Sky HDi on multiple TVs

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richarda

164 posts

Master Geek

#25307 18-Aug-2008 12:04

Hi
I am getting Sky HDi installed and what HD on TVs in 2 seperate rooms so I am thinking of connecting it to the first TV via HDMI and digital optical cables and then running component cables (approx 15m) to the other TV.

As well as running the component cables i want to run an RF cable along the same conduit so that I can feed this up to a splitter box so that I can watch SKy in the bedroom. I know that this will on be SD in the bedroom)

My questions are can you buy 15m component cables and if so would the HD picture be OK and secondly can I run a component cable along the same conduit as the RF cable without getting any interference.

Also if anyone has other ideas on a better set-up I would love to hear your suggestions
Cheers
Richard

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534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#157697 18-Aug-2008 12:56

richarda: Hi
I am getting Sky HDi installed and what HD on TVs in 2 seperate rooms so I am thinking of connecting it to the first TV via HDMI and digital optical cables and then running component cables (approx 15m) to the other TV.

As well as running the component cables i want to run an RF cable along the same conduit so that I can feed this up to a splitter box so that I can watch SKy in the bedroom. I know that this will on be SD in the bedroom)

My questions are can you buy 15m component cables and if so would the HD picture be OK and secondly can I run a component cable along the same conduit as the RF cable without getting any interference.

Also if anyone has other ideas on a better set-up I would love to hear your suggestions
Cheers
Richard

Hi Richard, Over component the HDi downscales TV3 and the Movie channels to standard definition though Sport 1 & 2 are unaffected.

To get unrestricted HD in the second room you could split the HDMI signals. 15m is a reasonable distance to send HDMI but it should be do-able (ask if you consider it).

The HDi doesn't have a RF out so for the bedroom you could use a RF modulator(inexpensive) or simply send 1 composite and 1 audio line to the bedroom.

15m is no problem for component using co-axial cable if that's what you decide and other signal cables can run beside it.

richarda

164 posts

Master Geek

#157702 18-Aug-2008 13:16

Thanks! The Component is not really an option if it downscales to SD. Are there any disadvantages to splitting the HDMI signal?

With the RF I would run this via a Panasonic DVD recorder which has RF input and output. I currently do this with my standard Sky Sat set-up.

Also have you seen these. http://www.svideo.com/1080i.html

Uses Category 5 cable to send HDTV + Digital Audio up to 500 ft. Supports 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p video formats for hi-definition (HDTV) video applications.

stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#157711 18-Aug-2008 13:50

I'm no expert on distributing HDMI but I'll just give you what I've learnt, my longest run is 10m which can be done by a single cable run no problem.

I'd suggest you do an add up of the total cost before going ahead. HDMI cable and component costs are coming down quite rapidly.

For 15m you would best use a powered splitter and then either decide between running a 15m HDMI cable or use baluns that utilise 2 cat5e cables to to transfer the HDMI signal. A 15m cable would probably be the cheapest and what I would use, there is the issue though that HDMI is not field terminating so requires either a 25mm round hole or lesser oblong through walls etc and has to be treated with some care ie can't be rough pulled.

A good quality hdmi would probably do 15m by itself . I would be inclined to go for something cheap(not necessarily indicative of quality) like this.

I'd then try that with the powered splitter and if I didn't get a signal then add a booster such as this. They use cable EQ and voltage compensation to boost the signal distance.

Note you'd also need an additional short HDMI cable to go HDi to splitter. Splitters seem to be still in the $150-200 mark. Make sure you get one that is HDMI 1.3 rated.

All in all, not an entirely cheap exercise but it does give great results.

This is just my thinking. Others may add their thoughts.

bm12music

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#158270 20-Aug-2008 10:43

stuzzo: The HDi doesn't have a RF out so for the bedroom you could use a RF modulator(inexpensive) or simply send 1 composite and 1 audio line to the bedroom.

15m is no problem for component using co-axial cable if that's what you decide and other signal cables can run beside it.

Thanks for your info. Do you have a link for an appropriate RF modulator? I take it that I just plug composite and audio RCAs from the HDi box into the modulator and then I just just plug in my existing RF cable that goes to the TV in the bedroom that used to plug into the RF out plug in the old MySky?

I was going to to run 10m component cables to the TV in the bedroom but that means more holes in the floorboards!

stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#158277 20-Aug-2008 11:00

bm12music:
stuzzo: The HDi doesn't have a RF out so for the bedroom you could use a RF modulator(inexpensive) or simply send 1 composite and 1 audio line to the bedroom.

15m is no problem for component using co-axial cable if that's what you decide and other signal cables can run beside it.

Thanks for your info. Do you have a link for an appropriate RF modulator? I take it that I just plug composite and audio RCAs from the HDi box into the modulator and then I just just plug in my existing RF cable that goes to the TV in the bedroom that used to plug into the RF out plug in the old MySky?

I was going to to run 10m component cables to the TV in the bedroom but that means more holes in the floorboards!

There's something like this from Jaycar which will also require a 12V power supply-it looks as though it might do stereo too. DSE have similar. Else you could use a VCR to do the same thing.

cyril7

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#158299 20-Aug-2008 11:59

There is the jaycar one that stuzzo has linked to, but be aware it will transmit on NZ Ch1 which my clash with some older VCRs should you have such a dinasor, also the stereo mode is not Nicam but the German/Aus A2 Zweikanalton system, which many new TVs support, some not.

A better modulator would be the LM3878, however I think this is only mono, but it UHF and of good quality.

Cyril

bm12music

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#158349 20-Aug-2008 14:30

stuzzo:
bm12music:
stuzzo: The HDi doesn't have a RF out so for the bedroom you could use a RF modulator(inexpensive) or simply send 1 composite and 1 audio line to the bedroom.

15m is no problem for component using co-axial cable if that's what you decide and other signal cables can run beside it.

Thanks for your info. Do you have a link for an appropriate RF modulator? I take it that I just plug composite and audio RCAs from the HDi box into the modulator and then I just just plug in my existing RF cable that goes to the TV in the bedroom that used to plug into the RF out plug in the old MySky?

I was going to to run 10m component cables to the TV in the bedroom but that means more holes in the floorboards!

There's something like this from Jaycar which will also require a 12V power supply-it looks as though it might do stereo too. DSE have similar. Else you could use a VCR to do the same thing.

Cheers, I saw that one but wondered where the RCA inputs were? Could only see the 'antenna in' plug. Might be a simple question but can you shed any light on how I would connect this?

Equinox IT

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stuzzo

534 posts

Ultimate Geek

#158370 20-Aug-2008 15:25

Cheers, I saw that one but wondered where the RCA inputs were? Could
only see the 'antenna in' plug. Might be a simple question but can you
shed any light on how I would connect this?

Hard to see from the photo, I'd expect RCA's but might be a different plug, like TS plug which would need an adapter cable.

Cyril's example has the leads and power supply included so not a bad price in comparison.

cyril7

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#158760 21-Aug-2008 17:44

Little dicky bird tells me that modulators are to be made available for HDi customers that yell for them. Problem is they have not landed on our fair shores yet, but might pay to badger Sky on this one.

Cyril

richarda

164 posts

Master Geek

#158762 21-Aug-2008 17:52

Are there any limitations on the length of cable run for Sky HD from the sat dish to the set-top box. I am looking at around 15m. Also can this cable run alongside an HDMI cable and an RF cable in the same conduit without any issues?

Cheers

Richard

cyril7

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#158786 21-Aug-2008 19:06

yes and yes, all should be good, you can readily run 25m or more of coax plus a splitter between the dish and STB with no ill effects. This all assumes that its run and terminated in a acceptable manner, and yes running coax and HDMI in the same conduit is no problem, just make sure you can pull the HDMI connector head through the conduit, but I guess you already thought of that.

Cheers
Cyril

richms

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#158812 21-Aug-2008 21:35

The VHF modulator from jaycar will switch when you give it power. If you mix it in with the other signals you really need a filter to get all the VHF crap off the antenna feed so you dont have a rubbish picture.

Richard rich.ms

IHS

13 posts

Geek

#158993 22-Aug-2008 16:17

I had MySkyHDi installed today, replacing a standard digital box which was split to to other rooms. The installer said we would need a modulator which Sky expect to have early September. So I'll sit by my phone and wait for the call...

trig42

5809 posts

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#159108 23-Aug-2008 07:59

IHS: I had MySkyHDi installed today, replacing a standard digital box which was split to to other rooms. The installer said we would need a modulator which Sky expect to have early September. So I'll sit by my phone and wait for the call...

I ordered one of these RF modulators from Jaycar that Cyril linked to. The sales guy at Jaycar said that Sky had ordered 200 of them - so that's what they will be supplying to those that need them (wouldn't be free I imagine?).

I am getting HDi installed in 2 weeks, and keeping the SD box for the free 4 months - just deciding where I want the second decoder put. Seriously thinking about leaving them both in the lounge with the main TV and piping them both ot the other TVs in the house (the SD already is - with a Remote sender) - that way, for four months at least, I can have 2 sky channels playing on the other TVs at once.

Look

66 posts

Master Geek

#159376 24-Aug-2008 19:10

trig42:
IHS: I had MySkyHDi installed today, replacing a standard digital box which was split to to other rooms. The installer said we would need a modulator which Sky expect to have early September. So I'll sit by my phone and wait for the call...

I ordered one of these RF modulators from Jaycar that Cyril linked to. The sales guy at Jaycar said that Sky had ordered 200 of them - so that's what they will be supplying to those that need them (wouldn't be free I imagine?).

I am getting HDi installed in 2 weeks, and keeping the SD box for the free 4 months - just deciding where I want the second decoder put. Seriously thinking about leaving them both in the lounge with the main TV and piping them both ot the other TVs in the house (the SD already is - with a Remote sender) - that way, for four months at least, I can have 2 sky channels playing on the other TVs at once.

The Modulator is included in the multiroom package from Sky. No extra cost.

re having both STB's in the same room .... the remotes are identical, so this causes problems.

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