Cheap TV distribution

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Jaxson

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Topic # 66269 16-Aug-2010 14:39

Hi all,

I have a situation that requires sending SKY TV from one box to multiple TV's. I've put this under Home theatre though as it could just as easily be any other TV source device.

It's for standard SKY, not hdmi enabled My SKY.
A few questions if I may:

What outputs does a standard SKY box have?

How does this sound?:

Component, or composite via scart out etc to a amplifier/splitter.
eg http://jaycar.co.nz/productView.asp?ID=AC1648

Then RG59 cables around to AV ins on the other TV's. (One RG59 per video cable, so one for composite, or 3 for component).

Any old cable for audio left/right.

I will have access to cheap RG59 cable so I'm fairly sure it will work out cheaper than Cat5/6 with baluns. I guess the Cat approach is better for future options, but I don't really see that being too important right now. (This install could provide draw wires if it ever came to a serious upgrade).

Thoughts appreaciated. Cheers.

sampler

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Reply # 368218 16-Aug-2010 14:57

While its old technology, Do you happen to already have standard old fashioned RF cable around the house ? If so you could look as using that. Using RF would allow you to push other devices around via the same single wire. DVD, Video, Gaming console (Xbox,wii ps etc), you could even look at using it to pump radio around to, allowing you to just "flip" through the channels. I have a few of the RF encoders handy from some time ago, you would be welcome to try them if you would like.

Eithe way, AV or RF will only allow you to display what is being output from the skydecoder. You will need to find another way of making the remote work through the house.

All of the current skydecovers can output AV at least,

Cheers

Lee

Jaxson

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Reply # 368230 16-Aug-2010 15:41

Thanks Lee,

From memory the basic SKY boxes have scart out, is that still the case? As it's not hdmi qeuipped, I'm sort of looking for a good option for the best of the rest video outputs sort of thing.

RF doesn't appeal simply due to the picture quality, though yes it's one RG6 cable though which is worth a look. I think I even have an old RF modulator around somewhere....

Yes the remote thing is a pain, could use a 5.8 GHz sender with remote option I guess.
Even suggested running freeview boxes on some TV's, if SKY wasn't a necessity on them all.

Cheers.

richms

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Reply # 368751 17-Aug-2010 16:18

Proper RF not trying to share the cable with off air noise is not far removed from composite for quality. The noise problems come when you use a crap modulator like a built in one and dont amplify it, or try to mix in off air stuff.

If you have access to cheap/free RG59 make sure it is baseband stuff, usually labeled CCTV or similar with a solid copper core and more wire screening, RF stuff with a steal core and foil shielding is useless for carying composite or component.

One other thing, you will be setting your self up for groundloops there, RF inputs tend to take it quite well, composite etc ones not so well with humm bars, large transients and other not nice things happening as you have noise on your ground being a regular occurance. If you litter your house with cheap surge protectors, your ground will be even noisier. Running a decent ground to the splitters can help but not 100%

Cat-5 baluns have isolation in them so that there is no ground loop (assuming you get real baluns and not the ebay specials that just have the things connected straight thru)

Richard rich.ms

Jaxson

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Reply # 369152 18-Aug-2010 10:19

Thanks richms.

The RF is a nice one cable solution but I want to use the aerial sockets on the TV's for freeview or analogue TV reception (depending on the age of the TV) so to go that way it would have to be merged in with other incoming aerial signals. This can be done of course, but does introduce some issues as you are saying there.

Definitely good quality RG59 available.

Good point on the groud loops.

If Cat 5/6 cable is used instead, what faceplates/baluns would people recommend please?

The inherant isolation and cheap cost of cat cable is definitely a plus. I'd be looking for point to point only though, not rewiring a whole house to a patch panel etc.

Actually, what AV outputs do you get on a standard sky digital box, non hdi version?

richms

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Reply # 369436 18-Aug-2010 17:22

You get 2 scarts and a composite and stereo RCA on them. Some have a mono audio out as well.

VCR scart can be composite or svideo, tv scart can be composite, svideo, RGB or component. not all boxes will be component capable. And some will not do component/rgb while the other does svideo, some will.

an engineered fault will result in a box swap if you have one of the old ones with no component output on it.

I used some inline ones I got off ebay when I had sky, sold them since then however. They were in a metal box with 4 RCAs on oneside and a RJ45 on the other. I just passed mono audio down it since when its on TV speakers it doesnt really matter.

Richard rich.ms

Jaxson

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Reply # 369701 19-Aug-2010 09:54

Cheers, Much appreciate your input.