split signal - bad signal/sound problems

cltt97

I have an NTL connection in my house that delivers Broadband and digital TV. I wanted to get TV (analogue) upstairs, so I thought I just split the signal. Originally I did as shown in this picture but then I removed the two way TV/FM splitter from NTL alltogether and just used the three way splitter shown in the picture. Broadband works fine, digital worked fine but analogue was always a mess (some channels very poor quality). Since I don't use analogue that much I didn't bother doing much with it, but lately I experience this sound problem where the tele eventually ends up freezing and I think it has to do with the digital. I then have to switch on and off the TV a few times until the sound is clear. When I plugged the cable out of NTL box and straight into the tele for just analogue, the sound is ok, although pic quality is still bad. so nothing wrong with the tele. I'm just wondering if there is something wrong with my splitting and if yes what could it be? And why was it ok for a good while and only lately starts acting up? Any ideas?

steveon

Firstly you need to return the FM/TV splitter as it reduces any noise on the cable and you may experience a hum from your box without it.

I'm not 100% sure bout the box u have but most of them have a spare F connector at the back of the box that will if used give u the analog channels. So you could connect the room u need analog to here instead of your splitter. If not you would be better advised to use a 2 or 3 way distribution amplifier instead of the splitter you are currently using. , you would connect this after the FM/TV splitter

Hope that helps.

cltt97

Thanks for that, I'll return the FM/TV connector. I have the standard small grey NTL Box, it has cable in, cable out, 2 Scarts and two audio plugs, but no F connector. The analogue signal is availalbe through the normal connection, i.e. I have it on my TV downstaris as normal (although quality is not great since split) and then on the Scart1 Channel I have the digital. Someone recommended I should split the signal when it comes out of the NTL Box, it's just massively inconvenient as the box is at the other end of the room from the incoming cable, so I'd end up with cables everywhere... This distribution amplifier - I assume I need a three way if I connect it after the FM/TV spliter, as need connections for broadband, downstairs TV and upstairs TV? Do the likes of Peats sell that, or Powercity? Many thanks for your help.
Oh and whilst thinking of it, is there any point in investing in expensive gold plated scart leads? I think I have fairly bog standard ones at the moment going from NTL Box/DVD player/TV?

The tax man

Do not feed your broadband from a distribution amplifier. Don't waste your money on gold plated leads. Good quality standard scart lead is all you'll ever need. €20 tops.

minstrel_boy

steveon wrote: »

I'm not 100% sure bout the box u have but most of them have a spare F connector at the back of the box that will if used give u the analog channels. So you could connect the room u need analog to here instead of your splitter. If not you would be better advised to use a 2 or 3 way distribution amplifier instead of the splitter you are currently using. , you would connect this after the FM/TV splitter

Hope that helps.

Hi steve,
I believe I have the spare F connector at the back of the box that you describe.
I plug the digital signal into the digibox for viewing digital TV in the living room
The analog signal is plugged to a coax extension cable into a tv in another room ( I get about 18 channels - all good quality)

Question: Can I split the analog signal so that it goes to two different TVs. What kind of splitter would you recommend? Will i need a booster /amplifier of some sort to avoid a degradation of the picture quality.

Thanks for any advice

steveon

Depending on the cable run lenght it should be possible to split the feed from from the second F lug at the back of the box using the 3 way f splitter that you have shown in your picture at the beginning of the posting. If this gives u a bad picture than u will probably need a distribution amplifer...a 2 way shouldnt cost u anymore than about €25 but I strongly feel that the splitter should be suffice...

minstrel_boy

I tried splitting the signal to two tvs with a plastic y splitter. The picture was pretty bad.
Where could i pick up a two way distribution amplifier? I am in galway.

Also, do I need to install the amplifier as close as possible to the ntl box?

Cheers

steveon

Those Y splitters are useless. U should be able to get a distribution amp in most electrical stores or Argos. Been a while since I've been in Galway so not up on what stores u have up there.

U should be able to run a cable from the back of the Ntl box to anywhere in the house and feed the rest of the rooms from there but you will need somewhere to plug the distribution amp into. An ideal spot would be an attic etc where u can easily run cables to the required room's afterwards.

minstrel_boy

Hi Steve, sorry for badgering you with more questions, but could you suggest an alternative to the plastic Y splitter. I would try an alternative before making a decision on whether or not the amp is required.
Thanks

steveon

Ur not badgering me at all, Im only 2 happy to help out. I would suggest a 2 way Metal F type splitter, these are far more robust than a Y splitter and usually give a better picture. They sell them in most good tv shops or Maplins if you have one up there..

I posted a LINK for one for one of the other installers websites that talk here...

http://satellite.ie/acatalog/F_type_splitter.html

Hope that helps
Steven

Bazzy

for the amount of money on useless equipment and time you've wasted upc will fit a legitimate Cable point in your house and if there are any quality issues they will sort them free of charge.

The splitter for the broadband is desgined for such do not mess with it or you will have little or no broadband and very bad digital reception

minstrel_boy

well steve, i picked up an amplifier from maplin :

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223503

It is certainly an improvement on the y splitter. Another Question, the portable TV i used was only cabable of picking up 6 of the 18 channels.

i tried splitting the signal to the main tv in the living room and that was grand. Why do you think the portable did not pick up the rest of the channels ? wouldd it be something to do with some channeles being on uhf and others being on VHF?

steveon

From looking at the amplifier you got in maplins it appears to be UHF only, I am not up on NTL's network but I taught they were all on UHF. If they are indeed VHF and UHF as you have stated then the amp you got is of no use to you so I would suggest you bring it back to them and state you need one with both Bands....a bit ridiculous that Maplin dont do there homework on the products needed in Ireland..