Satellite Television Signal Distribution

If you would like to have access to your satellite channels from more than one television, here are a few ways to distribute signals throughout the house.

1. Single channel on multiple TVs (Single Receiver)

If you do not already have a cable system in your house or if you would prefer not to use it, you can always distribute the signal coming out of your receiver to the other television set(s).

This option involves splitting the modulated television signal coming out of your satellite receiver (Channel 3 or 4) with a VHF splitter and feeding it to the other television(s). For cable runs under 50', you will not need an amplifier.

Doing this will give you access to whatever channel the receiver is tuned to on the other televisions in the house. If your system comes with a UHF remote, you may use this remote in other rooms of the house, to control the receiver as if it was in front of you.

This option is most suited if you do not have the need to be able to tune to different channels at the same time on the different sets. If you already have cable and plan to discontinue the service, you may use the existing cables to distribute the signal throughout the house.

Requirements: 2-Way or 4-Way VHF / UHF splitter & cable.

2. Multiple channels on multiple TVs (Multiple Receivers)

If want to watch different programs on separate television sets (or use PIP on one television set), you will need more than one satellite receiver.

Explanation

A satellite receiver is like a cable box (only better!): Without it, your television set can not "understand" the information coming from your satellite dish, because in the case of DBS satellite television, the information is digital.

Since one receiver can only decode one channel at a time, you need multiple receivers to watch different programs on different television sets at the same time (or to record something while watching something else).

Additional receivers are called "slave" or "second, etc." receivers.

A "slave" or a "second" receiver is the same thing as your "main" receiver. You may get any model you want, by browsing through the available receivers for the service you have (Star Choice, ExpressVu, etc.). Instead of being on a separate programming account (which would result in a second bill), it is added to your existing account.

Is satellite television at a loss?

Watching different channels on multiple televisions used to be a problem for satellite dish owners, because the prohibitive cost of additional receivers. Today, having independent access to all your channels though satellite is not nearly as expensive as it used to be (satellite receivers are available for as little at $69 each).

The startup cost will always be higher with satellite than with cable, but you own the equipment, you're not renting it. In addition, satellite beats cable hands down when it comes to picture quality.

With Star Choice and ExpressVu, once you own the additional receivers and you can have up to 5 receivers per account. The only requirement for slave receiver owners is that your receivers should always be connected to the same phone line (allowing the service provider to verify - through caller ID - that the receivers are in the same house).

Requirements

Before you can get additional receivers, you should verify that your satellite system is equipped with a dual output LNBF (all ExpressVu systems) or a Star Choice Quad LNBF.

• ExpressVu Dual LNBF: For more than two receivers, you must use a multiswitch (they come with 4, 8 or 16 outputs). See our ExpressVu Installation section for more information.
  
  
• Star Choice Quad LNBF systems can provide signal for up to 4 receivers, directly from the satellite dish.

All systems should not have more than 150' of RG6 cable between each split. For more than 150' lines (up to 250'), you may have to use an in-line bullet amplifiers or another amplification device. Lines over 250' should use special cable - contact us for details.

multiswitches online.

3. Distribution over a cable system on channels 3 or 4

This option involves taking the modulated television signal coming out of your satellite receiver (Channel 3 or 4) and injecting it into an existing cable system. By doing so, you will remove Channel 3 or 4 coming from your cable company and replace it with the satellite receiver's output.

This solution is a cost effective way to distribute speciality services (such as international channels) in a house or a building.

For this setup, you will need a Channel 3 or 4 trap to block channel 3 or 4 from your cable system and a Channel 3 or 4 injector, to inject the signal coming out of your satellite receiver.

If you currently have an off-air distribution system, with nothing on channel 3 or 4, you may inject satellite signal in your system by only using an injector.