AMP/Splitter for TV

[Greenie9657]

|Hi all

Im looking to run the coax from the aerial into my attic where i will then split it into all my rooms (6 rooms at least, max. Can anyone recommend a good mains powered splitter/amp? If one exsits i would like to maybe run sky coax through the walls too as well as a dab coax for future proofing the install. It would be a bonus if the AE, sky and DAB all went into the attic.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sam Gangee]

The low-noise "masthead" amplifiers are powered via the "drop cable". In other words, a small Power Supply Unit (PSU) near one of the TVs sends current back up the coaxial cable to power the amplifier.

However, a drawback is that I've never seen a masthead amp with more than 4 outlets. This isn't a deal-breaker but it means you'd have to use splitters to feed the bedrooms.

If you have a power point in your attic, you can use a signal distribution amplifier. They tend to be slightly noisier but, unless you are in a poor signal area (you didn't say) it shouldn't matter. See example:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page11c.htm#A281LR

Ideally, all outlet cables should be roughly the same length so each TV gets the same (optimal) signal level. If that's impractical, you can fit suitable attenuators to the shorter cables if it proves necessary. WF100 cable will be fine. It comes in 6 colours, making it easy to see whether it's carrying TV or radio signals (or combined).

Ideally, we need to know your postcode to give specific advice. Meanwhile, take a look here:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/amps.htm
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/combiners.htm
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/lofthelp.htm

 

[Greenie9657]

Hi Sam

Sorry for the late, LATE reply i hadnt realised i had a message. My postcode is DT9 6AW. I ideally would like an 8 way splitter that has a mains plug on it to plug into the attic.

Regards

 

[Sam Gangee]

Your local transmitter is Stockland Hill on a compass bearing of 250 degrees. It has moderate signal strength at your postcode so the ideal aerial, in my opinion, would be a "Group A" type V11-20A2.
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/best_aerial.htm#list

If you already have a suitable "Group A" aerial, you can ignore this.

This 8-way amplifier should do and also has a radio aerial input, should you need one. (If not, simply ignore it).
http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page11c.htm#A281LR

 

[Greenie9657]

That's great Sam. Thanks. Just one thing I don't get. I'm fitting duplex wall plates (modular) to every room so there is only one coax going to it. How do you get the radio feed into the wall plate?do you use a Y splitter and connect both radio and tv lines from the dist amp to the one coax going to the bedroom wall plate?

Cheers

 

[Sam Gangee]

You mean Diplex plates. The 8-way amplifier combines radio and TV signals into each cable. Easy.

 

[Greenie9657]

Yeah, those are the ones. Stupid predictive text. I'm writing from an iPad. So you put the DAB feed and the Aerial feed into the distribution amp and then feed each room with just one coax which does them both?

 

[Sam Gangee]

More info:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/wall_plates.htm#combiner
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/wall_plates.htm#decombiner
http://www.satcure.co.uk/tech/combiners.htm

 

[ChrisFrost]

Looks like you found Sams reply useful. Now why not thank him by using the Thanks button at the top right of his post. It costs you nothing and it lets others know that the info is good. It's also a nice thing for Sam. Go on, make his day

 

[Greenie9657]

Thanks Sam. Ive clicked the button. Just keep your eyes pealled for when i try and plug it all in and none of it works!