Splitting LNB feeds for FTA multi-room?

ciaran_otoole

I've currently got a single LNB feed into a used Sky Box, the output is passed through an amplifier, so I have 3 rooms running off the same output. I'm only using free-to-air, so no SKY subscription.

Is it possible to split the incoming LNB feed and pass into into a separate sky box, so that I could select 2 different channels in separate rooms? Or will this require a separate feed directly from the LNB?

MrFrisp

As far as I know,,you cannot split sat cables.

You would need a seperate lead into each box direct from the LNB.
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ciaran_otoole

Is that the same for the Saorview feed from the antenna?

I'm trying to get an idea of the work to get this working for 3 different rooms. Sounds like I'll need to add 2 LNBs and two additional boxes. Plus possibly a splitter for the Saorview feed?

Peter Rhea

Best way is a receiver in each room. Do you already have Saorview boxes or tvs that work with Saorview?

EdmondShiels3

I am not sure if you can split the cable but the best way to do it is to change the LNB, if you want to run 4 rooms, this will work with a sky dish, but if dish was installed before 2009, Note: If the Quad LNB is required for a dish installed before June 2009 you will also need to purchase a Sky Legacy MK4 to MK3 LNB adaptor. (Note: old MK3 LNBs had 40mm diameter necks) which is sold here http://www.tvtrade.ie/sky-mk4-to-mk3-lnb-legacy-adaptor.html and the LNB is sold here http://www.tvtrade.ie/sky-mk4-to-mk3-lnb-legacy-adaptor.html. You can also get the cable there as well.

ciaran_otoole

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Best way is a receiver in each room. Do you already have Saorview boxes or tvs that work with Saorview?

The older TV has a saorview receiver. The 2 newer ones will work with Saorview. The problem I have is that I can only use the existing cabling. The Antenna and LNB feeds are combined in the Sky Box, and the single output is then fed to the 3 rooms. I can't take separate feeds directly to the rooms unless I get splitters.

Peter Rhea

Splitters for what? Do you mean satellite/terrestrial combiner/splitters (diplexers), so the Saorview & satellite signals can be sent over 1 cable?

ciaran_otoole

Peter Rhea wrote: »

Splitters for what? Do you mean satellite/terrestrial combiner/splitters (diplexers), so the Saorview & satellite signals can be sent over 1 cable?

Yes, exactly

Peter Rhea

Should be possible to feed satellite & terrestrial signals to each room on a single cable, provided the cable can cope with the frequencies involved.

dubrov

Terrestrial and Satellite can be sent down a single feed using a combiner.
Terrestrial can be split easily so that each receiver can watch a different channel.
For satellite, each TV would need to watch the same channel. Different channels would require a separate LNB feed.

The reason is that the satellite feed is controlled by the receiver. If one receiver changed the feed, it would be changed for all receivers. The other receivers would probably get confused and result in a black screen,

Peter Rhea

dubrov wrote: »

For satellite, each TV would need to watch the same channel.

It wouldn't be limited to a single channel. Any channel on the band & polarity the lnb is switched to could be viewed.

To make a system like that any way workable, it would make sense to designate one receiver as the 'master', taking priority in lnb switching, so at least you'd be sure that particular receiver's programmes could not be interrupted by someone selecting the 'wrong' channel on another.