Thor Forums

[TurnerFam]

the 'truth' about Satellite TV is this:

- each TV needs it's OWN Receiver, to watch ALL of it's 'own' channels
- each Receiver needs it's OWN satellite Antenna, especially if you are wanting to make use of easy-to-use automatically acquiring PORTABLE models, like the KingTailgater or the DishPlaymaker, which are small and light and easy to place/move/mount/store.
- each TV needs it's own HDMI cable from the Receiver, IF you want to watch any HD channels

now, of course, most folks don't have 3 satellite Antennas for their 3 TVs, and some don't even have 3 Receivers for their 3 TVs, as there ARE ways to watch differing channels on different TVs without it, and it can be done, but ultimately the way I've described it initially is the only TRUE way to do it. Here's a way, though, you can try:

Some portable antennas, like the KingTailgater2 or Pro models, have TWO coax signal outputs. While each TV still needs it's own Receiver, two TVs 'can' share the same portable antenna, but with a slight 'twist'. The PRIMARY output, which goes to the primary TV receiver of your choice, say the BEDROOM, will be the receiver that can access ANY of the available channels, on ANY of the available satellites(normally there are 3, each with their own set of channels, either in SD, HD, or a mixture). The 'secondary' TV Receiver, though, will ONLY see channels on the primary receivers INITIAL satellite that it was programmed to, such as satellite 110. While this is acceptable to many folks who know what channels they can watch on the secondary TV, though many in SD, some will find this slightly annoying.
What can you do to create a better 'all channels for all satellites' for two different TVs?

Well, you can get TWO portable satellite antennas, as I originally described, of course, OR you can use a simple A/B switch.
The switch simply allows you to 'switch' which TV Receiver uses the 'MAIN' output of the portable antenna, giving EITHER TV the ability to see ALL channels available. To do this you simply run the portable Antenna's coax cable to the 'input' of the A/B switch(the middle of three coax ports), and use the other two as outputs to the Receivers. Now, you can setup each TV Receiver just like you would if each had it's own antenna, acquiring the satellites, allowing the 'programming' to take place, then using the switch to the one you are watching - such as the LIVING ROOM receiver during the day, and then the BEDROOM receiver during the night.

What can you do about that 'third' TV, especially the one 'OUTSIDE'?
Well, outside of it's own antenna, you can also add it as a third Receiver via ANOTHER additional A/B switch, coming from one of the other TV Receivers.

Now, is there a way to 'mirror' the output of a TV without going thru all of this 'multiple antennas' or 'A/B switch' option? YES.
Some receivers, like the Dish VIP211k, have a 'TV OUTPUT', which allows you to use a coax cable from that to another TV, maybe the OUTSIDE TV, so that it can view satellite channels, though WITHOUT it's own receiver. You could do this from the LIVING ROOM receiver, giving the outside TV it's own satellite channels, using the remote from the living room to change the living room receiver to see different channels on both.
The input to the Outside TV would likely need to be set to 'cable' so that it will see this signal from the other tv output.


There are ways to do differing things with satellite tv, but it may take a little experience for a while to 'get' what all is happening and to be able to then modify it for your needs.