Quick question - adding extra HD TV to Sky box

[RichB]

I would just like to check I've go this right before I buy the bits.

I have Sky HD Multi room box (and TV) in my bedroom. I want to add a second screen to this in the kitchen which happens to be directly below the bedroom.

My plan is to add a HDMI splitter behind the Sky box in the bedroom then run an HDMI cable down to the kitchen which I'll connect to the kitchen TV. Then I'll need to run a Coax cable from the RF2 port on the back of the SKY box down to the kitchen and put a Skylink Magic eye on that.

Is that correct?

[VEX]

Yes, correct.

Depending on the Sky box you may not have a RF2 output, but there are adapters you can get.

V.

[RichB]

VEX said:

Depending on the Sky box you may not have a RF2 output

Thanks but yes, I checked and it's there. Any recommendations for the splitter or eye? Or are they all pretty good these days?

[TheExcession]

VEX said:

Yes, correct.

Depending on the Sky box you may not have a RF2 output, but there are adapters you can get.

V.

Ahh yes, the joys of the new 'Sky IO-Link' - bless them...

You might need one of these, don't be surprised if an installer lands on your door step demanding a bit more than they cost. Try to remember that he is trying to support the cost of running his own van & insurance etc.

(Yet another part-time & disgruntled Sly installer who is sick of arriving on site and being told 'Well Sky said we could control it from the bedroom...')

[RichB]

As I say, the box has got an RF2 out.

[TheExcession]

RichB said:

Thanks but yes, I checked and it's there. Any recommendations for the splitter or eye? Or are they all pretty good these days?

I won't comment on the HDMI splitter (looking forward to Vex's recommendation on that one), though a magic eye is pretty much a magic eye - Triax stuff is pretty good.

[TheExcession]

RichB said:

As I say, the box has got an RF2 out.

Posting overlap there, but anyway, don't forget you'll need to enable it in the Sky Box Settings.

[RichB]

TheExcession said:

RichB said:

As I say, the box has got an RF2 out.

Posting overlap there, but anyway, don't forget you'll need to enable it in the Sky Box Settings.

Thanks for the tips.

[ch427]

Wont that set up have you going between inputs to watch tv? ie hdmi to watch and rf2 to search and select?
not a huge problem i know but would annoy me!
I bought a neet powered 2 way splitter on amazon and its been good, not that cheap though.

[ASK1974]

ch427 said:

Wont that set up have you going between inputs to watch tv? ie hdmi to watch and rf2 to search and select?
not a huge problem i know but would annoy me!
I bought a neet powered 2 way splitter on amazon and its been good, not that cheap though.

No, the RF2 link is not connected to the TV in the Kitchen, just the 'eye' for control. Actually you can still make the connection to the TV but it's not necessary. Pre HD you used the RF2 output to send low quality video around the house (as you are) with Sky eyes sitting in-line for control. Today you can still use the same solution for control but as the OP has correctly determined a seperate HDMI connection and splitter allows HD video instead of the rather woeful RF feed. The RF2 link is permanently active regardless of the input selected on the (remote) TV so you always have control over the Sky box.

[RichB]

ch427 said:

I bought a neet powered 2 way splitter on amazon and its been good, not that cheap though.

Neet seem to get good reports over on AV Forums too.

[ch427]

ASK1974 said:

No, the RF2 link is not connected to the TV in the Kitchen, just the 'eye' for control. Actually you can still make the connection to the TV but it's not necessary. Pre HD you used the RF2 output to send low quality video around the house (as you are) with Sky eyes sitting in-line for control. Today you can still use the same solution for control but as the OP has correctly determined a seperate HDMI connection and splitter allows HD video instead of the rather woeful RF feed. The RF2 link is permanently active regardless of the input selected on the (remote) TV so you always have control over the Sky box.

Thats good to know thanks.

[RichB]

Gearing up for this job and thinking about actually getting the cables from upstairs to down. For a coax I would rill the wall and route it outside the house and back in but the heads on HDMI cables are larger. If anyone has experience of this is it possible to get them through the wall or is it best tot try to get down through the floor (which will be a nightmare).

[ch427]

I would have thought the hdmi cables are designed for indoor use only, you may want to look at sending the signal through cat 5 cable instead via a balun type arrangement.
I dont know much about this type of system so maybe someone else can comment on it.

[RichB]

ch427 said:

I would have thought the hdmi cables are designed for indoor use only...

It will only be outside for about a meter and none of the connections exposed, obviously. It's a plastic coated cable, I'm sure it will be fine.

[ch427]

Worth checking thats all, some cables degrade quickly outdoors.

[megaphone]

You'll need a decent size hole to pass an HDMI connector through, maybe 20mm will be enough. Also make sure you cover the connector with tape to stop any dust or grit getting in. Another option is to use CAT5 and HDMI extenders, easier to run the cable, but more expensive.

[RichB]

Thanks, I've got a 20mm bit so that's ok good tip about taping up the ends of the plugs, wouldn't have thought of that. I'll plug the holes with silicone and given the warning about the cable maybe cover it with some ducting.

[RichB]

Well that all went according to plan Bit of filling to do and clip the cables inside some trunking and it's all done