Sky + with one feed

[ande-s]

Hi,

I am currently living in an apartment with a communal dish and have a Sky+ box recieving two feeds to my sky + box.

However, I am in the process of moving and the new place has a communal dish supplying one feed to each flat.
/
I understand that I can use my Sky+ box with only one feed, recording only the channel that i am currently viewing.

Is it possible to install another dish and run the cable from that into the Sky+ box, and get the full functionality?

If so, where do I get another dish from? Ideally it would have to be a small dish, that I could install on my balcony? Any ideas? And if so, how would I install the dish?

Thanks.

[fernandez]

You only need the standard Sky 45cm mini-dish (complete with LNB) and, of course, a balcony which faces in the direction of the satellite (south)
These dishes are available from hundreds of places and have a look on ebay

Installation help here

Installing a Sky dishInstalling a Dish

[PathUK]

You could also buy a multi connection LNP and connect it to the existing dish with 2 cables to your box...quad ones are readily available on e-bay

[fernandez]

Originally Posted by PathUK

You could also buy a multi connection LNP and connect it to the existing dish with 2 cables to your box...quad ones are readily available on e-bay

Not really as it's a communal system providing feeds to several flats the output from the dish is already fed to a distribution system.

BTW - it's LNB not LNP
Also, it is not the OP's dish - it belongs to the owners of the building

[PathUK]

BTW - it's LNB not LNP


yeah, sorry - I've got a bit of a cold...

[ande-s]

Thanks guys. I'll have a look at getting an additional dish then.

I once heard that you can get dishes that don't look like a standard Sat dish, for places that don't allow dishes to be placed on outside walls. Is this true, and if so where would I get one?

[fernandez]

Originally Posted by ande-s

Thanks guys. I'll have a look at getting an additional dish then.

I once heard that you can get dishes that don't look like a standard Sat dish, for places that don't allow dishes to be placed on outside walls. Is this true, and if so where would I get one?

Disguised dishes aren't cheap unfortunately

The Sqish - A discreet hidden alternative to a satellite dish - Works with Sky and Freesat

SatEuropa.co.uk: Digi Globe Patio Dish

Cheaper solutions here

Hiding satellite dishes

[ande-s]

45cm Square Satellite Dish with LNB > Maplin

Would that be suitable?

[fernandez]

Originally Posted by ande-s

45cm Square Satellite Dish with LNB > Maplin

Would that be suitable?

Would seem to be as it claims

"Performs as well as a 65cm Zone 2 mesh dish"

and the Sky Zone 1 dish is 43cm/45cm - and a *lot* cheaper

example: Sky/BBC/ITV 43cm Zone 1 Satellite Mini Dish + LNB on eBay, also, Other Satellite Cable, Satellite Cable Freeview, Consumer Electronics (end time 14-Dec-08 21:04:43 GMT)

[ande-s]

I know that the standard dishes are a lot cheaper, but unfortunately, I'm not able to install one on the outside of my house due to the restrictions of my tenancy.

The square dish would look a lot less obvious, especially if it is possible to paint it.

[ramsayn]

Hi, found this news post today, was wondering if anyone has experience of installers using it yet to solve the years old problem of Sky+ & multi-room from a single feed.

Sky To Deploy Channel Stacking Multi-switches To Single Cable Homes | PVR Junction

As you can see, it's a fully sky approved solution and available now, my personal question is how much does it cost and can it be fitted on a customer basis or is it up to my factor to install for all residents ?

Cheers

[davemurgatroyd2]

Originally Posted by ramsayn

Hi, found this news post today, was wondering if anyone has experience of installers using it yet to solve the years old problem of Sky+ & multi-room from a single feed.

Sky To Deploy Channel Stacking Multi-switches To Single Cable Homes | PVR Junction

As you can see, it's a fully sky approved solution and available now, my personal question is how much does it cost and can it be fitted on a customer basis or is it up to my factor to install for all residents ?

Cheers

It is a viable proposition providing that
1 There are spare outputs on the existing multiswitch - otherwise upgraded multiswitches with further outputs will be required
2 High quality satellite cable has already been installed and it is not of excessive length.

There are a couple of similar solutions one that will give two feeds down one cable (Stacker/Destacker and similar), another that will give four feeds down one cable BUT both require the requisite number of free outputs from the multiswitches. It is possible subject to the above provisos on either an individual or communal basis via the people responsible for your installation

[rfryer0791]

Sorry I am having the same issues.

1) I am a little confused - is the multiswitch built into some boxes or can you buy a separate multi switch and use with the sky + box I have just purchased?

2) What do the multi switches look like?

Thanks

Russell

[davemurgatroyd2]

Originally Posted by rfryer0791

Sorry I am having the same issues.

1) I am a little confused - is the multiswitch built into some boxes or can you buy a separate multi switch and use with the sky + box I have just purchased?

2) What do the multi switches look like?

Thanks

Russell

Multiswitches are distribution amplifiers used in communal installations (and larger domestic installatiions). They require 4 inputs from a quattro lnb (NOT a quad as used in domestic installs) on a larger than normal dish. They are made in various versions with 6,8 and 12 outputs and also with4,5,8 and 9 inputs, the 8 and 9 input ones are for use with two lnbs for two different satellites, the 5 and 9 input ones are for adding terrestrial TV signals to the feeds to each flat. They can also be cascaded together to easily provide up to 48 outputs and even more with extra equipment. They are NOT a substitute for use in a flat for insufficient cables being available in a particular flat and are absolutely useless with only 1 input.

Domestic lnbs usually have 1,2,4 or 8 outputs and their use is preferable to using multiswitches unless more than 8 outputs are required.

If you have the problem of only one input in your flat you have only two choices fit your own dish (not usually acceptable to most landlords/ management committees) or to get the people responsible for your communal instalation to provide an extra output for your use and either another cable to your flat or to fit a stacker/destacker units (approx £100 plus fitting) to your existing cable providing it is of a good enough quality and short enough to allow twice the frequency band you have now. The stacker combines the two feeds into the one cable to your flat where the destacker unit splits the signal back into the two required feeds.

[tomreames]

I have found the multiswitch in communal cupboard just 5 metres from my front door. can i post photos so someone can identify it is indeed what i think it is... Thanks

[Member 354643]

Originally Posted by tomreames

I have found the multiswitch in communal cupboard just 5 metres from my front door. can i post photos so someone can identify it is indeed what i think it is... Thanks

Hi if you are in an area i cover give me a bell and i will pop in and give you some advice

[tomreames]

Originally Posted by 1Install.Com

Hi if you are in an area i cover give me a bell and i will pop in and give you some advice www.1install.com

Looks like it area you cover, im in London E1. As I have all the equipment (I think) and it hopefully should be a matter of running the cabling into ceiling and about 5 to 10 metres to my flat how much do you ESTIMATE we'd be looking at? Can I email you photos of equipment Ive seen in the communal cupboard so you have an idea of whether I have what is needed etc... Thank you

[fernandez]

Originally Posted by tomreames

As I have all the equipment (I think) and it hopefully should be a matter of running the cabling into ceiling and about 5 to 10 metres ..

And, hopefully, as you indicated in a similar post in another thread you have the landlord's permission to alter/modify a communal system

[tomreames]

...also im going to speak to my building managers in the morning and if there is a problem doing this is one of these an option?: http://www.globalinvacom.com/products/pdfs/SCR_iss3.pdf as ive read you stock these.

does this just fit internally within my flat (i.e. not communal cupboard etc)?? thanks

[tomreames]

Originally Posted by fernandez

And, hopefully, as you indicated in a similar post in another thread you have the landlord's permission to alter/modify a communal system

read my mind..

[Member 354643]

Originally Posted by tomreames

Looks like it area you cover, im in London E1. As I have all the equipment (I think) and it hopefully should be a matter of running the cabling into ceiling and about 5 to 10 metres to my flat how much do you ESTIMATE we'd be looking at? Can I email you photos of equipment Ive seen in the communal cupboard so you have an idea of whether I have what is needed etc... Thank you

Email mne the pics ill have a look no kieran@1install.com

[Member 354643]

Originally Posted by ande-s

Thanks guys. I'll have a look at getting an additional dish then.

I once heard that you can get dishes that don't look like a standard Sat dish, for places that don't allow dishes to be placed on outside walls. Is this true, and if so where would I get one?

Here is some i have used theese in te past they are ok i like the one that sits on the floor looks like a white box dont think its on this website though but they are all about the same price, also you could consider an scr splitter from global invacom here is the details i have also installed these and they work really well providing you have the right sky box and it will allow you to have 2x sky+ from 1 cable feed they are really good for flats etc
http://www.globalinvacom.com/products/pdfs/SCR_iss3.pdf