Quick comparisons between Inverto "Pro" and "Ultra" LNBs

[D4ftpunk]

FWIW if anyone is interested. I swapped out a brand new "Inverto Pro" LNB today with an "Inverto Ultra Black" LNB. Both have 4G filters etc. I was simply curious if there is hype behind the marketing.

My dish for this swap was a partially obstructed 33cm Technisat dish pointing at 28.2E Astra2 constellation. So I was keen to squeeze anything I could and this fitted the "fringe" bill.

I expected no results, but yielded quite a good outcome!

Pro LNB SNR: 9.5 dB
Pro LNB Signal: -31.7 dBm

Ultra LNB SNR: 9.5 dB
Ultra LNB Signal: -28.0 dB

As you can see, a straight swap, measured at the same time of the day on the same transponder from the same dish and I think the improvement is quite substantial! more than I expected at least.

Thought it may be useful for anyone else who is curious.

 

[n.u.k]

FWIW if anyone is interested. I swapped out a brand new "Inverto Pro" LNB today with an "Inverto Ultra Black" LNB. Both have 4G filters etc. I was simply curious if there is hype behind the marketing.

My dish for this swap was a partially obstructed 33cm Technisat dish pointing at 28.2E Astra2 constellation. So I was keen to squeeze anything I could and this fitted the "fringe" bill.

I expected no results, but yielded quite a good outcome!

Pro LNB SNR: 9.5 dB
Pro LNB Signal: -31.7 dBm

Ultra LNB SNR: 9.5 dB
Ultra LNB Signal: -28.0 dB

As you can see, a straight swap, measured at the same time of the day on the same transponder from the same dish and I think the improvement is quite substantial! more than I expected at least.

Thought it may be useful for anyone else who is curious.

Send a picture of the LNB.

 

[a33]

I expected no results, but yielded quite a good outcome!

Pro LNB SNR: 9.5 dB
Pro LNB Signal: -31.7 dBm

Ultra LNB SNR: 9.5 dB
Ultra LNB Signal: -28.0 dB

Notice that the SNR, the signal quality, is identical. That would be the important value.

The signal strength can have all possible levels, when in the range that the receiving apparatus requires. So a signal level can actually be too high, or too low. So a "high gain" LNB is not always good, and sometimes needs attenuators to reduce gain again.

Greetz,
A33

 

[LeBelge]

My dish for this swap was a partially obstructed 33cm Technisat dish pointing at 28.2E Astra2 constellation.

The fact that you have tested a small antenna is not a serious approach at all.

 

[D4ftpunk]

The fact that you have tested a small antenna is not a serious approach at all.

I tested a small antenna for two reasons:

- It's what I bought the Ultra LNB for under the basis that "these are better at squeezing out performance in fringe environments"
- I wasn't doing an imperical test... I simply was doing something in a real world scenario and thought to capture the results for "why not".

 

[D4ftpunk]

Notice that the SNR, the signal quality, is identical. That would be the important value.

The signal strength can have all possible levels, when in the range that the receiving apparatus requires. So a signal level can actually be too high, or too low. So a "high gain" LNB is not always good, and sometimes needs attenuators to reduce gain again.

Greetz,
A33

Thats a good point, I don't have experience with this in Satellites, but I do in RF... and my first question would be... I'm guessing there is no way (with the tuner or similar) to "configure" the LNB (i.e. reduce / increase its power to manipulate gain etc)?

 

[D4ftpunk]

Thats a good point, I don't have experience with this in Satellites, but I do in RF... and my first question would be... I'm guessing there is no way (with the tuner or similar) to "configure" the LNB (i.e. reduce / increase its power to manipulate gain etc)?

I ask because its my rudimentary understanding of satellite that the LNB is effectively the "receiver" and takes in the very high frequencies, then down frequencies them to something more suitable for coaxial and effectively "re-transmits", is this a simple pass through? or can it be lossy due to re-transmission and different noise tolerances/profiles of air vs copper.

 

[a33]

I'm guessing there is no way (with the tuner or similar) to "configure" the LNB (i.e. reduce / increase its power to manipulate gain etc)?

No, the LNB is doing its own thing.
You can add amplifiers and/or attenuators in the cable.
And a receiver often/always? has AGC: automatic gain control.
But I don't have much knowledge or expertise in this specific subject.

Greetz,
A33

 

[dmaavrigdo]

I tested a small antenna for two reasons:

- It's what I bought the Ultra LNB for under the basis that "these are better at squeezing out performance in fringe environments"
- I wasn't doing an imperical test... I simply was doing something in a real world scenario and thought to capture the results for "why not".

I'm on the fringe and have found that my Ultra is beaten by a Megasat Diavolo Twin on 28E and by a Golden Media 202+ on 15W.