Cabling up satellite for DVB-S TV

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SpoonNZ

21 posts

Geek

# 20354 22-Mar-2008 20:19

I live in a house which is split into two flats. The other flat has an existing Sky satellite dish, which is conveniently located a couple of metres from my TV.

I figure the easiest way to get myself some digital signal is to pop a splitter on this, and run some cables.

I'm looking at http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/satellite-terrestrial-splitter-p-55.html, along with a couple of cables (http://www.freeviewshop.co.nz/3ghz-quad-shield-flooded-satellite-cable-p-44.html).

Before I go ahead and do this, I want to make sure the current LNB will work, and confirm my assumptions about how things connect up are correct.

Here's a photo of the LNB. I can't quite make the writing out on it, other than it's Sharp branded.

Will the cable running into this have an F-Type connector already on it? I need a ladder to look closer, but if someone on here can tell me it'll make things a lot easier.

What I'm imagining will be needed is just to unscrew the existing cable from the LNB, screw on a new one, screw that to the splitter, and screw the original cable, along with the new one to the other side of the splitter. Run the cable up the wall and through my window, screw to the receiver, and I'll be sorted.

The alternative I guess is to cut the existing cable, and crimp two new plugs on it. Lots of extra effort, but if that needs to be done that should be fine.

Am I right? Am I better to buy a dual LNB?

I will most likely be using a Hauppauge card of some flavour, along with Vista MCE, and am located in Dunedin. DVB-T won't work for me I would imagine due to my location, so DVB-S is the plan.

eXDee

4025 posts

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# 118099 22-Mar-2008 20:27

That'll be the standard Sky Dual Throat LNB, sharp, as you said. I think if 22khz is sent it switches from the Optus D1 to the Optus B1 or something, but you wouldnt want to do that or your neighbour will loose their sky.

The splitter idea should work file with unscrewing them and adding new cables, we have the same LNB and i'm pretty sure ours has the standard F type, but i havent looked close, someone else will be able to confirm this.

Remember to turn off the supply power option, as your neighbours sky STB will already be doing that (provided they dont switch it off).

SpoonNZ

21 posts

Geek

# 118109 22-Mar-2008 21:04

I don't know if they actually have Sky - would prefer not to mess with their setup too much if at all possible. Would I be better just getting a dual output LNB (like this one)? What's the process to install it? A couple of screws for the LNB itself, screw the old cable along with a new one on? And this will mean we can both do whatever the hell we want with our respective cables, and it'll have no bearing on the other one's signal?

Also, where am I best to purchase from? I just came upon freeviewshop from Googling - anywhere better?

eXDee

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# 118131 22-Mar-2008 22:52

Freeview shop is apparently good, fairly well known.

Buying a new LNB means you need to realign it. Buying a cable + splitter would be less hassle. And i assume with the dual output you still can only have 1 device powering it.

Cable + Splitter im guessing isnt hard, but all you should need to do is unscrew the current cable, attach a cable to go to a splitter, reattach theirs to a splitter and lay down your own cable. Then just make sure your HTPC/STB isnt supplying power, since theirs will be.

However i must say i've never done it myself, so thats just a guess, plenty of others here have though, so i guess i should stop repling :P

SpoonNZ

21 posts

Geek

# 118134 22-Mar-2008 23:17

What happens if they don't have Sky, so I get my PC to supply power, then they get a Sky decoder (or Freeview box etc) installed, which also supplies power? I'm thinking it's probably the easier option though - just let them know I'm doing it first!

kevthesparky

79 posts

Master Geek

# 118136 23-Mar-2008 01:04

Hi you just need to get a splitter which passes power on both ports. the LNB requires 18v for freeview and sky to operate which is on Hpol. I would suggest you leave the dish and cable intact and cut into the cable elsewhere possibley at the base of the mounting hardware and add the splitter there. If you start messing around with the dish you run the risk of moving it of alignment.

hope this helps

BarTender

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# 118143 23-Mar-2008 06:22

If you REALLY want to put in a different dual output LNB I would recommend having a sharp one like this. Plus you will also need to change the LNB Clamp as the dual throat LNBs have a smaller neck, you can get them from trademe here.

It's not THAT hard realigning the dish, just need someone in front of the TV when you move it around (very slowly).

If you live in Wellington I can give you one of those clamps, and take that dual throat LNB off your hands :)

It's worth checking if they are using sky or not, since if they are not you could just disconnect straight from the LNB and cable yourself in.

Also the main issue you will have is making good F Type connections at each end, the tools are not cheap, and going for the screw on connectors will only create issues for you down the path.

eXDee

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# 118150 23-Mar-2008 08:56

kevthesparky: Hi you just need to get a splitter which passes power on both ports. the LNB requires 18v for freeview and sky to operate which is on Hpol. I would suggest you leave the dish and cable intact and cut into the cable elsewhere possibley at the base of the mounting hardware and add the splitter there. If you start messing around with the dish you run the risk of moving it of alignment.

hope this helps

See, heres someone who knows what they are talking about. :)

However i would have thought simply unscrewing the f type on the lnb and adding another cable would be simple, unless you have the tools to put plugs on the end of the cable (crimper needed? Not sure?)

I'm sure they will have sky if they have that LNB and a 60cm dish, i wouldnt think they would buy that LNB if they just had freeview.

SpoonNZ

21 posts

Geek

# 118154 23-Mar-2008 09:41

The dish has been there longer than the current tenants - I assume a previous tenant had Sky.

The reason I was planning on unscrewing things rather than cutting and crimping is that I figure I'm more likely to mess up a crimp than mess up unscrewing a cable. Also, it means when I move out I can take my splitter with me and put it back to what it was originally.

Alright. I might just go ahead, buy a splitter and some cables, track down a card, and have a play next weekend then!

Spyware

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# 118216 23-Mar-2008 13:11

Dual output LNB from freeviewshop above outputs vertical polarity on one output and horizontal polarity on the other output. It is designed to be used with a switch that connects each set top box to either output depending on the voltage from the set top box.

Ross

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