Watching Sky TV in Another Room

Watching Sky TV in another room is usually done via a Sky Multiscreen package, which involves paying an additional monthly fee. This article discusses other options you may have considered. Or maybe you simply want to send a video signal to a TV via a long distance. This article will talk about Sky+HD and Sky-Q. Plus, the different ways in which a video or remote-control signal can be sent over long distances.

What Sky Box do you have?

Sky Q (2016 – Present):

This is the most recent Sky box. Below are some of the common specifications:

Allows up to 6 TV channels to be recorded simultaneously.
Can display up to 4k resolution (UHD).
Additional Sky Q mini boxes can be bought to act as another Sky Q box. These additional boxes only require an ethernet connection. No direct satellite signal is required for these. Only the main Sky Q box requires the direct satellite signal.
Additional Sky Q mini boxes can also act as a wi-fi extender.

Sky+ or Sky +HD (Released before 2016):

This is the older Sky box. They could only record one channel at a time. And required additional satellite connections for multiroom boxes.

Send Video Signals using HDMI to Ethernet Converters

Buy HDMI to Ethernet Converter on the Amazon store

HDMI to Ethernet convertors send HDMI video signals to another room via Cat 6 grade Ethernet cables. This device works perfectly with the older Sky +HD boxes, and probably will work with many other devices such as games consoles and PC’s. BUT, it does not work with the later Sky-Q box. This is becuase the Sky-Q box is cleverer than its predecessor having a technology called HDCP. What is HDCP is hear you ask? Well, basically it is software built into the Sky-Q box which is designed to recognise certain devices plugged into it, almost like a digital handshake. If it does not recognise the device, then it simply does not send the signal. Unfortunately, you would probably struggle to send a Sky-Q signal using any HDMI to Ethernet converter.

Advantages of HDMI to Ethernet Converters:

Works with the older Sky+HD boxes. Therefore you can split the signal, then send the signal to another room via Ethernet cable.
Will probably work with devices such as games consoles, PC’s, ect.
Ethernet cables are very cheap compared to HDMI cables, which is ideal if your other TV is located a long distance away.
The HDMI to Ethernet converter we recommend allows HD or UHD transmission.
These types of converters can also send an IR signal over the same Ethernet cable.

Disadvantages of HDMI to Ethernet Converters:

Does not work with the Sky-Q box.
Although Ethernet cables are not expensive, you will need to run the cable from your source to the destination.
HDMI to Ethernet converters can be expensive. Plus, you will also need a HDMI splitter, and CAT 6 grade Ethernet cable.

How to Set Up HDMI to Ethernet Convertors:

First you will need the following equipment, such as:

The HDMI output signal of your device (such as a Sky +HD box, games console or PC) goes into a HDMI splitter input socket. The splitter will split this signal, meaning one signal is turned into 2 or even 4 separate video signals.

One of the outputs from your HDMI splitter would be connected into the TV near your source device (such as the Sky +HD box, games console or PC). Another output from the splitter would then be sent a long distance to another room via the HDMI to Ethernet converter. The converter will have instructions regarding connections. The HDMI to Ethernet converter below consists of two metallic boxes, and 1 power supply. It allows you to send a HDMI signal up to 40m (130ft) via 1 Ethernet cable. This converter will work with Sky +HD, and probably with most game consoles and PC’s. Unfortunately, it does not work with Sky-Q. But please write to us if you do get it working with one! we will be interested to know so we can update this post.

HDMI to Ethernet Example Set-Up:

ROOM A – With source device in

Connect a HDMI cable from your source device (such as Sky +HD box, games console or PC) into the input socket of the splitter box.
Your splitter box will have a number of outputs, usually 2 or 4.
Connect a HDMI lead so it goes from output 1 (of splitter box) into your TV in room A.
Connect a HDMI lead so it goes from output 2 (of splitter box) into the HDMI port of the HDMI extender box labelled transmitter.
Insert an Ethernet cable into the box labelled transmitter. This is the cable that will go from room A into room B. You should use an Ethernet cable called cat 5e, or cat 6. The Ethernet cable should not be longer than 40m.
Connect the power supply into the box labelled transmitter.

ROOM B – TV you will Send the Signal to

Connect a HDMI lead into your TV.
Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the HDMI port on the box labelled receiver.
Connect the Ethernet lead (from room A) into the box labelled receiver in room B.

Send IR Remote Control Signals to Another Room using HDMI to Ethernet Converter

Do you need to send an IR remote control signal long distance, such as to another room? Well, you can do this using a HDMI to Ethernet converter. HDMI to Ethernet converters usually have IR sender and receiver ports on them. Your instructions for this device will tell you how to set this up. We have also provided a quick guide below:

ROOM A – With source device in

ROOM B – TV you will Send the Signal to

An IR receiver plugs into the HDMI extender box labelled receiver, in room B.
The IR transmitter plug into the HDMI extender box labelled transmitter, in room A, where your source IR signal is. The transmitter needs to be facing the receiver on your device which is sending out the IR signal.
It works like this. When using your remote in another room, the IR receiver reads your signals from your remote control, then sends it to another room via Ethernet cable. Positioning of the IR transmitter and receiver is critical for this to work.

Send Video Signals via a HDMI Splitter

Buy the HDMI splitter below from the Amazon store

The product below enables you to split your signal from your Sky box, or another device such as a games console or PC. Once you split the signal, you will then have 2 or more seperate HDMI outputs from your device. This means you can feed your signal into various TV’s. It may be a good method when it comes to watching sky TV in another room. For example, you could have Sky TV on up to 4 TV’s at the same time using the splitter below. However, if your TV is in another room then you will struggle to turn it over without a method to send the remote control signal.

Advantages of using HDMI Splitters only:

Very simple setup.
Will send HD and UHD signals.
Very reliable. And will work for pretty much any device that has a HDMI signal.
HDMI cables offer superb picture quality. You will therefore experience the same image on both TV’s.

Disadvantages of using HDMI Splitters only:

Can be very expensive to buy long HDMI cables, especially if you need to send your signal long distance.

How to Setup HDMI Splitters:

First you will need the following:

HDMI Splitter. The splitter in the link is a 4 output HDMI splitter from the Amazon store.
HDMI cable. Length of this cable will depend upon the distance from your source to your second TV. The cable in the link is a 40m HDMI fibre optic cable from the Amazon store.

Connect a HDMI cable from your Sky box (or other device) into the input socket of the splitter box.
Your splitter box will have a number of outputs, usually 2 or 4.
Connect a HDMI lead so it goes from output 1 (of splitter box) into your TV (where your sky box or other device is).
Connect a HDMI lead so it goes from output 2 (of splitter box) into your second TV.
To send your IR signal you could use something called an IR repeater. This is a device that receives the signal from your remote in another room.

Watching TV in Another Room using Coaxial Cable

Advantages of Sending Signals using Coaxial Cables:

Sky +HD has a coaxial output. This was great because the signal could be sent to another TV using a gadget called Sky Eye. The Sky eye used your existing TV coaxial cable to transmit an image to your second TV. However, the new Sky Q box does not have a coaxial connection. Even if it did, coaxial does not offer good picture quality.
A device called Magic Eye allows you to send an IR signal via your existing TV coaxial cable. Therefore, allowing you to select channels from a DVD device or an older Sky box within the same room as your second TV.
Most houses have a network of coaxial cable which allows most rooms to receive signals from your main roof ariel.

Disadvantages of Sending Signals using Coaxial Cables:

Sending signals via coaxial cable does not offer HD or UHD resolution. Coaxial is becoming increasingly obsolete.
The signal transmitted to the second TV via your coaxial can be affected by electrical noise.