Home TV cabling conundrum

stannman

Hi

I have a cabling puzzle that I'm trying to resolve at home where we're losing saorview terrestrial tv stations on our TV upstairs.

Please refer to attached diagram. Cloud represents internal coax wiring behind walls that we inherited with our house - we have no idea how this is actually wired up.

Case (1):
Box A downstairs is switched on and receiving all stations.
Box B upstairs is switched on and receiving all stations.

Case (2):
Box A is switched off or disconnected from tv wall socket.
Box B can't receive any stations.

Case (3):
Box A is switched on and receiving all stations.
Box B is switched off or disconnected from tv wall socket.

So Box A must be switched on and connected before we can get stations on Box B. We end up leaving Box A on all the time, which is not ideal. I'd like to find a solution where these boxes can work independently, without having to put in fresh cabling.

Any idea what's going on here?

Thanks for any help or suggestions.
Stan

Thurston?

It would seem that box A is providing power for a remotely sited amplifier.

What's the make & model of box A?

stannman

Thurston? wrote: »

It would seem that box A is providing power for a remotely sited amplifier.

What's the make & model of box A?

Box A is a Ferguson Ariva 150 Combo.

mass_debater

Why don't you hire a professional?

Thurston?

stannman wrote: »

Box A is a Ferguson Ariva 150 Combo.

Right, go (I think) Menu > Installation > Aerial Adjustment, & check if DVB-T power is set to 'On'.

If it is, set it to 'Off', & see if you lose reception.

stannman

Thurston? wrote: »

Right, go (I think) Menu > Installation > Aerial Adjustment, & check if DVB-T power is set to 'On'.

If it is, set it to 'Off', & see if you lose reception.

Thanks Thurston.

I found DVBT under Menu > System Setup > Other.
When I set it to Off, I do indeed lose reception.

So Box A is acting as an amplifier. If I added a simple UHF amp where the aerial cable enters the house, would this do the same job?

The Cush

stannman wrote: »

So Box A is acting as an amplifier. If I added a simple UHF amp where the aerial cable enters the house, would this do the same job?

No, the box is acting a power supply unit for a masthead amp located somewhere from the aerial to the point where it splits to the TV points, is there any box on the aerial mast or in the attic? Where does the aerial cable enter the house?

A separate power supply located at that TV point should work, examples
http://www.freetv.ie/saorview/amplifiers/aerial-power-unit.html
http://www.satworld.ie/amps-and-diplexers/power-supplies/

Thurston?

stannman wrote: »

... So Box A is acting as an amplifier. If I added a simple UHF amp where the aerial cable enters the house, would this do the same job?

The box isn't acting as an amplifier, it's providing power for an amplifier of this type.

Maybe box B also has this capability? Otherwise, if you don't want box A on all the time you're watching terrestrial TV, you'll need a standalone power supply of the type shown in the link above.

stannman

TheCush and Thurston - thanks a million - that makes perfect sense now.

Yes - there is a masthead amp at the aerial.

I don't see a similar setting on Box B.

I'll get one of those power supplies and hook it up.

Thanks for your help.
Stan

ei9go

I don't think you should add another power supply.

Bad things might happen if both boxes are switched on together.

Better solution is probably to power the masthead amp all the time from a power supply and switch off the power in box A

stannman

Thanks ei9go - that's the plan - add a power supply and switch off the DVBT power setting on Box A.