help with sky head end distribution system

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rrjones

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#198021 22-Jun-2016 17:36

Hi we are a small motel and it is not financially viable to get an individual sky box for each unit. Our set up at present is Headend Centralised Distibution System with 3 sky boxes. Our sky boxes (decoders) are 16 years old. there is no rf modulators attached. The sky in the units are analog and the quality of the picture is at its best snowy. W e have had various people come and look and we have yet to have the same answer to the solution. Someone said we had to completely put in new cables/wires( whatever it is called ) another said no we did not. We have been told that get RF modulators and that will make a difference, someone said no as the decoders we have although they are 16 years old they have modulaors in them. Someone else said get digital Rf modulators and someone said get a digital modulator and that will make a difference.... that we would then get digital.

What we need to know is that

The fact that our current boxes are 16 years old would that have an effect.
when sky come and put the new boxes in does anyone think that will help?
Do we need a RF modulator with the new sky box?
If so do we get Analog or digital ?
If so can anyone recommend one?

Thanks

Spyware

3762 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1578546 22-Jun-2016 17:41

Your current boxes have RF modulators, new boxes don't so would need to be added. The RF modulators give you ANALOG RF signal.

Better solution is to feed HDMI out into a digital modulator system (DVB-T) but may be quite expensive, $2K or so assuming DIY. Also would need new TVs with DVB-T tuners.

http://matchmaster.co.nz/commercial/headend-equipment/14mm-dm05

http://www.pviusa.com/RF-Modulators_c_1.html

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

jjnz1

1363 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1578583 22-Jun-2016 18:14

You only have 3 Sky channels available for your customers?

raytaylor

4014 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1578586 22-Jun-2016 18:20

First question I guess would be what kind of televisions do you have in the rooms?

Do they have built in freeview?

Ray Taylor

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wingbat45

233 posts

Master Geek

#1578595 22-Jun-2016 18:52

Your decoders will be upgraded and you will get new ones, these require a modulator each to send around.

Brunzy

2016 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1578615 22-Jun-2016 19:33

Only if the sockets have poor connections

Yes

Depends how much you want to spend ;-)

As above

You say it is at best 'snowy'

If it is , your system needs attention , if you are describing Sky's compression artefacts it may not.

Also you need to say what tuners are in all your Tv's.

Apsattv

2390 posts

Uber Geek

#1579063 23-Jun-2016 15:06

Have you looked in the correct place?

http://www.skybusiness.co.nz/how-to-join.aspx

Sky will tell you everything you need to do for your setup

trig42

5811 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1579096 23-Jun-2016 16:38

If it was me, and you were capable of receiving Freeview Terrestrial, I would get a Digital Modulator, feed the 3 sky boxes into that (by HDMI, or even composite/component - not going to matter if not HD) and combine it with the signal from an Aerial, so going down the line you have all the Freeview channels, and whatever 3 sky channels your decoders are set to.

Then, you just need to scan on your TVs (assuming Freeview capable) and all the freeview channels and the 3 sky channels will be picked up, and all your guests need to do is scroll through channels to get Sky (no changing inputs, or changing from Digital to Analog).

DVB-T modulators aren't cheap (especially ones to do more than one input). Depends on your budget really.

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bales

116 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#1579136 23-Jun-2016 18:00

I assume cabling is as old as decoders so will need new its called rg6 but firstly get installer to check incoming signal might need a bigger dish new lnb etc

Spyware

3762 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1579153 23-Jun-2016 18:22

bales:

I assume cabling is as old as decoders so will need new its called rg6 but firstly get installer to check incoming signal might need a bigger dish new lnb etc

This problem has absolutely nothing to do with the incoming signal.

wingbat45

233 posts

Master Geek

#1579224 23-Jun-2016 19:44

To answer your questions

The fact that our current boxes are 16 years old would that have an effect? - They will be upgraded and will have (if needed) modulators fitted for you system.

when sky come and put the new boxes in does anyone think that will help? - Yes
Do we need a RF modulator with the new sky box? - Unless you have Guest select you will need them
If so do we get Analog or digital ? - Analog is the usual one

If it was me (assuming $ is not too high) I would ask about Digital modulators, inject the sky signal into the freeview side of things, assuming your tvs in each room are able to receive this (I assume they are). Digital modulators are not cheep. Now everyone will tell me I am wrong and I don't know what I am talking about and that is fine. Point is if the freeview is getting to the tvs ok, then adding the sky into that (digital modulators) will mean its not a cable issue, as long as the tv FURTHEST away from your headend is getting a good signal.

Current signal issue COULD be a clash of freeview and analog as the freeview will knock out or degrade the analog signal on this. Get the installing tech to check the signal furthest away and if the analog signal is low it could be a launch amp issue (if you are using one)

ask tech to try a different frequency for the modulators and see if the snow drops off a bit.

Headends are a pain some times with little gremlins to find, you get rid of one then another pops up.

But ask the tech, they can advise you best.

gareth41

742 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1581702 28-Jun-2016 09:09

I have a VHF 50watt rack mountable tv transmitter, this would work but may also get you an unwanted knock on the door

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#1585063 3-Jul-2016 11:34

gareth41: I have a VHF 50watt rack mountable tv transmitter, this would work but may also get you an unwanted knock on the door

Send it to one of the Pacific Islands. Otherwise i could do that. I have friends in Samoa who own land in the hills above Apia. So potentially a good site for a transmitter. And I doubt that Samoa had DVB-T.