Splitting a satelitte cable for recording?

[Magma1985]

I installed the satellite myself during the world cup so I could get freesat HD channels.
Im now thinking of getting a hd recorder; my system at the moment is a single lnb so I presume id need to install a double lnb and run two cables to the recorder.
Am I being stupid but is it possible just to split the cable using a Splitter rather that upgrading the lnb and running another cable?
I wouldn't mind freesat upstairs as well so would I have to get a triple lnb or split it three times? I'd prefer to ask a silly question than cause myself unnecessary work many thanks

 

[ChrisFrost]

You're right - Satellite works differently to TV.

The box sends signals to each of the LNB receivers in a dual/quad/octo LNB to switch between 4 different states. Trying to run two receivers off a single LNB cable will cause a conflict. You definitely need multiple cables if you want to run more than one satellite tuner.

 

[plugwash]

Satellite tuners switch the LNB into one of four modes (two frequency bands and two polarisations) so you can't just split the signal.

For up to 8 tuners you can use LNBs with multiple outputs.

If you want more than 8 tuners (not that you do right now but if you decide to go pure freesat it's not difficult to get to 8 ) you use a quattro LNB (not the same thing as a quad lnb) and a multiswitch. The "quattro" LNB provides the signals for all four modes at the same time through four cables to the multiswitch (some but not all multiswitches can also work with a normal quad LNB) and then the multiswitch sends the correct signals to each tuner. Generally a larger dish is used to feed a multiswitch system to make up for noise/interference introduced but the multiswitch.

 

[Magma1985]

Thanks guys