arm and into the LNB. Personally I don't like how it looks.

    Also, depending on the layout of the house, it may be easier to site the multiswitch centrally and distribute from there, than to distribute all the cables directly from the LNB.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,341 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    LLU wrote: »
    Also, depending on the layout of the house, it may be easier to site the multiswitch centrally and distribute from there, than to distribute all the cables directly from the LNB.

    Thats a good point

    Desktop PC Boards discount code on https://www.satellite.ie/ is boards.ie



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,351 ✭✭✭Ronnie Raygun


    Peter Rhea wrote: »
    2 coax. feeds is enough to any tv point, consider putting more than 1 in each room, you might want to change the layout at some stage.

    True, I've seen houses with a big bunch of cables all in 1 corner & they end up putting the tv on the other side of the room & still have to use a half-arsed way of getting signal to it.

    Plenty of places have 2 tv points in the main rooms & I'd much prefer to have 2 sets of 2 cables than 1 big lot all in 1 place. There are some clever distribution units available that can cope with 2 sat. feeds, terrestrial & RF out from a Sky box all on 2 cables, not to mention FM & DAB radio.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,034 ✭✭✭zg3409


    silverside wrote: »
    quick question if ye have a minute

    if ye were wiring a few rooms for satellite+saorview - for the sake of argument 3 rooms, each having a freesat-type PVR (and so needing 2xsatellite feeds) + 1 saorview, - would you

    A) use a multiswitch to combine the satellite+TV signals and feed them down 2 cables to each room? (does this need a diplexer wall plate on each cable outlet)?

    B) use a multiswitch just to split/duplicate the satellite signals and feed down the TV signals separately, thus avoiding the hassle of diplexer wallplates. this would need more cables but would be slightly less complicated.

    C) something else ?

    I might get a pro installer out to have a look, any recommendations by PM welcome.

    thanks.

    Just from reading the original post he seems to be referring to a multiswitch but actually describing the function of a diplexer.

    I think the qn is should he combine the Saorview and Sat signal on the one cable.


    So for answer A, if you are re-decorating always use seperate cables if at all possible. If you combine Saorview and Sat using a Diplexer you need a diplexer at EACH end, to combine and split the signal.

    So yes I would recommend B, a seperate cable for each service, as said run a few extra, and consider CAT5, surround sound speaker cable, phone point for Sky box etc.

    A multiswitch, that you mention is not what you explained. Generally they are only used where you need more than 8 feeds from a dish. They are not for beginners, and more useful in very large houses.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 227 ✭✭paulireland


    As a matter of interest if you run 2 cables from a multiswitch you should only need 1 diplexer to extract the DTT and put the other into the second sat i/p on the sat bos.I assume it will ignore the DTT signal


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 329 ✭✭drBill


    zg3409 wrote: »
    Just from reading the original post he seems to be referring to a multiswitch but actually describing the function of a diplexer.

    I think the qn is should he combine the Saorview and Sat signal on the one cable.


    So for answer A, if you are re-decorating always use seperate cables if at all possible. If you combine Saorview and Sat using a Diplexer you need a diplexer at EACH end, to combine and split the signal.

    So yes I would recommend B, a seperate cable for each service, as said run a few extra, and consider CAT5, surround sound speaker cable, phone point for Sky box etc.

    A multiswitch, that you mention is not what you explained. Generally they are only used where you need more than 8 feeds from a dish. They are not for beginners, and more useful in very large houses.

    I've seen people say that here before and just wondering why. Apart from being more expensive than an octo is there any particular reason why a beginner would have difficulty with them? Is it harder to align the dish? Are they harder to cable/troubleshoot/etc? I currently have a quad and expect to need more feeds in a while and I'm leaning towards the multiswitch as it will be messy to run additional cables from my dish. I'm reasonably tech savvy and did the current install myself. Should I be able to swap my quad out and put in a quattro and multiswitch in its place or am I just too optimistic?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,341 ✭✭✭✭Tony


    drBill wrote: »
    Should I be able to swap my quad out and put in a quattro and multiswitch in its place or am I just too optimistic?

    There are multiswitches that can accomodate quad lnb's so no reason why you cannot do this yourself. Optimism is good, worst case is you have to call in outside help if you get stuck but from your expereince I would think this unlikely.

    Desktop PC Boards discount code on https://www.satellite.ie/ is boards.ie



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,034 ✭✭✭zg3409


    drBill wrote: »
    I've seen people say that here before and just wondering why. Apart from being more expensive than an octo is there any particular reason why a beginner would have difficulty with them? Is it harder to align the dish? Are they harder to cable/troubleshoot/etc? I currently have a quad and expect to need more feeds in a while and I'm leaning towards the multiswitch as it will be messy to run additional cables from my dish. I'm reasonably tech savvy and did the current install myself. Should I be able to swap my quad out and put in a quattro and multiswitch in its place or am I just too optimistic?

    If you already have a quad, get a multiswitch that can work with a quad.
    Regarding difficulty, yes it can be harder to align the dish. Ideally use a single LNB to align then remove and install a quattro. There are more wires, complications. Also for an Octo or a multiswitch you should use a larger than normal dish as Octo's can be deaf and multiswitches can have high losses. If you are tech savvy then go ahead. Not for beginners.

    paulireland I am not sure what you are saying. I think the original poster needs diplexer and not a multiswitch.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 149 ✭✭Delta Lima


    Hi

    zg3409, what do you mean when you say Octo LNBs can be deaf? Just wondering. Thanks.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,568 ✭✭✭Gerry Wicklow


    deaf = not as sensitive to signals


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,034 ✭✭✭zg3409


    Delta Lima wrote: »
    Hi

    zg3409, what do you mean when you say Octo LNBs can be deaf? Just wondering. Thanks.

    I mean based on a normal size dish if you switch from a single LNB to an Octo LNB and compare signal strengths and octo is splitting the signal by 8 ways, so the signal may be weaker to each outlet.

    So in practical terms if you intend using more than 4 cables it might be a good idea to use a larger than standard dish.

    For commercial installations they use a larger dish to confirm a quality signal under every condition even if the signal is split many, many ways. A standard dish is a compromise of size, cost, quality, signal strength, and signal reliability which is not ideal if the signal arriving is divided by 8.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,372 ✭✭✭silverside


    thank you all for your interesting opinions.

    I actually got an installer out to have a look, well worth the call out fee, I don't think it would be fair to regurgitate his advice word for word but he went through the various options available in good detail without pushing me towards buying one piece of equipment over another.


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