Advice for 4 satellite multi-switch system

[MoneyBagger]

Hi

I am looking at upgrading my current system of a 1m motorised dish + 40cm Sky dish + analogue cable system (which is soon due to be switched off).

Basically, I want to scrap the existing setup and get just a new 1m Triax dish with a multi-lnb bracket picking up Sky Astra 28e, Astra 23.5e, Astra 19.2e and Hotbird 13e.

Now the complicated bit. There are 7 TV points in the house which will need to be able to receive the Astra 28e signal for Freesat (they are wired already). A further 2 TV points have the existing Sky+ HD so they have the 4 cables wired already. I also want the Astra 23.5e/Astra 19.2e and Hotbird 13e to be usable in 4 TV points downstairs (2 places where we have Sky already and the 2 others which will have Freesat). All the internal wiring is done already and all goes to a storage room.

I know I am going to have to use a multiswitch but I have have a question/want some advice. Are there any alternatives to getting a 17in16 out multiswitch which are more cost effective? The furthest cable run is probably around 50m but the internal wiring is CT125 - will I need an amplifier?

Thanks

 

[PaulR]

I can't think of a better way than using a multiswitch.

CT125 would be overkill for internal runs - you only need CT100 (or WF100). An extra amplifier won't be needed - the multiswitch should supplu enough signal. Try to get a multiswitch which offers different levels of signal output on some of the outputs.

Don't forget that the 28E needs to be on DiSeqC 1 (or A) as $ly boxes expect to "see" only 28E.

If you're using separate receivers for the non 28E positions then you'll need a separate feed to the one which will be used for a dedicated 28E receiver.. So that means an extra cable to these positions.

 

[MoneyBagger]

Thanks

Are there any cheaper 17 x 16 multiswitches you'd recommend apart from Triax?

I kind of forgot about needing an additional feed to $ky HD boxes if I want the other satellites on additional receiver..I was thinking would it be possible to split the main cable going to the $ky boxes (not the one used for $ky+ recording etc.) to connect an additional receiver? This would work as long as the $ky box was in standby?

As for the rooms with Freesat where I would also want the other satellites, I would thinking of getting a the Humax Foxsat HDR which I gather supports a CI + multiple satellites or a similar basic receiver.

The house is already wired with CT125 courtesy of NTL/Virgin Media.

 

[PaulR]

I only have limited experience with multiswitches - not enough to offer a preferance. In any case, there may be a very limited number of suppliers of multiswitches with this number of inputs and ouputs.

It really would be better if you could pull a third cable through. Is there not room for a extra single WF100? A splitter would not be a good idea. If you have to I would put a simple A/B manual switch, probably on the LNB2 input of the $ly+. If the additional receiver has an LNB out then you could loop through and then on to LNB2 of the $ly+ box.

The HDR can work in non-Freesat mode and control a DiSeCQ switch but you must make sure that the bootloader is the latest U7.53 - this can be seen at the beginning of boot-up or in the menu configuration. Tivu has already used his HDR in this manner although I don't think he has used the CI slot yet.