Need Help installing a 2nd LCD TV off single aerial

Macfool · 25-01-2009, 11:04 AM

I know, I know, this is should be really easy. But I'm having a nightmare with this.

I'm installing a 2nd TV in my house. I had one downstairs, receiving its DTV signal from an antenna in the loft, connected with coaxial cable with standard RF plugs.

I bought some standard 75 Ohm coax, and some RF connectors and a splitter, and cut the original cable about 3m away from the antenna, and installed the splitter and the new section of cable.

My problem is this: The signal on the new LCD TV is so bad, that it can't find any channels. It can't be the way I fitted the RF plugs or that I'm 'overloading' the one antenna, because the signal on the downstairs tv is still fine. I have checked/refitted RF plug on the new length of cable 2 or 3 times.

Here's what I've tried:

1) tried new TV downstairs - found channels instantly - so new TV is OK.

2) used a connector to link the upstairsTV direct to the antenna, signal is still rubbish. A combination of this and the above rules out any problems between the antenna and the splitter, and the splitter itself.

Can cable be 'bad' straight out of the shop? It's not PF100 or anything, because I don't have satellite. I've been told that 75 Ohm cable is fine for the job, and my connections appear to be OK.

Anyone got any more troubleshooting tips or advice on co-axial cable installation? What the hell is going on?

retro41 · 25-01-2009, 11:42 AM

It can be that the reciever downstairs has a built-in booster/better booster, than the one your having trouble with?

Pretty much the problem I had, when splitting it for two screens.

Otherwise I've no other idea's I can think of, sorry

Macfool · 25-01-2009, 11:59 AM

I did try the upstairs TV on the downstairs cable, and it worked a treat, but maybe it plugged it in the input from the PVR, and that having its own digital tuner may have had an effect. I'll try the TV on the plug where it comes in from the wall. Thanks for the tip.

What did you di with yours? Get a signal booster? I though it would be cheaper to but a second antenna and shove that in the loft too.

**KUBBY** · 25-01-2009, 12:10 PM

Hi,

I run 4 Tv's in my house all from one aerial.I have a mains powered amplifier/ switcher in the attic and dont have a problem.
I am assuming that you have a recent Digital aerial?.
Do you have power in the attic?If not it can get a bit messy with wires running around
Amplifiers come in different forms with between 2 and up to about 8 outputs.
Maplins do them as do Asda and the cost varies.For just 2 outputs around £10/£15 should do.

Good Luck

Kh

Macfool · 25-01-2009, 3:02 PM

I'm going to borrow a signal booster to see if that sorts me out. To be honest, if it was a signal issue, I would have thought the picture would be bad on noth sets, not one, but as was said before, maybe the digital tuner is better downstairs.

retro41 · 26-01-2009, 12:36 AM

I replaced my LCD, it was getting old..... Samsung 32R74
Got a Sony X3000, right from the off: I got channels I never recieved on my Samsung, no more visual errors on the screen or cutting out every so-often

All of that without any change to the Antenna, splitter or cables.

Hope that comes of some use to yourself

MMTFB · 26-01-2009, 11:33 AM

I had the same dilemma, when installing a television in the bedroom. In the end bought a second aerial for £13 from Homebase in the sale (32 element with cable and plugs). Ended up swapping the feeds around so the new aerial fed the main set downstairs and the older aerial fed the bedroom TV.
Both installed in the loft which was dead space anyway.