Newbie Here Getting started

[Pmann93]

Hello!

I’ve recently moved into a rented flat with no ‘traditional’ digital aerial. Instead, poking from behind the bookcase are two cables which I think are satellite cables. (Photos included)

First question - am I right? Secondly, why are there two of them? I’ve looked at some freesat boxes on Amazon - some only have one Satellite input. Do I need to find a box that has two inputs? If so, are these much more costly? Most basic box I could find (no HDD) was ~£99.

Help and advice for this novice greatly appreciated!

 

[Analoguesat]

Hi there - welcome to the forum.

Those certain;ly look like a satellite feed from a dish or a distribution system in the premises. Two cables allows thew use of two tuners on a receiver - which means you can use the pvr function of Freesat+ or SkyHD+ receivers.

Should you buy a single tuner receiver just connect one cable to the back - it doesnt matter which one.


There is an outside chance it could be a Virgin Media feed if the area is cabled - check with the building maintenance people. Chances are though its a normal satellite connection.

 

[John Pykett]

View attachment 110524 Hello!

I’ve recently moved into a rented flat with no ‘traditional’ digital aerial. Instead, poking from behind the bookcase are two cables which I think are satellite cables. (Photos included)

First question - am I right? Secondly, why are there two of them? I’ve looked at some freesat boxes on Amazon - some only have one Satellite input. Do I need to find a box that has two inputs? If so, are these much more costly? Most basic box I could find (no HDD) was ~£99.

Help and advice for this novice greatly appreciated!

just plug the cables into a twin tuner freesat box and see if it tunes in, if it does then the cables are for satellite but however if it does not tune in, its either that a dish is pointed at a different satellite or the cables are for virgin media.

 

[Archive7]

If you can get hold of a cheap satellite meter, just connect each cable in turn and see if you get a beep.

 

[Pmann93]

Thanks all - very helpful indeed.

It appears these cables are Virgin Media cables - which is particularly frustrating since I opted to go for a Sky Broadband package after being messed around by VM for weeks on installation delays!

I may give the satellite meter thing a go, however.

One follow up question - is there such a thing as a 'generic' cable box that I could use to plug the cables into and receive the free to air channels - or would I need a Virgin subscription?

 

[John Pykett]

Thanks all - very helpful indeed.

It appears these cables are Virgin Media cables - which is particularly frustrating since I opted to go for a Sky Broadband package after being messed around by VM for weeks on installation delays!

I may give the satellite meter thing a go, however.

One follow up question - is there such a thing as a 'generic' cable box that I could use to plug the cables into and receive the free to air channels - or would I need a Virgin subscription?

well there are cable boxes but i wouldn't advise plugging it into the cables cause virgin media can detect non virgin equipment on their network

 

[Topper]

well there are cable boxes but i wouldn't advise plugging it into the cables cause virgin media can detect non virgin equipment on their network

Do you know that from your own experience John?

 

[satelliteman]

What about installing a dish and running a cable?

 

[rolfw]

They don't look like Virgin cables, appearing to have copper cores, and they are certainly not the type of "F" connectors they use.

See if you can borrow a sky box from a friend, if that works and if you don't need to record, then there are hundreds available on ebay due to the Sky Q roll out and for very little money.

 

[John Pykett]

Do you know that from your own experience John?

well not exactly but i know that from browsing the internet

 

[jeallen01]

@Pmann93
Can you see any sort of dish on the walls or roof of the building? If so, any chance of a photo?