Freesat, getting it places in the home?

[Mr Whippy]

Ok in my current property it has an aerial with one co-ax wire, but where we are we get about 20 freeview channels only.

The property also has a satellite dish with one co-ax output off the dish.

Both wires lead to this box.


The far right input is UHF, where the TV aerial co-ax currently goes (I assume), and the satellite dish aerial co-ax is left hanging.

All those outputs go to different rooms in the house, like lounge, kitchen, etc.


The thing is this was all wired with what was 'top quality' co-ax back in 2005/2006 or so, and back then I think most Sky systems were just going to two co-ax wire inputs etc, so I'm not sure if this entire booster/distribution system would somehow deal with a two-wire Sky box, or freesat box or anything else.


So the simple question is, is there something I can do to enable the use of this booster/distribution system to get a twin-tuner freesat box working anywhere in the house using the existing cabling?


I think a Freetime Freesat box is probably best, but I gather I'll still be stuck with just one 'live' feed for recording/playback, so if for instance I want to record a 'live' TV signal, then the other channel will have to be via internet only (appropriate catchup service or live service (limited selection)), or recorded already. Not a game changer but not perfect.


Any thoughts on the best approach would be very much appreciated!


Dave

[rotarymazda]

I use a dish with an Octal LNB. Then just run cables around the side of the house and into the rooms I need.

I have two rooms with twin-tuners and the rest are singles. The design of the house means not much cable is visible.

[Mr Whippy]

£50 seems nice and cheap for 8 connections.

In my case I'm renting so can't really do too much here probably, but upgrading or enhancing the existing setup would probably be subsidised.


It looks like getting two wires to this booster box for the PVR/Freesat box is ideal, then maybe use HDMI > SDI (coax) to distribute to rooms, then SDI > HDMI back again for the TV. Then just use some system for the remote signals... Hmmmmm.


Thanks

Dave

[FlossyThePig]

Mr Whippy said:

So the simple question is, is there something I can do to enable the use of this booster/distribution system to get a twin-tuner freesat box working anywhere in the house using the existing cabling?

The simple answer is no, but you could reuse the cables.

The SatCure website has a lot of useful info
- http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/multiswitches.htm

[megaphone]

That distribution amp will only do TV and radio, it cannot be used for satellite. Better of getting the aerial sorted so you get a decent signal.

[Mr Whippy]

Hmmmmm, I'll have a chat with the landlord on Friday and see what he thinks.

Given the limitations (still) of many of these PVR/Sky boxes it seems I'm still best with a home-brew box with tuners if I want a blend of everything without finding my TV/box out-dated in a few years time.

It'll be nice when all these 'free' services that are ultimately paid for through the TV license are available via broadband.

Dave