Cable Finder: Which Sky, Virgin or TV Aerial Cable Do I Need?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to the right extension lead, in the right length and colour.
Which cable do I need? The quick answer
| Your setup | Cable you need | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Q, Sky+HD or a Freesat recorder | Twin coax satellite extension | Recording boxes take two feeds from the dish, so they use twin ("shotgun") cable. |
| Older Sky digibox or non-recording Freesat box | Single coax extension | These boxes only take one cable from the dish. |
| Virgin Media TV box or Hub | Virgin single coax extension kit | Virgin uses one coax cable from the wall box or splitter, with screw-on F connectors. |
| Freeview TV or box | TV aerial (RF) lead | Aerial sockets use push-on RF plugs, not the screw-on F connectors used for satellite. |
| Sky Glass or Sky Stream | No satellite cable needed | These work over your broadband. For a Sky Stream puck you may just need a power extension. |
Twin or single satellite cable?
Look at the back of your box where the cables from the dish plug in. If there are two satellite cables (marked LNB 1 and LNB 2, or Sat In 1 and 2), you need twin coax, which is two cables joined side by side. Sky Q, Sky+HD and Freesat recorders all use twin cable so you can record one channel while watching another.
If only one satellite cable is connected, a single coax lead is all you need.
Pre-fitted plugs or removable plugs?
Our standard Sky leads come with compression F connectors fitted in our workshop. They are the same type professional installers use and give the most reliable connection. If you need to pass the cable through a hole in the wall, choose the version with screw-on plugs. You can unscrew them, feed the bare cable through a small hole and refit them in seconds.
Virgin Media cables
Virgin Media TV boxes and Hubs connect with a single coax cable from the wall box or splitter. Our Virgin extension kits come with pre-fitted compression connectors, an inline coupler to join onto your existing cable, and clips to tidy it along the skirting.
TV aerial (Freeview) leads
For Freeview, use a male-to-male RF aerial lead from the wall socket to your TV or set-top box. Ours include a coupler so you can join two leads together.
How to measure the length
- Measure the route the cable will actually take: along the skirting, round door frames and up to the box, not in a straight line.
- Add about a metre so the cable isn't pulled tight and you have slack to move the TV.
- If you're between two sizes, go for the longer one. Spare cable can be coiled neatly behind the unit.
Frequently asked questions
Will an extension cable reduce my signal?
Not noticeably over normal home lengths. Our leads use 75 ohm Sky and CAI approved coax with professional connectors, so you get the same picture and sound as before.
Can I join an extension onto my existing cable?
Yes. Our Sky and Virgin kits include an inline coupler that joins the new lead onto the end of your existing cable.
Do I need any tools?
No. The plugs come ready-fitted, so you simply screw the cable onto the coupler and the box. The removable-plug version also screws on and off by hand.
Will a Sky cable work with Freesat?
Yes. Sky and Freesat use the same satellite coax cable. Freesat recorders need twin cable, just like Sky Q and Sky+HD.
Does Sky Glass or Sky Stream need a satellite cable?
No. Sky Glass and Sky Stream work over your broadband, so there is no satellite cable to extend.
What colour should I choose?
White blends in with most skirting boards and walls. Black is best behind TVs and dark furniture. Our aerial leads also come in brown to match wooden floors.
Still not sure?
Send us a photo of the back of your box and we'll tell you exactly what you need — usually the same day.