are LNBs analogue or digital, or both?

[El Keef]

I'm replacing my boxes and using existing 2 dishes for UK Freesat and French freesat (via Astra1 19.2E) and I expected to replace the LNB from my old analogue setup to receive digital - but when looking up specs I see no LNB mentions to be analogue or digital - can a LNB from an analogue instalation receive a digital signal?
BTW, I don't think there's a chance I could use a monoblock LNB for both, as they would be too far apart at about 9 degrees?

 

[Lazarus]

A Universal LNB will be quite happy with Analogue, Digital, SD, HD, whatever.


As for whether an "Analogue" LNB can receive Digital, that depends upon the precise spec.

eg Earlier LNBs used by BSkyB (and others) for Analogue only had a single Local Oscillator so would not be suitable for full Digital use owing to the need for Band switching. ie They are not Forward Compatible.

Universal LNBs, however, are Backwards Compatible. And very cheap.

If your dish is over 60cm, you might consider using an LNB bracket which will enable two LNBs - one for 28E and one for 19E - to be set up on one dish.

 

[Robbo]

There is no such thing as a digital LNB, all LNBs are in fact analogue, and can receive either digitally modulated or analogue modulated signals.

However, an old LNB that was used for analogue sat, needs to be replaced, as it most probably wouldn't cover both bands. Just get a universal LNB, will do the job.

 

[Lazarus]

Ah, nice one Joe. Found the right button!

 

[satelliteman]

2 wire polariser attached too...