Wideband LNB .... Sky Q Hybrid/Smart LNB

The Cush · 07-08-2019 02:38PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

The big question is what is that signal

Maybe DiSEqC ?

Johnboy1951 · 07-08-2019 04:24PM

It would certainly be interesting to know, as it would open up a lot of options to owners of such LNBs.

raceroad · 07-08-2019 04:37PM

The Cush wrote: »

Regarding the SkyQ smart hybrid LNB, I understand that the SkyQ receiver sends a proprietary switching signal to the required outputs which switches them over from legacy to wideband, [...]

I agree and cannot imagine another opportunity to run a Q-box on a LNB with exclusively switchable outputs (legacy <> Wideband) than requesting the signals with different commands for WB-vertical and WB-horizontal. For this reason, I think that the Q-box must be capable to generate such commands. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information about the commands used.

But there seems to be another way of WB-driven operation of a Q-box: If you take a closer look on sky’s pure WB-LNB (only two ports), you can see that the outputs are labeled with 'V' respectively 'H'. But there’s no corresponding labelling at the dish inputs of a Q. Maybe the receiver is able to auto-detect which signal belongs to which direction of polarisation.

About my motivation: Especially if you like to receive more than one satellite position, you have to pay significantly less for a CSS-router if you use WB-LNBs. And the installation becomes easier (less cable). But with WB it’s more complex to combine CSS and legacy. I know, that most dCSS-routers are able to generate legacy signals, but I don’t like dCSS-technique very much. For this, a combination of Quad- und WB-LNB would be ideal. On German market you can find a variety of CSS-equipment, but no hybrid-LNB.

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

The big question is what is that signal ...... could it possibly be captured and duplicated?

So the Q can also be used in CSS-installations and the controlling of a CSS-unit is based on DiSEqC, it’s obvious that the control of a hybrid LNB could also be DiSEqC-based. But I was not surprised, that DiSEqC-1.0-commands had no effect on the sky hybrid. S.o. with a storage scope had to monitor the supply voltage.

The Cush · 07-08-2019 04:46PM

raceroad wrote: »

So the Q can also be used in CSS-installations and the controlling of a CSS-unit is based on DiSEqC, it’s obvious that the control of a hybrid LNB could also be DiSEqC-based. But I was not surprised, that DiSEqC-1.0-commands had no effect on the sky hybrid. S.o. with a storage scope had to monitor the supply voltage.

As I said above they may be using a proprietary switching standard like they do with their dSCR multswitches where they use their own version of unicable.

raceroad · 07-08-2019 05:11PM

But as I was told from a developer of CSS-hardware, sky’s proprietary switching standard in some kind is very similar to "Unicable": Both use the same DiSEqC-burst to symbolise '0' and '1'.

PauloMN · 09-08-2019 12:28PM

I am getting Sky Q installed and being out of the scene for a while, I know nothing of this hybrid/wideband system. I had Sky+ in the past, have a dish with a quad LNB (prob 6 or 7 years old by now) and have a twin coax feed into sitting room (which fed the old Sky+ box) and another of the LNB outputs fed to a separate room (into a Freesat box).

My question is will the Sky installers only put in a new single output LNB for Sky Q, leaving me without the feed to the other room which I use for Freesat? Or do they install "hybrid" multi-output LNBs that will cater for Sky Q and also older feeds to Freesat boxes? Would rather avoid having to get another LNB to use my Freesat box again.

Also does Sky Q require new cable, or will the twin coax feed from Sky+ work with it?

Johnboy1951 · 09-08-2019 01:12PM

PauloMN wrote: »

I am getting Sky Q installed and being out of the scene for a while, I know nothing of this hybrid/wideband system. I had Sky+ in the past, have a dish with a quad LNB (prob 6 or 7 years old by now) and have a twin coax feed into sitting room (which fed the old Sky+ box) and another of the LNB outputs fed to a separate room (into a Freesat box).

My question is will the Sky installers only put in a new single output LNB for Sky Q, leaving me without the feed to the other room which I use for Freesat? Or do they install "hybrid" multi-output LNBs that will cater for Sky Q and also older feeds to Freesat boxes? Would rather avoid having to get another LNB to use my Freesat box again.

Also does Sky Q require new cable, or will the twin coax feed from Sky+ work with it?

This is explained in other threads ---- you should insist on getting a Hybrid LNB with 6 outputs from the installer.
You need to specify that to the installer, and be firm about it.
If you don't you will get two output to the SkyQ and nothing else.

raceroad · 11-08-2019 05:02PM

Meanwhile the VHK6 has arrived, and I had the opportunity to test it. In agreement with the statement of visiblewave, the WB outputs are labelled V / H and need supply only.

raceroad · 11-08-2019 05:33PM

Using a new post. Otherwise I’m not able to add images. First on of the LNB-ports:

Receiving 28.2°, 12129 MHz, v / top down signal from the normally used Quattro (Octagon Optima), Legacy-port of the VHK6 and finally from WB-V. Due to the lower WB-LOF, the signal appears at a higher IF (German: "SAT-ZF"):

Level on the VHK6-legay is about 10 dB higher the on the Octagon!

Power consumption is significantly higher than listed in the specs. For the Quad-part of the LNB I’ve measured around 152 mA @14V on a legacy port:

It’s a bit complex, cause if the supply voltage of any port is at least ca. 1 V higher than the other voltages, this port has to carry the whole load of the LNB. With one legacy-port supplied, there is signal on the WB-outputs without suppling them. And as I added 12 V to one or two additional legacy-pots (just for test purpose), the current on the fist legacy (14 V) rose up to 163 / 174 mA (…. < 1 mA on the additional ports). WB starts with 130 mA @14V (huge gap to the specs / It seems they have copied the data from the WB-only VW2L.) and rises up to 153 / 164 mA with 12 V at one / two additional legacy ports.

The Cush · 11-01-2020 11:49AM

Haven't seen this mentioned on the forum to date, the Sky 6 output smart hybrid LNB it appears has been discontinued since last autumn according to this thread on DS - https://forums.digitalspy.com/discussion/comment/94642825#Comment_94642825

Only fixed hybrid LNBs available now. The 6 output version, EL028 - 2x4, is special order only according to the forums.

This Smart LNB was expensive however, and engineers were using it when not strictly necessary. In order to reduce costs, they phased out this Smart LNB and moved back to Hybrid LNBs, but in two models:

EL027 - 2x2 - 2 for wideband, 2 for standard/legacy
EL028 - 2x4 - 2 for wideband, 4 for standard/legacy

The EL028 sounds similar to the original Hybrid LNB. The main difference is the design and shape of the LNB. Instead of an L-shaped LNB, the EL027/28 is straight with a different weather shield system - you have to push the entire body shell up in order to reveal the ports.

If the rumours are correct that the new Arris Freesat box includes wideband tuners, the discontinuation of the 6 output smart hybrid that can feed up to 3 wideband compatible receivers will be setback.

Johnboy1951 · 11-01-2020 01:20PM

The Cush wrote: »

....

If the rumours are correct that the new Arris Freesat box includes wideband tuners, the discontinuation of the 6 output smart hybrid that can feed up to 3 wideband compatible receivers will be setback.

Are there alternative suppliers of the 'smart' type LNB?
(I have not kept up with the availability situation)

I would guess that Freesat see themselves as an alternative to Sky rather than the 'real world' situation where both can be in use in a household.

The Cush · 11-01-2020 02:08PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Are there alternative suppliers of the 'smart' type LNB?

Haven't come across any.

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

I would guess that Freesat see themselves as an alternative to Sky rather than the 'real world' situation where both can be in use in a household.

The availability of smart hybrid LNBs may have been factor in their decision I assume with the capability of running up to 3 multi-tuner receivers from a single LNB in multi-receiver household. If there's a market for them some company will fill it just like they did for original Sky Marconi, enhanced and universal LNBs.

Wideband LNB .... Sky Q Hybrid/Smart LNB

Comments