Sky Gnome
Encyclopedia
The Sky Gnome is a device from British Sky Broadcasting
launched under their Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
brand. It allows users to listen to radio channels and digital television from around the house.
The Gnome has many advantages compared to a DAB
receiver: It provides more stations than a DAB radio, and the broadcasts are almost all of higher audio quality on satellite than via DAB. It works anywhere in the UK that has a satellite installation compared to DAB which does not have universal coverage. It is also able to provide British digital radio to non-UK residents, and as such it is very popular among the British expat community.
The Sky Gnome sender box connects to the main Digibox using the RS232, audio out and RF2 out connections.
The Sky Gnome is compatible with the Sky and Sky+ Digiboxes. When used in a non-Sky satellite receiver, it is possible to listen to the radio channels, but it is not possible to change the channels of the receiver from the Sky Gnome.
Technical information about the gnome
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
launched under their Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
brand. It allows users to listen to radio channels and digital television from around the house.
History
The Sky Gnome was released in September 2005 and was available until mid 2007 with a retail price of GBP 75. Although Sky no longer markets the 'Gnome', it is still possible to use existing units and, support is still provided on the Sky Gnome Website. Moreover, the original British factory is still manufacturing them and sells them brand new in their factory's website (http://www.sky-gnome.co.uk). The sales are done without any support or relation with Sky, but the units enjoy the guarantee and support of the original manufacturer.The Gnome has many advantages compared to a DAB
Digital audio broadcasting
Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology for broadcasting radio stations, used in several countries, particularly in Europe. As of 2006, approximately 1,000 stations worldwide broadcast in the DAB format....
receiver: It provides more stations than a DAB radio, and the broadcasts are almost all of higher audio quality on satellite than via DAB. It works anywhere in the UK that has a satellite installation compared to DAB which does not have universal coverage. It is also able to provide British digital radio to non-UK residents, and as such it is very popular among the British expat community.
Technical information
The Sky Gnome uses a 433 MHz digital communication link to communicate information to and from the Digibox, the audio is sent on 2.4 GHz.The Sky Gnome sender box connects to the main Digibox using the RS232, audio out and RF2 out connections.
The Sky Gnome is compatible with the Sky and Sky+ Digiboxes. When used in a non-Sky satellite receiver, it is possible to listen to the radio channels, but it is not possible to change the channels of the receiver from the Sky Gnome.
External links
Technical information about the gnome
- www.sky-gnome.co.ukhttp://www.sky-gnome.co.uk the UK factory is still manufacturing them brand-new but, as they are no longer marketed by Sky, they sell them directly from their website.