Beginner - Equipment for multisat

x70

Hi,

i went through some of the tutorials but i still need some clarifications on the kind of equipment i need with these requirements:
- reception from 3 satellites (e.g. 13E, 19E, 28E)
- 2 decoders (one generic FTA, the other one for FreeSAT possibly incorporated in the TV)
- No multi-room

* For the 3 satellites i need either:
3 LNBs (single LNBs?) on fixed dish
I need also a switch (or demux? or is it the same thing?) to bring the three cables to the receivers. But then i still need to split the signal between the two receivers, right? Can i buy a 3 in -> 2 out switch?
In terms of number of cables is it just one cable/LNB (total 3) of two cables/LNB (total 6) at the input of the switch?
or
1 LNB on motorised dish

* The two receivers works independently and each one reads its own satellite/channel and the zap between the two signals is done through the TV by selecting the input port, right?
But in case of motorised dish, how conflicting requests from the two receivers are resolved?

* Finally any circumstances where the motorised option is better than the fixed one in my particular case, apart from the obvious higher flexibility (ie can pick up many more satellites)? Especially in terms of:
- difficulty in setup (DIY)
- quality of reception
- level of maintenance (both HW and re-alignments)

Many thanks in advance and my apologies if i missed this basic info on some other posts.

x70

Channel Hopper

Almost perfect (go to the top of the class).

Unless you put in a dual port LNB (on the motorised) or three duals (on the fixed) only one receiver will be able to control the system. You can however 'daisychain' the two receivers if you have the leading one with a loopthrough tuner.

Since you are unlikely to need both on at the same time, set up the leading one to drive the switch or motor, and then put into standby when you wish to view the other. You can also daisychain the SCART outputs to provide the TV with signal.

A motorised need not be more difficult to set up, or be any less reliable, though switching between satellite channels is not as quick. Flexibility is of course an added bonus, and it will not be so difficult to increase size of dish when you find other channels of interest.

Good luck

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

pedro2000uk

I'd say get an 80cm -1m motorised setup if you can plus use a $ky dish on 28e for the box for Freesat.

plenty of info on motorised if you are into a bit of diy..

Robbo

If you want to use both receivers independently of eachother,then a fixed dish with three LNBs ( 1x twin for 28E, the other two singles) on it and one 4x1 Diseqc switch.

Or if you are not bothered, then a motorised dish with a twin LNB to feed each receiver,would be another option. The generic FTA receiver would control the motor.

tinners

I'd second this suggestion, Diseqc switches are low cost, low maintenance and relatively easy to set up once you've worked out what sat is connected to each cable.

x70

First of all many thanks for the quick replies. I am inclined towards fixed dish option
Just to confirm... The dual LNB at 28E is needed because (as of today) Freesat receivers can only read Freesat channels; other channels on 28E can only be viewed with separate receivers (eg the FTA), hence the need to split the 28E signal to two separate boxes. I have also attached a simple diagram showing the connections based on my understanding, i hope that what's needed (btw is it possible to insert images inside the message, rather than attach them as jpg?)

If in the future I want to add Sky service (which is also at 28E):
-can I swap the dual LNB with a Quad LNB and connect to it all three receivers (again Dseqc used only for Rec.1)?
-Is there any equipment on the market (I think is called multibracket bar) that supports such configuration?
-I also recall that Sky might require more than one LNB so maybe for SKY I would really need a separate dish?
-I guess adding Sky to the motorised config. is not an option?

Finally, re cables: I have seen on the internet 4-LNB cables. Are these cables flexible as normal aerial cables or are they more rigid and prone to damage when e.g. bended around 90 deg. corners?

Attached Thumbnails

 

Robbo

Errm, I was under the impression that the Freesat receivers could get ALL FTA channels from 28E. I don't have one and have never used one but I'm fairly sure that this is the case.

Personally if running two receivers from one motorised dish, I would fit a twin LNB, it saves having to mess about switching one off and means that you can use both at the same time (albeit on the same sat).


Yes there are multibrackets available.

The most well known is probably the Triax multiblock, for Triax Dishes, Others include Orbital offset brackets, Raven Gemini- offset brackets, ISS- Multi LNB Holder, Gibertini- Multi LNB Holder, plus universal ones.


Correct, using Sky on a motorised dish is a very poor option, but would be fine on a fixed multi- LNB dish, though it depends on which other satellites you pick. Yes you can fit a quad to the fixed option for Sky.


No, the images have to go at the bottom, like you have done it.

satelliteman

All FTA from 28e in Non-Freesat Mode

satelliteman . ..... A Detailed DiSEqC Motor Installation Set Up Guide > HERE Quick Reference Guide also > HERE Satellites UK site Advertisers . An Installers Choice ...... Follow us on .

x70

Many thanks Robbo and Satelliteman. I got worried on Freesat receivers and their basic functionalities vs hidden menus, etc. This is well explained in the Freesat forum. (I need to double check if the Panasonic TV with integrated Freesat can work in non-Freesat mode, as this is one of the option i was thinking)

But then the question is, why do i need in principle a dual LNB at all for 28E, as suggested by Robbo Shouldnt the freesat receiver be able to do all the job on 28E? This way i could just use:
for 28E: a single LNB straight to the freesat receiver
for 13E and 19E: either two LNBs connected to the other FTA receiver through a 2:1 dseqc switch or a single 6 degree LNB block with built in Diseqc switch.
Of course i don't want to sacrifice quality, so please let me know if i'm pushing it too much as i have no clou on the consequences of the shortcuts i'm proposing here...

x70

Robbo

Yes, that is correct, you only need a twin if you have two receivers/tuners.

If you settle for just one, a single will do.

But if you wanted Sky later on, you would need a quad anyway.


To be honest, I can never see the point of fitting just a single LNB up for 28E, you will most likely want to expand a little some time in the future. Every tuner needs its own LNB output.

telandy

I tried the other day to set up three LNBs on Astra 28.2, Astra 19.2 and Hotbird. I came to the conclusion that I might have to update my dish, since an 80cm and an arm, prime focused on Astra2 isn`t up to the job. I am in Switzerland. Can anyone recommend a good dish for Multisat.