Better solution to SKY FTA cards to have permanent access to UK channels?

basill · 13-10-2011 10:53AM #1

As many of you will know there is a long running thread on the use of the Sky FTA cards and running through a few steps to get the UK channels on the Irish EPG. My own view is that Sky could well bring out a firmware update over the next while which negates its use. Also the inability to tune in some of the transponders using Sky equipment got me thinking about a better and permanent solution.

I have a quad LNB with 4 cables running from the sky dish to a central area under our stairs where all our AV equipment including 2 Sky HD boxes (latest Amstrad versions) is located. We have Sky multiroom as well. The 2 TVs are in separate rooms supplied from the sky boxes via HDMI over cat 5.

I am thinking of getting a non sky HD box (maybe a Humax) that would give me access to all of the UK channels plus being able to record. Is there some sort of splitter or amp that I can get which would enable me to plug those 4 satellite cables into it and then presumably running 6 cables from that to the 3 boxes? Could we conceivably have all three boxes on the go at the same time ie: watching 2 and recording from another or is that not possible?

Cheers in advance.

John mac · 13-10-2011 01:44PM

Multiswitch like this will give you what you need, I'm not sure if you would need to change the lnb though ,
maybe some one else could answer that.

MarkK · 13-10-2011 02:04PM

Swapping your quad LNB for an Octo LNB may be cheaper than a multiswitch.

JHet · 13-10-2011 02:20PM

Agreed. With a multiswitch you'd need to buy a quattro lnb, for Vertical and horizonatal high and low. They are always used in conjunction with one another and there is no getting around this. For these reasons they are generally only used in apartment type situations or hotels.

Whereas an Octo Lnb would be less than the cost of the switch alone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zinwell-Sky-Octo-LNB/dp/B004Z4PP5C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1318512180&sr=1-2

Tvtrade actually have an excellent video that explains the distinction between the two and their application.

http://www.tvtrade.ie/5x8-satellite-multiswitch.html

Thanks

Macy0161 · 13-10-2011 02:32PM

JHet wrote: »

Agreed. With a multiswitch you'd need to buy a quattro lnb, for Vertical and horizonatal high and low.

I think there are multiswitches that work with a quad. No idea on availabilty or cost compared to a quattro only one.

There may be an advantage in the multiswitch route in that it'd still only need the 4 inputs to under the stairs, rather than requiring new cable runs with an octo.

drBill · 13-10-2011 03:43PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

I think there are multiswitches that work with a quad. No idea on availabilty or cost compared to a quattro only one.

There may be an advantage in the multiswitch route in that it'd still only need the 4 inputs to under the stairs, rather than requiring new cable runs with an octo.

Personally I'm biased against those octo lnbs because I think they're ugly, or at least a lot of the ones I've seen have some really messy cabling. In fairness it's harder to be tidy with 8 cables though. Are they also known for being less reliable than others? Can you swap in an 8 for a 4 on an existing dish or do you need a larger dish or stronger arm?
Thanks!

JHet · 13-10-2011 03:47PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

I think there are multiswitches that work with

A quad LNB CANNOT be connected to a multiswitch for the purpose that the OP is seeking above.

Peter Rhea · 13-10-2011 03:54PM

JHet wrote: »

A quad LNB CANNOT be connected to a multiswitch for the purpose that the OP is seeking above.

A quad or quattro will work with a Q2 multiswitch. Google & see . . .

LLU · 13-10-2011 03:55PM

JHet wrote: »

-

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Liameter · 13-10-2011 03:59PM

Macy0161 wrote: »

I think there are multiswitches that work with a quad.

Yes, there used to be several including one made by Vision. But I suspect they proved to be unreliable, as the manufacturers dropped them, one by one. Right now there's only one manufacturer still producing them. Available from a German web site IIRC.

watty · 14-10-2011 12:26AM

EMp Centauri have switches that work with a Quad.

No such thing as a FTA card by anyone. FTV maybe.

Tony · 14-10-2011 10:14AM

JHet wrote: »

A quad LNB CANNOT be connected to a multiswitch for the purpose that the OP is seeking above.

Glad you edited your post. I'm afraid you are wrong there are multiswitches that can accomodate quad lnb's.

JHet · 14-10-2011 04:42PM

It would appear semantically at the very least I was wrong here. There is at least one maybe more multiswitch/s on the market that can isolate each Ku band to deliver the correct polarisation although given their rarity I would be a little sceptical of how well these work in practise. I really should learn to double check these things before I open my big bloody mouth. :rolleyes:
I still think this solution is overkill for the OP's requirements but FWIW, I apologise.

Better solution to SKY FTA cards to have permanent access to UK channels?

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