Send Digibox RF outlet to another TV Sending Sky signal to bedroom TV or other room   We assume you have already downloaded and read our comprehensive instructions for installing a single "magic eye" remote extender. If not, please do so now. Your Sky Digibox has an aerial input and two analogue RF outputs. Any aerial signals fed to the aerial input will be combined with the currently-selected Sky programme (converted to analogue) and the combined signals come out of both RF output sockets. It's important to note that the RF output of any receiver is analogue because this neans that it can only be displayed by a TV that has an analogue tuner. Most modern TV sets have a digital (Freeview) tuner and an analogue tuner. So you must select the analogue tuner then scan for channels, with the Digibox connected and turned on, otherwise the Sky channel won't be found. Note that all RF output signals provide a typical (you might say "average") analogue picture quality, which is "on par" with the old analogue picture from an aerial. In addition, the RF audio is always mono. (The Freeview audio will be stereo.) If you will not be happy with the average picture quality and mono audio, then don't use the RF output. You could use a long Scart lead or an HDMI lead or a CAT5 HDMI converter system (explained elsewhere on this web site). You can still use the RF output with one or more "magic eyes" to provide the remote control facility. But the cable won't need to be connected to anything other than the "magic eye". To pipe the TV aerial signal round the house with the selected Sky channel signal, connect your aerial cable to the Digibox aerial input. Set the Digibox RF Outlet UHF channel (in the secret "Installer Menu") so that it doesn't conflict with any terrestrial channel. There's a choice of UHF channels from 21 to 69. Choose the one that produces least interference, by trial and error, or by looking up the channel usage for your area. This is explained in our eBook "Piping TV Around the House". The Digibox will combine its own selected programme (in analogue PAL-i format) with the aerial digital (and analogue*) signals, and output these from RF1 and RF2. Connect main TV to Digibox via Scart (or HDMI if available). With the Digibox ON, set your second TV to scan the ANALOGUE channels and it will find the Sky Digibox programme. Store this and note the analogue TV Programme number. Set your TV to scan the DIGITAL channels and it should find all the Freeview channels, provided that your aerial system is receiving them. Switch your TV to analogue whenever you wish to watch a Sky programme. *Analogue broadcasts have ceased in some UK areas and will cease altogether in 2012. RF2 includes a 9 volt DC power supply (set it to ON, if required for an amplifier, in the secret "Installer Menu" ). You have fed the output from your Sky Digibox to the second TV set via coaxial cable from RF Outlet 2. (Note that the RF outlets give only mono audio but this shouldn't matter for a TV in the bedroom/kitchen/conservatory). If you want to control the Sky Digibox from the second TV you must add one of our SkyLink remote extenders. Do NOT plug the SkyLink directly into the TV aerial socket as this can damage the TV tuner or the SkyLink (or both). Always use a flexible coaxial lead to connect them. See photo below.
The Sky Digibox combines its selected channel with the aerial signals (if aerial is connected to the Digibox aerial input) and feds them out of its RF1 and RF2 output sockets. You can feed the output from your Sky Digibox to more than one TV set via a splitter and coaxial cable. If you want to control the Sky Digibox from the other TVs you must add SkyLink remote extenders and the splitter must be SkyLink compatible. Do NOT plug the SkyLink directly into the TV aerial socket as this can damage the TV tuner or the SkyLink (or both). Always use a flexible coaxial lead to connect them.   Split Digibox RF outlet for other TVs Sending Sky signal to bedroom TV or other rooms How to use more than one "magic eye".
The SkyLink compatible splitter can be a "passive" type if the cable runs are short. If the cable runs are long, you will need an "amplified splitter" which is SkyLink compatible. (This means that it is able to power the SkyLink remote extender "magic eye" and is able to feed the remote control signals back to your Digibox. An ordinary amplifier can't do this). The amplified splitter is available with up to sixteen outputs and may be installed in a loft or cupboard. NOTE: You must not cascade two splitters! Use either a passive or an amplified splitter, but not both. Note: if you use a passive splitter as shown in the sketch above, you must use two SkyLinks, otherwise the system may not work when the TV is connected directly to the splitter. If you omit one SkyLink, it may be necessary to decouple the cable instead. Q. How do I know whether I need a "passive" splitter or an "amplified" splitter? A. You don't. There is no guarantee that a passive splitter will work! In general, a "passive" splitter might work if the cable runs are short (10m or less) and of good quality cable. However, a "passive" splitter might work fine with longer cables. Bear in mind that a "passive" splitter reduces the signal in each cable to around 40% of the original (which could make the picture look "grainy" and could make the remote operation intermittent). If this happens then you've lost the gamble and you'll need an amplified splitter. Read on.
	Do NOT connect the splitter directly into the RF outlet on the Sky Digibox as this can damage it. Always use a flexible coaxial lead to connect them. Order CO02D - double-shielded RF lead or click here for even better alternatives.
	Our SkyLink compatible passive splitter is capable of passing the 9 volt supply from the Digibox "RF Outlet 2" and allowing the Remote Control signal to go back to the Sky Digibox. As with all passive splitters, this unit will reduce the signal by around 4 dB (60%), thereby limiting the length of cable that can be used. However, it provides a very cheap solution where amplification is not required. You must not put strain on the RF2 outlet so it's best to use a short, flexible cable.
A COLCM TV coupler and a CO02D male-female UHF lead (above) is required for the connection to your Digibox RF2 (male) socket.) It is also advisable to use a coaxial cable between RF2 and the splitter. This cable may be several metres long, if necessary. You'll need two double-screened coaxial cables fitted with IEC TV plugs (soldered) to feed your additional TV sets via "magic eyes". Where amplification is required, please use a SkyLink compatible Amplified Splitter instead of this passive splitter - see below. The maximum distance between a "magic eye" and Digibox is determined by signal losses and not by voltage drop. The voltage drop over 1 kilometre of cable is very small but the signal loss is high at around 130 dB. It should be OK up to 50 metres with RG6 or WC100 or WF100 cable but this distance will be reduced considerably by any form of splitter or amplified splitter. (The amplifier does not amplify the remote return signal. It amplifies the outgoing RF signals). Send this page address - CLICK HERE - to a friend !
	We can provide a choice of SkyLink compatible Amplified Splitters with up to eight outputs. The example shown here is the F120 which has a threaded "F" connector input and two threaded "F" connector outputs. To connect it to your Digibox you'll need a COLCM TV coupler and a Lead with an "F" plug on one end and a male IEC TV plug on the other (see photo, left). This lead may be several metres long, if required. (Shown short in the photo simply for clarity.) You'll need two double-screened coaxial cables fitted with "F" connectors to feed your additional TV sets via "magic eyes". If either of the two cable runs is very short then a suitable attenuator may have to be connected to the TV aerial socket, otherwise the signal may be too strong. Use a 6 dB UHF attenuator for cable runs of less than 3 metres.
FOUR WAY and EIGHT WAY amplified splitters are also available. Please see our on-line catalogue page 15 for details. Note: Most Sky Digiboxes provide enough power to run two "magic eyes" through a splitter. Some will even run three or four but some will struggle. In this case you'll need to power the amplified splitter separately - either by a direct connection to a power supply or by using a DC inserter anywhere in the cable run between RF2 and the amplified splitter input, and feeding power into that. Note: Please note that cables associated with the RF2 output should be double-screened coaxial cable. You can try other cable but don't be surprised if the result is unreliable operation.
	Order our THIN coaxial cable for carrying the RF and remote signal around your house.
For more detailed information about connecting extra TV sets and tuning them in, please read our downloadable eBook "Piping TV Around the House". For details of installing aerials, amplifiers and Freeview systems, please see our downloadable eBook "The Freeview Bible". Don't forget to order an extra remote control.
IMPORTANT! The basic systems discussed here may not be suitable for a house where you want TV in several rooms. Before making a final decision, please read our information about LOFT BOXES and our information about MULTISWITCHES. Send this page address - CLICK HERE - to a friend !

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