Cable Hookup Issue

[Wyzer]

I hope I posted this in the correct area.

Here's my dilema....

I have charter cable (no box) straight cable in, and ota hd. My problem is I only have 1 cable/antenna input on my tv set. I've read you can't connect both to a diplexer (because they both share the same frequency), which I've tried and there is definately interference in my cable channels connecting this way.

Is there a way to adapt from either cable or my ota feed into another input source (i.e., rca, svideo, etc)?

Right now I'm using a video switch, but I'd prefer to not have to get up to switch everytime I want switch between cable and ota.

[57U]

You could get a STB/PVR from your cable supplier and then feed that signal to another input on the TV. Or do something similar with an OTA STB.

[Splicer]

57U is correct...Basically saying that you need a second tuner...Personally I would leave the cable connected to the 75ohm input and get a ATSC STB that you can connect to your component/HDMI/DVI input if you have a TV capable of such connections...If not just use the 'S' video, or composite inputs...

[Wyzer]

Thanx guys. I think I have a cure with a DVD Player that has an antenna/cable input (and svid, component, etc. out). I'll just run their cable through that, and leave the ota going directly to the tv's antenna/cable input. This is my parents new TV, so I'll try it next time I'm over their way.

Now it makes sense as to why my tv actually has 2 antenna inputs (an A & B input)

Thanx again.

[Aircraft]

I have a similar dilemma, but I think It relates to this thread.

I have a Panasonic TH-42PZ85U that has only 1 coax input. I am using a ClearStream2 OTA HDTV antenna for my HD broadcasts, but want to use the secondary output on my 2 channel Dish Network box, which output is on channel 73, and use the UHF controller.

Is there a way to combine the two signals, and not interfere with the other? Some day I will switch to another HD Dish Network box, but this is not my primary TV.

Thanks!

EDIT: My dish receiver is the Dish 522 DVR

I can change the second output to:
• Air Mode - Select a channel between 21 and 69.
• Cable Mode - Select a channel between 73 and 125.

[Ratman]

I don't think you will be able to diplex ATSC/OTA signals and remodulate and output as an NTSC signal (Channel 73) from the Dish receiver.

Either:
1) get an HD capable Dish box
2) leave the antenna connected to the RF input of the TV and connect the existing Dish receiver to the TV using composite or S-Video cables (and red/white cables for audio).
3) connect the coax from the Dish receiver and antenna to an "A/B switch".

Just my suggestion. Hopefully someone more familiar with Dish hardware will chime in.

PS... please provide the model number of your Dish receiver.

[Aircraft]

Thanks Ratman,

I can't use the composite or S-Video cables since the Dish box is in another room and I'm using the second output of the two channel receiver. I can change the channel of the secondary output, but I doubt that will help.

I'm guessing the A/B switch is the only possibility now until I get a second Dish receiver.

Is there a RF to RCA adapter? I want to keep this install looking as clean as possible, there are no wires going to the TV, all are concealed behind out of view, it's installed above the fire place.

Thanks for the help!!

[Aircraft]

Funny Thing I found,

Page 33 of the manual shows this hookup via a "TV Distribution Equipment" but I have no idea what type of equipment they are talking about, anyone have a clew of what type of splitter or make this is?
Picture, click here. (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/Aircraft800/House/Untitled.jpg)

[kevinw]

Get a single 211 for the 2nd TV

[kevinw]

Do you have 2 HD tvs or one? The 522 is a NON HD dual tuner. I'd replace that with a 722
What cables are run behind the wall?

[Ratman]

And... are both TV's HD capable, have ATSC tuners and required to 'share' the antenna?

If you could be more descriptive about primary and bedroom hookups/setups/capabilties/cabling and desires, that would be helpful to provide suggestions for a temporary (if not inconvenient) solution.

[Aircraft]

And... are both TV's HD capable, have ATSC tuners and required to 'share' the antenna?

If you could be more descriptive about primary and bedroom hookups/setups/capabilties/cabling and desires, that would be helpful to provide suggestions for a temporary (if not inconvenient) solution.

Family room has the theater setup, Dish 522, 68" Rear Projection TV (not HD, bought before they were reasonably priced) and no antenna hook up. My new TV is going in the living room, HD coming OTA, and 2nd output from 522, no need for HD on that now since it is not my primary TV, and I want the cleanest of all installs. All cables are run threw the wall, so no extremal cables/cords are visible. I'd prefer not to have another receiver now, but will probable need one later.

Thanks for all of the help!

[Ratman]

So... to sum this up.

You have a new HDTV with an internal ATSC tuner. You have an antenna and only one RF/coax input on the new TV. You want to get two RF feeds (one from Dish box and one from antenna) into the new TV with no effort (for right now) and no new cable runs.

Okay...
Assuming the antenna feed terminates into the living room (@ new TV) you can try to:
a) use the A/B switch solution as suggested above.
b) if you're willing to experiment, try just inserting a "splitter/combiner" instead of a switch. IN other words, connect the antenna and Dish feeds into the outputs of the splitter and the input of the splitter/combiner to the input of the TV.

If your are in fact currently re-modulating all of the Dish receiver channels to "channel 73", it would probably work. Worth a shot IMO.

EDIT:
You will have to set the TV to "air/antenna" and change the Dish receiver to Air/antenna mode on the secondary output and select an unused OTA channel (I/E channel 69?) so you don't conflict with an existing OTA channel.

Example:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103923

[Splicer]

If your are in fact currently re-modulating all of the Dish receiver channels to "channel 73", it would probably work. Worth a shot IMO.

Example:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103923
He would have to combine AFTER the modulator for it to work...

[Ratman]

Uh... yeah. The Dish receiver IS the modulator. ;)

[Aircraft]

Cool, Thanks! I didn't know if that combiner would work since it was designed for UHF/VHF split, but I'll give it a shot.

A/B will be my alternative.

Thanks!

[Splicer]

It is??? Learn something new every day...Appreciate the heads up...

I thought you had the dish box and then a modulator...

[Ratman]

It is??? Learn something new every day...
Just re-read post #5 or the specs for the Dish 522 receiver. :sherlok:

[Ratman]

I didn't know if that combiner would work since it was designed for UHF/VHF split...

Sure can...
The splitter/combiner has a bandpass capability of ~5 - 1000MHz which is where all cable/OTA (UHF/VHF) frequencies reside.

Again... be sure to read my suggestion on the "edit" of post #13.

Good luck, keep us informed. Hope this works easily for you.

[Aircraft]

I'm glad you gave me a heads up! I didn't see the edit. The TV and antenna are installed, the Dish is not yet, I wanted to be able to check the channels first to see the quality/quantity before I added the Dish output to make sure there is no interference or anything. I'll keep you updated with some pics and stuffs!

EDIT:

It Works!!

Thanks so much for the help. I was unsure a Ideal 85-332 Satellite & Digital TV Splitter - 2-way, 5MHz - 2.3GHz would work in reverse~! My install went great, no wires visible and beautiful picture on the OTA HD channels. I changed the Dish to output on TV channel 69, decent picture for being only 480p.

Thanks again for the help guys!
Picture 1, wires hidden behind (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/Aircraft800/Flashlight/IMG_7053.jpg)
Look Mom, No wires! (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a26/Aircraft800/Flashlight/IMG_7059.jpg)

Now I just need to get some back lighting!
:thankyou3

[Ratman]

Fantastic!
Glad it worked out for you.

Just be prepared... if/when you decide to upgrade to HD with your Dish subscription, you're going to have to bite the bullet and either run additional cables and/or add a HD receiver for the living room TV.

Anyway... enjoy! :)

[Aircraft]

Fantastic!
Glad it worked out for you.

Just be prepared... if/when you decide to upgrade to HD with your Dish subscription, you're going to have to bite the bullet and either run additional cables and/or add a HD receiver for the living room TV.

Anyway... enjoy! :)

I had hopeful thinking that in the future the second output would be digital, oh well. I'll probably have to find some threw the wall HDMI cables if they exist, and some HDMI wall jacks.

Thanks Again!

[kevinw]

I had hopeful thinking that in the future the second output would be digital, oh well. I'll probably have to find some threw the wall HDMI cables if they exist, and some HDMI wall jacks.

Thanks Again!
They do
www.Monoprice.com

[Ratman]

Direct links:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240