Help with dual TV setup around house

[AndyPet57]

At the moment we just have a basic old Sky+ box (about 7 years old) which is connected to our main TV.

A second TV in an upstairs room, is connected to this box via the RF port and controlled with a magic eye.

Obviously only one channel can be viewed at the same time on both or either set.

I'm being told that the latest Sky+ boxes do not have an RF port. If this is true is there anyway I can get around this, without spending yet more on a multi room setup which isn't really needed as such.


thanks

 

[Analoguesat]

Just buy an RF modulator. You can get them for 10-15 quid from amazon or ebay. The connect via a scart pass through.

All my none rf satellite receivers are connected via these daisy-chained into my tv card in my computer for the channel screen-caps.

 

[hexah]

You could eventually change to using HDMI splitters and long HDMI cables to keep the 'digital' quality.

 

[timo_w2s]

A standard RF modulator won't control the magic eye though. For that you'll need an IO Link which plugs into a special port on the new boxes and provides just RF2 out (no RF1, but you should be connecting the main TV via HDMI anyway so hopefully not an issue).

 

[AndyPet57]

Wow thanks for quick reply - just had a look on ebay and guess you mean something like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rf-modula...?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item20d9f28934

Presumably, the scart from the new box, goes into this little box, and then another scart cable carries it on to the main TV, and the cable for the second TV connects into the box as well.

Are there any other things I might need and have I understood it right

cheers

 

[Analoguesat]

Thats more or less the version I use, the branding is a bit different that all.

And yup scart in one side and out the other.

 

[AndyPet57]

Cheers for that and my existing Magic Eye will that work as well with the box (fingers crossed time)

 

[rolfw]

No, your magic eye won't work with that modulator, you need either a Global IO link, or a Triax Trilink kit, both of which will facilitate ir control of the Sky digibox. Global IO Links are in very short supply at the moment, so the Trilink unit may be the only game in town.

 

[AndyPet57]

Thank you everyone - I finally understand the situation and to be honest it isn't as bad as I feared before posting the question on here.

Looking on ebay both the IO link system and the Triax one are documented - is either better than the other, if so why

cheers for all your patience with what might have seemed daft questions

 

[rolfw]

Well the Global IO Link is probably the neater solution, but they both do the job.

 

[timo_w2s]

Wouldn't the Triax Trilink need to use the external IR transmitter?

 

[rolfw]

Yes it would, but probably better that than pay some of the ridiculously extortionate prices being asked for the I/O Links on ebay due to the temporary shortage. Remember who these companies/sellers are and put them on your black list.

For a unit which normally costs around £30, they are asking upwards of £83.46 - TV Tech Ireland, £91.89 - Digital-TV-solutions and wait for it, £129.19 - Free-Digital (somewhat ironic name). They should be ashamed of themselves and I hope people remember them for it.

They are trickling into the system slowly but surely, so a small amount of patience will save you a lot of money.

 

[timo_w2s]

They are listed as £25 on Sky's website at accessories.sky.com but with a "up to 14 days" wait.

I agree that there is no point paying any more than the normal price.