DSTV ExtraView Installation Help

[SpoonTech]

Hi,

After some house renovations, I have bought a new HDTV for the new lounge/semi-indoor patio area.
(Samsung UA46E6200 - bought on special at Game with a Blu-Ray Player for R10k, what an incredible TV).

Current DSTV Setup:
Dish
Dual LNB
HD PVR 2P (Watch 1, Record 1)
HDTV via HDMI

I would like to have a 2nd DSTV Decoder using ExtraView, also an HD PVR 2P for HD on the second TV, which means I will need four LNB channels. I can either buy a 2x4 multi-switch or replace the current dual LNB with a quad. The latter will be about R250 more expensive, but I don't think there are any other advantages. Which would you suggest I should go for?
From what I've heard there are advantages to having four legacy LNB ports as opposed to a voltage controlled multi-switch, however I am not quite aware of these advantages.

One of the reasons I am thinking of the quad LNB is that I can use multi-switches on here later to have many channels in case the new HD PVR's coming out require further LNB's.

I also understand that in some houses it is easier cabling-wise to use a switch as you can just run two cables to the switch, and then four a short way to the decoders. This isn't really an issue as both decoders are on opposite ends of the current dish position.

Also, I have no experience with ExtraView but I heard that you just get the two decoders and connect the RF output of one to the RF input of the other (via co-ax) and enable the settings on the decoder. Is there anything more complicated that I don't know about. I also heard that there is no additional fee for the first ExtraView decoder, is that true?

Here is the quad I was looking at:
http://www.hdcabling.co.za/band-universal-quad-legacy-ports-p-277.html

Here is the cable I was thinking of using:
http://www.hdcabling.co.za/100m-roll-rg6u-coaxial-cable-cable-braid-white-p-408.html

Thanks in advance

 

[Roman4604]

Also, I have no experience with ExtraView but I heard that you just get the two decoders and connect the RF output of one to the RF input of the other (via co-ax) and enable the settings on the decoder. Is there anything more complicated that I don't know about. I also heard that there is no additional fee for the first ExtraView decoder, is that true?

Yes, no additional charge if you're already paying the R65 multi-tuner fee for the 1st HDPVR (watch/rec same time). You'll need to active Xtraview via the call centre though (pin exchange between decoders).

PS: I use multi-switch with HDPVR2P & SDPVR, been trouble free for 2 years.

 

[Q-Tech]

I am also using a 2X4 multi-switch with HDPVR2P and SDPVR at opposite ends of the house - no problems with this so far. One thing to be aware of on the coax ExtraView connection between the decoders - don't be tempted to use a splitter and break out this connection to use the RF feed for an additional TV or 2 - the signalling between the decoders will break if the cable isn't directly connected (I managed to get around this by using T-Pieces instead of a splitter, but you do lose a bit of RF quality by doing this)

 

[SpoonTech]

I am also using a 2X4 multi-switch with HDPVR2P and SDPVR at opposite ends of the house - no problems with this so far. One thing to be aware of on the coax ExtraView connection between the decoders - don't be tempted to use a splitter and break out this connection to use the RF feed for an additional TV or 2 - the signalling between the decoders will break if the cable isn't directly connected (I managed to get around this by using T-Pieces instead of a splitter, but you do lose a bit of RF quality by doing this)

Thanks, I've changed my order to a splitter from a quad LNB.
I did read (somewhere on mybroadband) actually, that the RF cable gives issues every 30 minutes if split somewhere along the line.

Luckily I can't stand the picture that travels along RF cabling so I don't use it to additional TV sets, or for anything at all to be honest.