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Originally Posted by CptlA
So do both pre-amps and distribution amps basically do the same job? I've always been under the impression that the only difference between the two are that the distribution amp can be located further down the line from the antenna.
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Yes. Figuring out which one is more suited to a situation depends on one's local signals.
An antenna-mounted pre-amp is a better bet in areas with marginal to very weak stations simply because it amplifies the signals before the cabling ahead of the amplifier makes them even even weaker. There's not much chance of that happening on three feet of coax.
When signals are strong (most urban/suburban areas) and you have several sets to feed, you want a distribution amp. The longer cable running to it attenuates the signals a little bit, lessening chances that the amplifier or one or more TV tuners will overload. Overload in digital TV means lost stations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Know it all
What to look for in a pre amplifier is the one with the most gain and the lowest noise factor. The two best high power amplifiers are the Winegard AP 8275. And the Channel Master CM 7777 Titan II UHF / VHF pre amplifier. Both should be less than $75 from Solid Signal.
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These pre-amps are top choices for viewers at least 35 miles out. Lowest noise is always important. Greatest gain isn't if it the amp or tuner(s) overload, and those models are notorious for causing overload in urban and suburban use. Winegard makes a highly overload-resistant pre-amp, HDP-269, with only 12
dB gain. That's all most viewers (three-quarters of whom live in cities or suburbs) need in a house with up to four TVs, for reasons mentioned in the last paragraph at #2 above.
