Foxtel IQ and Digital LITE

[GregA1503560021]

Hello,

I understand fully that a single cable down to your Foxtel IQ currently restricts you to Digital LITE. The installers actually put a splitter on the cable just before it goes into the box, so that the satellite signal goes into both tuners.

Now, if we had a regular Foxtel satellite tuner (and assuming everything in/on the roof was wired correctly), we would have access to all channels (those on horizontal AND vertical). (Someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Since we have 2 tuners sharing 1 wire, the wire defaults to Horizontal, and we don't get all the channels.

I KNOW that 1 wire can't actually have both H & V simultaneously for the 2 separate tuners. But why is there no option for the IQ to switch off one tuner temporarily, and then have access to the Vertical signals?

Am I missing something?

[gadget1503559522]

Hello,

I understand fully that a single cable down to your Foxtel IQ currently restricts you to Digital LITE.  The installers actually put a splitter on the cable just before it goes into the box, so that the satellite signal goes into both tuners.

Now, if we had a regular Foxtel satellite tuner (and assuming everything in/on the roof was wired correctly), we would have access to all channels (those on horizontal AND vertical). (Someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Since we have 2 tuners sharing 1 wire, the wire defaults to Horizontal, and we don't get all the channels.

I KNOW that 1 wire can't actually have both H & V simultaneously for the 2 separate tuners. But why is there no option for the IQ to switch off one tuner temporarily, and then have access to the Vertical signals?

Am I missing something?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The problem occurs when you want to watch 1 ch and record another. 18v will override 13v and kill your vert signal.

Gadget

[balrog]

Hello,

I understand fully that a single cable down to your Foxtel IQ currently restricts you to Digital LITE.  The installers actually put a splitter on the cable just before it goes into the box, so that the satellite signal goes into both tuners.

Now, if we had a regular Foxtel satellite tuner (and assuming everything in/on the roof was wired correctly), we would have access to all channels (those on horizontal AND vertical). (Someone correct me if I'm wrong).

Since we have 2 tuners sharing 1 wire, the wire defaults to Horizontal, and we don't get all the channels.

I KNOW that 1 wire can't actually have both H & V simultaneously for the 2 separate tuners. But why is there no option for the IQ to switch off one tuner temporarily, and then have access to the Vertical signals?

Am I missing something?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you in a house (and have your own dish) or are you in a block of units / townhouses / estate and your signal come from a CATV/SMATV system.

Is there some reason that a second cable from the other polarity can't be installed to each outlet?

[cyril]

Typically with a IQ installation you should have a dual output LNB installed, one output to each tuner. If you require three tuners or more to be fed then you will need an additional switch.

A proper switch for this application has two inputs, and several outputs, each of the two inputs go to the two outputs of the dual output LNB. The switch will force each output of the LNB two a different polarity. Now when each tuner selects the desired polarity the switch will give it the correct one.

These switches are common in Europe and the US, but untill the digital upgrade here have not been needed due to the fact that all Foxtel/Austar transponders were (but no longer) on one polarity. When they were on one polarity a simple splitter with one powered arm enabled was all that was needed.

A couple of exmples of such switches follows.

http://www.adigitalife.com/product_info.ph...ml&resultpage=2

http://www.sciteq.com.au/onlinestore.php?c...Splitters&id=50

Cheers

Cyril

[GregA1503560021]

The problem occurs when you want to watch 1 ch and record another. 18v will override 13v and kill your vert signal.

Gadget

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So assuming I've got a multiswitch in the roof, I could unplug one of the tuners and get the vertical channels? (not an ongoing solution, just understanding the technology).

[GregA1503560021]

Are you in a house (and have your own dish) or are you in a block of units / townhouses / estate and your signal come from a CATV/SMATV system.

Is there some reason that a second cable from the other polarity can't be installed to each outlet?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We're in what amounts to a unit block (only 2 units).

The guy upstairs said he had Foxtel Digital installed a couple of months back. He reckons he gets 9 and ABC and can watch FBO - but the Foxtel techs checked something on the IQ and said that only horizontal was available.

It should be reasonably easy to get a multiswitch put in, but cabling it to the Foxtel IQ box will be a hell of a problem.

[htnut]

Greg I am in a similar position to you. I already have a multi switch but getting a second cable to the box could be a challenge.

After spending more than half an hour with the Foxtel call centre staff who had no idea, I was finally put through to a knowledgeable technical manager.

He confirmed that as single cable and a splitter would not allow the vertical channels. He also agreed that using a connection to a single tuner would work.

I later had another thought which I did not run by him. If you connect the tuners with a splitter that only pases the DC voltage to one tuner then that tuner would control the horizontal and vertical switching and the other would follow suit. This would allow watching and recording if both tuners were on horizontal (most likely) or both on vertical but would not allow watching and recording if one channel was vertical and the other horizontal

[eiberer]

"I understand fully that a single cable down to your Foxtel IQ currently restricts you to Digital LITE. The installers actually put a splitter on the cable just before it goes into the box, so that the satellite signal goes into both tuners."

I have also had this confirmed by ringing Foxtel then being put through to a Strata Account Manager(?) who said that because our apartment building has a "fully digital" (satellite) Foxtel service, then Foxtel can install an "MDU Lite iQ".

Unfortunaelty I haven't been able to convince anyone at Foxtel that this can be done. Does anyone know who I should be talking to at Foxtel to get one of these boxes?

[GregA1503560021]

I later had another thought which I did not run by him. If you connect the tuners with a splitter that only pases the DC voltage to one tuner then that tuner would control the horizontal and vertical switching and the other would follow suit. This would allow watching and recording if both tuners were on horizontal (most likely)  or both on vertical but would not allow watching and recording if one channel was vertical and the other horizontal

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for reporting that, at least it confirms my understanding of the system.

It's a pity the Foxtel box can't allow either 2 horizontal channels to record simultaneously OR 1 vertical channel. I guess the system would need enough 'brains' to stop you turning on channel 9 while recording Fox8 as well. Ahh well.

I have also had this confirmed by ringing Foxtel then being put through to a Strata Account Manager(?) who said that because our apartment building has a "fully digital" (satellite) Foxtel service, then Foxtel can install an "MDU Lite iQ".

Unfortunaelty I haven't been able to convince anyone at Foxtel that this can be done.  Does anyone know who I should be talking to at Foxtel to get one of these boxes?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What do you mean you couldn't convince Foxtel? If the Strata Account Manager (or whatever) said it's okay, isn't that enough?

Basically if you can get satellite in the building at all, then if you plug in the Foxtel IQ you'll just get the horizontal channels ("LITE"). What does Foxtel say when you ask?

[eiberer]

What do you mean you couldn't convince Foxtel? If the Strata Account Manager (or whatever) said it's okay, isn't that enough?

No unfortunately. You see I get Foxtel via Telstra which means that unknown to me everytime I ring 131 999 I get put through to a Telstra person who answers "Welcome to Foxtel!".

My problem is trying to convince the Telstra/Foxtel Customer Support person that there is a viable solution to my problem despite what it says on their screen.

[GregA1503560021]

My problem is trying to convince the Telstra/Foxtel Customer Support person that there is a viable solution to my problem despite what it says on their screen.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Damn computers eh.

Or is it damn bureacrazy? I'll go with the latter.

So you've got foxtel satellite now and that works eh?

Maybe it'd help if you had a friendly friend plug in their IQ box so you could tell them you'd watched it work?

[Frost-6]

Good Luck.

Hi this is my first post. I have quite a bit of knowledge on the subject.

Anyway if you were a foxtel cable premises you would have no problem getting full functionality IQ

As for taking a friends fully functional IQ box to a Foxtel LITE building your going to prove nothing because the IQ box will fail the recording on the vert channels or you wont receive the vert channels at all because if the guy up stairs is watching it 18v is going to be running to the LNB.

Due to poorly designed apartment buildings, or ill rephrase that apartment buildings built before IQ sat was introduced until foxtel fully launch the new satellite and foxtel or the apartment building management spend the money on the 2 sat feature your going to be stuck to no vert channels. And to where the main distribution point of the tv/foxtel/optus cables are there is only 1 lead from the sat and not possible to get another lead down from the sat. or through each floors comms cabnit theres only 1 sat feed so its cascade spilt down the floors. But then you have the fact theres only one lead into your apartment, but this could be overcome with diaplexing the FTA cable as well to get the 2 feeds but then the FTA and foxtel lead ins have to be in the same cabnit etc.

The 2 Sat feature is going to be 2 sattiles on the roof one powered up to receive 13v vert channels and 18v hoz channels then put into some sort of multiswitch and then it will be like cable and then it will be 1 lead and you will receive full functionality until something new is introduced.

[davmel]

The 2 Sat feature is going to be 2 sattiles on the roof one powered up to receive 13v vert channels and 18v hoz channels then put into some sort of multiswitch and then it will be like cable and then it will be 1 lead and you will receive full functionality until something new is introduced.

2 sats on the roof????? I think most people would prefer the satellites up in stationary orbit rather than on your roof!

You only need a dual output universal LNB on the dish connected to a multiswitch. You'll still need 2 leads from the multiswitch going to each outlet to support multi-tuner devices like the IQ's which will be the default STB in the near future.

[Frost-6]

2 sats on the roof????? I think most people would prefer the satellites up in stationary orbit rather than on your roof!

You only need a dual output universal LNB on the dish connected to a multiswitch. You'll still need 2 leads from the multiswitch going to each outlet to support multi-tuner devices like the IQ's which will be the default STB in the near future.

Then you have this problem with the apartment buildings that havent been designed with IQ in mind.

And use your brains mate, 2 Satellite Dishes on the roof.

[davmel]

Then you have this problem with the apartment buildings that havent been designed with IQ in mind.

It's not whether they were designed for the IQ. The problem of Foxtel using multiple polarities existed LONG before the IQ ever arrived. If a standard STB in one apartment was on a vertical polarity it would lose signal if a standard STB on a horizontal polarity was powered up. Hence why multiswitches have been necessary since 2003 instead of splitters.

The only change the introduction of IQ's made was the requirement to have 2 cables from the multiswitch instead of one.

And use your brains mate, 2 Satellite Dishes on the roof.

Why on earth would you think there is a need for 2 dishes?????? Both polarities come from the same sat in the same direction so you only need ONE dish with a dual output LNB!

[Hosko]

Why on earth would you think there is a need for 2 dishes?????? Both polarities come from the same sat in the same direction so you only need ONE dish with a dual output LNB!

Dude is right, Frost-6 you are talking some vintage crapola.

[Zathras]

Hi this is my first post. I have quite a bit of knowledge on the subject.

And use your brains mate, 2 Satellite Dishes on the roof.

For someone who claims they "have quite a bit of knowledge on the subject", you don't really know much, do you.

Why on earth would you think there is a need for 2 dishes?????? Both polarities come from the same sat in the same direction so you only need ONE dish with a dual output LNB!

This is SO true. One dish with a dual LNB feeding a multiswitch. The multiswitch then feeds the building.

I install several of these a week.

[Frost-6]

For someone who claims they "have quite a bit of knowledge on the subject", you don't really know much, do you.

This is SO true. One dish with a dual LNB feeding a multiswitch. The multiswitch then feeds the building.

I install several of these a week.

Cool and you can run 2 cables to each customers tv point?

Look im going off what I read... Now I think about it could use a dual LNB.... Anywhoo....

To allow customers to have full IQ and full channel listing they are working on cable style distribution from a satellite feed requiring the IQ box to have one cable insted of the 2 required. Mind you whos going to pay for it is the next question.

[GregA1503560021]

Hi Frost, and welcome to the board. It's easy to be flamed on here which can be a fair whack - but it also makes us think things through and learn more which is cool.

Before I reply below - note that you responded to my post that I made in 2005.

To allow customers to have full IQ and full channel listing they are working on cable style distribution from a satellite feed requiring the IQ box to have one cable instead of the 2 required. Mind you whos going to pay for it is the next question.

My father's house just had a large fee offered for him and the upstairs neighbour to get 2 wires cabled in by Foxtel, so they can get FTA. $650 each. (They classify his home as a unit block, though as it's only 2 units it should be treated as a house, but I digress.) He declined.

What you say above would be helpful to people in his situation and makes sense, I hope Foxtel does this.

On another note:

Does anyone know how the channel polarities will be reorganised when the new Optus Satellite goes up this year?

ie: What channels will they get on Horizontal that were on Vertical before? Or new ones? I presume none will be lost?

[Frost-6]

Hi Frost, and welcome to the board. It's easy to be flamed on here which can be a fair whack - but it also makes us think things through and learn more which is cool.

Before I reply below - note that you responded to my post that I made in 2005.

My father's house just had a large fee offered for him and the upstairs neighbour to get 2 wires cabled in by Foxtel, so they can get FTA. $650 each. (They classify his home as a unit block, though as it's only 2 units it should be treated as a house, but I digress.) He declined.

What you say above would be helpful to people in his situation and makes sense, I hope Foxtel does this.

On another note:

Does anyone know how the channel polarities will be reorganised when the new Optus Satellite goes up this year?

ie: What channels will they get on Horizontal that were on Vertical before? Or new ones? I presume none will be lost?

Hi GregA.

Thanks.

The "solution" I mentioned was acutally told to me by 2 people, no solution of my own, and is being tested at the moment. Due to the high costing for the equipment, Foxtel wont foot the entire bill unless its commercially viable. A bit like Telstra with the ADSL, they need a min number of residents to commit.

One would hope the new polarities will be all on the Horizontal for now and when they run out of room again, start on the vertical.

[simonr12]

Hi everyone, this is my first post.

I am trying to figure out why you need 2 satellite feeds to Foxtel IQ and if there is any way around it to have it function without the 2nd recording channel but still get h and v channels.

My problem arises because i am trying to use my Foxtel box in a multiunit development in an an Austar area. The units have been wired to a single lnb with the dtv fed into this as well so we only have one cable to each apartment

Connecting the Foxtel box gives me most channels (its subscribed to platinum hd) but not the free to air ones which are on the other polarity.

Our current plan is to connect a dual output lnb with a 3 input multisplitter (H+V+Terrestrial) with 12 outputs. However as we are in an alpine environment we cannot run any more cable lengths at this time of year. We may run another cable next year in the summer although aesthetically running a whole bunch of extra cables along the outside of the building (our only option at this stage) is not very good.

However in the meantime I would like to get the FTA channels on the Foxtel box. Which brings me back to my question! Why do we need 2 feeds? Does the box need to sense both H+V polarities at the same time? Is there any way around this

This will become more of a problem as we are on the fringe of terrestrial FTA and will qualify for the governments new AVAST system so those running the Austar will also want to be able to get the vertical channels for the new sat FTA digital.

Your help or direction to a forum which knows would be most appreciated

[youngstar]

Seeking advise from the Foxtel experts/installers out there PLEASE

I currently live in a block of 42 apartments and have 2 x non-IQ satellite boxes in separate rooms. Currently receive all channels (Platinum) including free to air & Box Office (ordered via phone) (excluding HD channels, Setanta etc)

The complex was finished in 2006 but was not pre-wired for Foxtel so the owners corporation paid to have it wired for Foxtel in 2007. We have not been able to get an IQ box supplied by Foxtel as they claim we are a 'lite connection".

However at our annual body corporate AGM last night it was revealed that some residents have been able to get a IQ box installed. Apparently when the wiring was down in 2007 what they have done is run from the basement;

• 3 bedroom apartments = 5 cables
  
• 2 bedroom apartments = 3 cables
  

So what the resident had to do was get a contractor in (non-Foxtel) to change one of the Foxtel cables from the bedroom to the loungeroom so that they would have 2 cables at the one outlet point. Apparent cost was $450 for this to be done. I am assuming they then contacted Foxtel & arranged for the IQ installation. (it was not an IQ2 box)

So questions I have;

1. Does they above appear correct ?

2. If IQ is possible then would IQ2 also be possible ? (Would even 1 x IQ2 & 1 x IQ box be possible in separate rooms)

3. Would there be any change to the channels I could receive/record ? (ie. don't want to loose the FTA channels)

4. Is $450 reasonable for a non-Foxtel contractor to change the wiring ?

5. Can the contractor update Foxtel with the wiring status so I do not have issues convincing them that an IQ/IQ2 install is possible ?

Many thanks,

youngstar

[SuttoSnax]

Hi Youngstar

What you have described sounds fairly straightforward. although you havent mentioned if u were in a 3 or 2 bed appt.

your questions

1. without actually seeing your residence - but from your description - yes possibly

2. IQ and IQ2 are EXACTLY the same as far as cabling to the premises goes. so either will work

3. in my state (WA) we dont get FTA channels at all on sat- however if you are receiving them now i dont see any reason why that would change.

4.ummm IMPOSSIBLE to say - depends on the building/storeys/construction/design/cable run length/ what floor you are on/ amplification reqd......

truly a "how long is a piece of string" question.

it may be as simple as diplexing a FTA cable - which would cost considerably less. or it may be a major job.

5. no - that would be your responsibility. just tell Foxtel you want it - and that you have got it ready. Dont take no for an answer. insist on a "QA" inspection if necessary.

btw - they will still charge the same even if you have had the cabling prewired.

also with the new satellite launched last year foxtel moved a lot of channels to H pol to help "lite" customers.

so the other iq customers may only have IQ lite - tho going on what you have described id say they have full service.

good luck

sutto

Seeking advise from the Foxtel experts/installers out there PLEASE

I currently live in a block of 42 apartments and have 2 x non-IQ satellite boxes in separate rooms. Currently receive all channels (Platinum) including free to air & Box Office (ordered via phone) (excluding HD channels, Setanta etc)

The complex was finished in 2006 but was not pre-wired for Foxtel so the owners corporation paid to have it wired for Foxtel in 2007. We have not been able to get an IQ box supplied by Foxtel as they claim we are a 'lite connection".

However at our annual body corporate AGM last night it was revealed that some residents have been able to get a IQ box installed. Apparently when the wiring was down in 2007 what they have done is run from the basement;

• 3 bedroom apartments = 5 cables
  
• 2 bedroom apartments = 3 cables
  

So what the resident had to do was get a contractor in (non-Foxtel) to change one of the Foxtel cables from the bedroom to the loungeroom so that they would have 2 cables at the one outlet point. Apparent cost was $450 for this to be done. I am assuming they then contacted Foxtel & arranged for the IQ installation. (it was not an IQ2 box)

So questions I have;

1. Does they above appear correct ?

2. If IQ is possible then would IQ2 also be possible ? (Would even 1 x IQ2 & 1 x IQ box be possible in separate rooms)

3. Would there be any change to the channels I could receive/record ? (ie. don't want to loose the FTA channels)

4. Is $450 reasonable for a non-Foxtel contractor to change the wiring ?

5. Can the contractor update Foxtel with the wiring status so I do not have issues convincing them that an IQ/IQ2 install is possible ?

Many thanks,

youngstar

[youngstar]

Thanks sutto !

Yes I am in a 3 bedroom appartment - well townhouse really. It is 2 level with 2 bedrooms upstairs. Lower level has the 3rd bedroom and loungeroom which both currently have non-IQ boxes. So ideally I am wanting the contractor to move the Foxtel cable from upstairs bedroom 1 to lounge = Foxtel IQ2. Move cable from upstairs bedroom 2 to 3rd bedroom = Foxtel IQ.

Will give the contractor who did the other apartment a call & see what he says.

Cheers,

youngstar