70% signal strength enough ???

[Xearo]

Ah ok. i got a 4 way amplified splitter in the roof, can i use another one on 1 of those lines ??

sorry, im real new at all this.

[ExtremePC]

Originally Posted by Xearo

Ah ok. i got a 4 way amplified splitter in the roof, can i use another one on 1 of those lines ??

sorry, im real new at all this.

Definately not a good idea to use two signal amplifiers on the same signal.

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by Xearo

Ah ok. i got a 4 way amplified splitter in the roof, can i use another one on 1 of those lines ??

sorry, im real new at all this.

Amplifiers amplify noise as well as the signal. The fact that you've got an amplified splitter near the antenna is good - this is the best place to amplify the signal as there is least noise compared with signal. As the signal travels though the wires to your tuner it loses signal strength and picks up noise. If you put an amplifier at the tuner end then you will be amplifying both the signal and this increased noise. Sometimes this doesn't matter - like when you started with very good signal to noise ratio and all you need is a bit of signal boost. That could be the case in you situation, but it's impossible to know without measurements.

If you go to Dick Smith you can buy an amplified 2-way Kingray splitter for about $50. These are pretty good quality. Try putting that between you PC and the antenna wall socket (you'll need an extra antenna cable as well). If it works, great. If it doesn't, Dick Smith have a 'no questions asked' return policy (not sure of the time, but you can ask about this when you buy).

I suspect that an amplified want cure your problems, though, and that you will probably need to get an installer in with a good digital meter to check out exactly what's happening. If the antenna is old it simply might not be designed to pick up the Channel 7 digital frequency efficiently and you'll need to replace it.

[Xearo]

Cheers TheRob

im gonna go pick one up tonight and see what happens, ill post the results tommorow.

Anyone got any idea on what the readout for channel 7 is on the report i posted earlier ?? anyone able to explain the results too me ??

Cheers

[Xearo]

OK well the amplified splitter simply kills the lot, i think there is too much noise coming through and obviously that is getting amplified and kills the signal all together. Funny thing is tho, im getting channel 7 perfectly fine now that i have removed the splitter and put it back to normal :/

im lost for words, but hey if it keeps working i dont mind. somehow i dont think its gonna hehe

let ya know how i go.

appreciate all the help guys thanks!

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by Xearo

OK well the amplified splitter simply kills the lot, i think there is too much noise coming through and obviously that is getting amplified and kills the signal all together. Funny thing is tho, im getting channel 7 perfectly fine now that i have removed the splitter and put it back to normal :/

im lost for words, but hey if it keeps working i dont mind. somehow i dont think its gonna hehe

let ya know how i go.

appreciate all the help guys thanks!

More likely is that the amplifier is simply providing too much signal strength to the tuner. With digital signals, too much is just as bad as too little. If your masthead amp is tuned properly then you should be getting optimum signal strength to each of your antenna outlets. Adding the extra amp has made the signal too strong.

The fact that you're now back to original setup and have better signal suggests that there may have been a problem with the fly leads or the wall connector. Possibly the mechanical act of reattaching everything has scraped off a bit of corrosion or made better contact between plug and socket. If the signal degrades again, then you might want to check these things out a bit more thoroughly, and perhaps change the fly lead.

[Xearo]

Thanks for the advice TheRob, i reckon that is myu problem coz i have now realised that if i simply touch the 2 connectors together on the wall ( i mean touch the fly lead with the wall socket, not actually plug it in ) i get perfect reception and even pick up sbs (which i never have b4).

if my problem is that my signal strength is in fact too strong iwhat peice of hardware is required to reduce the signal. is it called an antennuator ??

thanks in advance

p.s: need to return the splliter/amp i bought and wanna try the opposite, something that will reduce the signal rather than boost.

[TheRob]

You need an RF attenuator. Something like this would be ideal 'cause it has variable attenuation. Not sure if Dick Smith sell them, though.

As an alternative you could try putting a passive spitter in the line - something like this. It will lower the RF power by around 3dB, which may be enough to fix your problems.

The other solution is have someone lower the gain on your masthead amp. You could do it yourself if you know what you're doing. Otherwise get someone in to do it.

[Xearo]

Ah ok sweet

ill get a refund from dick smiths and drop past jaycars on the way home.

Thanks allot for all the advice!!!
+rep to TheRob!

VMC is running awesome now on my 360 extender!!! - Soo happy

now its time to kill it trying to setup divx playback :/
hehe

cheers

BTW: i ditched the DViCO Dual Tuner crap and invested in the Hauppage HVR-2200, and like everyone else has said problem free dual recording. Was a blessing compared to the DViCO