Sky RF Modulater

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AidanS

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#96696 2-Feb-2012 17:42

Hey Everyone,

I recently had MySky installed upgrading from normal Sky Digital.
My previous setup was VHF/UHF into Sky digital box then Sky coaxial output goes to two bedrooms carrying standard free channels + Sky channel. With the RCA going 2 the main TV.

However now with MySky there is no coaxial output as such and I was wondering if anyone knows how much Sky charge for an RF Modulater. OR if anyone knows the cheapest place to get one for <$50.

I thought about running RCA to the bedrooms but after reading, turns out that RCA only carries a strong signal for 5 Metres then it starts to loose it's signal.

Any other ideas/places to buy?

Thanks in advanced,
Aidan

PS If this has already been covered can you please link me :).

steve2222

498 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576396 2-Feb-2012 18:19

Hi there.

I have this setup as well.

From memory Sky charge $50 for a modulator, but I already had one. I bought it off TradeMe from some guy selling out of OZ, but this is a few years ago.

I have the Coax then feeding a Hills Distribution amplifier as it then feeds 6 TV's around the house - just like you have set up for 2 TV's.

I also have the Hills IR remote setup in-line on the coax cable so you can change the MySky channel from any of the TV's using universal Logitech remotes.

Of course everyone in the house (if watching the SKY channel on their TV) has to watch the same Sky channel.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#576434 2-Feb-2012 19:48

How much are you willing to spend, how modern are the TVs the bedrooms, and how far away from the Sky Box are they?

An RF modulator over coax, while it will work, is absolutely the worst possible option in terms of the picture quality you will get.

If the TVs are modern enough to have HDMI and the run isn't too far (say 10 meters or less), then if you are willing to spend a few dollars you can connect both using HDMI. You need an HDMI splitter (NOT the more common HDMI switch). Monoprice (who I have had good experiences with) carry a one-input to two-output splitter for $US 24, and a one-input to four-output splitter for around $US 45 (plus shipping in both cases).

Connect MySky to the splitter via HDMI. Connect the living room to the splitter via HDMI. Connect both bedrooms to the splitter using HDMI. Job done. This will give you a *much* better picture than a modulator.

If the distance is more than 10 meters then the cost goes up considerably (to about $US 285) - they have a 2x4 matrix splitter that will send HDMI video over ethernet and is good for at least 130 foot ranges.

If one or more of the bedroom TVs don't support HDMI, you can get HDMI to component and HDMI to composite converters that you can attach at the bedroom end. While not as good as direct HDMI, it will still be a much better picture than with an RF modulator.

A matrix splitter, while more expensive, will also let you connect more inputs and selectively send DVD and blu ray feeds etc to the bedrooms as well.

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#576438 2-Feb-2012 19:56

However now with MySky there is no coaxial output as such and I was wondering if anyone knows how much Sky charge for an RF Modulater. OR if anyone knows the cheapest place to get one for
I thought about running RCA to the bedrooms but after reading, turns out that RCA only carries a strong signal for 5 Metres then it starts to loose it's signal.

I also meant to say that this is news to me and, I suspect, highly dependent on cable quality. About 10 years ago iun a previous dwelling I did a 17 meter RCA run using very heavy high-grade cable, and it works fine. Dick Smith sell a 10 meter cable which you can also try (assuming that's long enough?) and return if it doesn't work properly.

AidanS

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576442 2-Feb-2012 19:59

Thank you both for your helpful replies. The bedroom TV's are old CRT 14" so HDMI isn't possible but great suggestion anyway. I will give sky a call tomorrow and order the RF Modulator as I already have coaxial cable going to those TV's from the MySky. And if for some reason sky don't have them I found some at Jay car that were reasonable price. It's a bummer that the new MySky boxes don't have an RF output but I guess RF is pretty old now and like said above is the worst option for picture quality. Any way I'll let you guys know how I get on.

Thanks,
Aidan

AidanS

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576444 2-Feb-2012 20:04

I also meant to say that this is news to me and, I suspect, highly dependent on cable quality. About 10 years ago iun a previous dwelling I did a 17 meter RCA run using very heavy high-grade cable, and it works fine. Dick Smith sell a 10 meter cable which you can also try (assuming that's long enough?) and return if it doesn't work properly.

This is interesting. As the TV's are only 14" CRT's and I already have coaxial cabling in place I'll probably just go with that :). But will be useful to know for future configurations.

Thanks,
Aidan

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#576450 2-Feb-2012 20:13

CoolAs101: Hey Everyone,

I thought about running RCA to the bedrooms but after reading, turns out that RCA only carries a strong signal for 5 Metres then it starts to loose it's signal.

Thanks in advanced,
Aidan

.

In the early days of DVD I used to run RCA Audio/Video from the PC in the spare bedroom/Office to the TV in the lounge via 2 x 10m cables in series (20m) with no problems. They weren't even good quality cables.

AidanS

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#576453 2-Feb-2012 20:21

B1GGLZ:
CoolAs101: Hey Everyone,

I thought about running RCA to the bedrooms but after reading, turns out that RCA only carries a strong signal for 5 Metres then it starts to loose it's signal.

Thanks in advanced,
Aidan

.

In the early days of DVD I used to run RCA Audio/Video from the PC in the spare bedroom/Office to the TV in the lounge via 2 x 10m cables in series (20m) with no problems. They weren't even good quality cables.

That's also interesting. I guess the cables I were looking at just said 5m max as like a disclaimer.

Thanks,
Aidan

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Jaxson

8041 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#576468 2-Feb-2012 20:36

JimmyH: Dick Smith sell a 10 meter cable which you can also try (assuming that's long enough?) and return if it doesn't work properly.

They don't return gear for a refund quite like they used to any more.

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#576871 3-Feb-2012 15:21

Jaxson:
JimmyH: Dick Smith sell a 10 meter cable which you can also try (assuming that's long enough?) and return if it doesn't work properly.

They don't return gear for a refund quite like they used to any more.

Soon you might not have a DSE shop to return gear to any more...

You can never have enough Volvos!