A guide to LNB's for satellite reception in the UK

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There are a number of different types of LNB for domestic satellite signal reception used in the UK, this video shows six different models and explains the differences and gives a basic idea of how they work.

All LNB's convert the signal from the satellite down to a lower frequency that can travel efficiently through a coaxial cable. The term LNB literally means Low Noise Block (of frequencies) down-convertor. You may also see them called LNBF the "F" standing for feedhorn, the focusing tube at the front of an LNB which is now a standard part of the assembly.

Universal LNB's are compatible with Sky-HD, Freesat-HD and European satellite receivers that use Universal switching in the Ku band. The term "Universal" means the receivers use a voltage and tone switch to select one of the 4 "polarities" of signal being transmitted from the satellite to be delivered by the LNB; Vertical High and Low, Horizontal High and Low. If your receiver uses universal switching you need a universal LNB.

HD receivers that have built-in recorders (PVR's) have two tuners and often need to access different polarities to find the channel being watched versus the one being recorded. For this reason they have 2 inputs and need 2 feeds from a universal LNB.

LNB's can be set-up to feed a single receiver or by choosing one of the larger units, like the GK8LB Octo you can feed up to eight receivers.

The latest satellite receivers for Sky-Q or Freesat 4K have even more tuners each accessing different channels to either watch, record, watch on another display or even on another device and as a result they need to access all polarities, all of the time. For domestic installations these receivers use two feeds but from a Wideband LNB, one feed carrying all of the Horizontal signals and the other all of the Vertical signals. The signals are spread across a wider range of frequencies in the cable and the receiver is programmed to find the channel at its new frequency on the correct polarity. Worth noting that Wideband LNB's deigned for use in Europe and elsewhere may have a different frequency setting, make sure you choose one specified for the UK.

If your TV system has both a newer Wideband (Sky-Q or Freesat 4K) receiver and Universal satellite receivers GeoSync also have a Hybrid LNB which is designed to feed signals to both. The two outlets at the front for Wideband and the four at the back for Universal.

All GeoSync LNB's for the domestic UK market are fitted with a Mk4 bracket which fits onto the popular elliptical satellite dishes used for Sky and Freesat. If you are using a circular dish it should be fitted with a 40mm diameter LNB bracket which will be compatible with a GeoSync LNB.

All of our LNB's are specified for professional installation and we provide a simple guide on how to fit and align the LNB onto an existing dish to get the best quality signal with every LNB.