Free View Reception

markymark2901

I have a roof top aerial that goes to the TV in the lounge. The TV has a built in Freeview box in it. Picture is fine.

I have put a similar TV in the bedroom upstairs, split (using a proper splitter from Dixons) the co-ax cable in the loft so that both TVs receive their signal from the one roof top aerial.

Problem ... when the aerial cable is plugged into the bedroom upstairs, I am unable to get any signal from some of the TV stations (eg ITV, C5) but I can get all channels on the bedroom TV. When the aerial is unplugged from the bedroom TV, the signal in the lounge TV is fine again.

Would a signal booster solve the problem and if so, where would I connect it ?

Delboy24

Sounds more like interference than a signal issue, check your splitter is set up correctly, boosters are generally set at source of input to tv, ie from aerial, through booster into tv tho given the above I doubt it is a signal gain issue.

Personally would try an indoor aerial on the tv upstairs and see if that works with a cheap freeview box save the hassle, probably cost you £20 all in.

andy2004

in the loft, where the signal comes in on the outside aerial
i have a 4 way booster in the loft 1 input 4 outputs, going to all the rooms in my house, and even to my neighbours, due to their aerial cable being water logged. Would mean getting up on the roof to replace the cable, or about £60 to call someone out. OUCH..

note before the booster was installed we used 3 Y splitters, cost of Y splitter £1, worked well, until we needed a more cables, hence the booster.

HOW TO:
Take the roof aerial into your loft, plug into booster/splitter, attach new coaxial cable from booster/splitter, 1 out down to the lounge, and 1 into the bedroom. cost, tv coaxial, booster depends on outputs anything from £10-20, and tv connections, usually all male. 1 for each end, so 2 cables, 4 connectors.

markymark2901

Delboy24 wrote: »

Sounds more like interference than a signal issue, check your splitter is set up correctly, boosters are generally set at source of input to tv, ie from aerial, through booster into tv tho given the above I doubt it is a signal gain issue.

Is there much to set up ? Isn't it co-ax from aerial goes in and the 2 outputs come out ? This is the first time I have ever used one. What things do I need to check ?

Thanks

markymark2901

"HOW TO:
Take the roof aerial into your loft, plug into booster/splitter, attach new coaxial cable from booster/splitter, 1 out down to the lounge, and 1 into the bedroom. cost, tv coaxial, booster depends on outputs anything from £10-20, and tv connections, usually all male. 1 for each end, so 2 cables, 4 connectors."


ANDY2004 .... Can't do this ... TV cable to lounge TV is imbedded in wall. New cable has been used between "Y" splitter and TV in bedroom.

Why do I need to bring TV aerial into the loft (currently mounted on Chimney stack) ?

Inactive

markymark2901 wrote: »

Why do I need to bring TV aerial into the loft (currently mounted on Chimney stack) ?

I think that Andy meant bring the TV Aerial LEAD in to the loft.

markymark2901

Gotchya ... lead already goes into the loft so that won't be a problem ... so do you think a booster between the aerial lead and the splitter should do the trick ?

B33fy

Argos £9.89 two way booster, got one myself great

kwikbreaks

markymark2901 wrote: »

Gotchya ... lead already goes into the loft so that won't be a problem ... so do you think a booster between the aerial lead and the splitter should do the trick ?

If you buy a distribution amp (booster) then just about all of them have more than one output. Junk the splitter and just plug the cables that were going into it to outputs on the booster.

Those "splitters" are just a T of resistors and cut down the signal by a fair bit.

Inactive

markymark2901 wrote: »

Gotchya ... lead already goes into the loft so that won't be a problem ... so do you think a booster between the aerial lead and the splitter should do the trick ?

It may, or it may not, but remember that these boosters do need an electrical supply in order to function, not everybody has one available in their loft.

Goldenyears

Last time I checked 9 months ago it was still possible to buy boosters that amplified only analogue signals. Digital passed through with no gain. Check the specification to confirm amplification of digital signal.