How can i watch ntl in another room?

[keep it simple]

Hi,

New to this, so I am sorry if my question seems really stupid - i'm sure someone must have asked before, but i can't find it.

I have ntl digital, with just one digibox, in the lounge. If i want to be able to watch cable channels in the bedroom, what do i need? I have seen signal splitters/transmitters/receivers in the shops, but not sure if compatible. Can someone tell me in very simple language what i need, or even give me a link to a suitable product? I really don't want to pay ntl another £15 per month for a second digibox if there is an easier and cheaper way to do this.

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[kobuskint]

I have put in a pair of Digisenders. I got them off e-bay for £40 but they are sold in Agros (http://www.hard2buy4.co.uk/i_742.html) . In order to use you remote control unit, you need a Gold version, but there is lots of information about this and for me that was not an issue.
Here is a simple overview. They are very simple to use.
http://www.geocities.com/digitalsatuk/digisender.html

I hope that this helps.

[altis]

Hi keep it simple and welcome!

Can you run a cable to your second TV or do you want to do it wirelessly? Using a cable will provide a slightly better picture, be more robust, and be more flexible BUT you will have to find some way of running the wire.

Which type of set top box (STB) do you have? There should be a label on the bottom giving a type number.

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by kobuskint

I have put in a pair of Digisenders. I got them off e-bay for £40 but they are sold in Agros (http://www.hard2buy4.co.uk/i_742.html) . In order to use you remote control unit, you need a Gold version, but there is lots of information about this and for me that was not an issue.
Here is a simple overview. They are very simple to use.
http://www.geocities.com/digitalsatuk/digisender.html

I hope that this helps.

Thanks for the links - very helpful. As far as i can gather, the issue with the ntl remote control is that it uses a different form of infra-red signal, which is not compatible with most senders. Am i right in thinking that the main advantage to the gold version is being able to control the stb form the bedroom? if i go for a cheaper sender I will still be able to watch in the bedroom, but just have to set the channel on the stb downstairs first?

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by altis

Hi keep it simple and welcome!

Can you run a cable to your second TV or do you want to do it wirelessly? Using a cable will provide a slightly better picture, be more robust, and be more flexible BUT you will have to find some way of running the wire.

Which type of set top box (STB) do you have? There should be a label on the bottom giving a type number.

Hi,

Don't really want any more cables - already using an 'old-fashioned' co-ax cable to carry a signal from a booster so i can watch terrestrial channels upstairs. The wireless option sounds much easier!

The stb is made by pace, but not sure which model - not at home right now.

[altis]

If you already have a cable then why not use it? Use the RF output of your STB to feed to your booster instead of the terrestrial aerial. Then, on your second TV, you'll be able to receive the terrestrial channels AND the cable channel.

Something like this:

[img]Download Failed (1)[/img]

Some models of STB are compatible with conventional infra-red devices - which is why I asked for the model number. There is some more info here:
http://www.redremote.co.uk/

[Wolf]

maplin sell senders for £29.99 until end of this week.

[keep it simple]

Thanks altis,

The diagram looks kinda complicated for a bear of little brain like me, but actually i think i have everything connected up pretty much as you show. I can get channels 1-5 ok, and, funnily enough, sky news - in fact when i first set up this tv in the bedroom (it's a new one only had a few months) i even got UK Gold, but that has since disappeared again. Maybe the signal from the booster just isn't strong enough?

Anyway, think i've decided to buy a wireless sender - just found a good deal on the maplin web site. Code L43AT, reduced from £79.99 to just £29.99. Sounds like a bargain. Also, i think maplin have answered my other question - i was asking kobuskint:

"Am i right in thinking that the main advantage to the gold version is being able to control the stb form the bedroom? if i go for a cheaper sender I will still be able to watch in the bedroom, but just have to set the channel on the stb downstairs first?"

The blurb on the maplin site says:

"Please note: This product does NOT relay remote control signals from NTL or Telewest digital cable boxes. It will however still send the pictures and sound, you will just be unable to change the channels in the second room."

Looks like i am close to a solution - off to maplin now; hope it's in stock!

Thanks for all your help.

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by Wolf

maplin sell senders for £29.99 until end of this week.

Yep, thanks wolf - just seen it. going there now!

[altis]

KIS - you're gonna be worse off if you install this video sender.

You appear to have an older STB with an analogue pass-thru - which is why you can get Sky News on the remote TV.

Currently, you can use the channel selector on the remote TV to switch between 1-5, Sky News and whatever the STB is viewing. However, with the video sender you will only have whatever the STB is viewing and you will not be able to change channels from the remote TV.

Unless you happy to be tied to whatever channel is selected on the STB downstairs then a second STB is the only real option.

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by altis

KIS - you're gonna be worse off if you install this video sender.

You appear to have an older STB with an analogue pass-thru - which is why you can get Sky News on the remote TV.

Currently, you can use the channel selector on the remote TV to switch between 1-5, Sky News and whatever the STB is viewing. However, with the video sender you will only have whatever the STB is viewing and you will not be able to change channels from the remote TV.

hmmm, interesting. well i've been out to maplin at lunchtime and bought the sender, so i will just have to do some experimenting before i decide whether i've wasted £30.

Just to clarify, on the bedroom tv i currently only have choice of 1-5, sky news or whatever is playing on the video downstairs - i am not able to view whatever the stb is viewing at all.

If it's a pass-through analogue signal, surely it should still work? i thought the whole idea is that the transmitter will send whatever signal is coming in, so if i am receiving both digital and analogue won't i still get both on the remote set?

[keep it simple]

Originally Posted by Paul M

Unless you happy to be tied to whatever channel is selected on the STB downstairs then a second STB is the only real option.

Thanks Paul. Yep, i understand that limitation. I know it's not ideal but all i actually want is a way to be able to watch sky football in the bedroom so the rest of the family is not forced to watch it with me on the downstairs tv.

No doubt while i am watching sky sports upstairs the kids might prefer to have cartoon network downstairs and my wife might prefer hallmark channel, but they will have to live with it - it's really not worth paying £15 a month for another box just for an occasional football match. They will just have to put up with channels 1-5 or else watch a video or dvd!

[altis]

A video sender can only transmit one channel. You can stuff many down a cable at the same time - each on a different frequency. The connection to your video sender will be via a scart (or possibly 3 x phono), not RF.

If you cannot view the STB output on the TV upstairs then this might be because:
1) your STB is not in the RF chain - study the diagram above - there should be a lead from the RF output of the STB to the aerial input of the VCR.
2) your remote TV is not tuned in to the STB - make sure the STB is on and then do a channel search upstairs.
2) the RF output of your STB is tuned to channel that is already used by another - you can use the engineering pages of the STB to change this - best to get Customer Services to talk you through this.

[Jason1]

can do it for less than a fiver. All you need is a 3 way passive spliter, coax, 11 male connectors and 3 rf connectors . From the output of your stb connect a small amount 30cm or so of coax with a male connector at each end one to fit to the stb and one for the splitter. Connect from the stb into the IN connection on the splitter which is at the top now you have 3 connections at the bottom of the splitter cut the required amount of coax needed to serve the remaing tv's you need to add male connectors to each end of the coax attaching a rf to the end that goes in the tv can get a piture of these if need be although you can only change channels from room where stb is