# Splitting Satellite TV Signal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391 "2006-01-17T18:54:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391/1 "2006-01-17T18:54:09Z")
I have a satellite TV dish with a dual LNB connection. I have 2 receivers, one connected to each LNB output using coax. Now, from what I hear I can’t split one of these coax’s using a traditional cable splitter, something to do with the way the LNB receives odd and even signals or something. But I sure seem to be able to Google up some [products](http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat%5Fid=2401&sku=41020) that claim they’re satellite compatible. Anyone know anything about this: the dos and don’ts? ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391/2 "2006-01-17T19:06:43Z")
The signal an LNB receives from a satellite is either linear or circular. Here in Canada, StarChoice uses a linear signal, and Bell uses a circular signal. In the states, I think all of the major providers use a circular signal. I know Dish Network does. 😉 AFAIK, you can split the signals, but you can’t use a regular cable splitter. You need to use a proper satellite splitter. Never done it myself, so I’d do some research, or buy a splitter from somewhere you can return it. ---
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391/3 "2006-01-17T19:24:58Z")
I have an Expressvu setup. I have 2 RG6 cables coming from my dish into a splitter. This splitter can run 4 seperate receivers. So 2 in, 4 out. This splitter cost ~$75CAN 5 years ago, it’s passive (no external power supply), but if I recall you can buy ones with external power supplys. You can find on [here](http://www.kusat.com/go.php?path=/acc/distrib.php). Good luck… MtM ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391/4 "2006-01-17T20:49:10Z")
You actually need a satellite switch, not a splitter. It’s an active device that keeps the signals and satellites sorted out. FWIW, Dish installed one on my house that sends two LNBs to three receivers - four wires in and three out. Expect it to cost in the area of $50 to $100. Speaking of Dish, with them, at least, you need to know the generation of equipment you’re using. Their current line is called DishPro or DP and is incompatible with Dish500 or other “legacy” setups. For DP, you’d need the [DP-34 switch](http://www.merchantamerica.com/utahsatellite/index.php?ba=product_enlarge&product=13943) which takes in the three LNBs and sends them to four receivers. These switches can be “cascaded” as well, making it fairly simple to send signals to even more receivers. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391/5 "2006-01-17T21:09:40Z")
OP here: Sounds like there’s a compatibility issue between signal types and perhaps even dish type. I’m using StarChoice – a Canadian company – and I noticed one of the devices in **McDeath\_the\_Mad’s** link was for a StarChoice oval dish; my dish is an older round one. So, has anyone in Canada had luck splitting a StarChoice signal on a round dish? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391/6 "2006-01-18T01:11:22Z")
You can’t just split the cable after it comes out of the sat receiver? I have DirecTV, and only one receiver box. With your basic RG6 feeding the house from the dish. I also have Sat internet. I’ve split the RG6 into 5 different TV’s with no problem whatsoever (cept a boat load of wire running through the house :D). Of course every TV gets the same channel, but it’s no big deal for my Wife and I. Don’t see why you couldn’t just split the signal from any box to multiple TV’s. I split it coming out of the receiver, split it again, and again and so on. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2006, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/splitting-satellite-tv-signal/340391/7 "2006-01-18T02:56:45Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I’ve split the RG6 into 5 different TV’s with no problem whatsoever (cept a boat load of wire running through the house :D). Of course every TV gets the same channel, but it’s no big deal for my Wife and I. Don’t see why you couldn’t just split the signal from any box to multiple TV’s. Yes, you can do it that way, but as you said, every TV gets the same channel. 0 What the OP is asking is about splitting the signal coming from the antenna to feed multiple receivers, so that you can watch HBO in one room and ESPN in another. With standard cable tv this is usually not a problem (except that with every split you reduce signal strength). Splitting the signal from a dish requires more specialized equipment, as others have already noted.