DSTV on 3 or 4 different viewing environments

[Geoff.D]

So then you provide your suggestions as an alternative to mine.

 

[Nick333]

So then you provide your suggestions as an alternative to mine.

I did and you came in an contradicted me (then confirmed exactly what I said like 3 posts later. Presumably after you googled it) Honestly this is fccking weird.

 

[Nick333]

Right, because idiots don't know when to quit here's my slightly more detailed and in my humble and experienced opinion most bullet proof and adaptable 3 way extra view set up:

*Any combination of 3 Exploras and HD decoders.
*Each decoders LNB input connected to a unicable output on a smart LNB on a properly aligned satellite dish. Settings for each decoder depends on which LNB output it is connected to - details on request.
* A cable from each decoder running from either rf-port (rf-in or rf-out. I suggest rf out if you want to connect extra tvs via rf) to a central point where all three are connected by a splitter with dc by-pass on at least two legs. I'd suggest a t-splitter.

Basically that's it. If you want to connect more tv's ask how. I'm not going to write a book to answer a simple question.

 

[Geoff.D]

Right, because idiots don't know when to quit here's my slightly more detailed and in my humble and experienced opinion most bullet proof and adaptable 3 way extra view set up:

*Any combination of 3 Exploras and HD decoders.
*Each decoders LNB input connected to a unicable output on a smart LNB on a properly aligned satellite dish. Settings for each decoder depends on which LNB output it is connected to - details on request.
* A cable from each decoder running from either rf-port (rf-in or rf-out. I suggest rf out if you want to connect extra tvs via rf) to a central point where all three are connected by a splitter with dc by-pass on at least two legs. I'd suggest a t-splitter.

Basically that's it. If you want to connect more tv's ask how. I'm not going to write a book to answer a simple question.

Fair enough, go for that method using a T-piece with DC pass on all legs if you want, presumably combined with another splitter for the 3rd decoder.

Why worry about DC pass at all?

 

[Nick333]

Fair enough, go for that method using a T-piece with DC pass on all legs if you want, presumably combined with another splitter for the 3rd decoder.

Why worry about DC pass at all?

Because the HB requires DC pass. And the t-piece has 3 legs that are effectively inputs and outputs so you would only need to combine it with a second t-splitter if you wanted to connect extra tvs. In fact Space (possibly Eliies too) does an H-splitter that serves this exact purpose. Other wise the t-splitter's 3 legs are sufficient for a 3 way setup. The H-splitters are over priced and can be easily replaced with two t-splitters connected with a short lead.

If you want to connect more than one extra tv with tv links you're going to have to use an amplified splitter connected to the fourth output on the H setup.

As for the option 1 option which you seem to think is the new improved way - it's only useful for saving a bit of cable. If you want to connect extra tvs via rf you're going to need the cables in optioon 2 anyway so you might as well just do it that way anyway and not worry about diplexers and or decoder compatibility.

 

[Geoff.D]

Because the HB requires DC pass. And the t-piece has 3 legs that are effectively inputs and outputs so you would only need to combine it with a second t-splitter if you wanted to connect extra tvs. In fact Space (possibly Eliies too) does an H-splitter that serves this exact purpose. Other wise the t-splitter's 3 legs are sufficient for a 3 way setup. The H-splitters are over priced and can be easily replaced with two t-splitters connected with a short lead.

If you want to connect more than one extra tv with tv links you're going to have to use an amplified splitter connected to the fourth output on the H setup.

As for the option 1 option which you seem to think is the new improved way - it's only useful for saving a bit of cable. If you want to connect extra tvs via rf you're going to need the cables in optioon 2 anyway so you might as well just do it that way anyway and not worry about diplexers and or decoder compatibility.

HB does not require DC pass. The HB can be connected to the RF IN ports only if that is all that is required. A single t-piece is sufficient just for HB distribution from the Primary to the secondary decoders via the RF IN ports.

DC power from the decoders is only available on the RF OUT ports. Only need to use the RF OUT ports IF RF signal from each decoder needs to be distributed to other viewing points. And then DC power is only required IF you use tvLINKs and amplifiers and you want the decoders to provide power.

And as a safety measure it is not a good idea to feed DC power into the RF inputs on TVs. Quite few makes of TV do not provide any protection.

No I did not say the new method is better or worse, just offered it as an alternative. For some, cabling is a problem. That is why MC developed this as a solution especially where the 3 decoders are going to be run totally independent from each other. (No sharing of viewing environments or recorded content or any of the other services that may be available on each of the decoders).

 

[Nick333]

HB does not require DC pass. The HB can be connected to the RF IN ports only if that is all that is required. A single t-piece is sufficient just for HB distribution from the Primary to the secondary decoders via the RF IN ports.

Well a TV link does so if you want the system to be "upgradable" you want dc pass or a no isolated t-splitter which is effectively the same thing.

DC power from the decoders is only available on the RF OUT ports. Only need to use the RF OUT ports IF RF signal from each decoder needs to be distributed to other viewing points. And then DC power is only required IF you use tvLINKs and amplifiers and you want the decoders to provide power.

Yeah which is why I said:

I suggest rf out if you want to connect extra tvs via rf

And as a safety measure it is not a good idea to feed DC power into the RF inputs on TVs. Quite few makes of TV do not provide any protection.

Nah, not really they're pretty rare and they aren't actually that likely to be damaged from a low voltage, but 1. you're not really likely to activate tvlink power unless you're using a tvlink. 2. TV's that aren't "protected" that aren't using tvlinks tend to cause problems with tvlinks on other tvs anyway so you're forced to use dc blocks with them from the get go, so that's a bit superfluous as warnings go.

No I did not say the new method is better or worse, just offered it as an alternative. For some, cabling is a problem. That is why MC developed this as a solution especially where the 3 decoders are going to be run totally independent from each other. (No sharing of viewing environments or recorded content or any of the other services that may be available on each of the decoders).

Whatever, I've given my reasons why I think it probably shouldn't be your go to option and why option 2 is going to be the best bet for most situations and future requirements.

 

[Geoff.D]

Still the warning is better than finding out after the fact that the DC power on the input did some damage.

The last issue is TV distribution via RF means all TVs connected like that only have SD quality. The only way around this is to make use of and HDMI splitter arrangement.