Quattro LNB

randombar

Hi Guys,

Just wondering what sky use as standard on their satellite installations? I'm guessing a Quad LMB but I'm hoping it's a quattro?

Thanks
Gary

muffler

Im guessing that you are going to get this installed. I have no idea what type of lNB that is used and I would assume that it is a quatro but check with the installer and if necessary he will fit one for you.

Peter Rhea

They use quads. A quattro isn't much use without a separate switch for band & polarity.

randombar

Thanks for that. Will buy one of those so too!

Peter Rhea

Buy what? A multiswitch or a quad lnb? How many outlets do you need? Sky can fit an octo lnb with 8 available.

Do you have a dish? There are no quattro lnbs made to suit the Sky dish shape afaia, so it would be down on signal quality compared with the proper lnb intended for the oval Sky dish.

Liameter

AFAIK nobody manufactures a Quattro LNB to match a Sky minidish (oval shape) so, if you managed to bodge one to fit, it would lose about 20% of the signal, with the possibility of receiving interference.

randombar

Thanks for that guys, looking to buy a multiswitch and a quattro, getting saorview set up in other rooms and I'll need a 4 way splitter for the TV, might as well get the multiswitch while I'm at it which will mean I can add more tvs as I go.

So from what you're saying I'll need a new dish as well as quatro lmb and multiswitch?

randombar

Actually doing a bit more research I've found this:

http://www.hm-sat-shop.de/en/multischalter-profiline/profiline-multischalter-5-12-p146-up.html

Liameter

It's LNB (Low Noise Block-downconverter) not "lmb".

If you use a Quattro LNB you'll need a circular dish (as viewed by the LNB) because AFAIK nobody makes a Quattro LNB to focus on an oval shaped dish.

You gave your location as Cork so I assumed you'd be looking at Irish suppliers. Why look at German suppliers?

randombar

Ya sorry about that, looking at any type of supplier really at this stage.

Think that one I linked to would mean I wouldn't need to change my dish or LNB as it works with a quad lnb.

http://www.satshop.tv/EMP-Multiswitch-5-12-Profi-Line-P146-UP

Peter Rhea

Yeah, I think they're known as 'Q2' multiswitches: they keep each output of the quad lnb permanently switched to one of each band/polarity combo, effectively turning it into a quattro.

Also available from Optima/Vision & Spaun iirc.

Liameter

I think you may be right about the Quad-output LNB compatibility. The Vision "Optima" range definitely claim compatibility with both types of LNB. Problem is, a quad-output LNB is more expensive than a Quattro and there's a bit more to go wrong since you are relying on the multiswitch to control the LNB outputs.

Peter Rhea

Seems the OP here already has a Sky setup, with quad lnb.

randombar

Sorry for the lack of clarity lads.

Ya I have sky at the moment and getting an ariel put in Saturday he was bringing a terrestrial splitter but I'll tell him hold off on that, might as well save a few bob where I can.

zg3409

Please list what is currently installed in each room, what TVs you have and what you would like etc.

As said an 8 output LNB is available, if you want more outputs you would need a multiswitch. Generally the recommendation is to go for a slightly larger dish when feeding a multiswitch and the signal drops a bit through a multiswitch.

Multiswitches in general are very expensive, for normal home use. I would not recommend using a Sky dish with one, so then you have the whole new dish problem.

randombar

So I've one sky box but I'm putting two FTA combi boxes in a couple of rooms also have a server with a sat port in.

I would need a four way booster for the terrestrial, 8 LNB output, somehow running another 4 cables back up to the satellite? I have only 5 going up now?

zg3409

Each dual tuner box needs 2 feeds, normal combo only need one satellite feed per receiver.

However each combo would ideally need a totally seperate Saorview feed. The Saorview feed can be combined in the same cable if critical, but it would result in more losses. Most modern multiswitches include a terrestrial input (say 5 in - 4 from LNB one from Saorview) and any number of outputs.

However if you can it is better to run a seperate Saorview feed, especially if you are running new cables anyway.

Regarding 4 way boosters, if using a multiswitch with terrestrial in, it may include a booster, but what is normally recommended if using a multiswitch is to get one with no inbuilt booster and then to see of a booster is needed or not. If it is needed they you can get the right one.

You may get away without a booster. In some areas a booster can make things worse. Ideally you would use specialist tools to measure the signal from your aerial and see if it can be split without needing a booster, and if does need a booster you can get the right one with the right gain at the right frequencies.

In theory all/most installers should know this. In reality most installers stick something up and run away. Many have never used a multiswitch and many don't measure any signal levels. A lot of Sky installers do not have terrestrial measurement equipment.

Personally I would use a splitter with no boost and see if the signal is OK, if not fit a single input, single output booster before the splitter.

I still don't get your 8 satellite feeds and where they need to go. Most installers run cables on the outside walls of the property.

randombar

I have two cables going to each room, four going to the main tv rooms. I also have five cables coming from the attic. At the moment I will need 2 sat into living room, 2 sat and ter into sitting room, 1 sat and ter going to upstairs bedroom, 1 sat going to office that's 6 sat and 2 ter to start off.

Also using an 8 LNB would mean having to run more cables around the outside of the house, drilling holes etc. that I'd rather not do.

Using the multiswitch linked to above would mean I would be able to use all existing cables, satellite and LNB.

Thanks for the info about the built in booster. My local installer measured the signal in the attic (where I hope to put the ariel) and said I would need a booster all right. I will try what you said and use the multiswitch first without the booster, it would be great not to use it, one less plug and all of that.

zg3409

Remeber if you use a multiswitch and combine the terrestrial and the satellite in the one cable, then you need a special wall plate at the other end which takes one cable in, and gives seperate satellite and aerial out.

randombar

Ya I have two co-ax to most rooms so I'll just use another two outputs of the 5/12 multiswitch for the 2 terrestrial points for the time being.

zg3409

GaryCocs wrote: »

Ya I have two co-ax to most rooms so I'll just use another two outputs of the 5/12 multiswitch for the 2 terrestrial points for the time being.

It's not recommended, as the satellite signal on the cable might interfere with the TV. The Saorview tuner won't expect a strong satellite signal, so might not work perfectly.

Having said that I have done that, and it worked, but not recommended.

randombar

Thanks for the update, good to know, would that be the same in a saorview tuner in a combi box do you know? I guess all depends on the box?

zg3409

A combi box has the same tuner. It has a seperate connector for Saorview and satellite. It does not have the required seperator inside, so you need a wall outlet with one built in.

randombar

Oh ya I was just wondering about the interference but I guess it will be trial and error.

zbluebirdz

You don't necessarily have to have a special outlet plate.

An ordinary plate would still do the job. You run a cable from the outlet and then have a diplexer* just before the box/tv/pc ...

I have this setup.
Attic to Living room - two cables.
In the attic, dtt & sat signals are combined using a dtt/sat diplexer*.
In the living room, an ordinary double socket plate is used.
A cable runs from each socket and near the tv/stb another diplexer* splits the signals ...

re diplexers: - make sure it is of the right variety (one that mentions tv and sat)

randombar

Thanks for all the info guys. Got the saorview in over the weekend and connected the other two LNB connections on the satellite so have combi running in the living room and have a sat connection going into my server.

Utility room box is going a bit crazy with all the wires, any recommendations for a patch panel type mount for the connections?

Also might hold off on connecting up the multiswitch until I get the tv in, no point having something plugged in wasting electricity and that. If anyone is looking for the one I bought in the meantime let me know. Unopened etc. etc.

http://www.satshop.tv/EMP-Multiswitch-5-12-Profi-Line-P146-UP

Johnboy1951

GaryCocs wrote: »

Thanks for all the info guys. Got the saorview in over the weekend and connected the other two LNB connections on the satellite so have combi running in the living room and have a sat connection going into my server.

Utility room box is going a bit crazy with all the wires, any recommendations for a patch panel type mount for the connections?

Also might hold off on connecting up the multiswitch until I get the tv in, no point having something plugged in wasting electricity and that. If anyone is looking for the one I bought in the meantime let me know. Unopened etc. etc.

http://www.satshop.tv/EMP-Multiswitch-5-12-Profi-Line-P146-UP

You don't need a quatro LNB for that one ..... a quad LNB will suffice.
I intend (before Summer I hope) to use the same multiswitch when I get around to rewiring, from my existing quad LNB.

5in/12out standalone distribution system. 22 kHz switching tone is provided at high band inputs for use of Quad LNBs.

randombar

Oh ya I figured that out all right, nice piece of kit, just a bit early for me.

Have it up on adverts anyways if you're interested.

Johnboy1951

GaryCocs wrote: »

Oh ya I figured that out all right, nice piece of kit, just a bit early for me.

Have it up on adverts anyways if you're interested.

check your price €84.90 + €19.50 delivery from some outlets.

randombar

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

check your price €84.90 + €19.50 delivery from some outlets.

Paypal + 2.90%

Not looking for a profit, if someone offerred me exactly what I paid for it I would take it.