nav[aria-label="Primary Navigation"] { padding: 0; & ul { list-style: none; width: 100%; display: flex; flex-direction: row; justify-content: start; align-items: start; gap: 30px; padding: 0; & li { margin: 0; } & ul li { list-style: none; } } }

Child Item

Sky Q Hybrid LNB no longer available from Sky?

kmurph

Hi

Does anyone know for certain if Sky no longer supply Hybrid LNB's as part of a Sky Q upgrade if you have existing free to air boxes connected to your existing setup?

I've booked a Sky Q upgrade for the end of the month and rang to request a hybrid lnb be supplied but they stated in no uncertain terms that they don't supply them and any existing free to air boxes will no longer work.

I've no problem buying one to have when the installer comes, but just wondering if this is the policy now.

Find more posts tagged with

Quick Links

Comments

greasepalm

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/SKY-Q-Hybrid-LNB-6-WAY-for-Q-HD-Free-To-Air-FREESAT-Astra-28-/274553510989

This is what my sat installer showed me in this new one been a hybrid and it knows what box is connected be it freesat or Q and possibly for mk 4 dish?
Its a very long item :eek::D

The Cush

greasepalm wrote: »

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/SKY-Q-Hybrid-LNB-6-WAY-for-Q-HD-Free-To-Air-FREESAT-Astra-28-/274553510989

This is what my sat installer showed me in this new one been a hybrid and it knows what box is connected be it freesat or Q and possibly for mk 4 dish?
Its a very long item :eek::D

That was the smart hybrid (EL010), I believe it hasn't been supplied by Sky since early 2019.

The model nos. now are EL027 and EL028, 4 output and 6 output respectively.

greasepalm

He said he only picked it up and have asked for a model number to check .Cheers.

Confirmed ELO10

peking97

Just a quick update for anyone interested.
Installation carried out this afternoon. All very quick and efficient.
Hybrid LNB plus new dish and bracket fitted.
All up and running in about an hour!

Kurn

The sky q was free on their website last month gone up to 155 now to install. Is it worth calling them to see if they will do it for free?

icdg

They will do it for €30 if you take multiroom.

Installation: Engineer set-up required. Standard installation: New Sky TV customers: Sky Q 1TB box: €30 with or without a Sky Q Multiscreen subscription; Sky Q 2TB box: €120 or €60 if you also take a Sky Q Multiscreen subscription. Existing customers when taking a Sky Q Multiscreen subscription: Sky Q 1TB box: up to €30; Sky Q 2TB box: up to €60. Prices discounted to €30 for Sky Q 1TB box or €60 for Sky Q 2TB for existing customers with a current Sky Multiscreen subscription. Existing customers not taking a Sky Q Multiscreen subscription pay €155. Further terms apply.

Kurn

icdg wrote: »

They will do it for €30 if you take multiroom.

I'll call them to see if they have any deals.

bkehoe

peking97 wrote: »

Just a quick update for anyone interested.
Installation carried out this afternoon. All very quick and efficient.
Hybrid LNB plus new dish and bracket fitted.
All up and running in about an hour!

Parents had a 6 output Hybrid LNB supplied recently by just asking engineer on the day of install without any issue as well.

Americanisms

Just to update on my Freesat issue and it's been resolved.

I first tried setting up a new LNB hybrid by myself and when that didn't work, I tried inputting both of the spare satellite cables hanging out of the setup and one of them got Freesat working again.

It must have been that when the Sky Q engineer was setting up his LNB that he forgot which spare cable belonged to Freesat and probably stuck in one for the old Sky+box by mistake.

In any case, my problem has been resolved free of charge and it's great to have Freesat working again in the kitchen as I haven't heard some great stories about Sky Q mini boxes

roadmaster

Hopefully i am explaining this correctly. am getting rid of sky shortly I have two cables coming from the attic which are Currently coming from the sky dish down to the comms room. We have three rooms which are connected back to the comms room for TV service. One cable i plan to use a 3 way spltter to bring saorview channels but I am wondering can I do the same with a 3 Way TV Link Splitter for the satellite using the one cable that I have left? Or do I need to have 3 separate cables from the satellite going to each room

The Cush

roadmaster wrote: »

One cable i plan to use a 3 way spltter to bring saorview channels but I am wondering can I do the same with a 3 Way TV Link Splitter for the satellite using the one cable that I have left? Or do I need to have 3 separate cables from the satellite going to each room

Each satellite tuner requires a separate connection to the LNB on the dish or an output on a multiswitch.

Terpsichorean Master

I have a Sky engineer coming this week to install Sky Q in my parents' house and I was wondering what's the situation wrt Hybrid LNBs etc?

I'm reasonably tech savvy, but I'm not sure as to the specifics of this, and my parents aren't at all - and I've been seeing a lot of chat about it on another/related thread that I follow and which brought me here; so would like to know more if I can.

They have the same ancient, original SD box since the initial installation twenty-odd years ago, so will that still work - or does it make a difference?
And will it work with other/different/non-sky boxes, should one be purchased subsequently?

I know they certainly don't want to be in a situation where they can't watch any FTA TV, should they cancel their contract with Sky - and I find the fact that that's even possible, to be a really snide move by Sky tbh. It's underhanded and manipulative, to say the least!

Thanks.

Gerry Wicklow

Terpsichorean Master wrote: »

I have a Sky engineer coming this week to install Sky Q in my parents' house and I was wondering what's the situation wrt Hybrid LNBs etc?

I'm reasonably tech savvy, but I'm not sure as to the specifics of this, and my parents aren't at all - and I've been seeing a lot of chat about it on another/related thread that I follow and which brought me here; so would like to know more if I can.

They have the same ancient, original SD box since the initial installation twenty-odd years ago, so will that still work - or does it make a difference?
And will it work with other/different/non-sky boxes, should one be purchased subsequently?

I know they certainly don't want to be in a situation where they can't watch any FTA TV, should they cancel their contract with Sky - and I find the fact that that's even possible, to be a really snide move by Sky tbh. It's underhanded and manipulative, to say the least!

Thanks.

Insist on a hybrid LNB. Older boxes (Sky or FTA) will not work with the standard Q LNB. Sky will happily rent extra Q compatible boxes for other rooms. Don'f fall for that one

Terpsichorean Master

Gerry Wicklow wrote: »

Insist on a hybrid LNB. Older boxes (Sky or FTA) will not work with the standard Q LNB. Sky will happily rent extra Q compatible boxes for other rooms. Don'f fall for that one

Ya, I was thinking that it would be necessary to get one regardless of what's ostensibly going to be offered/installed, cheers.

And what are the differences between the hybrid LNB and the regular/Q one?
Can you tell by looking at them?

Also, what specifically do you mean 'rent' extra Q-compatible boxes, like the multiroom boxes? Or do you mean something else?

The Cush

Terpsichorean Master wrote: »

And what are the differences between the hybrid LNB and the regular/Q one?
Can you tell by looking at them?

The SkyQ LNB is a twin output wideband LNB, while the hybrid combines the twin output wideband and twin/quad output legacy LNB into a single unit, lots of pics and info out there, Google is your friend.

The Cush

Terpsichorean Master wrote: »

Also, what specifically do you mean 'rent' extra Q-compatible boxes, like the multiroom boxes? Or do you mean something else?

SkyQ mini-boxes, multiroom. Connects to the main SkyQ wirelessly, no direct connection to the dish.

Wideband LNBs allow the SkyQ main box to use 8/12 tuners simultaneously including up to 2 mini-boxes with the 2Tb SkyQ box.

Johnboy1951

Terpsichorean Master wrote: »

....

Also, what specifically do you mean 'rent' extra Q-compatible boxes, like the multiroom boxes? Or do you mean something else?

'rent' as in Sky retains ownership of the devices and they must be returned to Sky if the subscriptions ('rent' payments) cease.

Ten Pin

Insist on a hybrid LNB

This is the main point.

Get the installer to show you the hybrid LNB (6 ports) and ensure that any FTA and legacy Sky boxes work with it, also keep the LNB currently on the dish for future use.

If you can't be there then you'll have to make your parents aware of what to ask for.

loyatemu

had SkyQ installed last week. Told the engineer I had a non-subscribed HD box in the other room and he installed a hybrid LNB without quibble.

swoofer

To help you here are 2 pics of a sky hybrid, this one is about 3years old but may not have changed much. Note the 6 outputs, 2 for sky q and 4 for Freesat.

Print them off.

Terpsichorean Master

Had a call with the engineer earlier and he certainly didn't sound like he was going to do what I asked wrt to installing a Hybrid.
When I asked him if he could install one for me, (just in case he wouldn't have one with him), he said that as there's only one cable going into the house (as it's an ancient original install and pre-HD/SD legacy box), it would "have to be a wideband" - which seems completely contradictory to me, as SkyQ requires at least two cables; so there'll be more than one, whatever happens. No?

Then when I said again that I wanted a Hybrid, he asked me "why"?

So I said that we wanted to be able to use other boxes/freesat etc in the potential likelihood of cancelling the contract or whatever; as without a hybrid that obviously wouldn't be possible - and he told me that the wideband is for Q only and that they only use the hybrid if there are extra cables going into it. Said that if it's only a single cable, then there are no other cables going into it, then they "have to use the wideband for that". That there are two ports on the wideband and that's what they'll be going into.

Then said that there are four ports on the hybrid (thought it was six, no?) - and that they don't use them, if they don't have to.

Which, again, is obviously what Sky would prefer, but not what I'm interested in - for the obvious reasons.

So I said that I understand all of that, but that I'd prefer a hybrid; if he could, that I'd appreciate it - and he said that he'll take a look at it when he comes out and will see what he can do.

Tbh it kind of seemed like a bit of a fob off at the end, but it's hard to tell - he definitely seemed much more generally oppositional to the idea than I would have expected, or than anyone else here has seemingly experienced; so I'd be surprised if he'll just go along with it during the installation, considering the conversation.

Is there something technical that I'm missing here though - because what he's saying wrt to the amount of cables meaning that they can't/won't do it, seems to make no sense to me?
He could easily still do it, it won't affect the ability of it to work in any way. Or is it just likely to be some policy directive from Sky, that precludes him from doing what I'm asking?
Or did he maybe just not want to agree to do so on the phone, perhaps?

I can't help but feel that there's something I'm not getting here; considering what everyone else is saying about how straightforward it was for them - so any advice and/or information of how best to proceed, would be very gratefully received indeed!

Cheers.

Terpsichorean Master

The Cush wrote: »

The SkyQ LNB is a twin output wideband LNB, while the hybrid combines the twin output wideband and twin/quad output legacy LNB into a single unit, lots of pics and info out there, Google is your friend.

Cheers, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

Terpsichorean Master

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

'rent' as in Sky retains ownership of the devices and they must be returned to Sky if the subscriptions ('rent' payments) cease.

That's what I thought, thanks.

Terpsichorean Master

Ten Pin wrote: »

This is the main point.

Get the installer to show you the hybrid LNB (6 ports) and ensure that any FTA and legacy Sky boxes work with it, also keep the LNB currently on the dish for future use.

If you can't be there then you'll have to make your parents aware of what to ask for.

Cheers - how would I ensure that the legacy box will work with it, considering that it'll be disconnected once the other is installed?

I'll be there alright, wouldn't take that chance. Although, judging by my interaction with the engineer earlier, it doesn't look good.

See my previous post: #52 upthread.

Terpsichorean Master

swoofer wrote: »

To help you here are 2 pics of a sky hybrid, this one is about 3years old but may not have changed much. Note the 6 outputs, 2 for sky q and 4 for Freesat.

Print them off.

Thanks a lot, will do!

Ten Pin

Had a call with the engineer earlier and he certainly didn't sound like he was going to do what I asked wrt to installing a Hybrid.

Q LNB needs 2 cables. Hybrid LNB needs 2 cables for the Q box and if using any additional FTA/Freesat/Legacy Sky box concurrently, then an additional cable is needed for each.

Seems like installer doesn't want to install the hybrid LNB but that'll leave you without the ability to use FTA boxes. It might also not be as easy to source a hybrid LNB if he doesn't have one spare.

If you don't need to use any FTA box while using Sky Q then as long as you keep the existing LNB as a spare then it's just a matter of refitting it after cancelling Sky in future.

Here's what I suggested earlier in the thread to OP...
https://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=115530907&postcount=6

swoofer

I had a look back on your thread and the sky q is for your parents, replacing an old SD box, that will have only one cable from the dish or if it is a sky plus may have 2 cables. If its one then installer will have to run another cable. Sky q is quite complex. The other option is to buy a second hand sky hd box and it can be switched to single feed, ie use one cable, put in card and box should work unless they have premium channels, ie sky movies or sky sports. In that case the card has to be paired to the new box and involves a call to a sky operator, sky will have a message along the lines because of covid etc etc, there may be along waiting period..., But if you use this sky freephone number you can put phone on loudspeaker and wait... its 1800 927476.

The sky hd boxes are on adverts ie just type in sky hd.

Or buy a hybrid from here ebay, i cant do link as its too long but supplier is in Dublin about 28 euro. free p&p.
Or ring sky and do as suggested above.

Its a marketing ploy by sky and you would be surprised how well it works, ie after 12 months, cancel oh yes send back box!! etc

Its the way of the world and why I have not 1 but 2 spare sky hd boxes. All cost about 25 euro with a remote. And they have that scart output and RF outputs.

In the end it will depend on the installer, some are very good, but the odd one can be a bit, shall I say pedantic.

good luck.

PS you could just threaten sky with cancellation and use excuse Q is too complex, I'm pretty sure they would rustle up a box from somewhere. But in these times its not easy.

The Cush

Terpsichorean Master wrote: »

and he told me that the wideband is for Q only and that they only use the hybrid if there are extra cables going into it. Said that if it's only a single cable, then there are no other cables going into it, then they "have to use the wideband for that". That there are two ports on the wideband and that's what they'll be going into.

Then said that there are four ports on the hybrid (thought it was six, no?) - and that they don't use them, if they don't have to.

The hybrid pics posted above, EL010, is the old type smart hybrid LNB which has been phased out but there may still be some still lying around. Smart refers to all outputs auto-selecting as required, wideband or legacy, depending on the receiver connected.

The newer hybrids come in 2 types, a 6 fixed output version (2 x wideband outputs, 4 x legacy outputs) and a 4 fixed output version (2 x wideband outputs, 2 x legacy outputs). Model nos. EL027 & EL028. The 4 output would be fitted if required but the 6 output would require approval from a manager etc.

On the supply of a hybrid, strictly they should only be fitted where there is another receiver connected to the LNB such as a Freesat or FTA receiver at the time SkyQ is installed, but installers are generally flexible. My brother had SkyQ installed a few years ago, the installer had no issue installing the hybrid LNB.

Terpsichorean Master

Ten Pin wrote: »

Q LNB needs 2 cables. Hybrid LNB needs 2 cables for the Q box and if using any additional FTA/Freesat/Legacy Sky box concurrently, then an additional cable is needed for each.

Seems like installer doesn't want to install the hybrid LNB but that'll leave you without the ability to use FTA boxes. It might also not be as easy to source a hybrid LNB if he doesn't have one spare.

If you don't need to use any FTA box while using Sky Q then as long as you keep the existing LNB as a spare then it's just a matter of refitting it after cancelling Sky in future.

Here's what I suggested earlier in the thread to OP...
https://m.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=115530907&postcount=6

Ya, that was my thought too; he certainly was rather resistant to the idea, indeed repeatedly so - and that was my exact reasoning for doing so; we don't want to be left high and dry in the future, just because it suits sky.

Ya, those suggestions pretty much nail-it alright. I'll have no issue playing hardball if it comes to it - as I have absolutely no intention of being painted into a corner on this, just because they'd prefer it.

Ten Pin

The other option is to just get a combo box and install an aerial for RTE etc. and drop sky altogether. Did sky offer the upgrade to Sky Q or was it requested? Do they watch mostly/all FTA or a significant amount of sky/paid content?