New TV Connections

Galvatron · 18-04-2005, 08:54

We have just had an extension added to our house, giving us an extra living room and downstairs bedroom. Each room has a TV aerial socket and I have a coaxial cable, but the signal is terrible so we're just using indoor aerials at the moment. (I'm 10 miles from sandy heath transmitter and can usually get a really strong signal).

The reason for the dodgy signal is probably because we have NTL digital running on our main tv so we never use the aerial, so it has probably been knocked or damaged at some point over the last few years. This TV can also get analouge signals, but is not connected at any arial, so I assume it is picking them up from the Digital Cable.

Finally, in my new rooms the TVs get poor reception, I don't know whether this is because of them being on the ground floor, or the fact they have aerials that look like those on a car (are the ring ones better?).

So my questions are:

1) Will a signal booster help the reception downstairs?

2) With a signal booster, could these TVs possibly get Freeview via a freeview box?

3) Is there any way, possibly using my current Digital TV or Broadband cables that we could carry the signal to other TVs, because the NTL guy did that for my friends broadband cable and he gets a good signal + several NTL channels now?

4) Is it worth buying new indoor aerials, or fixing/replacing the rooftop aerial?

Davester · 19-04-2005, 22:34

I'd buy a new Rooftop aerial and buy a Distribution Amplifier if you don't have one already. It's the only way to go for a decent home setup.

David (2) · 20-04-2005, 13:26

Thats right. make sure you get a distribution amplifier with enough free sockets. So if you have 5 tv's, you need one with 5 "outputs". And these boxes are mains powered - make sure there is mains power where this box is to be located! Dont worry, all this box does is take the single aerial cord (direct from the aerial), boosts the signal slightly, and splits the single wire into more than one. For what they cost, they are certainly worth it - and that is even more so the case with more and more tv's in the house.

Dont be tempted to use those 99p "Y" aerial aerial cable splitters. You still only get 2 wires from one, and they let in loads of interference and reduce signal strength.

Dave

Galvatron · 22-04-2005, 07:47

If I get one of these Distribution Amplifiers, does this mean that the existing TV wiring that runs through the walls in my house wont be used? If possible I'd like to stick with it as I don't want to run wires around my house.

Could I net just get a signal amplifier, and place it between where the main aerial connects to the wiring that currently runs into my house.

Davester · 22-04-2005, 11:34

No, really the way to go is a Distribution Amp. What happens is the Aerial goes in at one end, and you are provided with some Outputs (let's say 6, for example.) You just lead Aerial cables from these outputs around your home to the television Sets.

18-04-2005, 08:54	#1
Galvatron Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cybertron Posts: 3,039	New TV Connections We have just had an extension added to our house, giving us an extra living room and downstairs bedroom. Each room has a TV aerial socket and I have a coaxial cable, but the signal is terrible so we're just using indoor aerials at the moment. (I'm 10 miles from sandy heath transmitter and can usually get a really strong signal). The reason for the dodgy signal is probably because we have NTL digital running on our main tv so we never use the aerial, so it has probably been knocked or damaged at some point over the last few years. This TV can also get analouge signals, but is not connected at any arial, so I assume it is picking them up from the Digital Cable. Finally, in my new rooms the TVs get poor reception, I don't know whether this is because of them being on the ground floor, or the fact they have aerials that look like those on a car (are the ring ones better?). So my questions are: 1) Will a signal booster help the reception downstairs? 2) With a signal booster, could these TVs possibly get Freeview via a freeview box? 3) Is there any way, possibly using my current Digital TV or Broadband cables that we could carry the signal to other TVs, because the NTL guy did that for my friends broadband cable and he gets a good signal + several NTL channels now? 4) Is it worth buying new indoor aerials, or fixing/replacing the rooftop aerial?

19-04-2005, 22:34	#2
Davester Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Greater London, UK Posts: 1,362	I'd buy a new Rooftop aerial and buy a Distribution Amplifier if you don't have one already. It's the only way to go for a decent home setup.

20-04-2005, 13:26	#3
David (2) Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S.West England. Posts: 18,037	Thats right. make sure you get a distribution amplifier with enough free sockets. So if you have 5 tv's, you need one with 5 "outputs". And these boxes are mains powered - make sure there is mains power where this box is to be located! Dont worry, all this box does is take the single aerial cord (direct from the aerial), boosts the signal slightly, and splits the single wire into more than one. For what they cost, they are certainly worth it - and that is even more so the case with more and more tv's in the house. Dont be tempted to use those 99p "Y" aerial aerial cable splitters. You still only get 2 wires from one, and they let in loads of interference and reduce signal strength. Dave

22-04-2005, 07:47	#4
Galvatron Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cybertron Posts: 3,039	If I get one of these Distribution Amplifiers, does this mean that the existing TV wiring that runs through the walls in my house wont be used? If possible I'd like to stick with it as I don't want to run wires around my house. Could I net just get a signal amplifier, and place it between where the main aerial connects to the wiring that currently runs into my house.

22-04-2005, 11:34	#5
Davester Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Greater London, UK Posts: 1,362	No, really the way to go is a Distribution Amp. What happens is the Aerial goes in at one end, and you are provided with some Outputs (let's say 6, for example.) You just lead Aerial cables from these outputs around your home to the television Sets.

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