Sky picure not that great on magic eye.

justaquestion

Hi folks,

I have a basic sky box and use rif 2 on it to output the sky signal (plus the freeview aerial signal, aerial connected to sky box) to three other tv in house, though the magic eye.

I use a distribution box up in attic that I got from Maplin (A few years old now)
to distribute the magic eye signal.

The freeveiw signal is perfect through the magic eye, but the sky picture is not so good on all sky channels. On my main living room tv that doesn't use the magic eye the sky picture is perfect.

1 I understand the singal on the magic eye is an analogue signal when it reaches the tv, is there any way I can improve the magic eye tv signal? it changes sky channels fine with the remote, only the picture is not so good.

2 is it the solid copper wire that carries the picture on the mgic eye cable (co-axial) or is it the the little outer foil wires?

Thanks for any ideas, could I use an additional amplifier in loft to put the sky signal through first before it reaches the distribution box?

Thanks for any tips.

sk240

you can change the RF output on the sky box, then just retune the receiving tv to that setting.


just change it one number at a time until you get the best picture (may take a little while to go through them all)


http://skyepginfo.co.uk/HowToGuides/RF-Output-Power.php

Browntoa

without an amplified splitter you are splitting the existing RF output 3 ways , hence the loss of quality

justaquestion

Thanks for replies. Current RF is set to channel 68, do I just try a few channels either side of that to try and improve the pic on receiving tv?


I have read somewhere that to add an amplifier that could interfere with the ability to change channels with the magic eye.


Thanks a lot for replies.

sk240

Yes, just keep changing it, you may need to go through the whole lot.
From memory I found two settings that gave the best picture

almillar

Above advice is good. You're splitting 3 ways, so 1/3 of the signal quality going each way. Amplify it. Yes, you'll need one that confirms it's compatible with Magic Eye. I had to do this and I also found it much easier to get one that's powered through the RF cable, rather than having to find power from somewhere else. My pic is going to 2 TVs and it's about as good as you're going to get on what is effectively an analogue TV channel. One piece of advice for a better picture, AFTER doing the above, is have a look through your TV's picture settings. If they save per input, some 'enhancements' might actually be useful on this picture, some one. The sharpness setting in particular.
This is the amp I bought, which I can recommend.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NG2RUC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00

HoofeHearted

Take a look at this site.
http://www.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!/accs/page15.htm

Lots of useful information and kit to buy.

Damn the MSE link corrupter.
The !!!!!!!!! should read satcure dot co dot uk

alderpoint

Does your distribution box in the attic not already include an amplifier?

If buying a new amplifier, then you'd need one which does support the magic-eye - many block the dc power the magic eye requires.

fishbaby73

I had this problem and found changing the RF channel to 21 worked for me. Apparently the 4G mobile phone networks broadcast at that range and so interfere with the signal.


http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Archived-Discussions/Interference-on-TV-when-using-magic-eye-TV-links-recently-is-this-related-to-the-4G-rollout/td-p/1607047

Moneymaker

HoofeHearted wrote: »

Take a look at this site.
Damn the MSE link corrupter.
The !!!!!!!!! should read satcure dot co dot uk

For some reason MSE prefers people to spend money with the likes of Amazon and not save money by using smaller specialist companies. SatCure is a specialist and offers free technical advice.

1. The Sky Digibox RF output is for a bedroom TV of no more than 28" screen. Anything larger will give a "grainy" picture.

2. Channel 68 should be fine. It is no longer used for TV transmissions and 4G interference will not cause the symptom you describe. However, channel 21 often works better, simply because it's the lowest frequency. Of course you will have to re-tune all TVs to ch 21, either manually or by scanning the analogue UHF band with the Sky Digibox on Sky News or something recognisable. (Don't use CH21 if you are in a "Group A" reception area such as Crystal Palace or Rowridge.)

3. Disconnect the "magic eye". Connect the cable directly to the TV and see if that affects the picture. If it's better then either the "magic eye" is faulty or you need to make up a decoupler cable. Full description with pictures on the above site.

4. If that doesn't help, try disconnecting the Freeview aerial cable from the Sky Digibox. If that improves the picture then your Freeview signal may be too strong. Try fitting a UHF attenuator to the Digibox aerial input.

5. If that doesn't help then your SkyLink compatible amplified splitter (distribution amplifier) may be faulty or not receiving the correct voltage (if powered via the Digibox RF output).

6. Otherwise, you could have a bad connection, faulty wall plate or a problem with something you haven't mentioned.

Read "The SatCure Guide to Magic Eyes" eBook for more info.

Good luck!