TV-Link Not Working?

Lots of people have problems with their TV-link or similar "SkyLink" remote extender system. Here's what to do.

Firstly, ALL cable really needs to be double-shielded as used for satellite LNB connection.

Ordinary "TV cable" will probably work just fine - but it can cause grainy pictures and intermittent remote operation. Better not to take the chance!

Connect your TV-Link directly to the RF output 2 socket at the rear of your Sky Digibox.

Press

[services] 401 [select] (quickly) to get this menu.

In the new EPG (April 2009) it's [services] 001 [select]

Press 4 to get this menu, move the yellow highlight bar down and press right or left arrow key to set RF Outlet Power Supply to ON.

Your TV-Link should now have a glowing LED (if it's one with an LED fitted - some aren't). The Digibox should respond to the remote when it's directed at the TV-Link "eye" even with the front panel completely covered up with black card or cloth.

If it doesn't respond then either the TV-Link is faulty or your Digibox is faulty. To check the Digibox, use a multimeter to measure the voltage coming out of the RF Output 2 Socket. The centre pin is positive and the outer part of the socket is negative. The voltage will be between 8 and 9 volts DC. If not, try pressing "backup" then enter the RF OUTLET menu again. This resets the voltage if the outlet has been short-circuited. If there's still no voltage, your Digibox is faulty.

A common fault is for the socket to break or for the connection from the centre pin to come unsoldered in the printed circuit board.

If you want to feed more than one TV set, it's essential to use the proper type of SkyLink compatible splitter. This is an amplified splitter which is SkyLink compatible. Don't use an incompatible type; it won't work.

If you use an ordinary splitter the TV-Link is unlikely to work unless you buy a SkyLink compatible splitter.

A wall socket can also be bad news for a TV-Link system. It may contain a decoupling capacitor* and it's likely to be unshielded - leading to problems with interference.

*Decouple - means not allowing DC voltage to pass. Bad news for a TV-Link which needs a 9 volt supply.

Make sure that any wall socket is fully shielded and allows DC to pass. It should NOT have a capacitor symbol like -||-

If the TV-Link doesn't light up upstairs, you have a disconnection somewhere. Check the cable and all connections. Make sure any amplifier or wall plate is compatible.

If the TV-Link lights but doesn't work upstairs (or in the 2nd TV room) try disconnecting it from the 2nd TV (yes, you'll lose the picture). If the remote commands now get through to the Digibox, the TV set is incompatible and needs to be decoupled.

If the TV-Link doesn't work when it's close to the TV screen, keep it well away from the screen by connecting it with a 3 metre length of double-screened cable. Many TV sets, and especially flat screens, can radiate interference that gets into poorly-screened cable and affects the Digibox.

Some SKY+ Digiboxes won't work or work intermittently with a TV-Link. One reported cure is to add another metre or so of cable to the one coming from the Digibox RF output 2. Some SKY+ Digiboxes don't work and the TV-Link LED flashes on and off. This is indicative of a faulty Digibox. The most commonly affected model was the old Pace BSKYB3100.

If you've checked everything so far and you still get intermittent operation, close curtains, turn off all lights and fires in both rooms and make sure nothing is plugged in that might transmit signals (phones, microwave oven, computer network).

Common misconceptions

You don't need a TV-Link in order to get picture and sound - just a cable to the 2nd TV. The TV-Link doesn't affect the picture* or sound. It passes them without attenuation. The remote signal goes back down the cable from the TV-Link to the Digibox. You don't need a 2nd TV connected to test it.

*If the tvLINK appears to degrade the picture (i.e. removing it makes the picture better) then it's likely that the cable you use to connect it is not double-screened or is too close to a source of interference (such as the TV).

If you get grainy Sky pictures on the 2nd TV this could be due to a VERY long cable run, bad connection or use of an ordinary splitter. But more likely, it's because you've set the Digibox RF Output frequency right on top of a Freeview digital terrestrial channel. Try disconnecting your roof aerial connection. If that gets rid of any graininess or interference, it means your Digibox RF OUTLET channel number (see menu screen above) is incorrect.

More information

There's an excellent FAQ here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=326141

and lots of information in Satcure's technical section here:
http://www.satcure.com/tech/

and a free guide.