Split Digibox RF outlet for other TVs Use more than one "magic eye" if you wish. 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. To pipe the TV aerial signal round the house with the selected Sky channel signal, connect your aerial to this. Set the Digibox RF Outlet UHF channel (in the secret "Installer Menu") so that it doesn't conflict with any terrestrial channel. 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 channel. Store this and note the analogue 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. RF2 includes a 9 volt DC power supply (set it to ON, if required, 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. |
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| 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. 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. |
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| The 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. In general, a "passive" splitter will probably 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 can 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. |
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| 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 better alternatives. |
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| 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 4db (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 130dB. 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 signal). |
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| 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 6dB UHF attenuator for cable runs of less than 3 metres. 
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| 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. |
| 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. |  |
