DSTV in a Complex

[Louby1234]

Hi all,

I'm aware similar questions have been posted here before, and I do apologise for wasting anyones time... but I am stuck!
I recently (last week) got DSTV and bought the new PVR decoder.
In my complex apparently we have a shared dish, and the signal is reportedly quite bad and by the time it gets to my block, its very weak.
There is one 'screw' cable in the wall.
I have been told I need a splitter to get this working properly as I am paying the extra for PVR services.
I went to Makro who advised I got the SB5 Setback Amplifier, as he said as well as it splitting, it would also amplify the signal and I should be golden.

Now, even before I plug in the splitter, and I have one cable from wall to decoder, I am missing 60% of the channels I have in my package. I have done the 'Flash erase procedure' and reset all of the channels... numerous times. This has not made a blind bit of difference.

However, when I plug in the SB5, I don't get anything at all.. So this is cable into the SB5, two cables out and these cables feed into the back of the decoder on LNB connectors.

Can anyone help? Have I got the wrong splitter?
What else could be affecting me getting the 60% channels that I am missing - apart from useless weak signal?

I am renting, so can't do anything too drastic, but with R2000 levies being paid by my landlord, I am sure he will want it sorted.

 

[Smurfatefrog]

You probably need to save network settings in your decoder to access channels that have a different polarity. Check with someone there, they should have a list of 7+ networks to enter

If you name your complex QT might be able to help with the settings

 

[Segg]

There should be a minimum of 2 LNB cables coming from the dish in order to use a PVR decoder (except when using SATCR) that's probably why you aren't getting all your channels and you need a sattellite multiswitch LNB to split the satellite LNB's they retail for about 400 - 500 if you have the explorer decoder you need all 3 LNB's for the decoder to work properly

 

[Quantum Theory]

There should be a minimum of 2 LNB cables coming from the dish in order to use a PVR decoder (except when using SATCR) that's probably why you aren't getting all your channels and you need a sattellite multiswitch LNB to split the satellite LNB's they retail for about 400 - 500 if you have the explorer decoder you need all 3 LNB's for the decoder to work properly

Sat IF conversion allows for a single cable to each unit and it is not SatCR. I've personally designed 100's of complexes to run in this way... Full XtraView + PVR functionality. It is possible that the OP is at a complex using one of these systems.

 

[Quantum Theory]

I went to Makro who advised I got the SB5 Setback Amplifier

That is an RF only amp. Proper bad advice by the Makro sales people. Get an IF splitter. 950-2150 MHz. Also, as Smurf said, find out if this is an IF conversion/single cable system.

 

[Segg]

Sat IF conversion allows for a single cable to each unit and it is not SatCR. I've personally designed 100's of complexes to run in this way... Full XtraView + PVR functionality. It is possible that the OP is at a complex using one of these systems.

So in that case would one just plug it into the satcr port or just any satellite lab port? Surely only satcnr would work for that sort of setup? In which case OP should just check he's using the correct port

 

[Quantum Theory]

So in that case would one just plug it into the satcr port or just any satellite lab port? Surely only satcnr would work for that sort of setup? In which case OP should just check he's using the correct port

No. You split to all ports with an IF splitter and add additional setting in the network setup of the decoder... We need more info, but your advice was incorrect.

 

[Nick333]

There should be a minimum of 2 LNB cables coming from the dish in order to use a PVR decoder (except when using SATCR) that's probably why you aren't getting all your channels and you need a sattellite multiswitch LNB to split the satellite LNB's they retail for about 400 - 500 if you have the explorer decoder you need all 3 LNB's for the decoder to work properly

Unless you have an old 4 tuner PVR there is no reason you would need more than two cables. On the two tuner PVRs the second cable/ tuner allows for PVR functionality so the lack of a second cable doesn't account for the lack of some channels. QT maybe right but his theory also doesn't account for the missing channels. I would be interested in how the Sat IF conversion systems work on the user side. The customer would still logically need some sort of multiswitch in there unit to feed various tuners and decoders.

Back to the OPs problem. Some older systems require extra network settings to receive all channels. I don't know why. I'm not familiar with the design and function of those systems or why anyone would design one.
My advice would be to contact the body corporate and find out what company manages the complexes distribution system. You're not going to solve the problem yourself and no one here, as knowledgeable as they may be, is going to know enough about your complexes system to give you practical advice.

The setback amp is terrible, ignorant advice. Punch that idiot in the face.

 

[Nick333]

No. You split to all ports with an IF splitter and add additional setting in the network setup of the decoder... We need more info, but your advice was incorrect.

I missed this post. Fair enough. I'll take your word on that.