How To Set Up DIY OTT IPTV for Sky Channels?

[zakmuh]

Hi

Hope you guys are well. I'm here seeking some help to set up a TV networking using internet (similar to cable TV system). This is not for commercial use and I don't want to use Sky Q or Go, but just out of interest. I could take the IP set top box with me during holidays abroad. So What it is...

I want to connect/uplink, say Channel 1,2 and 3 from Sky box to internet (through Sky broadband router) and watch at my office room telly using an IP set-top-box?
If I'm to do this like traditional cable TV system then I think I would have to set it up like:

1. Three Sky boxes AVs out to RF Modulator (multi)
2.RFM to Combiner (coax)
3.Combiner to RF Distribution Amp
4.RFD amp to TV RF port - TV UHF tuner scans for channels.

How do I go about setting this up for IPTV system and what gadgets I need to buy? Would it be straight forward like below?

1. Three Sky boxes AVs out to something like wireless router Modulator (which uploads AV on to internet and needs portal address setting up?)?
2. Internet router to IP set-to-box receiver (MAG 254 IPTV Set Top Box
3. STB to TV via AV/HDMI cable?


I'd highly appreciate if any once can advise me on this.

Cheers

 

[archive10]

Hi

Hope you guys are well. I'm here seeking some help to set up a TV networking using internet (similar to cable TV system). This is not for commercial use and I don't want to use Sky Q or Go, but just out of interest. I could take the IP set top box with me during holidays abroad. So What it is...

I want to connect/uplink, say Channel 1,2 and 3 from Sky box to internet (through Sky broadband router) and watch at my office room telly using an IP set-top-box?
If I'm to do this like traditional cable TV system then I think I would have to set it up like:

1. Three Sky boxes AVs out to RF Modulator (multi)
2.RFM to Combiner (coax)
3.Combiner to RF Distribution Amp
4.RFD amp to TV RF port - TV UHF tuner scans for channels.

How do I go about setting this up for IPTV system and what gadgets I need to buy? Would it be straight forward like below?

1. Three Sky boxes AVs out to something like wireless router Modulator (which uploads AV on to internet and needs portal address setting up?)?
2. Internet router to IP set-to-box receiver (MAG 254 IPTV Set Top Box
3. STB to TV via AV/HDMI cable?


I'd highly appreciate if any once can advise me on this.

Cheers

Although it can be done, the digital version of the analog scenario you describe is cumbersome.
Rather, you should benefit from everything being digital, and use software to do the re-distribution you want.

The easiest way is to buy a Slingbox, and watch TV remotely on a PC or tablet/smartphone.
Connect box to (one) Skybox (with component outs), and you can remote control your box and watch the output.
If you must have Sky, then that's probably the realistic way of doing it.

If you can live with Freesat, the there are freeware alternatives to Sling that uses tuner cards and TV-headend software (and similar) and a normal PC.
These can be made to do what you want, especially if you connect to your home network via a VPN.
Else you need a server with IP interfaces on the actual internet for streaming, and with all requirements for firewalls and security.
The deployment of the freeware server setup connected to the internet requires some PC skills, and while potentially great fun setting up, also can involves serious headaches.

Are you happy to run Linux and set-up software packages and network configurations?

 

[pgh13]

If Freesat can do what you want, but you are more Windows orientated, take a look at NextPVR. It can handle multiple tuners and can support viewing live and recorded programs through Kodi.

 

[zakmuh]

Thanks for you replies guys.

I've got a receiver box which I bought on Ebay. It's not actually from Sky box but using that satellite to watch channels. I'm happy not to go through software route.

That Slingbox sounds straight forward though. Would it be like simply connecting freeview box HDMI out to Slingbox, plugging in the internet CAT6 cable and then connecting the IPSTB from the other end and watch it on telly? Please could you explain how it works.

Cheers

 

[davemurgtroyd]

For ease of setup (and less boxes) what about this - Freesat+ PVR and Slingbox combined - EchoStar HDS-600RS review

No longer made but sell on ebay between £50 and £80

 

[zakmuh]

Thanks mate. EchoStar sounds good but do I have to subscribe to watch any channels on it?

Would you be able to advice me if I could set it up to watch it through a IPSTB, you know like Sky Q- if Im not wrong Sky Q is a IPSTB isn't it?

Cheers

 

[archive10]

I've got a receiver box which I bought on Ebay. It's not actually from Sky box but using that satellite to watch channels. I'm happy not to go through software route.

Then you are watching Freesat.
Sky piggy-backs onto the (Free-to-air) Freesat channels to create the Sky bundle.
No need for Sky boxes, then, unless you need the Sports or Movie packages.

That Slingbox sounds straight forward though. Would it be like simply connecting freeview box HDMI out to Slingbox, plugging in the internet CAT6 cable and then connecting the IPSTB from the other end and watch it on telly? Please could you explain how it works.

It is reasonably straightforward.
Except it doesn't work with the HDMI output, due to the copy-protection scheme of HDMI (HDCP) which prevents taking the digital output.

Instead, the Slingboxes uses component-out from the source (STB ).
These are the reg-green-blue phone connectors on the back, that provides analog HD output.
With the target bit-rates of the redistribution in mind, the quality is usually excellent, so no need to worry of non-digital signals.

Some devices don't have component video out (to save output connectors).
If you don't have them, and can't find a device that has, you can purchase an HDMI->component converter for not too much dosh.

You then connect the slingbox to a suitable internet connection - cabled is best, but the most recent slingboxes have WiFi.
(if you can do cabled this is MUCH preferred, especially as trouble-shooting your installation from when on the go is much more difficult).
Using a web-browser, you create an account at sling, and then point the slingbox and any viewing apps to this account.

Note: You have to use sling's apps to watch the signal, you can't use any old STB. They exist for iOS, Android, PC, Hulu, Amazon Fire etc.
And you can only have one client at the time. (This is essential to make the product acceptable to the operators in the US, I believe).

 

[davemurgtroyd]

Thanks mate. EchoStar sounds good but do I have to subscribe to watch any channels on it?

Would you be able to advice me if I could set it up to watch it through a IPSTB, you know like Sky Q- if Im not wrong Sky Q is a IPSTB isn't it?

Cheers

Sky Q is NOT an IP stb - it is a satellite receiver that will also download on demand services from the internet and communicates to subsidiary devices (Sky Q minis and other specified devices that use specific apps) via a WiFi signal or cable only on a home network. The Echostar (or a slingbox) would connect direct to your router to the internet (nothing to do with the Sky Q box).

 

[zakmuh]

I don't watch movies or sports. I'm a BBC and Cineworld guy So if I go down this EchoStar route, I'd still need a smart phone/tab to receive the channel and then using a cable connect it to telly.

Thanks. I really appreciate your suggestion. Would there be any other options to connect it to telly using a IP decoder or anything like that?

Can I expect for something like HDMI to IP encoder and connect that to router. Then set up the IP and port address using a computer. Then a IPTV STB would let you input those IP and port addresses in setting menu to receive internet channel?

 

[archive10]

Thanks. I really appreciate your suggestion. Would there be any other options to connect it to telly using a IP decoder or anything like that?

Can I expect for something like HDMI to IP encoder and connect that to router. Then set up the IP and port address using a computer. Then a IPTV STB would let you input those IP and port addresses in setting menu to receive internet channel?

You can set indeed set up your own streaming services, or even use a multicast video stream (which can be really problematic over the internet).
Streaming servers would take some form of input (HDMI is hampered by the HDCP copy-protection scheme which all HDMI-compliant devices must adhere to).
Your best option is still the component HD input.
You then need a PC with such a board, and create what you call an IP encoder.
Unless you're watching the video on a device connected to the same LAN, or are a network operator, you don't really want to do multicast IP distribution.
Therefore, the IP encoder would have to make HLS files (or similar) ready for streaming.
You will need to select suitable bitrates, and probably also an ABR (adaptive bitrate) palette of profiles to handle variations in throughput.
You then need to set up a streaming server (plenty of freeware alternatives, including Apache), that offers these streams to clients.
That Apache server then needs to be exposed to the internet through a suitable router/firewall, so that you don't get hacked.
And THEN you can connect a generic IPTV streaming box (either PC or something like a Netgear or one of the gazilion Chinese alternatives)...

...or you could buy a Slingbox.

(Note: I have no relationship with Sling Media, and I do not endorse their products specifically. It just sounds awfully a lot like what you want...)

 

[zakmuh]

Now this is getting more complicated lolz!

Thanks . I'll stick to your first advice of using EchoStar box which comes with Sling. I think I can live with using a tab and then connecting it to telly.

Can I say that I don't have to Sling for using that EchoStar?

 

[zakmuh]

I did a research online and found out Slingbox is the way forward for this. As I've already got a receiver, I'll go for Slingbox 500 or Pro HD and get it sorted.

Thanks a lot

Zak

 

[Analoguesat]

Remenber you need a decent bb connection for a slingbox to work - and the most important thing is the upload speed at the home end..

 

[archive10]

I did a research online and found out Slingbox is the way forward for this. As I've already got a receiver, I'll go for Slingbox 500 or Pro HD and get it sorted.

Thanks a lot

Zak

Just keep in mind that Slingbox M1 or M2 are the latest generation.
Chipsets are getting better, and these devices have wifi (although cabling is better!)

 

[Mickybod]

Been using a pro hd version for a good few years now I brought 2nd hand on flea bay & apart from having to buy a replacement psu it's been faultless

 

[Analoguesat]

Remenber you need a decent bb connection for a slingbox to work - and the most important thing is the upload speed at the home end..

I did an experiment a few years ago hosting a slingbox here on my pathetic bb (2.5meg down 0.3meg up). It worked... sort of. But it wasnt watchable as the sound got out of step with the video then jumped every couple of minutes! An interesting proof of concept but absolutely hopeless on a slow upload. Also it totally saturated the upload so it was almost impossible to do anything else on the connection at the same time!

 

[zakmuh]

Thanks guys. I'll bear all these in mind when I go for one

 

[zakmuh]

Hi,

I'm back with a quick question.....what is the basic Slingbox model name/number?

I mean a very basic one, without any fancy bits. I'm happy with something without the option to control Sky box/receiver on the otherside.

Cheers

 

[PaulR]

The point of the Sling range (except for those higher up the range with built-in satellite or terrestrial receiver) is to control another box to "sling" its output to another place. So without the option to control something else there is no Sling box!

 

[archive10]

Currently you only have the M1/M2 and the 500 as contemtporary models.
Older models include 350 and Pro - you may be able to find them at a good price, and they will most likely work with their players.
The M1 I believe is identical to the M2, except you need to pay for some of the clients. On the M2, they are free but have advertising in the UI. (Or something like that.)

So go for an M1 or M2 if you can find it - they're about 110 GBP or thereabouts.
Maybe you can find a used one on Ebay?