Cable Splitting to Two Boxes

BobMc

Hey All
bare with me,

I have a twin shotgun cable going to a Sky+HD box,

but I also want to feed two cables to a Linux Receiver,

I know I cant use both receivers at same time etc, is there a simple solution,
was thinking just a simple passive 2way splitter x2
splitter 1 - sat feed 1 in, and two out, splitter 2 - sat feed 2 in, and two out.

is this a workable solution as long as only one box in operation at a time

thanks in advance

Gerry Wicklow

Although switches are available you are entering a whole world of pain. I think there are even automatic switches which give one box priority over the other but I wouldn't recommend it. There's a good chance your existing LNB is a quad with two spare outlets. It would be better to run two new cables from the LNB or even upgrade the LNB if needed provided you had safe access to the dish. AFAIK even in standby Sky boxes need/send power to the LNB for updating etc. Others here will know more on the subject.

tomslick

The ideal solution is run new cables to the dish but... if the Linux box has loop out, you could connect the Linux box first to the dish. Then connect loop out 2 to sky in 1 and loop out 1 to sky in 2.

Both boxes can watch one channel independently. If the Linux records, sky won't work. If the Linux is in standby, sky works normally with recording.

_Kaiser_

In a similar vein... I'm thinking of cancelling Sky in favour of a Humax Freesat HDR ... but would still need a Sky box for BT Sports. Ideally I'd feed the 2 cables into a splitter, with 3 coming out (2 for the Humax, 1 for the Sky). Running an extra feed from the dish isn't an option as they're all occupied.

So what sort of splitter do I need and where to get?

The Cush

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Ideally I'd feed the 2 cables into a splitter, with 3 coming out (2 for the Humax, 1 for the Sky). Running an extra feed from the dish isn't an option as they're all occupied.

So what sort of splitter do I need and where to get?

There isn't such a splitter, each of the 3 tuners requires a separate feed from an LNB for independent operation.

One option would be to use a smart priority switch (1 in - 2 out) on one of the cables from the dish with one of the tuners taking priority when switched on.

One step further would be to upgrade the LNB for extra outputs.

_Kaiser_

The Cush wrote: »

There isn't such a splitter, each of the 3 tuners requires a separate feed from an LNB for independent operation.

One option would be to use a smart priority switch (1 in - 2 out) on one of the cables from the dish with one of the tuners taking priority when switched on.

One step further would be to upgrade the LNB for extra outputs.

I'd never be using the 2 receivers simultaneously though. I'm just wondering if there's an easier way than having to physically unscrew one of the cables if I wanted to watch a match on BT By the sounds of it, the smart priority switch should do it?

Any type in particular or is it much of a muchness?

The Cush

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

Any type in particular or is it much of a muchness?

There's only a few around, couldn't recommend one over another,

steveon

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

In a similar vein... I'm thinking of cancelling Sky in favour of a Humax Freesat HDR ... but would still need a Sky box for BT Sports. Ideally I'd feed the 2 cables into a splitter, with 3 coming out (2 for the Humax, 1 for the Sky). Running an extra feed from the dish isn't an option as they're all occupied.

So what sort of splitter do I need and where to get?

Upgrade the quad lnb on your dish to an octo lnb - 8 0utputs and run another cable to the room required a much better option. You will need to know the correct type for your dish setup..

_Kaiser_

steveon wrote: »

Upgrade the quad lnb on your dish to an octo lnb - 8 0utputs and run another cable to the room required a much better option. You will need to know the correct type for your dish setup..

Unfortunately not an option. I'm renting an apartment and the dish was in place when I moved in. Whoever originally installed it ended up cabling my box to the next dish up, as the line of trees behind the block interferes with the signal even as it is now.

I can put up with it as I watch very little live TV - which is also why I am thinking of ditching Sky altogether