Connecting Signal Booster & Splitter

[heyjjjaded]

I'm using a splitter behind my TV now (1 line runs to STB and other line runs straight to TV) and want to install a signal booster as well. The manual doesn't address this, so I thought I'd ask here ... from the cable output jack coming from the wall, what should I connect 1st? The signal booster or the splitter? Thank you.

[Ratman]

1st... why do you require a signal booster?

[heyjjjaded]

The HD channels through my built-in tuner are all coming in fine, except for the same 2 channels. Here is the link to the thread & my original post is below: http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=16818

Ratman - I was going to buy the signal booster that you suggested this evening (I read the install manual online).

I have the Sony KDF-50WE655 and have been receiving HD through my set-top-box provided by Comcast. The TV manual recommends using a splitter – sending 1 line to my STB (then to the TV’s UHF/VHF input) and the other line directly to the cable input on the TV. I did this and now I get a couple of additional HD channels (through the TV’s built-in tuner) when I set the antenna to ‘cable.’ To be specific, I live between Sacramento & San Francisco, but I live about 20 miles closer to Sacramento. The NBC, ABC, and Fox HD channels that I receive through my STB are out of Sacramento and they come in beautifully. No CBS HD though, because they are not part of the Comcast HD package here. Now, after using the splitter, when I set the antenna to ‘cable,’ I can also see the NBC, ABC, Fox, and even CBS HD channels out of San Francisco. Here’s the problem though … the new HD channels out of San Francisco only are coming in very poorly. It wouldn’t be a big deal, except that this is my only way to see CBS in HD. There are lots of pixels & tons of audio skipping on these channels. It is unwatchable. Why is this? Is it just because I live farther away from San Francisco? Most importantly, is there anything I can do to fix this? Better coax cables? An antenna? Some setting somewhere? If I do need an antenna, could I get these HD channels with a small inexpensive antenna? Any better way to see CBS in HD? The NCAA Tournament is coming soon. Thank You!

[Ratman]

Well IMO, you have a 'strange' situation.

Lord knows how/why you get locals that your provider doesn't carry. But, all you can do is try. If you're 'lucky' things will work out when you introduce the amp.

I'd try first inserting the amp after the split. I say this only because if you insert before the split, you may cause problems with the cable box.

If that doesn't work, disconnect the cable box feed, insert the amp before the splitter and see what happens with just the amp/splitter/direct to the TV.

If it still doesn't work, I'm at a loss. Since those channels aren't 'carried' to begin with, who knows...

Have fun testing!

[mjones73]

I have a feeling he's not supposed to be seeing those channels and they are just leaking into the system somewhere, it makes no sense for them to be so weak if they are supposed to be available...

[Ratman]

Yes... I agree! But... I'd also be trying everything I could to get 'em too! :)

[Splicer]

Well 1st off you would want the amplifier BEFORE the splitter.

Secondly, I am not sure I understand exactly what the problem is. With the TV set to 'CABLE' you receive a CBS channel from San Fran. However it is a poor picture. Am I correct so far?

Now, you live closer to Sacramento than San Fran, so your cable provider pipes the Sacramento locals (ABC, NBC, FOX) with the exception of CBS. Am I still on the right track?

Yet with the TV set to CABLE, your TV internal tuner now picks up CBS from San Fran, albeit a poor picture. The solution is simple, if I am understanding you right.

An amplifier will NOT help you in your situation. What you are seeing is an OTA signal, with the cable itself acting as a poor antenna. Which raises the question of Ingress levels present in your cable line. That will have to be corrected by the cable co. You are getting a poor picture because the station you are receiving is NOT on your cable line per say.

My suggestion is to get rid of the splitter and get an indoor antenna. The input the antenna is connected to should be set to ANT, however your set is. Hope this helps.

[heyjjjaded]

Well IMO, you have a 'strange' situation.

Lord knows how/why you get locals that your provider doesn't carry. But, all you can do is try. If you're 'lucky' things will work out when you introduce the amp.

Thanks for the help. I'm so new to this that I honestly don't even understand if I'm supposed to be getting these channels or not. I know that I'm not supposed to get them through my STB (and I'm not), but because my tv has a built-in tuner, I noticed these other channels through the direct line to the tv. I don't know??? I guess I'll give the signal booster a try tonight.

[Splicer]

Thanks for the help. I'm so new to this that I honestly don't even understand if I'm supposed to be getting these channels or not. I know that I'm not supposed to get them through my STB (and I'm not), but because my tv has a built-in tuner, I noticed these other channels through the direct line to the tv. I don't know??? I guess I'll give the signal booster a try tonight.


DO NOT waste your time/money on a booster to connect to the cable! See my post above yours. Adding an amplifier to the cable line itself will degradate the PQ.

[heyjjjaded]

Oops! I just saw the other responses. Thanks for the help. Splicer - everything you said is correct. I guess I have some other things going on here. To be honest, if I'm not supposed to be getting these channels, then I'm not too excited about "messing around" with my tv. I'm real happy with what I am supposed to be getting and I am obviously learning something new every day here. Thanks again for the good help.

[Ratman]

I wouldn't be able to rest unless I tried. You do what you feel is appropriate.

It very well could be 'ingress'. But... it doesn't hurt to try different configurations. You can always return the booster of all attempts fail.

[Splicer]

A booster will just amplify the noise.

[Ratman]

Okay... fine!

Splicer says don't try it. He knows it won't work. Done!

[Splicer]

C'mon Rat, you of all people should know that crap in to an amplifier is just amplified crap coming out of the amplifier.

[Ratman]

Does it hurt to try? Why shut down experimentation?
I'm not saying you're wrong.

[heyjjjaded]

Just out of curiosity, how do signal boosters claim that they improve picture quality? The Motorola 484095-001-00 claims to significantly improve the picture quality. I understand the garbage in - garbage out argument ... do you guys believe that such signal boosters are somewhat of a scam? Just trying to learn ... thanks again!

[Ratman]

They may improve picture quality only for analog signals.

As for digital... you lock in and get it 'perfect' or not. Although marginal digital signals can be 'assisted' with these boosters to help retain a 'lock' for stability.

[Splicer]

Booster are more or less a way to amplify a GOOD signal so the signal stays good for a longer distance. A booster can and does help OTA situations when used in conjunction with an antenna. In that scenario, the signal that is not coming in, is not necessarily a bad signal, just a weak one.

With cable however it is a different situation. With cable, if the initial signal is poor, the amplifier just intensifies the poor signal. Now, if you do have a good cable signal coming into the premises, (as evidenced by the PQ of the cable box) and you wanted to take that incoming signal to say,, 4 or 5 additional TV's, then the good signal gets attenuation going through the splitter(s) and the different lengths of cable. Boosting the good signal BEFORE it gets degradated will increase the signal strength to the point that the added attenuation will not affect PQ or it is minimized to the point that it is not perceivable.

So no, boosters are not a 'scam', they do work. They just wont work in your specific situation.

[Ratman]

Put down your 'cable installers textbook'.

I stand behind my previous comments. It doesn't hurt to try.

[Splicer]

Put down your 'cable installers textbook'.

I stand behind my previous comments. It doesn't hurt to try.

Unless you like wasting time/money, you are correct. But why chase gremlins that aren't there? Do you want this guy to waste time/money and get frustrated? Sounds like you do.

BTW...No "cable installers textbook" teaches you this stuff. It is a bit more advanced than that. I just put it all in easy to understand dialog.

[Ratman]

Do you want this guy to waste time/money and get frustrated? Sounds like you do.

He's already spent time asking and experimenting. Waste of money? Why... if it doesn't work, return the stinking booster! So what?

If it doesn't work... you can be right and the cable world will be better for it.

Was that an easy to understand "dialog"?

[heyjjjaded]

Too funny.

I actually contacted the Sacramento CBS affiliate & found out that they have been sold (to Viacom, I think?). Anyway, the moral of the story is that their HD feed will be coming our way shortly. I can be patient & wait for it ... especially if I'm not really supposed to be getting those other channels, as you guys said. I do appreciate the help though.