Terrestrial distribution

zagmund

Quick sanity check please . . . house is being gutted at the moment and we are planning ahead for TV provision. There is already a satellite dish and terrestrial aerial on the roof which have previously been used for the usual satellite & terrestrial reception. Terrestrial was definitely digital, so no issues on that front.

The current plan is to have an octo LNB on the dish with 4 runs of two cables to the 4 TV points in the house.

The electrician was talking of running one cable from the aerial to a distribution box inside the house and then having 4 runs of 2 cables to the 4 TV points again. This way we would end up with 4 cable presentations at each TV point.

The aim of having 2 satellite cables is to allow for PVR with a twin tuner box where you can watch one channel and record another.

However . . . if memory serves me right there is no need for 2 terrestrial feeds at each point since one cable can be used by two different tuners, just like in the old days when your video could be recording Dallas while you watched Top of the Pops.

So - is there any valid reason why we might want to have two terrestrial feeds to each TV point or are we safe and future proofed with one feed ?

Follow-up question - can we run the 4 feeds directly from the aerial (or something external) or do we need to bring it in to a powered distribution system inside the house and run the 4 cables from there ?

We're in Blackrock, within spitting distance of Three Rock and have successfully tuned in TVs before with rabbits ears pointing in the general direction, so signal strength isn't an issue as far as I know.

Thanks,

z

Sam Russell

You can make the terrestial and satellite signals go down the one cable. So you only need two cables per TV point.

Peter Rhea

zagmund wrote: »

So - is there any valid reason why we might want to have two terrestrial feeds to each TV point or are we safe and future proofed with one feed ?

Follow-up question - can we run the 4 feeds directly from the aerial (or something external) or do we need to bring it in to a powered distribution system inside the house and run the 4 cables from there ?

You only need 1 feed from the aerial to each point. The most common reason for installing a spare cable would be to have it in reserve for use as a return (RF-out) for a Sky box.

External weatherproof splitters & multi-output, remotely powered amplifiers are available, if you want to run the cables outside.

The Cush

zagmund wrote: »

So - is there any valid reason why we might want to have two terrestrial feeds to each TV point or are we safe and future proofed with one feed ?

Follow-up question - can we run the 4 feeds directly from the aerial (or something external) or do we need to bring it in to a powered distribution system inside the house and run the 4 cables from there ?

At a minimum I would go for 1 aerial feed and 2 sat feeds to each TV point and possibly a 4th feed at the main TV point which could be used for distributing a Sky box RF2 feed to the other TV points for example and who knows what else in future. Better to be looking at it than looking for it, this may be your only chance to do it.

My brother built his house 10 years or so ago and at the time ran 3 cables to the main TV point and a single cable to the other points. He now wishes he had gone with an extra cable to each point. At the main TV point he went from a TV aerial feed, standard Sky receiver with RF2 out the other points to a Sky+ receiver with RF2 out and the TV aerial feed piggy-backed on one of the sat cables, recently he was thinking of adding a Freesat/FTA receiver but is restricted due to the lack of cabling. Two other brothers have since built their houses and have added the extra cabling.

While you're at it you should also consider 1 or 2 runs of Cat5/6 cabling to each TV point also for connected TVs etc.

Regarding splitting the aerial feeds externally, while it can be done with (waterproof) external splitters etc. I would always go with an internal unit in the attic etc. because they aren't exposed to the elements and can be easily replace if a fault developes

zg3409

I would agree.

Personally I would run 2 satellite cables direct from dish with no joins, kinks or sharp bends. Also use the best quality copper core, copper screen.

As said extra cables are no harm. Two Cat 6 are important. Already Sky boxes needs a computer connection for "on demand" and also a telephone line connection. Modern TVs needs a computer connection for "skype" etc functionality. Wireless adapters never work as well as a cable.

As you are in Dublin you should also consider UPC both in terms of TV options (their horizon box next year may beat Sky's box) and also wiring for a UPC Cable modem and assosiated cabling to rooms.

In the future all TVs are going to need a computer connection so movies can be streamed around the house.

Make sure you have the option of powering a TV distribution amplifier and access to the equipment after installation. Ideally use ducts with ropes left in, in case you need to re-run damaged cables. Be sure water does not enter any outdoor cables.