Loftbox Labgear HDU681S connection information and wall plates.
Although we supply a FREE eBook when you purchase a Loft Box, you might need to get a professional to finalise the installation for you. There's a small possibility that you will get the signal levels wrong by over-amplifying (or attenuating) and there's a possibility that you will get the choice of UHF channels wrong, resulting in interference. (Please use double-shielded coaxial cable for every connection.) The Philex Loft Box was superseded by the Labgear HDU681S.
IMPORTANT You should be aware that mains-powered equipment installed in the loft can be a fire hazard which may affect your insurance! A loft can become very hot in summer, which adds to the risk. If you install equipment in the loft, please take all appropriate steps to ensure that a fire can not spread, including: Install it in a flame-resistant container with good ventilation. Keep it away from flammable materials. Ensure that it can't accidentally be covered by blankets etc. tossed hurriedly into the loft. Ensure that it is properly fused and connected through a Residual Current Breaker or other safety device. Ensure that it is correctly earthed if an earth connection is provided.
Suggested wiring layout is given, below. We recommend that you copy this as closely as possible. Before you begin, please make a sketch of your own proposed layout on A4 size paper. This will make it easier to see if you make a mistake. It will also allow you to send a GIF image of your sketch to our Technical department if you require help. Please note that our technical help will necessarily be limited and will be based totally on your ability to describe your layout and your problem. We do recommend that you read our eBook very carefully and, again, to employ a professional if you run into difficulties that we can not solve for you by email. What use is a Loft Box? A loft box is able to combine the SAT LNB, TV AERIAL and RADIO AERIAL signals and send them down a single coaxial cable to your main room. (You will also need a Return Feed cable back to the loft box). This reduces the cable requirement to two instead of four. It can also handle signals from a Remote Control Extender (eg. tvLINK) in the reverse direction. It is important to understand the limitations of a Loft Box: It handles modulated RF signals, not raw video. Modulated RF signals will give "average" picture quality which will usually be fine on a 14" portable TV and acceptable on a 21" TV. Analogue transmissions using NICAM will give stereo audio on a suitable TV set. Other signals (eg. Sky Digibox RF Out) will give mono audio. (The only way to get stereo is via Scart or Phono connections and a Loft Box can't handle those). The more signals you try to feed in to the Loft Box, the worse the picture quality is likely to be. This is due to the limited number of UHF channels available (21 - 69) and the very real risk of cross-modulation between channels (as explained in "Piping TV Around the House".) You *can* use your existing TV aerial cable as the return feed and simply add the new down feed using double-shielded cable. However, for best results (maximum signal with minimum interference) we recommend you use double-shielded cable for ALL connections. The satellite TV picture quality through a Loft Box should not be significantly worse than it is when it comes direct from the Digibox RF Output, provided that you've followed the eBook advice. Obviously it can never be as good as Scart or S-Video quality. To ensure best possible picture and audio, use Scart or S-Video (if you have a SKY-Plus model) for the larger screens. But also bear in mind that digital satellite pictures are a compromise between quality and bandwidth so they'll never be a patch on DVD quality! The diagram shows a typical Loft Box wiring layout where the Loft Box is expected to be in the roof space or some dry upstairs location. There are optional inputs for an FM aerial, DAB aerial, security camera (or pond camera etc.) A 230 volt AC power supply is required. The wall plate is in the main viewing room. You can choose from a selection of wall plates, dependent on whether you need the telephone sockets and return feed. The RETURN feed will allow you to distribute the Sky Digibox programme AND normal TV aerial signal to other rooms, as shown. (So it's not really optional - it's essential!) A tvLINK system can be used in each room. The return feed can also carry other signals from the main viewing room (VCR, DVD etc.) These must all be tuned to separate UHF channels 21 - 69 as described in our eBook "Piping TV Around the House". IMPORTANT: The wall plates used for the secondary TV sets must be either UHF only (e.g. GLO27) or UHF and RADIO (e.g. GLO28). The main wall plate can be a single combined unit or two separate plates as required. See recommended plates at the bottom of this page. It's important that you wire up the loft box FULLY as shown in our web page wiring diagram. If you omit vital connections (such as the return feed) the unit can not work. This is obvious from the internal diagram on page 26 of our "Piping TV.." eBook. Without the Return Feed the signals go ONLY to the living room. They can not go to TV OUT 1 - 4 because there is no internal connection. Please DO connect the Return Feed. It need only be a short link cable for the purpose of testing. Please also be sure to connect the decombiner wall plate for each output in use, otherwise you could cause damage. Frequently Asked Questions Q. Can I use a Loft Box with a non-Sky receiver? A. Yes but, if you want the remote extender function to work ("magic eye"), you will need to order a Global tvLINK Plus with power supply. Q. Does the Loft Box aerial input provide power for a masthead amplifier or an MRD? A. No. You would need to fit a suitable power supply between the Loft Box and the amplifier. Note that an aerial amplifier will overload the Loft Box input unless there is a suitable length of cable (or attenuator) fitted. Q. Would you recommend a masthead amplifier to be used with and powered by a Loftbox? A. No. A Loft Box normally takes the place of a masthead amplifier and is located as close to the aerial as possible. If a masthead amplifier is used, it's likely to overload the input of the Loft Box built-in amplifier unless you have a very long connecting cable or fit a suitable value attenuator to the input. Q. What's the difference between the Global Loft Box and the HDU681S? A. The Global version has a number of accessories available for purchase. (See 2nd diagram on Global page). Loftbox expander and DIP1 for running a second LNB signal through the Loftbox (for example, if you have a SKY+ system and don't want to run cables direct from LNB to living room). Amp Adder if you need more than 8 outlets. tvLINK remote extender "magic eyes". (You can use other makes but the tvLINK is manufactured by Global so compatibility is ensured). Q. Will these accessories work with the HDU681S ? A. Possibly, but we can't guarantee it. Q. What do I do if I don't want to use the "Return Link"? A. Without a Return Link there will be no outputs from the Loft Box so you must move the switch to UHF+CCTV. You should do this anyway as an initial test to ensure the Loft Box is working. Q. Can I get good quality pictures and sound for my Flat Panel display though a Loft Box? A. A Loft Box has no discernible effect on picture quality if connected correctly. However, long cable runs can make a difference and a Loft Box simply passes Modulated carrier analogue RF signals such as those from the RF output of a Digibox. What you put in will be what you get out. A Loft Box won't improve it. All Digiboxes produce the same "RF Output" quality picture. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the choice of Loft Box (but it can obviously be affected by the choice and length of coaxial cables and the choice of UHF channels in use if they conflict with each other or with terrestrial channels. See our eBook "Piping TV Around the House"). Q. Why must I solder the TV plugs? A. If the plugs are carrying power to a "magic eye" or to a masthead amplifier, the wire should be soldered to the centre pin. If you don't do this, it may not make a reliable connection. Even if it does, to begin with, you risk losing the connection as the copper oxidises over months or years. If you can't solder then you could use TV plugs with screw connectors or fit twist-on "F" connectors and use a "090-4333 TV-F adapter". Note, however, that this arrangement produces a rather long and heavy plug, which might damage the socket in some circumstances. Q. Why can't I use female TV plugs? A. Female TV plugs can not be soldered so there's always a risk of a bad connection. It's better to solder a male plug to the cable then use a "COLCM - male-female adapter" to convert it. Apply silicone grease to all plug connections; this will keep moisture out and also make it easier to pull out the plug when necessary. Q. How many plugs should I order? A. It depends on exactly how you intend to wire up your system. As you will be making your own wiring sketch, you can mark it according to which plug you need for each connection then count the total of each type. Q. I want to connect two or three Sky Digiboxes to a Loft Box and I want magic eyes to be able to control all of them. Please tell me how to connect everything. A. I would stress that the Loft Boxes we sell are designed to be connected as shown in the example wiring diagrams. While small variations may be possible, it is unlikely that I can help you to design a major variation because I have no personal experience of connecting them differently and I have no knowledge of the internal workings, apart from that which is already on these web pages. It is most important that you draw your own wiring sketch on a LARGE piece of paper before ordering! Time spent determining what you need, now, will save much hassle later! You can order the kit at the bottom of this page. Product Name: HDU681S Product ID: 54 Product Description: 8-way Home Distribution Unit This new home distribution unit is now designed to distribute any combination of SKY™, SKY+™, FM, DAB, UHF and CCTV signals around the home. This model now has a switch which can be set for full function with systems that don't include a satellite receiver or for systems that do include a satellite receiver. It has the capability to combine satellite, FM, DAB, UHF and CCTV on to a single drop cable, with the addition of the facility for SKY+™. The return feed from the living room then distributes the RF channels around the house via the Uplink connection on the Home Distribution Units. Each Secondary point in the house or apartment can receive any combination of 5 off air channels, FM, DAB, CCTV and the RF 2 output from the Sky™ box with the facility to control it using an infra red remote eye. 12V 45 mA line powering for Masthead Amplifier Separate inputs for FM, DAB, UHF, CCTV, LNB1 and LNB2 Excellent filtering with a flat UHF response Minimal insertion loss 9v 15 mA with short circuit protection
	Notes 1. To allow IR compatibility the uplink and distributed room outlets must be non-isolated. 2. For LNB power the master outlet plate must provide DC continuity from IF port. 3. In order to comply with BS EN 50083-1 use earth terminal with 6 sq. mm cable to provide protective earth bonding. 4. If CCTV is not to be used use a 75 Ohm terminator at the input. 5. Ensure that the set top box and CCTV/VCR modulators are tuned at least 3 channels away from any off-air signals; also avoid all N+/-5 combinations. 6. The Loft Box should be installed as close to the outside TV aerial as possible and connected directly to it with double-shielded cable. The Loft Box is itself an amplifier, consequently no other amplification is required. The loss in 5 metres of cable (less than 1 dB) will make no significant difference to the end result. IMPORTANT: The wall plates used for the secondary TV sets must be either GLO27 (UHF only) or GLO28 (UHF and RADIO). See wall plates See selection in catalogue
To make ordering easier you can use the buttons below. Be sure to set the quantities to what you need. You can also change the quantities in the shopping cart. Any item set to zero will be deleted. You can also add additional items from the catalogue. See page 15 for wall plates and page 8 for cable. Click HERE for another loft box wiring example. A loft box uses only "F" connectors for its connections. Initial testing: If you have not connected a TV aerial, the Loft Box aerial input may pick up interference. Connect a 75 Ohm terminator instead. (Available below). Make sure you have completed the downlink/uplink circuit and test the system without connecting any equipment into that loop circuit downstairs. Just connect "TV to "Return" on the wall plate. If that's OK in the bedroom(s), introduce equipment into the loop, one at a time, ensuring that each piece of equipment is tuned to a UHF channel that will not interfere with any other in use.
HDU681S 8 way Loft Box £54.95 Customers ordering this usually want the following: Qty TR95 TV+Radio+Sat+Return Plate 304109 £9.95 (Two cables - one in and one return. Two "F" plugs, one male IEC, one female IEC plug) Qty GLO28 Global TV+Radio screened/non-isolated decombiner wall plate £4.95 (One cable in) Qty GLO27 Global TV screened/non-isolated wall plate £3.95 (One cable in) Qty H109F100BL 100m Black reel £:22.95 H109F100WH 100m White reel £:22.95 H109F100BR 100m Brown reel £:22.95 Cable Qty If you prefer to order WF100 cable in various lengths, colours, with or without plugs already fitted, set the Black Reel quantity to zero and order what you need from our cable page. 090-3076 Threaded F plug £0.16 Qty 010-0135 UHF TV plug male £0.20 Qty 010-0137 UHF TV plug female £0.50 Qty 84202 TV coax plug twist-on steel £0.59 Qty 090-4333 TV-F adapter £0.95 Screws onto an "F" connector so you can plug it into your Aerial input socket on satellite receiver or TV. Allows you to use double-screened coax cable like FF leads above! Use it with our FF leads to make a high quality extension TV lead or RF lead. Qty A09351 75 Ohm "F" terminator for unused inputs £0.48 Qty Send this page address - CLICK HERE - to a friend !