SKY HD Ordered - need advice re 2nd output

[admin_exported]

I have ordered sky HD and need help to be ready to connect in 2nd tv.

The hdmi will go to plasma so the main screen is sorted.

I need to connect the 2nd out to a 2nd TV. This will either be next door, up upstairs above the box.

So i either will have to go through the wall, or through the ceiling - not the best options.

A scart if that the best connection will obviously need a bigger hole, which isn't good.

do the boxes have component or composite outs? they would probably be easier to route, or should i just run a coax - I could run this under the floor, outside, up wall etc, run length would be probably 30 m.

Any advice would be good. (2nd tv's are crt at present)

 

[Andy TW]

Unless Sky have changed the design of the box since last year then it has a component output.

You will need to run separate audio cables if you use the component connection so it may be no better than Scart from a cable point of view, but will allow you to view HD pictures if you replace the 2nd set at a later date with on which is HD ready.

 

[Anonymous]

Ok.

Thx. Wife has just told me I have to connect bedroom as 2nd connection - about 8m realistically

Is a coax out that bad ? ... (

Alternatives is there a good sender? I bought one from, argos that plugged into the 2nd scart socket and it was pants.

 

[daveh75]

try this phillips one, bought one a while back and its great, http://www.atlantic2u.net/store/viewproduct.asp?idproduct=4980,

 

[Anonymous]

IDave - Have you had any of the problems with that unit with interference when people move around the house? A few sites on the web have such comments.

Also, does anyone have the digisender x7? It has 4 inputs and 2 outputs - not sure I need 4 inputs but 2 outputs may be handy if they can view different sources. (also Argos sell them and they have a nice 16 day return policy ^^ which could well be handy)

Cheers.

 

[daveh75]

never had any problems with it at all,

 

[bigblue235]

Andy TW:Unless Sky have changed the design of the box since last year then it has a component output.

I'm afraid they have changed it, new boxes no longer have component out. There's many upset punters on various AV sites bemoaning this fact.

I guess component boxes will start to attract a premium on ebay and the like, much like the 60gb PS3 situation.

Might be worth hanging off for a Pace or Samsung box, which are due sometime soon. Though, that said, they have been due 'soon' for as long as I can remember!

 

[Sorreltiger]

The Pace box is being field tested at the beginning of September, I believe, and will start to go into general service this autumn. ÿThere will, presumably, be a backlog of Thomson boxes to clear first. ÿHowever, I am almost certain that I read that there will be no component output.

 

[Anonymous]

I could always flog the box, getting it for 75 with free install if a new one comes out with better outs, (such as second hdmi sky if your listening?)

Does anyone have the x7 the digisender?

I am getting single co-ax's run with magic eyes this weekend for channel changing short term but don't know how good the picture will be. If i boost it would it improve?

 

[daveh75]

the picture will standard def the same quality as you would got of a standard terrestrial aerial, boosting it not really an option when using a magic eye as the second rf is powered up to power the eye,

 

[bigblue235]

Sorreltiger:The Pace box is being field tested at the beginning of September, I believe, and will start to go into general service this autumn. There will, presumably, be a backlog of Thomson boxes to clear first. However, I am almost certain that I read that there will be no component output.

Ah, that's interesting! I hope you don't mind me asking, but is this fairly reliable info?!

Reason I ask is that I have a Thomson HD box now, but I'm moving house in a few weeks, so I could get a deal on a new box. I'd maybe hold off on doing so if I though the Pace boxes were definitely on the way.

I've read so many 'I spoke to an installer/customer service/employee of Pace/A.N.other...' stories that I've almost given up

 

[Sorreltiger]

I've just been following the latest thread on another site. ÿThis time, the news of a switch-over seems to be genuine:
"Field test rollout 12th Aug
2,000 units allocated to seleced Sky installers to install in customers homes. Questionairre to be filled in on completion of field test. Boxes expected to be allocated into locations suffering from poor signal, i.e. zone 2 areas, plus mixed positions around the UK.

General public rollout (assuming no major field test problems) 8th Sep
First product supplied to distributors for sale to independents/ASA's. Sky to have available a few weeks later, although no guarantee of Pace box over Thomson, it will be whatever is available from the installer.

Software version on Pace will begin 1.610, Samsung 0.7.000. Both have new EPG pre-installed (haven't confirmed).

No component connections. Will have second audio output."ÿ

 

[bigblue235]

That's great, thanks for the update

I'm in the Channel Islands, so I guess it may take a while longer for the new boxes to be available there. Hmmm, what to do...

Anyway, sorry for going off topic!