DTT & UPC(Analog) sharing aerial connection

degsie

So, I have an MPEG4 compliant TV and am currently using UPC basic analog service. If I want to set up an aerial to receive Saorview, how do I get both signals to the one and only aerial connector on the TV? Will a 'Y' splitter work?

Also if I do a scan for channels will the TV detect both Saorview AND UPC if they share the same connector? My TV is Philips 40PFL7605H.

Ta.

Sponge Bob

UPC analogue is on VHF ( IIRC) and DTT on UHF so they should share without interfering yes, a Y splitter but as near as possible to the telly would seem like an adequate solution.

See this thread on analogue frequencies

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055044544

watty

UPC Digital and Broadband overlap with DTT.

You need either to get the cheaper, better UPC digital (setbox via SCART or HDMI, best solution as UPC analogue is rubbish, less channels and more expensive!)
OR
to use a VHF/UHF diplex aerial combiner.

A simple splitter may not work unless you are on MMDS or very old cable area not upgraded.

Sponge Bob

He may be on 'multiroom' in a digital area.

maxg

Depending on the used frequency for saorview maybe a Triax TFC 3537 Diplexer.

http://www.vanjak.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=31404

Sponge Bob

I suspect that the analogue frequencies have changed post DTT switchon but they would probably

a) not use the DTT frequencies in their area
b) have moved to another part of the UHF band.

The test would be to tune the analogues, count them, flick through them...then connnect the aerial to the Y and repeat to see

Lots of DTT tellys with analogue and digital tuners are UK spec and have no VHF tuner built in in which case tough

watty

yes, but the UPC digital channels (TV & Broadband download) definately are on same band as DTT and will cause interference, likely block DTT. You still get ALL the UPC signals even if you are only using the Analogue UPC.

They generally don't leave gaps for DAB or Analogue TV (VHF) or for Analogue or Digital TV (UHF). It would waste too much cable spectrum. The Band II on Analogue Cable also usually conflicts with off air Band II (FM Radio).

With some "simple" splitters you can be radiating various signals from 5MHz to 800MHz if you combine Cable & Aerial. That's why only a quality Diplexer and probably a distribution amp (on the aerial feed) with high reverese attenuation should be used.

Sponge Bob

watty wrote: »

yes, but the UPC digital channels (TV & Broadband download) definately are on same band as DTT and will cause interference, likely block DTT. You still get ALL the UPC signals even if you are only using the Analogue UPC.

In that case the Triax unit that maxG helpfully posted should be used to pass through the UPC VHF signal but not the UHF signal, leaving that band clear for DTT.

Bazzer2

I'm sucessfully combining UPC analogue TV with Kippure DTT (loft aerial), being fed around the house on a distribution amp to multiple TVs. However, if I ever decide to make use of UPC digital TV and/or broadband, that set-up may well not work.

I'm passing the full UPC offering from low VHF to high UHF, combined using a screened F-connector splitter in reverse with Group C/D band pass from the loft aerial.

Antenna

watty wrote: »

yes, but the UPC digital channels (TV & Broadband download) definately are on same band as DTT and will cause interference, likely block DTT. You still get ALL the UPC signals even if you are only using the Analogue UPC.

In Dublin, DTT is above 700MHz, cable UHF usage doesn't go as high as that?

The Triax diplexer linked to should be fine.

Sponge Bob

In Galway the local DTT ( single mux ) is around 500mhz ( Tonabrocky) or 700mhz ( Maghera)

watty

Cable goes up to about 450, 560 or 860MHz depending on area.
Analogue channels usally on the 110MHz to 450MHz part (BandIII + Hyperband)

In the future, HFC with HDTV (DVB) and DOCSIS will be up to 1200MHz.

degsie

Following Watty's advise I checked into digital UPC and it is indeed cheaper, go figure! I bit the bullet and went for the upgrade, so now I wont have to think about DTT sharing..... Thanks for the advise all.

watty

You'll be able to have the DTT (for backup and RTE2 HD) also as the Digital uses a Set-box and you use SCART or HDMI.

Bodan

I too have the same problem as the OP. I used a regular splitter and found the reception of both sets of signals to be severally degraded as to be unwatchable.

Does anyone know is this would do the trick.