FreeSat distribution - which amp?

[Forsh]

Hi all!

I'm looking to sort out the mother-in-laws TV reception issues once and for all.
She lives on the wrong side of a hill and has a weak terrestrial TV signal so the aim is to try my hand at a freesat installation.

plan is to connect the dish to a loft box then to the lounge, kitchen and bedroom. the receiver in the lounge and digi eyes in the other rooms

question is can I use something like this amp from Toolstation...
toolstation dot com - item 38507

[apologies for no links but can't post until 10th post]

and use the UHF input for the sat or do I need something with a specific sat input like a Labgear HDU641?

Are all freeview channels available on freesat? - if so I don't mind loosing terastrial freeview

many thanks for reading

[Forsh]

oh and forgot to say I need to do it on a tight budget (that old chestnut!) at less than £100 if pos so the toolstation distribution amp at £16 has obvious financial benefits over the labgear equipment.
the satellite kit I want to use is the £39.95 kit from screwfix

[Robbo]

Hi,

I've not used the amp you mention in Toolstation, so could not say if it would work OK or not.

The amp you need does not need a satellite input,but it doesn't matter if it did have one.


I am using one of these in my house at the moment and it works fine (not got any magic eyes running though, as I have no Sky box in the lounge)
PROception proSTR5S - starBOX Home 5+1 Solo

The one at tool station looks like it would do the job, it appears to be made by the same company.


I did try using one of the cheaper amps from a DIY shop, but it made the picture worse.



Another way to do it, and a better way for what I you want (I think) would be to fit a quad LNB, and buy three of sat the kits, then have a separate receiver in each room, access to all channels on each one, and probably cheaper too.

[Forsh]

Thanks for the quick reply Robbo

Am I correct in thinking to view satellite in all rooms I'll need an extra output and return to the loft box from the receiver?

[Forsh]

BTW the "PROview" box at toolstation looks uncannily similar to the PROception boxes on the site you linked to

[Robbo]

Yes, i just realised that, when I checked toolstation.
(Edited my previous post now)

When using the Distribution method:-


The satellite box sits say in the lounge, then you feed the rf out of the receiver back up to the loftbox via the return path, which then gets sent to the other TVs.

You won't need an extra output, as presumably the main TV will be connected to the sat box via scart.

Also the basic magic eyes only work with RF2 on Sky boxes.



I still think the three separate satellite receiver option in your case is much better.

[Forsh]

Can you recommend a cheap usable receiver?

single LNB/receiver isn't a problem as she's the only viewer

what if I was to get a sky+ box off ebay would that:
1. pick up freesat without subscribing to sky
2. have the ability to be magic eyed
3. have the added benefit of record/playback?

[Robbo]

The cheapest receiver I have bought recently is the Triax SR110 which was about £40, that is OK for Freesat.

With a 2nd hand Sky+ box you can't record with it unless you subscribe or pay them £10 a month.

A second hand sky box would allow the magic eye type remote extenders to work though.

Now what would the cost be:-

standard Sky box 2nd hand say £25
Distrubution amp £17
2 x remote eyes + remotes £20
Sky dish + LNB £20
+ cabling and connectors < £20

You should easily do it for less than £100.


OR

2 off 2nd hand Sky boxes < £50
1 off screwfix kit £40
1 off quad LNB £10 to £20
+cabling and connectors <£20

but with perfect picture via scart

[Forsh]

thanks for your time Robbo you've given me some food for thought there

and with multiple receivers she can record multiple channels...mmm I'll speak to her she if she knows what she wants... or just tell her what she can have may be a better angle to approach it

[Forsh]

Ok then, current train of thought is dish with single LNB (that I've remembered I have tucked away in the darkest depths of the garage) £0
Sky box just bought off ebay £18
loft box with LNB input ???- this is the contentious bit, the advantage is to boost the terrestrial signal and save on 4 way LNB but

Originally Posted by Robbo

but with perfect picture via scart

will the benefit of separate sky boxes connected directly to a 4 way LNB and scart leads to the TVs give a significantly better picture and supersede the terrestrial anyway? - £50
digieyes x2 toolstation - £10
coax £25