Sky Decoder & Freeview Box

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dmr

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#42767 9-Oct-2009 22:33

Hi there,

I don't know much about this stuff so would really appreciate some advice.

I have an Ultraplus 780 micro PVR connected to an old sky satellite and am thinking of getting Sky installeds so I can get the extra Sky channels.

I have done a bit of reading but don't quite understand - could I connect both the freeview box and the sky decoder up to the satelite then run each one through to the TV - i.e. AV1 and AV2?   This way I would hopefully be able to record something say on Freeview on the PVR and watch something else on Sky?

I have read some info about a dual LNB - I don't think my old sky dish has one of these.   However, even when I used to have sky (a few years ago) and now with the PVR I am often getting rainfade and no signals - if I tell sky this before installation I am guessing they will replace the satelite or would I at least get a new LNB?

Or - do I even need one to do what I have described?

Sorry if these questions are stupid or have been answered before - any help much appreciated.   Many thanks in advance,

Cheers,

David.

WildBill

50 posts

Geek

#262951 10-Oct-2009 02:22

Hi David,

Yes, you can connect both receivers to the same dish; The only limitation is that you can't watch or record any vertical polarity channels (such as SBS 1/2/3/4) on your Freeview receiver and be watching or recording any Sky channels (Horizontal) at the same time.

Either use a two-way "all ports pass" splitter on the end of the incoming cable and two small jumper leads to the receivers or simply connect one small jumper lead from the "loop output" on your ultraplus to the "From LNB" input of the Sky receiver. The Sky Installer will probably help you with this -(unless he's a pedantic stickler for the rules, in which case just get him to connect up the Sky then you can reconnect your Ultraplus later).

The dual LNB is an insurance policy for Sky and an expansion path in the future - nothing to do with having a Sky and Freeview receiver on the same dish. Do tell the Sky Installer that you have been experiencing "rain fade" though and get him to check the dish alignment. He will probably fit a new quad LNB anyway as part of their standard upgrade policy.

Cheers, Wild Bill.

trig42

5810 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#263836 14-Oct-2009 10:44

I would think sky would install a new LNB, and check the alignment of the dish. They should also install a splitter, as you have exisiting gear on the cable.

WildBill

50 posts

Geek

#264003 15-Oct-2009 01:38

trig42: I would think sky would install a new LNB, and check the alignment of the dish. They should also install a splitter, as you have exisiting gear on the cable.

Hi trig42,

Sky Installers sub-contract to Sky through Installation companies so they are given a work order just to do a specific job -(and that's all they're paid for) -eg : a full installation or a receiver-only installation. So they won't get up on the roof to check the alignment on an existing dish unless they have to or unless a customer asks them nicely to.

Likewise, they won't change the LNB unless its faulty or they have been instruced to upgrade it by Sky; and they won't supply a splitter from their own stock unless someone is paying them for it!

That's why I said that a pedantic installer is more likely to disconnect all your Freeview gear and tell you "That's Sky's dish and your not allowed to connect anything else up to it!" to keep the installer in sweet with Sky.

Cheers, Wild Bill.

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#264011 15-Oct-2009 07:28

I am fairly sure when the last Sky contractor came out last time to our house for another HDi box, he said they upgrade the LNB at every visit to a customer ( at least with HDi ) who has the old type irrespective of what else their doing, saves them coming back soley for that job in the future.

Every contractor we have ever had out has been great with our ever changing non standard setup and also with freebies, last time I got a longer HDMI cable and another splitter for nothing, I even offered him the shorter new HDMI cable in exchange and he said - nah, just keep it.

trig42

5810 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#264082 15-Oct-2009 14:42

Same at mine, They installed the new LNB and a splitter plus the standard HDMI cable.
I only mentioned the alignment thing, becasue if you are getting a lot of rain fade on freeview (esp if it isn't raining) then the situation will be the same with Sky, they will fix it if it is an alignment issue.