Sky+HD > Q installation questions

tired_dad

Hi, trying to understand how this works. Currently have sky HD. 3 boxes. The LNB has 4 ports, 3 of which are used.

having sky q put in next week.

id like to understand a few things.

1. Will they change the dish or just LNB?

2. Will they use existing sat cables? I understand only main box is connected to the dish. Or will totally new cables be run from dish to box.

3. Location of main box is very far from internet router. Will I be able to use home plugs?

4. how do the mini boxes connect to the main box? 

Thanks 

Neil_Jones

1) LNB.

2) Should use the same cables.

3) For the main box yes, the mini boxes are wireless only I believe.

4) See question 3.

neilmcl

1) They'll definitely change the LNB but might also change the dish if they don't have the correct adapter to hand for the new type LNB. Make sure you ask for a hybrid or smart LNB so you can still use your old sky HD boxes if you want.
2) Probably keep the existing cables, they'll only need the one pair of shotgun cable.
3) Yes, but you should also get a newer Sky Q hub router which is much better than the old ones, if not ask for one.
4) Wirelessly.

tired_dad

Newer hub router?

I’m only getting SkyQ , not sky broadband. 

Thanks for responses. Very helpful

matelodave

The guy changed our dish when we had it done a few weeks ago as the existing one was old and rusty. I had already requested a hybrid LNB so we could use our freesat box as well.
We already got decent cabling between the LNB and the box so there was no need to change that (I installed it myself a few years ago to replace the tatty stuff that was festooned around the walls). he did replace the connectors at both ends.

Ideally you shouldn't need to use home-plugs as the box is wifi enabled but I seem to be having a problem as mine wont remain connected to my BT Hub 6 (either 2.4 or 5Gbt/s) so I'm using home plugs until I get round to putting in a permanent ethernet cable. TBH the homeplugs work OK but it's easy to run a cable between our router and the TV point and it should increase the speed a bit.
I actually get about 25mbit/s through the homeplugs but I should be able to get it up to 76 using a direct cable

Rodders53

Insist on a hybrid LNB to support the third connection.  Check it still works before the installer leaves!

Main pair of cables, unless a very short run, should be changed from the thin WF65 shotgun to WF100 shotgun (each cable 6.5 mm diameter) due to the higher frequencies of the wideband signals (the thin stuff will be too lossy).  Everything depends on the $ky installer laziness factor.

tired_dad

Install done.

i was told the mini boxes can be connected with a wired setup. They used a router but I am free to use a homeplug to get it talking to the main box 

smallblueplanet

I had an engineer come out today and say that my request for a hybrid LNB would be fulfilled with one where the connections had to be changed at the LNB itself. Is this correct. I had an argument with him about it as I ordered Sky Q back in March pre-covid, but got nowhere. 
He also insisted that he had to drill into my house wall to secure his ladder - no-one mentioned this on ordering. It was confirmed when I rang to complain, and rebook an engineer. Where the bloke I spoke to hadn't even heard of 'hybrid lnb's'!
Is it right that there are only new style hybrid LNBs? Any help welcome @Rodders53

neilmcl

smallblueplanet said:

I had an engineer come out today and say that my request for a hybrid LNB would be fulfilled with one where the connections had to be changed at the LNB itself. Is this correct. I had an argument with him about it as I ordered Sky Q back in March pre-covid, but got nowhere. 
He also insisted that he had to drill into my house wall to secure his ladder - no-one mentioned this on ordering. It was confirmed when I rang to complain, and rebook an engineer. Where the bloke I spoke to hadn't even heard of 'hybrid lnb's'!
Is it right that there are only new style hybrid LNBs? Any help welcome @Rodders53

He was probably just referring to the fact that the LNB will have both wide band connections for Sky Q as well as outputs for standard Sky where you'll have to change to if you want to use your old Sky boxes at a later date. Also depending on how high your dish will be then yes they may need to secure their ladder for obvious health and safety.