LNB Loop Through?

[Pandy51]

Really a bit of technical help needed please!? We have 2 LNBs and have our freesat digibox on one and have a Humax foxsat PVR - just arrived!
This new box can record 2 channels whilst you watch a third channel - the problem is we have only 1 LNB and 2 are required - can we
1) loop through from the digibox to the Humax and still use both boxes?
and
2) how do you make/buy a loop through cable?
Would appreciate any advice - many thanks.

[satandpcguy]

hi

i think you are confused...(or i am not understanding you!)

This new box can record 2 channels whilst you watch a third channel

is not a function of the Humax (and most PVRs)

the humax (and most PVRS) allow you to receord two different channels and watch a previously recorded programme at once. it will not allow you to watch / record three live channels at once.

but if i think what you are wanting to do....(after a re-read!)

PVRs require direct cables from the LNB to the receivers - so you will need a 4 output LNB - two cables connected for the humx PVR and and other your your other receiver - if i have understood you correctly.

A loop through will not work - as it is not a good idea to have two "powered on" receivers connected to the same cable, and secondly, the loopthru would only send the same frequency that is being used by that receiver...not good for three progrmmes which are on three different frequencies...

best to change your 2 output LNB for a 4 output LNB and run a new cable you your PVR is using two LNB connections and your other receiver is using another.

a loopthru cable is basically satellite cable...the same that is used from your LNB to your receivers

hope this helps

[Pandy51]

Thanks for the quick response - we have used the Humax in the UK and it does give you a 3rd live programme! Some folks say it is only when the watched and recorded programmes are off the same transponder but we have disproved that today - it shows 2 programmes (each identified at the top of the screen) with 2 red circles showing the progress of each recording and we can watch any other channel at the same time but only with 2 LNB's connected - there is a third empty LNB out which I hoped we could use from the standard Freesat Digibox to save running a 3rd LNB into the house.
Sorry if this is non technical and thanks for all your contributions to this forum.

[satandpcguy]

Thanks for the quick response - we have used the Humax in the UK and it does give you a 3rd live programme! Some folks say it is only when the watched and recorded programmes are off the same transponder

this MAY be possible, but i think the box will know if you are doing three live channels at a time and wont allow it - Sky+ will wont allow it - unless you are using the analogue RF siganls from your tv aerial as a source...

it shows 2 programmes (each identified at the top of the screen) with 2 red circles showing the progress of each recording and we can watch any other channel at the same time but only with 2 LNB's connected - there is a third empty LNB out which I hoped we could use from the standard Freesat Digibox to save running a 3rd LNB into the house.

now you have lost me!!!
especially with "there is a third empty LNB out"

as i said - to connect a Humax PVR and a seperate basic Freesat receiver you need to run three seperate cables from the LNB (on the dish) to the receivers.

you cannot (and should not!) run the Humax PVR and a seperate basic Freesat receiver using just two cables - for the reasons i mention in my previous post - unless you want the PVR to do just one channel at a time which really defeats the object of having a PVR!!

[Pandy51]

Sorry again - newbie at all this! Can you advise what you would use a loopthrough cable to connect together and for what purpose???
Thanks for your patience

[satandpcguy]

as i said before a loopthru cable is basically satellite cable...the same that is used from your LNB to your receivers - with an F connector on each end....

thats all it is - the same make and type of cable that connects your LNB to your receiver can be used to conenct the loopthru connector from one receiver to the LNB input on another receiver - tgere is no special loopthru cable

if you have enough you can cut some cable from your curent cable runs and make some a cable for the loopthru for that!!


i use a loop thru in one of my systems here....
i have one receiver that controls a motorised dish.
this receiver has an LNB IN (that is conencted to the motor and LNB)
it also has an LNB Loop
to which, using satellite cable, i can connect other receivers that are not able to control motorised dishes - like a sky receiver

[Pandy51]

Thanks for all the help - much appreciated!

[CreteJoe]

Use of Loop Through

as i said before a loopthru cable is basically satellite cable...the same that is used from your LNB to your receivers - with an F connector on each end....

thats all it is - the same make and type of cable that connects your LNB to your receiver can be used to conenct the loopthru connector from one receiver to the LNB input on another receiver - tgere is no special loopthru cable

if you have enough you can cut some cable from your curent cable runs and make some a cable for the loopthru for that!!


i use a loop thru in one of my systems here....
i have one receiver that controls a motorised dish.
this receiver has an LNB IN (that is conencted to the motor and LNB)
it also has an LNB Loop
to which, using satellite cable, i can connect other receivers that are not able to control motorised dishes - like a sky receiver

Hi I've just been reading this item and have a question. previously you said

"A loop through will not work - as it is not a good idea to have two "powered on" receivers connected to the same cable, "

Then just above in the quote box you appear to me that you are doing just that "i can connect other receivers that are not able to control motorised dishes"

Please can you explain why , with your set up you do not have two "powered on" receivers connected to the same cable?

Thanks John

[satandpcguy]

i did say "as it is not a good idea to have two "powered on" receivers connected to the same cable"

as you will only be able to view channels using the same frequencies....so you will not be able to watch Sky News (vertical polarisation) and bbc news (horizontal polarisation) at the same time with two receivers connected to the same cable or loop through.

which was in repsonse to the OPs question.

If both receivers are switched on, and one is looking at a vertical frequency, and one is looking at a horizontal frequency, then this can damage the receiver / motor / LNB. especially when both receiver are sending 12 volts down the cables...

and sometimes the looped thru receiver can send movement commands to the motor...

so i use one receiver to control the motor and locate the satellite i want....then power off / stand by. then turn on the looped thru receiver...

[CreteJoe]

loop through

Ok thanks for that, I understand now, john

[nickosanmiguel]

Does anyone know who repairs satellite boxes we have a VU Duo box 3 years old.