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Question of the Day: What's the most interesting small town you've visited in South Africa?
Xtra view setup
- Thread starter TheunsG
- Start date
Captain Beer
Executive Member
That dual LNB is going to be an issue, a lot of the channels are broadcasting on high band these days.
I'd replace it with a Smart LNB, then you can eliminate that heartbeat cable and switch at the same time. You'll also be able to move the HD 4U to the second bedroom and hook it up with HDMI.
I'd replace it with a Smart LNB, then you can eliminate that heartbeat cable and switch at the same time. You'll also be able to move the HD 4U to the second bedroom and hook it up with HDMI.
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
Based on your diagram, The solution you propose will work IF the Explora you have is the original Explora or the 2A model. It will NOT work as indicated with the Explora 3A's because these do not have RF ports.
The better solution would be as already posted, to make use of a SLNB 500/501 because it eliminates the old 5-1 switch ( very dicey device even when it worked perfectly) and the Dual LNB ( because MC has moved quite a few channels over to hi band transponders
The 4U decoder is able to work when using a Unicable port as well.
There are some issues around how the HB is fed with a 4U decoder in the mix because it cannot receive HB via the SLNB.
We can deal with that after you have confirmed exactly which model Explora you have and what your intentions are re the use of HDMI instead of RF distribution.
The better solution would be as already posted, to make use of a SLNB 500/501 because it eliminates the old 5-1 switch ( very dicey device even when it worked perfectly) and the Dual LNB ( because MC has moved quite a few channels over to hi band transponders
The 4U decoder is able to work when using a Unicable port as well.
There are some issues around how the HB is fed with a 4U decoder in the mix because it cannot receive HB via the SLNB.
We can deal with that after you have confirmed exactly which model Explora you have and what your intentions are re the use of HDMI instead of RF distribution.
Hi Captain Beer and Geoff for your quick response and the thouroughness of your answer. I am relatively sure the explora is the original one. The model is DPS5001IMC.
This explora is already working via a hdmi cable to my smart tv in the living room and to my bedroom (non smart tv) via co ax cable.
Maybe i should rather say that the second bedroom should be replaced with the word granny flat which is approx 25 meters from my house. I dont mind feeding the tv in the granny flat with a co-ax and remote eye.
The second decoder will stand next to the explora in my house . Hope this is enough info to assist me
This explora is already working via a hdmi cable to my smart tv in the living room and to my bedroom (non smart tv) via co ax cable.
Maybe i should rather say that the second bedroom should be replaced with the word granny flat which is approx 25 meters from my house. I dont mind feeding the tv in the granny flat with a co-ax and remote eye.
The second decoder will stand next to the explora in my house . Hope this is enough info to assist me
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
Will work as drawn. The 4 U only feeding the granny flat?
The remote eye only controls the 4 U? Should be okay as is.
The remote eye only controls the 4 U? Should be okay as is.
Thanks for your clear correspondence, I have a 4U and a 3A. The 3A was just purchased to replace a non working 2A. The HB was over RF which does not exist on the 3A which is not a good change and has necessitated feeding the signal via an old VCR to get a RF signal to my bedroom. Anyway the question is how do I get the HB to the 4U if it cannot be via the SNLB as you state above as you did not explain that in the thread...
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
What LNB is installed?
Yes by far the 3A is the worst decoder MC has ever released in terms of flexibility and downward compatibility with older installations.
The best solution for this combination is with an SLNB 500/501, because it is able to deliver a universal feed for the 4U and handle the Unicable feed for the 3A. The 4U should be able to be connected to a Unicable port as well.
At a stretch, you could use an SLNB 502Z with only two Unicable ports but that is the least flexible option available.
For the HB, you will need to purchase a diplexer compatible with DSTV decoders to extract or insert HB
It depends on where the two decoders are installed.
1. Next to each other in the same room:
Easiest to extract the HB from the 3A unicable port with a diplexer installed behind the 3A decoder, and feed the HB signal into the RF IN port on the 4U.
2. 4U in a remote room fed via a Unicable connection to the SLNB.
Then the diplexer is used to extract the HB from the unicable connection and injected into the RF IN port on the 4U.
The connections of the diplexer depend on what LNB type and model you have so before we get into that please provide the details.
Yes by far the 3A is the worst decoder MC has ever released in terms of flexibility and downward compatibility with older installations.
The best solution for this combination is with an SLNB 500/501, because it is able to deliver a universal feed for the 4U and handle the Unicable feed for the 3A. The 4U should be able to be connected to a Unicable port as well.
At a stretch, you could use an SLNB 502Z with only two Unicable ports but that is the least flexible option available.
For the HB, you will need to purchase a diplexer compatible with DSTV decoders to extract or insert HB
It depends on where the two decoders are installed.
1. Next to each other in the same room:
Easiest to extract the HB from the 3A unicable port with a diplexer installed behind the 3A decoder, and feed the HB signal into the RF IN port on the 4U.
2. 4U in a remote room fed via a Unicable connection to the SLNB.
Then the diplexer is used to extract the HB from the unicable connection and injected into the RF IN port on the 4U.
The connections of the diplexer depend on what LNB type and model you have so before we get into that please provide the details.
Think it is a SNLB 500, can you tell from pic. Think connected as you suggest, universal and unicable. They are close to each other so can connect as in your first example. Where do I get this diplexer of which you speak, is it expensive, easy to connect and will it enable RF signal to the house over and above the HB signal to the 4U once hooked up to it?
Thank you so much for your reply
Thank you so much for your reply
Attachments
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
SLNB 501, 3 Unicable ports and one Universal port. Both decoders are configured to work on Unicable ports as the Universal port (far right) is not in use.
Yes, the diplexers are available just about anywhere, from Makro etc, SpaceTV, Ellies, Aerial King. .... Not very expensive.
Connections would be as follows IF placed behind the 4U
Yes, the diplexers are available just about anywhere, from Makro etc, SpaceTV, Ellies, Aerial King. .... Not very expensive.
Connections would be as follows IF placed behind the 4U
Must admit I agree with you comments on the 3A, does not even have a screen, a real basic lowest common denominator product. The 4U is also over basic, would be nice if we had a bit of a choice to buy something a bit more upmarket with more ports..
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
Diplexer ports are labelled
I/O - the combined port
Sat - the port normally connected to the Unicable/LNB port on the decoder.
Ant - the port connect tot RF IN
If the diplexer is placed behind the 3A instead, the connections would be
I/O to the LNB port on 3A.
Sat port to the Unicable cable to the SLNB
Ant - to the HB cable to the 4U
Both the above configs assume the 3A is the Primary and 4U secondary.
As to RF distribution? That is a problem for the 3A. Only two choices available, you need an external RF source as you have done via recorder, or an external RF remodulator.
The 4U is okay because there is a RF OUT port available.
What are you doing about remote control? Using tvLink eyes?
I/O - the combined port
Sat - the port normally connected to the Unicable/LNB port on the decoder.
Ant - the port connect tot RF IN
If the diplexer is placed behind the 3A instead, the connections would be
I/O to the LNB port on 3A.
Sat port to the Unicable cable to the SLNB
Ant - to the HB cable to the 4U
Both the above configs assume the 3A is the Primary and 4U secondary.
As to RF distribution? That is a problem for the 3A. Only two choices available, you need an external RF source as you have done via recorder, or an external RF remodulator.
The 4U is okay because there is a RF OUT port available.
What are you doing about remote control? Using tvLink eyes?
My question crossed your reply which answered my question, thanks. I use a remote blaster. The satellite settings for index and the other whatever it is are already as you noted in the diagram. Thanks again, will give it a go in the near future, will put the diplexer behind the 4U
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
No. The 3A does not have a demodulator anymore. All that is available is the HDMI output and the RCA outputs via the silly adaptor cable. The only way to get an RF feed is via recorder as you have done or via an external RF demodulator connected to the RCA output.
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
Good luck.
Thanks for the assistance, got it all working, just have to redo my job on the connections as I had to use some press stick on some of them!
So that is my big problem at the moment, parts and advice are very difficult to get. Only place I could get the diplexer was aerial excellence at double the on line price and other things like connectors and adaptors which you could easily obtain from Makro, Pick and Pay etc in the past, along with knowledgeable advice is unobtainable now. Where do enthusiasts, expert amateurs, small installers and so on get parts now, any advice?
Thank goodness for people like you who are still helpful.
For a big new installation I would always use professionals but to just swop a non working decoder on a current installation still getting excellent signal it makes no sense...
Somewhere to get parts at a semi reasonable price would be nice, after all, in theory, living in Johannesburg should not be like the back of beyond, but it is becoming like that. Suppose I will have to try get decent connectors and a RF modulator somewhere on line. Thanks again for the help on getting the HB signal
So that is my big problem at the moment, parts and advice are very difficult to get. Only place I could get the diplexer was aerial excellence at double the on line price and other things like connectors and adaptors which you could easily obtain from Makro, Pick and Pay etc in the past, along with knowledgeable advice is unobtainable now. Where do enthusiasts, expert amateurs, small installers and so on get parts now, any advice?
Thank goodness for people like you who are still helpful.
For a big new installation I would always use professionals but to just swop a non working decoder on a current installation still getting excellent signal it makes no sense...
Somewhere to get parts at a semi reasonable price would be nice, after all, in theory, living in Johannesburg should not be like the back of beyond, but it is becoming like that. Suppose I will have to try get decent connectors and a RF modulator somewhere on line. Thanks again for the help on getting the HB signal
Geoff.D
Honorary Master
Aerial Excellence in PTA East? The classic rip off artists.
Space TV in Irene and Ellies are cheaper and more helpful. DSTV offices in Centurion at least charge the DSTV published prices.
Space TV in Irene and Ellies are cheaper and more helpful. DSTV offices in Centurion at least charge the DSTV published prices.