Sky Q LNB - Samsung TV

[Cairnslufc]

Hi,

I recently got rid of Sky Q because it more than doubled in price. Looked to get a freesat set up with my Samsung QN85D. I plugged in both cables to the TV and scanned Astra 28.2 and managed to get quite a few of the higher sky channels (channels 700+) and multiple instances of ITV1 and C4 but no BBC or others you'd expect on Freesat. 

From my research it seems the Sky Q LNB is incompatible with the Freesat in the TV (when I try set it up as Freesat, rather than just scanning Astra, it finds every channel but doesn't have signal). I would change the LNB but it's quite hard to access. Before I commit to paying someone to change it, I'm confused why some channels seem to work but cannot find others? Surely if I can find some channels I should be able to find everything that the satellite is transmitting? Hopefully I've just omitted something and can save getting someone out. 

Appreciate any guidance.

[nigea99]

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@Cairnslufc wrote:

Hi,

I recently got rid of Sky Q because it more than doubled in price. Looked to get a freesat set up with my Samsung QN85D. I plugged in both cables to the TV and scanned Astra 28.2 and managed to get quite a few of the higher sky channels (channels 700+) and multiple instances of ITV1 and C4 but no BBC or others you'd expect on Freesat. 

From my research it seems the Sky Q LNB is incompatible with the Freesat in the TV (when I try set it up as Freesat, rather than just scanning Astra, it finds every channel but doesn't have signal). I would change the LNB but it's quite hard to access. Before I commit to paying someone to change it, I'm confused why some channels seem to work but cannot find others? Surely if I can find some channels I should be able to find everything that the satellite is transmitting? Hopefully I've just omitted something and can save getting someone out. 

Appreciate any guidance.

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hi @Cairnslufc 

You are correct that SKY Q uses a different LNB to the Freesat boxes & Tvs.

The wideband LNBs that SKY Q uses, sends the full 'Wideband' set of frequencies down 2 separate cables - 1 for each polorisation (This method means all frequencies are available all the time meaning more tuners can be used to record)

Wheras the Universal LNBs as used by Freesat / SKY HD send approx half the frequency range in what are called hi & low bands and for a single polorisation at a time & these are controlled by a voltage change 18v/13v & the presence or not of a 22KHz tone 

(This method means approx only 1/4 channels are available via the cable at any time - hence the need to use more than one cable to record a channel in a different band and/or polorisation) 

I also believe the oscillator frequency used to control them is different. 

I guess it is possible that there is some overlap that a Freesat Tuner might be able to see - although with the oscillator difference I didn't think this woud be the case - I will tag our Kind expert @Godfrey who may be able to cinfirn either way, (I am guessing the TV is using it's preset info regarding what frequencies to expect) 

It may be better to consider getting the latest  Freesat 4K boxes that can work off either type of LNB (&  can record) 

[nigea99]

hi again @Cairnslufc 

I have just tried tuning my Panasonic TV Satellite tuner using one of  my SKY Q LNB feeds and it has also found several channels which would indicate there is some frequencies that map OK but as mentioned the different mapping and method means you won't get all

[Cairnslufc]

Hi @nigea99,

Thank you so much! 

I had a feeling this was the case and you saved me a lot of time faffing about trying to get it sorted.

I'll look into the set top box, thanks. 

[Godfrey · Accepted solution]

@Cairnslufc   The Sky Q LNB uses a single Local Oscillator frequency of 10.41 GHz, whereas the Universal LNB that your TV Freesat Tuner has been designed to use will be either 9.75 GHz for Low Band frequencies or 10.6 GHz for High Band frequencies.

Thus, when using a Wideband LNB, the High band channels will be available to your TV satellite tuner around 190 Mhz higher than their expected nominal frequency when being derrived from a Universal LNB and because some televion satellite tuners have quite an aggressive automatic frequency control this often allows a few of the High Band transponders to achieve a bitstream 'Lock'.

Alas, you would require the Wideband LNB to be replaced with a Universal LNB in order to allow you to receive the full range of Freesat channels on your TV satellite tuner.

Godfrey.

[nigea99]

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@Godfrey wrote:

@Cairnslufc   The Sky Q LNB uses a single Local Oscillator frequency of 10.41 GHz, whereas the Universal LNB that your TV Freesat Tuner has been designed to use will be either 9.75 GHz for Low Band frequencies or 10.6 GHz for High Band frequencies.

Thus, when using a Wideband LNB, the High band channels will be available to your TV satellite tuner around 190 Mhz higher than their expected nominal frequency when being derrived from a Universal LNB and because some televion satellite tuners have quite an aggressive automatic frequency control this often allows a few of the High Band transponders to achieve a bitstream 'Lock'.

Alas, you would require the Wideband LNB to be replaced with a Universal LNB in order to allow you to receive the full range of Freesat channels on your TV satellite tuner.

Godfrey.

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Many thanks @Godfrey