Advice on 2 dish setup - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

podrisco · 10-01-07, 01:08 AM

Hi, thanks for this very informative forum. Reading through the posts has helped me a lot to get to start to understand a bit more about satellite TV.
I am looking for some advice re a 2 dish setup. I have one dish setup pointing at Astra 2 for FTA (Lidl receiver and dish) that I am very happy with but would like to sample the delights of Astra 1 and Hotbird, so I thought I would setup a second dish (hope the neighbours don't complain) with 2 LNBs.
Would it be possible to change the LNB on the first dish to a dual and then connect one output to the Lidl receiver and then the second output plus the outputs from the LNBs on the second dish through a Diseqc switch to a second (to be bought) receiver.

Next bit of advice I need is which receiver do you think I should choose between a Technomate TM 1500CI+ or a Phoenix Apollo CI+MultiCrypt for the second dish.
Thanks a lot

podrisco · 10-01-07, 01:20 AM

Just noticed the the post "LNB switch box" answers quite a bit of my query

ops:

BGonaSTICK · 10-01-07, 02:30 AM

Hi podrisco

Thanks for dropping by. Don't worry that your question has been asked and answered before. Most of them have been at some time or another

Firstly, yes - you should be able to do exactly as you say. Most twin LNBs will be fine working this way.

I was actually told (in some background chat to the other thread you mention, actually) that a few LNBs have been known to grumble about such an arrangement, particularly where a DiSEqC switch is subsequently employed on BOTH sides of the LNB, but I've never seen or heard of it happening.

My twin Invacom 0.3dB shares nicely between two receivers (as in the pic. on the other thread), so you might want to try that make. I wouldn't worry about it personally - just pick one you like the look of. The Invacom is pricey at £35 - £40 (eBay), but is still the best around IMO.

As for receivers, either of those two you mention are quality pieces of kit. The Technomate is well proven but older, whereas the Phoenix Apollo is fairly new to the scene.

We're just about to open a new support section for that box on the forum as it happens. It does look a great piece of kit for the money.

The main reason that we recommend the Technomate is that there is a reliable supply of patches for it which allow the opening of pay-TV channels, if that's what folks want to do. The Phoenix does too, but it doesn't have quite the track record behind it just yet.

If I was buying one today, I would have a tough time making a choice.

Please let us know how you get on - especially if you get the Phoenix!

STICK

10-01-07, 01:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
podrisco podrisco Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Advice on 2 dish setup Hi, thanks for this very informative forum. Reading through the posts has helped me a lot to get to start to understand a bit more about satellite TV. I am looking for some advice re a 2 dish setup. I have one dish setup pointing at Astra 2 for FTA (Lidl receiver and dish) that I am very happy with but would like to sample the delights of Astra 1 and Hotbird, so I thought I would setup a second dish (hope the neighbours don't complain) with 2 LNBs. Would it be possible to change the LNB on the first dish to a dual and then connect one output to the Lidl receiver and then the second output plus the outputs from the LNBs on the second dish through a Diseqc switch to a second (to be bought) receiver. Next bit of advice I need is which receiver do you think I should choose between a Technomate TM 1500CI+ or a Phoenix Apollo CI+MultiCrypt for the second dish. Thanks a lot

10-01-07, 01:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
podrisco podrisco Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Advice on 2 dish setup Just noticed the the post "LNB switch box" answers quite a bit of my query ops:

10-01-07, 02:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Advice on 2 dish setup Hi podrisco Thanks for dropping by. Don't worry that your question has been asked and answered before. Most of them have been at some time or another Firstly, yes - you should be able to do exactly as you say. Most twin LNBs will be fine working this way. I was actually told (in some background chat to the other thread you mention, actually) that a few LNBs have been known to grumble about such an arrangement, particularly where a DiSEqC switch is subsequently employed on BOTH sides of the LNB, but I've never seen or heard of it happening. My twin Invacom 0.3dB shares nicely between two receivers (as in the pic. on the other thread), so you might want to try that make. I wouldn't worry about it personally - just pick one you like the look of. The Invacom is pricey at £35 - £40 (eBay), but is still the best around IMO. As for receivers, either of those two you mention are quality pieces of kit. The Technomate is well proven but older, whereas the Phoenix Apollo is fairly new to the scene. We're just about to open a new support section for that box on the forum as it happens. It does look a great piece of kit for the money. The main reason that we recommend the Technomate is that there is a reliable supply of patches for it which allow the opening of pay-TV channels, if that's what folks want to do. The Phoenix does too, but it doesn't have quite the track record behind it just yet. If I was buying one today, I would have a tough time making a choice. Please let us know how you get on - especially if you get the Phoenix! STICK __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W


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