Sky - splitting the output from decoder

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pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#135082 13-Nov-2013 17:26

Hi

Looking to split the output from a sky decoder (not Mysky) so that it goes to 2 TV sets. Do I need a distribution amp? If I don't is there degradation of picture on the TV's that i woul notice?

- thanks

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#933449 13-Nov-2013 19:34

Does it have SCART sockets on the back like the Pace silver box?
If so just one scart to each TV or one to TV and the other to the other TV via a recorder.
If it only has composite video then y-leads should work. No amp needed.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#933465 13-Nov-2013 20:01

The first question you need to answer is what signal you're planning to split.

RF / composite / component?

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#933483 13-Nov-2013 20:26

The decoder has a couple of blue plus on the back with 3 wires each - red white and yellow. I think that these are RCA or composite cables?

One set goes to the TV and another to a hard drive recorder. I now want to split the TV output and send to to TV's. I have heard that I may need a distribution amp for this.

I have similar question re the output from the hard drive recorder. It has 3 the 3 RCA plugs coming out of that into the TV. Again, can I split that and send to two TV's just like that.

- thanks

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#933583 13-Nov-2013 22:40

pjays: The decoder has a couple of blue plus on the back with 3 wires each - red white and yellow. I think that these are RCA or composite cables?

One set goes to the TV and another to a hard drive recorder. I now want to split the TV output and send to to TV's. I have heard that I may need a distribution amp for this.

I have similar question re the output from the hard drive recorder. It has 3 the 3 RCA plugs coming out of that into the TV. Again, can I split that and send to two TV's just like that.

- thanks

If you look at the back of the HDD Recorder it probably has Composite A/V (Yellow, white red) sockets and component (red, green, blue, white, red) sockets. Just run composite to one TV and Component to the other. That solves your problem. No need to split the output from decoder to the TVs as you can only watch what the recorder sees anyway and unless it is a Freeview recorder it won't be able to recrd anything except the sky decoder from 1 Dec. Only possibility requiring a split is if someone wants to watch a recording on one TV while someone is watching sky on the other TV.
If it is a freeview recorder it will have HDMI plus composite and/or component out. What model recorder is it? What model TVs? Might help us with a more positive suggestion.
I have used y-leads in the past for composite video and audio without problems but can't guarantee it will work with all makes and models.

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#933653 14-Nov-2013 08:24

Our current TV is a 32" Sony Bravia about 3 years old. Now looking to get a 2nd TV (have not yet purchased) ... possibly LG60PN6500. The HDD is a Sony (not freeview) .. a few years old - does have HDMI output as well as Composite and component.

I just want to be able to get the same Sky feed from the decoder to each TV, as well as both TV's having access to the HDD to playback or record. The Freeview is fine, I can split the cable for the aerial and get to each TV. Each TV has built in Freeview -appreciate that I will not be able to record via this mechanism.

Have no idea re the difference between composite and component - is it the same cable that is run, a each have the 3 similar plugs on the end.

Also not sure how the HDMI output from the HDD recorder comes into play if at all, we have not used it.

I would happily buy a home theatre system if it made it easier which had multiple input ports to take everything, but as well as the fact that we don't have HD Sky, I would still need to get the output to both TV's.

k1wi

484 posts

Ultimate Geek

#933700 14-Nov-2013 09:46

How far apart are the TV's? I assume they are not next to each other... The length of the cable run is an important factor.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#933738 14-Nov-2013 10:56

pjays: Our current TV is a 32" Sony Bravia about 3 years old. Now looking to get a 2nd TV (have not yet purchased) ... possibly LG60PN6500. The HDD is a Sony (not freeview) .. a few years old - does have HDMI output as well as Composite and component.

I just want to be able to get the same Sky feed from the decoder to each TV, as well as both TV's having access to the HDD to playback or record. The Freeview is fine, I can split the cable for the aerial and get to each TV. Each TV has built in Freeview -appreciate that I will not be able to record via this mechanism.

Have no idea re the difference between composite and component - is it the same cable that is run, a each have the 3 similar plugs on the end.

Also not sure how the HDMI output from the HDD recorder comes into play if at all, we have not used it.

I would happily buy a home theatre system if it made it easier which had multiple input ports to take everything, but as well as the fact that we don't have HD Sky, I would still need to get the output to both TV's.

OK, we're making progress.
First thing to do is find your User Guide/Manual for the Sony Recorder and read it. It will show you how to connect various equipment. If you can't find it then download a copy from Sony suport.
When considering interconnections bear in mind the following -
rf out - rf in = rubbish picture.
composite A/V = better but still not great.
component to component = better still and pretty good.
HDMI to HDMI equals best.
Connect your Sky box to the recorder with the yellow, white and red connectors or if the Recorder has component in (some models do) use the red, green blue, white and red connectors.
That gets the signal from Sky to the recorder.
Next connect the Recorder to the nearest TV with an HDMI cable. HDMI carries sound and video in the one cable and gives best quality picture. If the recorder is not too old it will have upscaling as well which theoretically improves the quality.
Connect the second TV to the Recorder using component (preferable) or composite. You could get an HDMI splitter and use that to split the output to both TVs but as the other poster says, HDMI has limits on length of cable. Also HDMI splitters can be troublesome.
Using component you nead 5 leads - 3 for video and 2 for sound.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video
composite uses 3 leads - 1 video and 2 sound
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_video

Getting a home theatre receiver/amp would allow you to get surround sound from your freeview TV by connecting optical out on the TV to the amp but no added advantage with the sky box other than much better sound.

Hope this helps.

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pjays

109 posts

Master Geek

#936344 17-Nov-2013 23:22

Hi

Thanks for the help.
I have been checking this out further.

The sky decoder output to the TV and the Sony HDD is from 2 blue plugs, but they both go to composite connections (on both the TV amd HDD) i.e yellow, white and red plugs.

Yes the HDMI output from the HDD works fine.. didn't see any noticable difference in terms of upscaling.

So .. from this it's clear that I have multiple ways of distributing the sky signal.

Some further questions then....

1/ My HDD also has component out - 3 plugs Blue, Green and Red. But the TV set component in requires 5 plugs, so, when I set it up, I get a picture but no sound. Don't understand the differences here in terms of the number of plus.

2/ This HDMI upscaling ... is that pretty standard? Because to me it makes sense to run HDMI cable (it's between 10-15 metres max run) rather than composite... and use that where I can.

3/ I am currently looking at pictures on a 32" set, Its from a composite connection.... so.. pretty low down the chain in terms of quality. How bad will it look on a 60" screen? Will it be significantly worse because its on a bigger screen.

4/ I understannd that I can split HDMI output via an HDMI splitter. I take it that this is fairly standard and I should not expect issues with this?

- thanks