Smart Priority Switch (SPS) - 1 Dish, 2 Receivers

[Guy N. Cognito]

Hi All,

Anyone know if/where I can get a satellite smart priority switch in Australia? I've seen them for sale in the UK, but wondering if there's anywhere local they can be had...

Here's links to a couple of models i've found so far:



and



My understanding is that this type of switch can be used to connect a single satellite dish to 2 receivers without having to completely power-off one of the receivers, which is what I'm trying to achieve.

Alternately, does anyone have any other suggestions on how to do this?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I should also add, the receivers are for 2 different satellite services, both running off the same satellite (and both are used on the same TV set). At the moment in order to switch from one service to the other, i have to power-off the receiver that's currently connected (unplug at the outlet), swap the input cable (from LNB) over to the other receiver and power this one on...and away i go.

[beer4life]

Hi All,

Anyone know if/where I can get a satellite smart priority switch in Australia? I've seen them for sale in the UK, but wondering if there's anywhere local they can be had...

Here's links to a couple of models i've found so far:



and



My understanding is that this type of switch can be used to connect a single satellite dish to 2 receivers without having to completely power-off one of the receivers, which is what I'm trying to achieve.

Alternately, does anyone have any other suggestions on how to do this?

Thanks in advance.

G'Day Cobber,
I am not familiar with that item, however this will achieve what you want.
In fact, one dish, up to eight receivers. You will also need a Twin/dual output LNB, (10700 to be up to date with the new Optus D3 Satellite).
Should be able to scrounge one for about $40 and same for LNB + post.


Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".......

PS: I've had a good look at those switches, and in my opinion they would not allow you to have independent control. You could only have H or V polarity, not H and V on each STB. In other words, they are only loop through with the Master able to turn the slave ON or OFF.

[gordon_s1942]

I hope others more knowledgeable can explain if this just another Disq switch or does it work in another way.

[Guy N. Cognito]

[COLOR=Blue]G'Day Cobber,
I am not familiar with that item, however this will achieve what you want.
In fact, one dish, up to eight receivers. You will also need a Twin/dual output LNB, (10700 to be up to date with the new Optus D3 Satellite).
Should be able to scrounge one for about $40 and same for LNB + post.

beer4life, based on the additional info I've included in my original post, do you think what you have proposed will still satisfy my requirement? Thanks very much for your assistance.

[Guy N. Cognito]

I hope others more knowledgeable can explain if this just another Disq switch or does it work in another way.

The way i understand it is: a diseq switch is needed if you have multiple satellite dishes going to one (or more, i suppose?) receivers.

I only have a single dish, but have 2 receivers for 2 different satellite services. What i want is to be able to watch both services on one TV (at different times of course) without having to unplug one of the receivers from the wall.

From what i've read, an SPS allows you to have one input (from LNB) and 2 outputs to receivers. One receiver will be the "master" and both receivers are powered on, the master will be the one which powers the LNB. The receiver plugged into the "standby" output will only power the LNB if the "master" receiver is turned off (whether or not this will accomplish what i want, i'm not sure).

[beer4life]

The way i understand it is: a diseq switch is needed if you have multiple satellite dishes going to one (or more, i suppose?) receivers.

I only have a single dish, but have 2 receivers for 2 different satellite services. What i want is to be able to watch both services on one TV (at different times of course) without having to unplug one of the receivers from the wall.

From what i've read, an SPS allows you to have one input (from LNB) and 2 outputs to receivers. One receiver will be the "master" and both receivers are powered on, the master will be the one which powers the LNB. The receiver plugged into the "standby" output will only power the LNB if the "master" receiver is turned off (whether or not this will accomplish what i want, i'm not sure).

EDIT: I should also add, the receivers are for 2 different satellite services, both running off the same satellite (and both are used on the same TV set). At the moment in order to switch from one service to the other, i have to power-off the receiver that's currently connected (unplug at the outlet), swap the input cable (from LNB) over to the other receiver and power this one on...and away i go.

To start with you need to clarify just what are the two services that you are referring to.
If, say, it's Foxtel and Aurora, you only need a single STB. If subscriber cards are used, a STB with two card or cam slots.
It's beginning to look as if you are over complicating the issue, especially as you are only using one monitor.
At the moment, it's only speculation what you are doing. Be more specific.

Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".....

[Guy N. Cognito]

To start with you need to clarify just what are the two services that you are referring to.
If, say, it's Foxtel and Aurora, you only need a single STB. If subscriber cards are used, a STB with two card or cam slots.
It's beginning to look as if you are over complicating the issue, especially as you are only using one monitor.
At the moment, it's only speculation what you are doing. Be more specific.

Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".....

Yes, it's for Foxtel and Aurora, and i have subscriber cards for both.

I suppose the consideration here is the level of complication vs. the cost.

If someone can recommend a good STB that will successfully handle both smartcards, then that would be most appreciated, but if it's a matter of spending say, over $300, then i would be more inclined to go with perhaps a more complex solution that would be cheaper. But again, am open to suggestions.

So to summarize:

- Have two subscription satellite services: Aurora and Foxtel, both with smartcards.
- currently have 2 receivers
- want to be able to view both services in the same room without having to fuss over manually swapping cables, etc.
- eventually, will want to be able to watch these satellite services in other rooms (but not necessarily control the service).

Thanks again for all the advice.

[beer4life]

Yes, it's for Foxtel and Aurora, and i have subscriber cards for both.

I suppose the consideration here is the level of complication vs. the cost.

If someone can recommend a good STB that will successfully handle both smartcards, then that would be most appreciated, but if it's a matter of spending say, over $300, then i would be more inclined to go with perhaps a more complex solution that would be cheaper. But again, am open to suggestions.

So to summarize:

- Have two subscription satellite services: Aurora and Foxtel, both with smartcards.
- currently have 2 receivers
- want to be able to view both services in the same room without having to fuss over manually swapping cables, etc.
- eventually, will want to be able to watch these satellite services in other rooms (but not necessarily control the service).

Thanks again for all the advice.

What model STBs do you have?
Not sure, but I think there would be many members doing that.
Perhaps someone with the same services can advise here.

In fact, with your existing STBs, all you need is a Twin/dual output LNB, a cable going to each box, and the output of one box to the AV input of the TV and the output of the other to an unused TV channel.
That way both boxes are on, and the TV switches from one to the other.
Probably variations of that, but that is the simple solution.

Kindest Regards, " The Druid ".......

[hoe]

all you need to do is run a cable from the lnb out of one receiver to the lnb in of the other. when the first receiver is turned off, it will automatically switch to the second.....

[beer4life]

all you need to do is run a cable from the lnb out of one receiver to the lnb in of the other. when the first receiver is turned off, it will automatically switch to the second.....

Sorry, but it's not as simple as that. There is no power pass to drive the LNB from the slave receiver.

[vk6xlr]

Sorry, but it's not as simple as that. There is no power pass to drive the LNB from the slave receiver.

all you need to do is run a cable from the lnb out of one receiver to the lnb in of the other. when the first receiver is turned off, it will automatically switch to the second.....

Sure it's that simple.
Most Strong receivers will do exactly that. Works extremely well.

I have run many a Foxtel STB and Strong box using that method.

[beer4life]

Sure it's that simple.
Most Strong receivers will do exactly that. Works extremely well.

I have run many a Foxtel STB and Strong box using that method.

Well, you could have fooled me.
I have two 4658X here with Aljazeera on the first and a feed through to the second with Aurora.
When I switch the first one off, I lose the signal on the second.
I'll say it again, there is no feedthrough voltage for the LNB when the first box is switched OFF. As well, you can only get the same polarity as the first box if you do the switching at the TV.

No .

[vk6xlr]

I have two 4658X here with Aljazeera on the first and a feed through to the second with Aurora.
When I switch the first one off, I lose the signal on the second.
I'll say it again, there is no feedthrough voltage for the LNB when the first box is switched OFF. As well, you can only get the same polarity as the first box if you do the switching at the TV.

Works perfectly with a 4653X. Polarity switching is not an issue. As I say, I've done quite a few like this.

[hoe]

Well, you could have fooled me.
I have two 4658X here with Aljazeera on the first and a feed through to the second with Aurora.
When I switch the first one off, I lose the signal on the second.
I'll say it again, there is no feedthrough voltage for the LNB when the first box is switched OFF. As well, you can only get the same polarity as the first box if you do the switching at the TV.

No .

wrong, check to see if you have lnb power turned on in the menu of the second box.....

you have a problem somewhere....

just about every stb made will do this......

[vk6xlr]

you have a problem somewhere....

just about every stb made will do this......

Yup. I agree 100%

[beer4life]

Works perfectly with a 4653X. Polarity switching is not an issue. As I say, I've done quite a few like this.

Incredible, can you still get Aurora on the second box with Foxtel on a Horizontal channel? Foxtel are 50/50 H & V.

[vk6xlr]

Incredible, can you still get Aurora on the second box with Foxtel on a Horizontal channel? Foxtel are 50/50 H & V.

Yes, that's EXACTLY what I have been saying.
The loopthru box totally overrides the Fox. Turn the loopthru to standby then the Fox assumes control.
ie: LNB ------- 4653X -------- Fox
My test bench currently uses this configuration for my C band setup.

Perhaps you are turning your loopthru box's power off instead of standby.

[Guy N. Cognito]

Yes, that's EXACTLY what I have been saying.
The loopthru box totally overrides the Fox. Turn the loopthru to standby then the Fox assumes control.
ie: LNB ------- 4653X -------- Fox
My test bench currently uses this configuration for my C band setup.

Perhaps you are turning your loopthru box's power off instead of standby.

Interesting...perhaps i need to replace my second receiver, which is a Humax something-or-other (not sure of model). I don't think it has loopthru capabilities, but not sure. I will double-check.

But this certainly seems like a simple setup for what i want to achieve right now. Thanks again all for your time and efforts...and patience.

[beer4life]

Interesting...perhaps i need to replace my second receiver, which is a Humax something-or-other (not sure of model). I don't think it has loopthru capabilities, but not sure. I will double-check.

But this certainly seems like a simple setup for what i want to achieve right now. Thanks again all for your time and efforts...and patience.

To clarify what was said:
You don't need the loopthrough on the second receiver. (Humax on Aurora).

Make the first receiver the Foxtel,
with the IF out (loopthrough) going to second box with Aurora,
and when you put the first on "Standby",( if the Foxtel box is on a V channel, just switch TV),
the second (Aurora ) box is then active.
Only need to change channels on the TV.
No swapping cables involved.

[vk6xlr]

Make the first receiver the Foxtel, with the IF out (loopthrough) going to second box with Aurora,

Foxtel does NOT have loopthru, so it CAN NOT be the first receiver.
I deal with these boxes everyday......