How to connect two TVs to one tuner

Modern satellite TV offers hundreds of channels in excellent quality. The problem is that the system works on the simple principle of receiver-decoder-TV. And this means that only one TV can be connected to one antenna in the basic configuration. But in a modern house, this is no longer relevant. The user wants to watch channels on multiple screens. Such a connection can be made using both switching and decoding equipment.

Some restrictions

Satellite broadcasting is not the usual understanding of many analog type radio signals. The TV program, video and sound are transmitted as code sequences in digital format. This means that old TVs that do not have a special decoder cannot receive satellite channels. This requires separate equipment. In modern TV models, this DVB-S, DVB-S2 tuner.

DVB-S2 tuner

Today, satellite TV providers offer set-top boxes for decoding the signal into a format understandable to a regular TV receiver. With a standard antenna operation scheme, a receiving dish and a TV are connected to one such device. If you use two imaging devices, they will broadcast the same picture and nothing else.

Easy connection option

For the simplest connection option, the user must have at least one tuner with a so-called radio signal bypass. That is, the same data that the device receives from a satellite dish is transmitted to its high-frequency radio channel output. In this case, you can build a line of at least a pair of set-top boxes to watch channels on several TVs. This is done like this:

• the antenna cable is inserted into the input of the set-top box with a radio output;
• the output of the first receiver is connected to the corresponding input of the second;
• TVs are connected to set-top boxes using HDMI, RCA, and other ports.

Some difficulties may arise when implementing this method. In particular, for most receivers, the bypass is not completely end-to-end. If the device is configured to work with channels in vertical polarization, it will output a signal of the same format. That is, you cannot watch programs broadcast in horizontal polarization on the second set-top box.

The second difficulty is related to the peculiarity of the work of providers with the identification of the subscriber by smart cards or in another way. If the service provider does not support watching paid channels on two screens, the user will be forced to limit himself. On one TV, all subscriptions and TV programs will be available to him, and on the second — only free ones.

Antenna modification

The number of outputs that a satellite dish has is dictated by the design of its converter. By replacing this node with a more advanced one, you can get several cable lines for different TVs at once. Today is on sale converters with 2, 3, 4 and up to 8 outputs. This method is most convenient for those users who have enough free channels.

Converter to 4 outputs

To implement such a connection scheme, in addition to replacing the converter, you will have to pull new wires throughout the house. However, the subscriber is offered maximum freedom. You can connect a pair of receiver-TV to each cable, use the services of one provider with the option of viewing on multiple screens, or use offers from two or three operators at once.

There will be no problems with the choice of polarization, this task is solved by separate prefixes. But there are also some disadvantages. Most importantly, you may have to pay a subscription fee for each receiver or group of tuners.

Signal splitters

The signal splitter is a very simple device. It has one entrance and several exits. There are two types of splitter dividers. Some devices generate the same signal level on all outputs. They are used in cases where the length of the cable lines to each TV is approximately equal.

The second type is called non-linear divider. He has one of the outputs has 60-70% of the level of the original signal. The farthest TV in the network is connected to it.

As can be seen from the principle of the divider, a signal much smaller than the antenna generates is received by TV receivers or receivers. Therefore, in a home network it is rational use amplifiers. They are connected in front of the consumer, set-top box or TV to get a high-quality picture and sound of satellite broadcasts.

Multiswitches

A multiswitch is an expensive and complex device. It already has an output signal amplifier. In addition, such devices are able to work with a group of satellite dishes simultaneously. A multiswitch has several inputs and outputs.

This is the best solution if you want to get an excellent picture on each TV and at the same time do not install any intermediate signal amplifiers.

Services of satellite providers

Dividers, multiswitches, cascading receivers — all this does not eliminate the main problem of distributing a satellite signal to several TVs. If the provider uses subscriber identification, you will have to pay a separate subscription fee for each set-top box or TV. Fortunately for users, modern providers understand that there can be at least two TVs in a house.

Tricolor for 2 TVs

Service providers offer the option to watch channels on multiple devices. There are also hardware solutions — these are the so-called connected receivers. One of them acts as the main server. It decodes the channels. Data transfer to the second receiver-client is carried out via a cable of a local computer network or via a wireless router.

clone mode

In cafes, at summer recreation areas, even in private homes, the clone mode can be useful. In this case, two TVs comes the same picture. You can make such a connection to one receiver. Each of the TVs is switched to a separate port. At the same time, RCA and HDMI lines can be very long, from 5 to 30 meters.

Necessary equipment

To successfully implement the plan and connect two TVs to one receiver, the home master will need:

• a simple set of cable stripping tools;
• parabolic antenna or just a dish;
• TV tuner;
• splitter or splitter for two outputs;
• two TVs;
• a set of necessary cables.

When all the components are purchased, you can proceed with the installation of the entire system, but before that a few words about the devices.

Configuring System Components

Before connecting the tuner, it must be configured:

• connect the receiver to the home electrical network;
• connect the product to a computer via a USB port;
• install a satellite dish and connect it to a special connector on the tuner;
• install softwarewhich is attached to the product;
• run the program and set the operating parameters.

Only after careful tuning, we begin to connect the connected tuner to TVs. For this, it is better to use digital inputs in order to maintain the desired image quality.

Let’s say that one TV is installed in the living room, and another connected object, for example, in the son’s room: then we connect the nearby TV to the receiver with an HDMI cable. We turn on the telly in the hall and start setting it up:

• go to the menu;
• select the signal source;
• indicate the connector to which the connection was made from the tuner;
• we make adjustments according to the product instructions, as a rule, choose automatic scanningwhich modern models perform independently;
• after the list of channels appears, we filter out low-quality and duplicates, leaving only those necessary for further viewing.

Connecting a second receiver

Now it’s time to tell you how to connect a second TV to the receiver. We measure the shortest distance, a good option is to drill an adjacent wall, but this is not always possible. It is necessary to run the cable along the baseboard so as not to touch it when moving around the apartment.

On sale there are special skirting boards with a working for a cable, they are closed with a lid on top, which is very convenient — the wires are hidden and do not disturb the interior.

Setting up the second TV is carried out in the same way with the obligatory indication of connected cableswhen more than one is used.

We connect the satellite tuner using RCA cables, which can be used when connecting two TVs to one receiver at the same time with HDMI. You will need special SCART-RCA adapter, and when setting up a TV connected with this cable, you need to change the input signal settings. The scheme of such a connection is simple, it is carried out economically — no need to buy additional expensive equipment.