Using old analogue dish/LNB to receive digital?

[RichardCoulter]

If I unplug my now defunct analogue box and plug in a Sky Digital box, will it receive the FTA german etc digital channels by tuning them in via "add channels"?

The dish was for the former Sky analogue system. Are there such things as analogue/digital LNB's

 

[pgh13]

Sky boxes aren't very user friendly for using this way. You'd be far better getting one of the cheap FTA receivers that are around (B&Q sell some). You may also need to replace the LNB if you existing one isn't a universal type.

 

[satelliteman]

If you can get to the dish in particular the LNB, have a gander at the label. As above, you need a universal feed (9.75 /10.6 Ghz). Any DVB-S FTA receiver will be fine.

 

[2cvbloke]

Are there such things as analogue/digital LNB's

Nope, just as there's no such thing as an HD LNB, all the LNB is doing is receiving the signals and down-converting them to a different frequency that can pass along the cable to the box, and not actually processing and demodulating the signals into pictures, that's what the receiver does...

You can receive Digital HDTV with an ancient Cambridge Universal "analogue" LNB, just as you can use a brand new Wistron "HD digital" Quad LNB to receive analogue TV, it's all the same technology, it's just the packaging that's different...

 

[RichardCoulter]

Thanks everybody for your replies.

I just want to have a play, so don't want to spend any money on extra equipment.

I have looked at the LNB from my bathroom window. It is blue, made by Amstrad and was installed on 28/6/91 if that's any help as to whether it will suffice for digital signals!

 

[rolfw]

That's probably a 10Ghz Local Oscillator LNB, so would only receive a limited number of low band channels.

 

[Lazarus]

Universal LNBs can be had for peanuts, so playtime comes cheap.

 

[Analoguesat]

And all the channels you can receive will be 250MHz out in frequency as well due to the wrong frequency on the lnb!

 

[RichardCoulter]

How easy is it to change an LNB? I once tried to pull it off to change it to be able to receive Astra 1D, someone told me that it was a good job I didn't succeed as I would have received an electric shock!

 

[Lazarus]

Very easy indeed.

Remove F connector (may need 11mm spanner, but often only finger tight

Slacken collar around LNB and lift out old LNB

Clamp new LNB in collar, but before tightening fully, twist it clockwise a bit so the connector is at seven o'clock (ish) - this will be roughly the right Skew

Tighten clamp.

Re-attach F connector.



Hazards:

1. Working At Height?

2. Shock? Well no: 18v max. and in any event you should turn the Receiver off before starting work.

 

[rolfw]

Advisable to have a can of releasing fluid and junior hacksaw or multitool, as 20 year old nuts and bolts are not going to submit easily.

 

[RichardCoulter]

Thanks, I might have a go. What are the limited channels I will get with my present set up?

 

[rolfw]

Try it and see, you'll need to change the LNB settings in the installer menu to low band LO of 10.0Ghz, then scan every frequency for channels between 11 Ghz and 12.2 Ghz _http://www.lyngsat.com/Astra-1H-1KR-1L-1M-2C.html

the sky box will not do a multi frequency scan, and will only save a certain amount of channels in other channels mode. Bite the bullet and buy a cheapo FTA receiver.

 

[RichardCoulter]

Will the device that I bought to lower the frequencies in order to receive Astra 1D in the analogue days help get round this problem? If not, is it useful for anything else, or should I bin it?

 

[rolfw]

Not really, It'll effectively convert the LNB to a 9,750 LO, but you'd be better off swapping the LNB.