Boost signal

alowe

When we moved into our house, the owner had an aerial on the chimney, and had it cabled to a point downstairs, and from here 3 cables running throughout the house.

We took the aerial down from the chimney and put one into the roof-space. At the point where the cable enters the house, we use an 'slx psu masthead amplifier power supply', and then put in the cables for around the house into this.

At one of the points I have rte1, rte2 perfect - tv3 is good enough (bit snowy, but not so bad you couldn't watch.) However, at a second point upstairs while rte1 and rte2 are perfect, tv3 and tg4 are just far too snowy.

I can't recable, because they're all internal in the walls (and hubbie wouldn't appreciate me taking out holes in the plaster!).

So ... what i'm wondering. Is there something I can get that would help to boost the signal that would give me better quality tv3?

thanks

Tom Slick

The best way to boost the signal is to put the aerial back on the chimney . . .

watty

Put aerial outside.

Having it in attic can be 1/4 to 1/10th signal.

Or a bigger aerial in the attic.

"boosters" or "amps" are only to compensate for signal loss of passive splitters or in front of long coax feeds, not to make a signal "better".

The SLX in the attic is fine. Gives already as much amplification as you need.

alowe

Putting the aerial back outside isn't a route hubbie wants to go down. I might be able to get him to put a bigger aerial in the roof.

The slx is at the point in the house downstairs where the cable comes in, and then splits to the 3 other cables around the house.

Because the signal is ok downstairs, I thought the cable which they've run upstairs might be losing signal, and therefore thought that maybe putting some device on it upstairs might re-boost it, if you know what I mean. If that won't work though, no point in me spending extra money on a box that won't do anything! (will just persuade hubbie to buy me a new tv with saorview in the new year :-)

thanks for replies.

JustAddWater

you could try DTT if your TV supports MPEG4 all the better, if not then there is something for the PS3 if I recall which also lets you pick up DTT, otherwise you could get a DTT set top box

Then you should have crystal clear RTE and TV3

alowe

JustAddWater wrote: »

you could try DTT if your TV supports MPEG4 all the better, if not then there is something for the PS3 if I recall which also lets you pick up DTT, otherwise you could get a DTT set top box

TV doesn't support mpeg4 unfort ... We have a ps2 - but I'm suspecting this might be a reason for hubbie to get the Ps3 (although with 2 young kids, not a hope in hell of getting time to play with it...)

lucernarian

Did you try using a different TV where TV3 is dodgy to rule out any other issues? I've done this before and the results were often suprising.

What sort of aerial is in the attic now, and where (roughly) are you located? Some places need a second aerial to get good TV3.

Tom Slick

Depending on where you are, the right aerial for analogue RTE may not be the right kind of aerial for TV3/TG4 or the Saorview digital channels.
Maybe you have a VHF aerial?

watty

alowe wrote: »

TV doesn't support mpeg4 unfort ... We have a ps2 - but I'm suspecting this might be a reason for hubbie to get the Ps3 (although with 2 young kids, not a hope in hell of getting time to play with it...)

The PlayTV stick is only a single USB tuner for about €45. A USB stick for PC/Laptop is about €15, or under €30 inc tax and post for a Dual Tuner.

A "standalone" setbox is under £50 and a dual tuner PVR about £200.

See other threads.

The PS3 used to be a good idea for BD playback and "playTV" tuner. It now looks expensive for that and a bit clunky for TV tuner. Only buy PS3 to play games. If playing games much, that may make BD, tv tuner or PVR use awkward.

See this thread for PS3 TV http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=69588593#post69588593

See review of dual tuner stick for PC/laptop http://www.techtir.ie/reviews/mobidtv-dual-usb-dtt

winston_1

alowe wrote: »

Putting the aerial back outside isn't a route hubbie wants to go down. I might be able to get him to put a bigger aerial in the roof.



Because the signal is ok downstairs,

You must use your feminine charm. The original aerial was outside for a reason, namely because the signal was not good enough elsewhere. A bigger aerial in the loft almost certainly won't help and you would probably have problems manoeuvring it to the right position due to rafters etc.

The signal is not OK downstairs, you said yourself that it is a bit snowy on TV3. That means it is not good enough. A further drop in signal e.g. when the transmitter is on half power for maintenance will make the picture impossible. That is also the reason for the poor pictures upstairs, the additional loss of the extra cable.

alowe

winston_1 wrote: »

You must use your feminine charm.

I don't think any amount of feminine charm would persuade my hubbie to go out onto the roof at the moment

The problem with the roof aerial is that we'd have to pay someone to do it, as hubbie is scared of heights, and to be honest, wouldn't have the tools to safely attach an aerial to the roof. The reason the original one came down is that it was unstabley connected to the chimney (probably done by originally owner of house rather then a professional), and also the booster attached on it had come flying off in the wind.

I did try another television upstairs, and no improvement. We also have a booster aerial type thing (one for all), which made things worse (although I have my doubts over this aerial working at all.) Oh, and we're in Ratoath, if that helps with signal coverage. There are a lot of houses around here that have aerials up (but all look properly hooked and connected to four corners of the roof.)

jonnygee

alowe wrote: »

When we moved into our house, the owner had an aerial on the chimney, and had it cabled to a point downstairs, and from here 3 cables running throughout the house.

We took the aerial down from the chimney and put one into the roof-space. At the point where the cable enters the house, we use an 'slx psu masthead amplifier power supply', and then put in the cables for around the house into this.

At one of the points I have rte1, rte2 perfect - tv3 is good enough (bit snowy, but not so bad you couldn't watch.) However, at a second point upstairs while rte1 and rte2 are perfect, tv3 and tg4 are just far too snowy.

I can't recable, because they're all internal in the walls (and hubbie wouldn't appreciate me taking out holes in the plaster!).

So ... what i'm wondering. Is there something I can get that would help to boost the signal that would give me better quality tv3?

thanks

You use an "slx psu masthead amplifier power supply"
Do you actually have an amplifier connected to this or are you only using the power supply.

alowe

jonnygee wrote: »

You use an "slx psu masthead amplifier power supply"
Do you actually have an amplifier connected to this or are you only using the power supply.

The aerial cable comes in and goes into the slx, then a cable comes out of that box and goes into another box (think its called a splitter). Out of this box I plug the 3 cables that go around the house.

Are we missing a piece?

lensman

alowe wrote: »

I don't think any amount of feminine charm would persuade my hubbie to go out onto the roof at the moment

get him a white beard & a red suit,..that should inspire him to scale the roof,..ho ho ho

exaisle

If hubby is scared to put the aerial outdoors, then shame him into getting one of his pals To do it. The solution to your problem is to put the aerial outdoors. STop wasting your time messing about in the attic. How you get the aerial outdoors is another issue

jonnygee

alowe wrote: »

The aerial cable comes in and goes into the slx, then a cable comes out of that box and goes into another box (think its called a splitter). Out of this box I plug the 3 cables that go around the house.

Are we missing a piece?

You might be, but it.s impossible to say without looking in your attic.
In the attic the cable coming from the aerial should connect into a small plastic box which is the actual amplifier, the cable coming out of this box should go down to the power supply box that you originally mentioned.

Once you have confirmed this then take out the cable from the power supply that you say goes to the "splitter box" and plug in the cable that you are having problems with directly into the power supply and check the signal level on that tv again.

Then post back here.

alowe

Jonnygee - thanks, that might be our problem. I think that small plastic box was what went swinging in the wind on the original outdoor aerial. As far as I know the one in the attic is just cabled to downstairs - no box or amplifier up there.

Hubbie is in town, so might see if I can get him to get one.

thanks for the suggestion.

jonnygee

alowe wrote: »

Jonnygee - thanks, that might be our problem. I think that small plastic box was what went swinging in the wind on the original outdoor aerial. As far as I know the one in the attic is just cabled to downstairs - no box or amplifier up there.

Hubbie is in town, so might see if I can get him to get one.

thanks for the suggestion.

No problem, ensure the new amplifier matches the voltage output of the power supply that you already have, talk to a professional.

Willby

alowe wrote: »

I don't think any amount of feminine charm would persuade my hubbie to go out onto the roof at the moment

The problem with the roof aerial is that we'd have to pay someone to do it, as hubbie is scared of heights, and to be honest, wouldn't have the tools to safely attach an aerial to the roof. The reason the original one came down is that it was unstabley connected to the chimney (probably done by originally owner of house rather then a professional), and also the booster attached on it had come flying off in the wind.

I did try another television upstairs, and no improvement. We also have a booster aerial type thing (one for all), which made things worse (although I have my doubts over this aerial working at all.) Oh, and we're in Ratoath, if that helps with signal coverage. There are a lot of houses around here that have aerials up (but all look properly hooked and connected to four corners of the roof.)

Hi,
One other suggestion you can try . In Ratoath you should be capable of receiving RTE from three different transmitters i.e
Claremont Carn (aerial pointing towards Dundalk), CAIRN hILL(roughly towars Longford) and Three Rock Sth Co. Dublin). All three are UHF. You may have the aerial pointing at a different tx than the original owner. If you do change its direction then you will have to retune but you can get the frequencies by googling.
Willby

STB

Em, just buy a digital terrestrial box for Irish DTT and connect your existing aerial to it. No more snowy picture.

£50.

http://www.comet.co.uk/p/Freeview-freesat-Boxes/buy-GOODMANS-GDB300HD-Freeview-freesat-Boxe/611670

alowe

STB wrote: »

Em, just buy a digital terrestrial box for Irish DTT and connect your existing aerial to it. No more snowy picture.

£50.

http://www.comet.co.uk/p/Freeview-freesat-Boxes/buy-GOODMANS-GDB300HD-Freeview-freesat-Boxe/611670

I'm looking for the signal in two locations ... and the cheapest way possible to do it. If an amplifier is too expensive, or doesn't work, then i'll look at the box route. Thanks anyway.

Mr McBoatface

I agree with what STB and others have said - make the switch to digital. Analogue is getting switched off in 2012 so you'll have to invest money into it at some stage in the next year.

Saorview offers more content and better picture quality, In general if you a getting even a snowy analogue signal on TG4 and TV3 you will get a picture perfect DTT reception. Your current setup will more than likely work perfectly for both rooms if you swich to DTT.

Here is the Saorview website for more info - http://saorview.ie/ . You'll currently get RTE1, RTE2HD, TV3, 3e, TG4 and RTE News Now along with several radio channels. More channels including a film channel should be broadcasting later in the year and RTE1 and TV3 will be switching over to HD.

What is you location ? We can let you know if Saorview is available in your area.

lucernarian

The OP has said they're not interested in a digital box for the moment, it's their perogative. The thread is about fixing a poor analogue signal, not alternatives to analogue. Certainly not if the alternatives cost a hefty bit of money. There shouldn't be a problem with receiving reasonable analogue pictures in Rathoath anyway, even in the loft.

alowe, are you certain that the cabling used is right? And have you tried moving around the aerial to different parts of the attic? It's very important to firstly avoid having the aerial resting on the ceiling joists, it needs to be suspended in free air. E.g. with some string from the wooden beams which hold up the slates/tiles. Also, you need to have a rough idea of what way it should be pointing while within the attic and then make sure it's not pointing through any chimneys or water tanks.

I've found that even my signal from Kippure (VHF, a more robust signal that passes through walls and attics much better) varies somewhat with where I put the aerial. TV from Three Rock varies even more so.

Oh, if you do end up putting the aerial outside then you can have it much lower down towards the ground depending on if there's a house right beside you blocking your view immediately to the southeast. The gain in signal from having it outside means you can have any auld aerial pointing roughly towards Dublin, I would expect.

alowe

Well I finally picked up a proper amplifier in Maplin, and Hubbie has just been in the attic, attached properly (with 1.2M cable from aerial - according to internet for best reception.) Its made a huge difference to signal upstairs and now all channels, including TG4 are nearly perfect.

We also got a TV that has saorview on it, and it receives the signal perfectly too - so at least I know if we get a box for our TV's it'll work.

Hubbie did move aerial around, and it was actually worse hanging from the rafters. So apparently its at an angle, at the rafters at the end of the house!

Thanks for the advice.