Xtraview - 2 SD Decoders

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Angelo82

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I am interested in connecting 2 SD Decoders for xtraview, however I know there is a few options like the twin lnb and heartbeat cable connection.

However is it possible to connect these 2 decoders on a smart LNB with no heartbeat cable? If yes, which ports on the smart lnb would I need to use?
 
1. Your decoders need to be on the supported list
2. You will require a heartbeat cable irrespective of whether you use twin lnb / smart lnb / two lnbs
 
Thank you guys, just needed confirmation before spending money on a smart LNB
 
And i guess 2 dishes with single LNB's connected to the decoders and a heartbeat cable won't work either?
 
Angelo82 said:
And i guess 2 dishes with single LNB's connected to the decoders and a heartbeat cable won't work either?
Click to expand...

Each decoder needs an LNB connection for the satellite signal to come down. Dualview decoders need dual LNBs.
A single dish with dual LNB and 2->4 splitter will work.
The heartbeat is used for subscription management and remote control forwarding.
 
isie said:
before you spend money on anything what do you currently have?
Click to expand...

Currently there is 2 dishes outside, with single LNB's each and 2 normal SD decoders on separate accounts.

So would transfer the 1 to the other account and have it linked, however would that work with the heartbeat connected then?
 
You need to state which Single view SD standard decoders you have. Not all are XV compatible.

Next, The minimum requirement is a Single output Universal LNB. It does not matter if this is provided from one antenna or 2 antennas.

If one antenna, then a TWIN (Dual) LNB will be the minimum or anything all the way up to a SLNB because the SLNB has 2 legacy ports available which can also be used. BUT why spend money on a SLNB if it is only to feed 2 old decoders? IF the intention is to upgrade to an Explora at a later stage, then yes the SLNB makes sense.

A HB cable is ALWAYS required. On the older decoders, a separate HB cable between the decoders is required. It is only the Explora and maybe the new HD decoder that has a facility to allow the HB connection to be provided via the LNB cabling, and ONLY via the Unicable ports on a SLNB.

Forgot to add though, what are the diameters of the existing antennas? The new minimum recommended for proper HD reception is 80 cm, and if you are going for a SLNB, then it should be installed in the antenna with the larger diameter.

Note also, that MC intend to start delivering their services from a new satellite next year, and on hi-band and just about all the older decoders will then not be able to receive all channels, as MC have stated they are not planning to update the sw on the older decoders.

Another small detail. There is a batch of faulty SLNBs floating around in the market. Specifically ask the supplier if he will replace the SLNB free of charge, should it be found to be faulty on installation.
 
Last edited:
daniellgr said:
It is only the Explora and maybe the new HD decoder that has a facility to allow the HB connection to be provided via the LNB cabling, and ONLY via the Unicable ports on a SLNB.
Click to expand...


Learn something new every day...
 
Angelo82 said:
Currently there is 2 dishes outside, with single LNB's each and 2 normal SD decoders on separate accounts.

So would transfer the 1 to the other account and have it linked, however would that work with the heartbeat connected then?
Click to expand...

Yes it will provided you install a separate HB cable between the two XV compatible decoders.
 
Thanks for that... ;)

Have the 80cm dish.

Using the DSD 1131 (silver) and DSD 1132 (black).
 
Sinbad said:
Each decoder needs an LNB connection for the satellite signal to come down. Dualview decoders need dual LNBs.
A single dish with dual LNB and 2->4 splitter will work.
The heartbeat is used for subscription management and remote control forwarding.
Click to expand...

It is not a 2->4 splitter but a 2 x 4 Multiswitch ......
 
Sinbad said:
Yeah true. But it splits a dual lnb signal into 4 ;)
Click to expand...

No, it allows for Horizontally and Vertically Polarised signals to be received permanently on the 2 LNB input ports and "switches" these signals on demand to 4 output ports . The input port can only receive either VER or HOR , not both. It is NOT a splitter .....
 
daniellgr said:
A HB cable is ALWAYS required. On the older decoders, a separate HB cable between the decoders is required. It is only the Explora and maybe the new HD decoder that has a facility to allow the HB connection to be provided via the LNB cabling, and ONLY via the Unicable ports on a SLNB.
Click to expand...

Hi Daniellgr,

thanks for your post it was quite informative for me as well. I currently upgraded my one HDPVR to another explora (so basically I have two exploras in extra view, and I also upgraded my LNB to a smart LNB as I heard that the heartbeat could go through the smart LNB port to the decoders. I thought this was awesome because with the now only needing one cable to each explora from the LNB I could now put my one explora in the bedroom without having to many coaxial cables going, However I got an installer out to quote me to do the job for me and he claimed that the heartbeat needs to go through a separate coaxial cable from decoder to decoder and it cannot go through the smart LNB.

Can the new Smart LNB have the heartbeat go through it from one explora to the next if I plug them into the unicable ports and is there anything that I need to change in the settings?
 
daniellgr said:
It is not a 2->4 splitter but a 2 x 4 Multiswitch ......
Click to expand...

I set up previously at a friends place but that was with a twin lnb and HB cable only used.

Thank you, so just a quick overview:?

1 dish with single LNB connect to DSD 1132, 1 DISH with single LNB connected to DSD 1131. Request MC to link the decoders for xtraview and HB cable to connect the 2 decoders?
 
ISP cash cow said:
Hi Daniellgr,

thanks for your post it was quite informative for me as well. I currently upgraded my one HDPVR to another explora (so basically I have two exploras in extra view, and I also upgraded my LNB to a smart LNB as I heard that the heartbeat could go through the smart LNB port to the decoders. I thought this was awesome because with the now only needing one cable to each explora from the LNB I could now put my one explora in the bedroom without having to many coaxial cables going, However I got an installer out to quote me to do the job for me and he claimed that the heartbeat needs to go through a separate coaxial cable from decoder to decoder and it cannot go through the smart LNB.

Can the new Smart LNB have the heartbeat go through it from one explora to the next if I plug them into the unicable ports and is there anything that I need to change in the settings?
Click to expand...

(1) There are two groups of installers in SA, those accredited by MC and those that are not. The accredited installers have been "trained" by MC and they have in their possession an "installation" manual, that shows how to wire up 2 explores in different rooms using the LNB cabling. The other installers do not have access to the "installation manual" so they probably don't know about the method.
(2) HOWEVER, you will find that even the accredited installers are split on whether feeding the HB via the LNB cabling works. The one down the road from me has a fit when someone asks him to do the installation that way.
(3) Even within MC there are 2 schools of thought, those that support the new installation method and those that do not ....
(4) My own opinion, is that the new method is a bit risky in terms of lightning damage, as well as it depends on what you want to do with the received signals. IF you want to be able to view via RF distribution system, content from both Exploras anywhere, then you need to install a RF connection between the Exploras anyway, and then why not use that for the HB as we always did? If not then the new way is okay.
(5) To keep the peace, send me a PM and I will respond with a copy ( not necessarily the latest version) of the manual describing the new installation method. This method requires 2 "diplexers" to be installed, one behind each Explora decoder, (combining and splitting the LNB and RF signals into and out of the 2 ports on the back of each Explora decoder). There is some talk around that the diplexers are no longer required, but I have not found anyone that is prepared to show that it works, so until then, I am not prepared to comment on that installation method.

BTW a Diplexer is a special form of a splitter. The persons who have tried the new method with ordinary splitters have had varying degrees of success.
 
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