Freesat HD question - advice wanted please

Currently I have a rooftop aerial and a DVB-T card in my PC. I quite
fancy having a go at trying to get BBC HD from the Freesat service. My
plan is to get a suitable dish installed and connect the received
signal into a distribution amp in my loft that has 2 lnb inputs
(Labgear HDU681S). I am aware of the PC issues (H.264 codec etc) but
am confused about the satellite dish requirements.

I am not currently planning to get a Freesat receiver, just a DVB-S2
PC card although I can't rule out getting a TV with an integrated
Freesat tuner next time around. I have telephoned a couple of
installers and also checked on the web. The advice seems to vary from
a single lnb up to a quad version. Some say a single downlead to the
amp whilst others state two leads are required. I know I will need to
receive DVB-S and DVB-S2. Are two lnbs required for this and why
might I need a quad lnb unit?

"ChrisW" wrote in message
...
Currently I have a rooftop aerial and a DVB-T card in my PC. I quite
fancy having a go at trying to get BBC HD from the Freesat service. My
plan is to get a suitable dish installed and connect the received
signal into a distribution amp in my loft that has 2 lnb inputs
(Labgear HDU681S). I am aware of the PC issues (H.264 codec etc) but
am confused about the satellite dish requirements.

I am not currently planning to get a Freesat receiver, just a DVB-S2
PC card although I can't rule out getting a TV with an integrated
Freesat tuner next time around. I have telephoned a couple of
installers and also checked on the web. The advice seems to vary from
a single lnb up to a quad version. Some say a single downlead to the
amp whilst others state two leads are required. I know I will need to
receive DVB-S and DVB-S2. Are two lnbs required for this and why
might I need a quad lnb unit?




Just goes to show how useless/economical-with-the-truth some installers
are - ALL PRESENT COMPANY ON HERE EXCEPTED!!!!

You only need one downlead to view sat, whether that is standard
definition or HD. If you have a Sky+ box (i.e. a recorder) then you need
at least a dual output LNB and two downleads so that it can record one
station whilst you watch another. Having said that you may find it
difficult to get a dual output LNB - four outputs are easily and widely
available and are little more expensive. A four-output unit is
effectively four LNBs in one - you don't have to use them all, but if
the dish has to be located in a difficult position for access then a
quad with four leads into your loft may make future expansion somewhat
easier.

If it is within your capability don't be afraid to erect the dish
yourself - it really is quite easy. You will need a compass to point it
in the right direction and once you have something to put on the other
end to power it, a sat-finder will let you find the bird. When on offer
you can get a satfinder from Lidl or Aldi for less than a fiver.
www.satsig.net will work out azimuth and elevation for you if you input
your location. Also remember that as long as you have a clear view of
the sky at roughly SE the dish does not need to be on your chimney - it
will work equally well at ground level. Neither does it need to be on
the front of your house if that is the appropriate direction: for most
'normal' houses the dish will see the sat over the roof if it is 1m
above the gutter.

As for your thoughts on the distribution amp I cannot comment as I do
not know the beast, but rest assured someone on here will and will add
comment and flame me in due course.

Good luck.


--
Woody

harrogate three at ntlworld dot com

On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:42:30 +0100, ChrisW
wrote:

Currently I have a rooftop aerial and a DVB-T card in my PC. I quite
fancy having a go at trying to get BBC HD from the Freesat service. My
plan is to get a suitable dish installed and connect the received
signal into a distribution amp in my loft that has 2 lnb inputs
(Labgear HDU681S). I am aware of the PC issues (H.264 codec etc) but
am confused about the satellite dish requirements.

I am not currently planning to get a Freesat receiver, just a DVB-S2
PC card although I can't rule out getting a TV with an integrated
Freesat tuner next time around. I have telephoned a couple of
installers and also checked on the web. The advice seems to vary from
a single lnb up to a quad version. Some say a single downlead to the
amp whilst others state two leads are required. I know I will need to
receive DVB-S and DVB-S2. Are two lnbs required for this and why
might I need a quad lnb unit?


What you need is a downlead to each connector on the DVB-S2 PC card. I
haven't looked at all the cards available but the Hauppauge
WinTV-NOVA-HD-S2 has a single antenna connector visible in the picture,
so that needs one downlead.

As Woody has indicated it could make sense to have a quad LNB installed
right from the start. If you were to become very enthusiastic/get
rich/go mad and decide to add a Humax FOXSAT-HDR or other two-channel
recorder to your setup you would need another two downleads, so that
would be three of the four used up.

"ChrisW" wrote in message
...
Currently I have a rooftop aerial and a DVB-T card in my PC. I quite
fancy having a go at trying to get BBC HD from the Freesat service. My
plan is to get a suitable dish installed and connect the received
signal into a distribution amp in my loft that has 2 lnb inputs
(Labgear HDU681S). I am aware of the PC issues (H.264 codec etc) but
am confused about the satellite dish requirements.

I am not currently planning to get a Freesat receiver, just a DVB-S2
PC card although I can't rule out getting a TV with an integrated
Freesat tuner next time around. I have telephoned a couple of
installers and also checked on the web. The advice seems to vary from
a single lnb up to a quad version. Some say a single downlead to the
amp whilst others state two leads are required. I know I will need to
receive DVB-S and DVB-S2. Are two lnbs required for this and why
might I need a quad lnb unit?




Be aware that with satellite each receiver needs to be connected to its own
port on an LNB, unlike terrestrial where several receivers can be connected
to one aerial perahps using an amplifier.
(Multiswitches and Quatro LNBs asisde)

There is quite along thread on the digitalspy on how to get HD TV on a PC.
Follow Snoods's advice!

--
Michael Chare

Michael Chare wrote:
"ChrisW" wrote in message
...
Currently I have a rooftop aerial and a DVB-T card in my PC. I quite
fancy having a go at trying to get BBC HD from the Freesat service. My
plan is to get a suitable dish installed and connect the received
signal into a distribution amp in my loft that has 2 lnb inputs
(Labgear HDU681S). I am aware of the PC issues (H.264 codec etc) but
am confused about the satellite dish requirements.

I am not currently planning to get a Freesat receiver, just a DVB-S2
PC card although I can't rule out getting a TV with an integrated
Freesat tuner next time around. I have telephoned a couple of
installers and also checked on the web. The advice seems to vary from
a single lnb up to a quad version. Some say a single downlead to the
amp whilst others state two leads are required. I know I will need to
receive DVB-S and DVB-S2. Are two lnbs required for this and why
might I need a quad lnb unit?




Be aware that with satellite each receiver needs to be connected to its
own port on an LNB, unlike terrestrial where several receivers can be
connected to one aerial perahps using an amplifier.
(Multiswitches and Quatro LNBs asisde)

There is quite along thread on the digitalspy on how to get HD TV on a
PC. Follow Snoods's advice!

Just another point, BBC HD is currently using DVB-S and not DVB-S2.
They do intend to migrate over but have no firmplans right at this moment.

Rob.

"ChrisW" wrote in message
...
Currently I have a rooftop aerial and a DVB-T card in my PC. I quite
fancy having a go at trying to get BBC HD from the Freesat service. My
plan is to get a suitable dish installed and connect the received
signal into a distribution amp in my loft that has 2 lnb inputs
(Labgear HDU681S). I am aware of the PC issues (H.264 codec etc) but
am confused about the satellite dish requirements.

I am not currently planning to get a Freesat receiver, just a DVB-S2
PC card although I can't rule out getting a TV with an integrated
Freesat tuner next time around. I have telephoned a couple of
installers and also checked on the web. The advice seems to vary from
a single lnb up to a quad version. Some say a single downlead to the
amp whilst others state two leads are required. I know I will need to
receive DVB-S and DVB-S2. Are two lnbs required for this and why
might I need a quad lnb unit?



Two outputs for you Satellite Receiver with PVR (e,g,$ky+), one for the
satellite card in your PC and one for the Freesat box in the bedroom /
spare.

The amp which you have found doesn't do what I think you want.

You just need a quad LNB on the dish and then you can have up to four
feeds to wherever you want.
A Sky Plus or Humax Freesat PVR each need two feeds to work properly
or a standard receiver or card need one feed.

You can get LNB's with up to eight outlets. ie. up to 4 PVR's or 8
standard receivers (or any mixture) from one dish without any other
amps etc.

"widgitt" wrote in message
...
The amp which you have found doesn't do what I think you want.

You just need a quad LNB on the dish and then you can have up to four
feeds to wherever you want.
A Sky Plus or Humax Freesat PVR each need two feeds to work properly
or a standard receiver or card need one feed.

You can get LNB's with up to eight outlets. ie. up to 4 PVR's or 8
standard receivers (or any mixture) from one dish without any other
amps etc.


Have you tried screwing on the F plugs on to one of those Octal LNBs!
they are about 5mm apart :-(

Steve Terry

Steve Terry wrote:
"widgitt" wrote in message
...
The amp which you have found doesn't do what I think you want.

You just need a quad LNB on the dish and then you can have up to four
feeds to wherever you want.
A Sky Plus or Humax Freesat PVR each need two feeds to work properly
or a standard receiver or card need one feed.

You can get LNB's with up to eight outlets. ie. up to 4 PVR's or 8
standard receivers (or any mixture) from one dish without any other
amps etc.


Have you tried screwing on the F plugs on to one of those Octal LNBs!
they are about 5mm apart :-(

Steve Terry

So getting self amalgamating tape on them would be a real *******?
--
There is no God, so stop worrying and enjoy your life.

Steve Terry wrote:

Have you tried screwing on the F plugs on to one of those Octal LNBs!
they are about 5mm apart :-(


I used to have a special tool, originally intended for use on CATV
systems where a security tube prevents access to the connector, but
useful in other confined spaces. It is like a short 7/16" box spanner
which opens out to a larger, knurled diameter (for finger grip) at the
opposite end to the spanner. It has a slot running the full length so
that it will fit over the cable before sliding onto the 'F' connector.

http://www.newelectronx.com/proddeta...ty-shield-tool

A better type that I used more recently is this one:

http://www.sacelectronics.co.uk/Product.aspx?PID=77

However, I did have a colleague a few years ago who had a special tool
he'd made himself. It was very simple but worked well (although wouldn't
get into as many confined spaces as the other tools).

He'd got a double ended 7/16" spanner and use the open end as a normal
'F' spanner but he'd modified the ring spanner end by cutting a section
out towards one end the ring, then filed the sharp edges off. Simple!

How easy is it to find 7/16" spanners these days - or does every body
use 11mm?


Terry Casey