Hybrid LNBs

Akula

Moved into a new place without a satellite dish. So I’m planning on getting Sky Q for a year then just swapping the box for a freesat one.

The dish is going to be very high up and not easily accessible so hoping to sort out my LNB situation from day 1. The sky installer says he only has a wide and LNB but that if I get a universal he will fit it.

I’ve heard there are two kids of universal/ hybrid ones. Ones that are 4 legacy and 2 wideband seem to be everywhere but I’m assuming this means I’d need to either run multiple cables or switch them over on the dish when I change boxes which isn’t ideal.

Ive also heard of true universal ones where both FTA and SkyQ can run off the same output. But can’t find them for sale anywhere.

Have I misunderstood something or where did somebody find something like this?

swoofer

get this one, and dont get one that says legacy,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175221455078?epid=23031612200&hash=item28cc0338e6:g:dEEAAOSwAkdiKQap

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058239945/hybrid-lnbs

To get the terminology correct first, what we call legacy LNBs today are the Universal LNBs we have used for the last maybe 30 years for Sky and FTA satellite reception in the form of single/twin/quad/octo outputs.

When SkyQ launched they introduced Wideband LNBs, 2 outputs, H and V polarisation down each cable separately and not backwards compatible with satellite receivers requiring the legacy Universal LNB connection. At the same time, Sky also introduced smart hybrid LNBs, for households that had Freesat/FTA satellite installations in conjunction with Sky TV. Smart hybrid LNBs had 6 auto-sensing outputs that could be either wideband or legacy depending on the receiver connected. Smart hybrids are no longer available from Sky, they replaced them with 4 output and 6 output non-smart hybrids i.e. 2x wideband outputs plus 2x or 4x legacy outputs.

Sky installers usually carried hybrid LNBs for households upgrading to SkyQ who already had a legacy setup of Sky and/or Freesat/FTA and want to maintain it, and they probably still do install a hybrid LNB in these situations. New Sky installs with no legacy Freesat/FTA setup probably don't get a hybrid as standard as this is an additional cost to Sky.

The hybrid LNB mentioned by swoofer above appears to be the standard hybrid LNB available commercially - VHK6 - Hybrid LNB 6 Output - Philex Electronics Ltd

• Sky Q Hybrid 6 Way LNB For Sale Online in Ireland | Shop Now (freetv.ie)
• Sky / Freesat Hybrid 6 Port LNB (satworld.ie)
• POWERCITY - PHIL-VHK6 LABGEAR SKYQ HYBRID LNB AERIAL - SATELLITE DISH
• Hybrid LNB 6 Output – Freesat.ie

The Cush

Another option would be a wideband compatible multiswitch such as this one - Series Dscr504 – Whyte Technologies

Fed from a wideband LNB on the dish, multiple outputs including aerial feed combined.

For information, the new range of Freesat receivers are wideband LNB compatible, like the SkyQ box.

Akula

Super helpful post thank you.

Sounds like I need one of those smart auto-sensing ones. Don’t think any of the links you posted are one of those unless I missed something?

Heard about the freesat boxes alright. Ideally what I’ll hook up is a Linux box that I can do saorview on also though.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118874682#Comment_118874682

The smart hybrids were discontinued by Sky a few years ago, you might pickup one on eBay.

Akula

Can’t seem to see one. At least one that has a clear description that it is what I’m looking for.

One other option. Would an SCR unicable LNB work. I could then upgrade to an enigma2 box with an FBC tuner.

Would something like this work?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TechniSat-Universal-DiSEqC-Compatible-Quattroreceiver-black/dp/B08BNNMYYS/ref%3Dmp_s_a_1_2?crid=ECZPV09NBYW2&keywords=scr+lnb&qid=1648999890&sprefix=scr+lnb%2Caps%2C56&sr=8-2

swoofer

did you look closely at the link I posted for you?? It has 6 universal outputs so if your sky guy fits it you can then use the 2 cables that he will run for either a freesat box or a linux box. But if you are going sown the unicable route you should pay for a dish install and not bother with sky q.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118877516#Comment_118877516

That link you posted, looks like the LNB I linked to, if so it has 2 fixed wideband outputs and 4 fixed legacy outputs. The Sky smart hybrids appear to be very scarce.

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118873051#Comment_118873051

Good informative post.

Sorry for hijacking the thread, but I have hybrid LNB question.

Got Sky Q a few weeks ago, at a good price so only likely to stick with it for the year.

Installer said he would put in a hybrid LNB

a few days later I plugged the cables into the old triple turner I had before Sky Q just to test it

I could not get any of the previously tuned channels

Do I have to do a total rescan with the hybrid LNB in place ?

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118877756#Comment_118877756

Yes, because the intermediate frequencies are different on the wideband LNB. You'll also need to change the LNB type in the settings.

swoofer

Oops going 2 fast, I assumed it was this one?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234408353533?hash=item3693d39efd:g:mgAAAOSwnXph~ueT

£35.00 NOT A BAD PRICE but may want to sell all 5.

There is another one on a bid starting at £5.00

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118878108#Comment_118878108

The thing is the LNB is a hybrid and not a wideband, and the I.F. shouldn't be a problem, simply plug and play for the legacy ports.

Glaceon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118879206#Comment_118879206

Oops, didn't see the hybrid bit. Carry on...

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118877756#Comment_118877756

The question is did the installer fit a hybrid LNB?

Sky I believe have 2 types of hybrid LNB, a 4 output and a 6 output and are simply plug and play.

Can you visually check that he did fit a hybrid?

Fr Tod Umptious

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118879241#Comment_118879241

I had a look at it

I think there are 3 cables coming out.

We had old Sky multi room back in the day so that would account for one of the three I guess.

The Cush

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118883805#Comment_118883805

Faulty LNB output, bad connection to the LNB, damaged cable are all possible options.

Can you get to the LNB easily, if so check the connection to the LNB, check the connector to the cable. Swap cable to another output.