Since this is the most common question that I'm asked, I thought it would be appropriate to post the answer in this new forum.

Yes is the answer. And if you purchase the products and do it yourself, you can save a lot of money on installation costs.

How you do this is with a digital video/audio modulator. You take the audio/video outputs of the satellite receiver and input them to the modulator. A modulator takes the satellite video/audio and "modulates" it onto your home's coaxial cable as a separate channel. The satellite stations and cable TV channels (or off air stations) can coexist on the same cable. For example, you might program the modulator to output on channel 70. Then any TV or VCR tuner in your home connected to that cable can tune to channel 70 to watch the satellite channels.

The quality of the audio/video modulation is excellent if you use the right type of equipment. You can choose a modulator with single or multiple inputs. Multiple inputs can be used for dual satellite LNBs or for a surviellance camera you might locate on your front porch. Each input is assigned a separate output channel. With the audio, you can save money and use a monoral modulator or go with full stereo.

Remote satellite channel changing is accomplished in one of two ways. If you have a RF remote control for your satellite receiver, it will work in any room of your home already (within range). If you have an IR satellite remote, some modulators have an IR "engine" built in so the IR signal is also carried on the same coaxial cable. A special wall plate is installed in the remote room that consists of the coaxial cable output (connected to the TV) and an IR input jack. An IR sensor is plugged into the input jack on the face plate where the IR signal is mixed onto the coaxial cable and transmitted back to the modulator. IR emitters are then connected to the modulator and placed on the IR windows of the satellite receiver(s).

We are a distributor of Channel Plus equipment and have helped many people with this common problem. We not only distribute the products, we also install these products in homes and are familiar with their operation. We also can provide you with the technical advice (both printed materials and verbal) to help you with the installation.

Robert
[email protected]
[Link: ourworld.compuserve.com]

Why not use Radio Shacks 1x3 Baseband Amplifier, catalog number 15-1103 to distribute with? This is what a friend of mine does and what I'm in the process of doing. Once I get it down I will post on it.

I just wanted to get this right, either of these two devices DOESN'T let you watch different channels on different TVs at the same time, right?

The system that Robert is explaining is using a single Satellite LNB and either off air or cable programming. You can watch the off air or cable programming in any TV with any channels. While you can only watch the Satellite programming in any TV but with only the same channel. If you want to watch 2 separate Satellite channels then you will need a dual LNB system with 2 receivers and more complicated setup that involves video switches.

Hey Ed,

I would suggest distributing the A/V signals like Robert Suggested. The problem with distributing the A/V signals with the Radio Shack piece is that the audio is sent out line level and the video is being sent out base band. The problem is you will have to run separate audio L+R and separate video cables to each TV. If you simply modulate the signal like Robert suggested you will minimize the amount of wiring and you will be able to use the existing coax to each room. This is the best way to do it for the money. The A/V signals can look very good if you use the right modulator. We use the (Blonder Tongue Laboratories Inc.) model HAVM-2 series. You can connect any 2 sources and any combination of A/V equipment to it to be distributed to as many TV’s as you like. Whether you have cable or a local antenna use a backwards 2 way splitter to insert the input of both the out of the modulator and the cable or antenna into the 2 way splitter, then from there go out of the, since it’s backwards it will be the in part of the splitter. From there go to the splitter that is distributing all of the other TV’s in the house.

Good luck
Greg Brown
Entertainment Technologies
Dallas TX

Thanks for your input Greg but...

1. I don't have coax going to each room now so I will be wiring. I don't see any advantage to running cable or wire.

2. Price! A channel plus modulator from HAS Catalog #7717 is $229 Worthington has it for $169. The radio shack unit is what, $30? I guess the advantage for coax & a modulator is if your tv doesn't have A/V inputs.

3. I've already bought the unit from Radio Shack so I'm stuck with it. A friend of mine distributed this way and the result is very good.

Robert, please post your link to sell items to this link:

[Link: remotecentral.com]

By the way everyone, it's not a great site by any measure! You'll get FAR more information right here in Remote Central without the sales yada-yada-yada.

!

Who are you the internet police?

Robert is at least posting interesting information here. In fact, he's one of the primary knowledgable posters in the X-10 forum... I value his input.

Hey Ed,

Doing it your way with the Radio Shack piece will be ok if the runs are not that far, and you keep the cables from running parallel with any power wires and other strong RF emitting devices. The outputs on the Radio Shack piece are buffered but, you could suffer from lack of output if the runs are to long and RF noise problems. The advantage with modulator is that when using coax you have better shielding in theory, it carries both the audio and video signal on one cable, and because of the strong output on the modulator you can run long runs to a lot of TV’s before having to boost the signal. You could use the coax cable to run your video from the Radio shack device to the TV’s and use an RF to RCA connection to hookup to your video inputs on the back of your TV’s and Radio Shack device. There are several reasons why we do not do it this way but, it doesn’t mean that you can not do it your way providing that you are a little more careful.

Good Luck
Greg Brown
Entertainment Technologies
Dallas TX

My house is not big (1000 sq ft) so I don't think that will be a problem. The longest run would be to my bedroom which I'm not planning on right now anyway. Thanks for the input to Greg and Robert.

Your welcome Ed. Thanks for your comments Daniel and Greg.

If you are experienced with routing audio/video you can normally piece a system together that will be less expensive than using a "packaged" system like the Channel Plus All-in-One product line, and will provide an acceptable output. Many people do not have the expertise to do this properly as it can be very frustrating. It ususally will take more time get the video "balanced" when putting your own system together and the picture generally does not look as good as when using a packaged system, especially if you plan to distibute the signals over different lengths of cable including some long runs.

Pardon the gross proverb but, "there is more than one way to skin a cat".

Robert
RCI Automation

I have found an easy (and very cheap) way to watch the satellite anywhere in my house using just one receiver. Simply use the modulator already built into your satellite receiver. Use the A/V outputs to run the signal to your main tv, and use the RF out (broadcasting on channel 3 or 4) to send the signal to the rest of your tv's. I simply split the receiver's RF signal with a radio shack 4-way coax splitter. As a bonus, you can connect the feed from your over-the-air antenna to your satellite receiver and have both satellite and over-the-air signals fed throughout the house. Works like a champ. The picture is strong on all tv's.

I agree with Jeff. I've done this with two receivers, supplying to four rooms. I've even put a splitter in the link allowing me to watch the VCR in the other room(s) as well. Now I just need to learn that trick regarding Sony combined IR and RF remote control on my A3.

this is some really good info. I happen to be in the process of buidk=ling a house and knew that I wanted to have cable and DSS but was not sure how to go about it. I am having the builder wire all the rooms with cable and in the master and living room I am having them install a second jack. One for cable and one for DSS. From what I understand I should be able to get a modulator and then end up with the cable and DSS in all the bedrooms. I would like some more input on how to go about this.