Maxing MB04 Universal LNB with built-in DiSEqC switch

TEST REPORT
LNB with DiSEqC
Maxing
MB04
Universal LNB
with built-in
DiSEqC
switch
• perfect weather protection
of the built-in DiSEqC
switch
• easier cabling and
installation work
• excellent reception results
• any LNB can be connected
to second input
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TEST REPORT
LNB with DiSEqC
Forget a Separate
DiSEqC Switch
When you want to receive
two different satellites
without a motorized dish,
you either use a monoblock
LNB or two separate LNBs.
A monoblock can be used
only in special cases, for
example, if the satellites
of interests are only a few
degrees apart. In all other
cases you need two separate
LNBs and a DiSEqC
switch so that your receiver
can switch from one LNB to
another.
But this is not true anymore!
Maxing Electronics
Technology have developed
a very interesting product.
It is an LNB with a DiSEqC
switch built-in. Maxing gave
this unique new product
the name MB04 and it looks
like a typical universal Twin
LNB at first sight. But that
is misleading. Do not connect
two receivers to this
device! Instead, you should
connect a coax cable from
another LNB to one of the
MB04 F connectors and a
cable from a set-top-box
to the other F connector.
Your receiver should be set
up to work with a DiSEqC
switch. DiSEqC position A
is for the MB04 LNB while
position B is for the second
LNB. This second LNB
can be any regular LNB. In
this way, you do not need
a two-way DiSEqC switch
in your antenna setup. It
is inside the Maxing MB04
LNB.
What are the benefits?
Well, you have only three
F junctions instead of five
in a typical setup. Thanks
07-08/2014
MAXING MB04 - LNB with DiSEqC
The best solution
to add a 2nd LNB outdoors
www.TELE-audiovision.com/14/07/maxing
to that you can expect better
reliability. Also the cabling
is somewhat simpler
as you do not have to care
where to mount the DiSEqC
switch. Best of all: you do
not have to care to insulate
the DiSEqC switch against
the waether, as it is well
protected inside the hosuing
of the MB04 LNB.
As the MB04 looks like a
Twin LNB it is the same size
and it is not any heavier.
Its workmanship leaves
nothing to be desired. And
what about the parameters?
Well, its Noise Figure
is specified as 0.3 dB minimum
and 0.7 dB typical. All
other parameters seem to
be quite typical for a universal
LNB.
48 TELE-audiovision International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 07-08/2014 — www.TELE-audiovision.com

We decided to test this
device on our toroidal antenna
on which we have
a number of LNBs. We
measured one of the existing
LNBs - dedicated
for ASTRA 28.2° East and
then another one mounted
in the position to receive
ASTRA 19.2° East. The
first LNB was a very good
contemporary LNB with
NF=0.1 dB. We took these
measurement results as
our reference levels.
Then, we removed the
LNB for ASTRA 28.2° and
mounted in its holder the
MB04 LNB. We also connected
the MB04 with the
second reference LNB for
ASTRA 19.2° East.
As you can see in the
graph, the MB04 output
was stronger than that
of the reference LNB by
2 through 8 dB. It means
than you can use long coax
cables with the MB04.
When we compared signal
quality we noted that
its MER was 0.5...2 dB lower
than that of 0.1dB LNB
reference. Which makes it
a very good choice for regular
DTH installations.
On the following graphs
we tested the MB04 impact
on the signal coming from
the second LNB. The signal
was attenuated by a couple
of decibels what is absolutely
normal for a DiSEqC
switch. The strong point is:
its MER did not change. So,
signal quality at the MB04
output was as good as at
its input.
To sum it up: the MB04
LNB with its built-in DiS-
EqC switch performed
very well and can be successfully
used throughout
the regions well served
by DTH satellite like in Europe.
You also do not have
to worry about the quality
of the DiSEqC switch – it is
very good. The MB04 will
not add any extra noise to
the signal from the second
LNB.
And, last but not least,
so much simpler cabling by
using the MB04 which adds
extra reliability to any reception
system.
+
–
MAXING MB04
LNB with DiSEqC
expert
OPINION
● superb weather protection
● full MER goes through
● excellent workmanship
● well suited for DTH reception
● none
RECOMMENDED
PRODUCT BY
Jacek Pawlowski
Test Center
Poland
50 TELE-audiovision International — The World‘s Largest Digital TV Trade Magazine — 07-08/2014 — www.TELE-audiovision.com
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