GinoS

NYCLA*

I'm wondering if, when using a splitter, you'd need an amplifier because splitting the signal like that would weaken it to each television.

Jim1348

I have a number of TVs on a single antenna and I added something like thos:

Walmart.com: Philips 24dB Two-Output Video Signal Amplifier, PH61111: TVs

Tim58hsv

Splitting the signal three ways will cause about 7 db of loss and that's a lot. Add a cheap 10 or 12 db distribution amp before the 3-way splitter and the picture on all three tv's will look as good, if not better than ever.

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NYCLA*

Maybe that's why I'm getting a lower signal strength using the antenna on the rooftop of my building versus the rabbit ears. I don't think my landlord put an amplifier anywhere. It still works though, picture looks fine, just a lower strength on the meter.

Tim58hsv

That could well be.

You could try adding a distibution amp which may increase the signal strength, but generaly you have to add the amp before the cable is split.

Of course if you're splitting that signal to more than one tv, the distribution amp will help.

Years ago I added a VHF/CATV amp to our one tv set (pay tv) and would swear that it made the reception better.

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Don_M

If the signals are strong enough where you live, you may not need any amplification at all -- just the splitter. That's worth a try first; add a amp only after reception becomes less than reliable on one or more sets. If you need a distribution amp, stick to low-noise models made by Winegard or Channel Master.

There are a couple of additional considerations in a three-way split:

• Three-way splitters aren't as widely available as two- and four-way splitters. If you can't find a three-way, get a four-way. Be sure to cap off the unused connector with a coax terminator to prevent signal reflections and "leak," either one of which will degrade reception very noticeably. Terminators cost about a buck apiece.

• Most three-way splitters are "unbalanced" -- in other words, the built-in signal loss on one connector is significantly greater than it is on the other two ports. Most commonly, it's -4 dB, -4 dB and -7 dB. With this type of splitter, connect the shortest coax run to the -7 dB port and the longer runs to the other two.

Piggie

I know this is redundant, but as Don points out, just try a splitter first. Way so many people run out and add a "cheap" amp only to find their reception is worse. Only add an amp if one or more sets looses a channel after splitting the signal.


As Don points out, avoid at all costs buying a cheap distribution amp from walmart.

Notice the spec of the amp at 4 db noise figure. Here the larger the db the worse the reception. It runs $24 plus your local tax and shipping.

Plus, if you need an amp, more than likely your signals will be much better the closer you get the amp to the antenna, if possible right at the antenna on the mast.

An "inexpensive" but not cheap amp. For $40 shipped to your door, you can pick up Winegard HDP 269 SquareShooter Pre-Amplifier for SquareShooter SS-1000 (HDP-269) | HDP-269 [Winegard]. This amp you can if possible for you mount up on the antenna mast so the amplifier over comes the loss in your entire system if placed at the antenna mast. If not it's still a better amp.

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Tim58hsv

I don't get why you need a low noise distribution amp. You would only use a distribution amp because you aleady have a good signal and just want to maintain that signal strength through long cable runs and or splitters. It's not like you're using it to amplify weak signals so what's the harm?

Yeah, there's the cheap models like I've used, the Walmart, Radio Shack, etc. kind which have worked fine for me. Or one could spend maybe twice as much and get a Winegard or Channel Master low noise distribution amp which in theory should work better. Or you could spend five or ten times as much on a top O' the line Blonder Tongue distribution amp which has high noise figures ranging between 4.5 and 7 db just like the cheap ones.

I myself own a Blonder Tongue MVB-62 distribution amp and it's noise figures are 5.4 on low vhf/fm and 6.2 on high vhf. With a gain of 55 db, it'll smoke anything Winegard or Channel Master has, at least that I know of.

Seems the cheap amps and the best amps have high noise figures but I'm not too big to admit if I'm wrong...so school me.

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Eureka

Digital doesn't need a lot of signal strength. As long as it's strong enough to get a lock on the signal without dropouts, a stronger signal won't make the picture look any better. Now, if some of the channels start to freeze or go away at certain times of the day, you may need a bit of amplification. But amplifying it in your apt. will also amplify any noise or interference the building cable picks up, and may not help at all, or make it worse.