Hi guys,
Yes, I know this has been posted about extensively over time, but I actually want to quote 2 different posts and ask your technical opinion on the matter.
Firstly, however, I have a single-LNB setup (I would go dual-LNB if I could, but it's simply not an option right now), with the HD PVR 2P. I'm splitting the cable that comes down from the dish into 2 using a Samsat splitter with ONE power pass (instead of 2). I'm not 100% sure on which tuner the power pass is, but I do know that I had to switch them around otherwise some channels just wouldn't work at all - so I assume the power pass is now on tuner 1? Anyway. All my channels work, including HD. I can pause/rewind live TV, and I can also record a channel on the same polarisation. If I try record a channel on a different polarisation, it doesn't record anything (in other words, it doesn't interrupt my viewing in order to prioritise recording over viewing, if this makes any sense). If I switch to the channel that I want to record, then it obviously works fine. What does NOT work, however, is BoxOffice and OnDemand. They just show up empty, which apparently happens when tuner 2 doesn't have full signal - or so I heard. For the record, my TV Guide / EPG works 100%.
I've looked at the guide posted here:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/236859-HD-PVR-2-P-single-lnb-installation
Where, if you look at the picture, they recommend getting the Ellies splitter with TWO power passes. I've had confirmation from a few friends who use this setup that recording on another polarisation (polarity?) will work but with the drawback that it prioritises the recording, and interrupts your viewing. To be honest I actually prefer this, as I currently have to autotune in order to record stuff in case it's on another polarisation. I don't mind autotuning, but the problem with this is, that I can't autotune if I choose to automatically record an entire series. My friends also mentioned that their OnDemand and BoxOffice's work 100% fine with this setup.
However, I've read THIS from the DSTV forums (in response to the post I linked above):
So, what now? Who's right and who's wrong? Can I damage my setup with the splitter using TWO power passes? For that matter, can I damage my setup with the splitter im currently using (with ONE power pass)? If so, does it matter whether the power pass is on tuner 1 or tuner 2? And if damage to my setup is possible, damage to what? The decoder? The LNB? Both? Neither? I'm obviously not thrilled with the prospect of damaging my brand-new HDPVR decoder.
Like I said, I'd love to get a dual-LNB (or a SatCR LNB) but that's not on the cards for now, due to the rental agreement I have. I don't mind using a workaround at all (i.e. a splitter), as long as I know I'm using the right kind of splitter, and that I'm using it correctly. And that it won't cause any damage.
I know this may be a bit of a TL;DR post, but I really need some advice
Much appreciated!
Yes, I know this has been posted about extensively over time, but I actually want to quote 2 different posts and ask your technical opinion on the matter.
Firstly, however, I have a single-LNB setup (I would go dual-LNB if I could, but it's simply not an option right now), with the HD PVR 2P. I'm splitting the cable that comes down from the dish into 2 using a Samsat splitter with ONE power pass (instead of 2). I'm not 100% sure on which tuner the power pass is, but I do know that I had to switch them around otherwise some channels just wouldn't work at all - so I assume the power pass is now on tuner 1? Anyway. All my channels work, including HD. I can pause/rewind live TV, and I can also record a channel on the same polarisation. If I try record a channel on a different polarisation, it doesn't record anything (in other words, it doesn't interrupt my viewing in order to prioritise recording over viewing, if this makes any sense). If I switch to the channel that I want to record, then it obviously works fine. What does NOT work, however, is BoxOffice and OnDemand. They just show up empty, which apparently happens when tuner 2 doesn't have full signal - or so I heard. For the record, my TV Guide / EPG works 100%.
I've looked at the guide posted here:
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/236859-HD-PVR-2-P-single-lnb-installation
Where, if you look at the picture, they recommend getting the Ellies splitter with TWO power passes. I've had confirmation from a few friends who use this setup that recording on another polarisation (polarity?) will work but with the drawback that it prioritises the recording, and interrupts your viewing. To be honest I actually prefer this, as I currently have to autotune in order to record stuff in case it's on another polarisation. I don't mind autotuning, but the problem with this is, that I can't autotune if I choose to automatically record an entire series. My friends also mentioned that their OnDemand and BoxOffice's work 100% fine with this setup.
However, I've read THIS from the DSTV forums (in response to the post I linked above):
So, what now? Who's right and who's wrong? Can I damage my setup with the splitter using TWO power passes? For that matter, can I damage my setup with the splitter im currently using (with ONE power pass)? If so, does it matter whether the power pass is on tuner 1 or tuner 2? And if damage to my setup is possible, damage to what? The decoder? The LNB? Both? Neither? I'm obviously not thrilled with the prospect of damaging my brand-new HDPVR decoder.
Like I said, I'd love to get a dual-LNB (or a SatCR LNB) but that's not on the cards for now, due to the rental agreement I have. I don't mind using a workaround at all (i.e. a splitter), as long as I know I'm using the right kind of splitter, and that I'm using it correctly. And that it won't cause any damage.
I know this may be a bit of a TL;DR post, but I really need some advice
Much appreciated!
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