Signal loss with splitter

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#2357429 19-Nov-2019 19:40

ADKM:

The antenna was changed some years ago (to a phased array), perhaps that didn't put the amp back? Can I tell from looking up at it? Rich says they aren't needed... why is that ?

To me the fact that you are getting pixellation would mean that you are probably getting no signal from antenna at all.

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#2357451 19-Nov-2019 20:40

Not sure I understand your comment.

If you no signal from the Antenna then you have no signal , zero , zilch, nada.

Unless you can see the Tx from your window and you have some really cheap flyleads

ADKM

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#2357939 20-Nov-2019 13:25

There was no signal out of the pass through port on the Panasonic DVR. It was able to show a perfect picture but not the Sony. Guess it's receiver isn't as good.

Sorry, should have specified the pixelation is only on Ch3, 1 & 2 are ok. Finding a signal strength indicator helped to confirm that, and should show any improvement with the Jaycar splitter.

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#2357955 20-Nov-2019 13:42

The point being that pixelation occurs when signal strength is low, e.g., 40 dBuV. This isn't representative of any healthy antenna system. It's representative of a fault, that simple. You've also provided no evidence that the masthead amp works at all. Your solution therefore makes no sense. Most likely signal is just what the coax is picking up off whatever it is terminated on (amp bypass at best).

Maybe share the signal strength and quality figures. If quality is low then no amp inserted at that point can fix the signal.

ADKM

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#2357998 20-Nov-2019 14:47

I haven't anything that reads dBuV and can't tell if the head amp works or not; and it degrades the signal when powered.

These are the readings from the Panasonic DVR which the aerial feeds through, so would be somewhat less at the TV ?

Ch1 Quality 9 Signal 6

2 Q9 S6

3 Q6 S4

4 Q6 S4

Maori Q10 S6

This is better than it was, after removing the filter, masthead PSU and doing away with some F-BL adapters. Pixelation is now zero (or close to it). If the Jaycar amp is worth getting, I would. Chs 3 & 4 still show as "Poor".

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#2358160 20-Nov-2019 18:59

So you have a phased array because you have no LoS to transmitter??

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ADKM

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#2358178 20-Nov-2019 19:51

It was recommended by Panasonic as the best for this area. Mosgiel (south of Dunedin). Specifically so their DVR would record when it was told to. But that's another story.

skewt

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#2358184 20-Nov-2019 20:00

Check your signal strength by plugging in only the Sony TV

the Sony's have a great interface and shows quite a bit of information we could use to help you

(Customer Support - System Information)

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#2358186 20-Nov-2019 20:10

Mosgiel is around 17 km from Mt Cargill. I'm same distance from Sugarloaf and my Panasonic PVR shows 10/10 for both signal and quality on all channels. Samsung shows 10/10 for quality on all and some channels as low as 8/10 for signal strength. My signal is split 2 ways and then 4 ways. No amps and using RG-59. Matchmaster prediction of 68 dBuV is identical for both of us.

If you have line of sight then you definitely have a fault most likely with masthead amp (assuming it is in circuit). At that distance though you shouldn't need a masthead amp.

ADKM

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#2358191 20-Nov-2019 20:27

>the Sony's have a great interface and shows quite a bit of information we could use to help you

I haven't been able to find any settings like that in this model. Some things are greyed out and others just not there.

There was no manual with this and I haven't found much info online. There's no "overscan" setting either or audio out adjusts (which one of the hifi guys

down here said it should have). If they are there, they're well hidden.

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#2358196 20-Nov-2019 20:44

[HOME] > [Settings] > [Product or Customer Support] > [System Information] > Press green button (from the four-coloured (red/green/yellow/blue) buttons in the middle of your remote control)

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#2358222 20-Nov-2019 20:50

Ok, thanks. Will check that out as soon as there's some downtime.

ADKM

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#2358510 21-Nov-2019 10:59

Thanks for the tip on [HOME] > [Settings]. Been looking for such a thing for a while. But there's no [Product or Customer Support] > [System Information] or response from the green button.

HOME first shows internet pictures, you scroll way down to the end to get Settings, then there's 5 sub catagories

Network & Accessories

System preferences

Personal

Accounts

Have looked though all but not found any signal strength/quality setting.

Nutts

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#2358525 21-Nov-2019 11:27

On our Sony Bravia KDL-55EX500 there are two ways to find it.
1 - home - settings - product support - I manual - system information
2 - options (button on the remote control) - system information

ADKM

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#2358629 21-Nov-2019 13:07

Thanks for the details on KDL-55EX500. Ours differs yet again so I rang the Sony Customer support number. It does have the setting under HELP - Move Down 3 rows and along a bit - Signal Diagnostics. You can't change channels though you have to navigate all the way back and in again. Also found why there's no manual, Sony are "paper free". They say get one via "i" on the remote. Must be designed to drive you batty if you want to be reading and doing it at the same time. But there's no "i" on my remote, only "i+" which is current program info.

Here are the results (numbers in brackets are with the Panasonic DVR bypassed)

Signal Quality - Signal level

1 77 (80) - 30 (14)

2 70 (81) - 30 (14)

3 14 (48) - 12 (17)

4 15 (51) - 14 (17)

Maori 87 (100) - 40 (33)

To me it looks weird the level decreases (quality increases) with antenna straight onto the TV and not through the DVR, but that's what it tells me. Back in analogue days we always had a lousy signal, so bad we used satellite feeds. Given all this, would the $109 Jaycar amp be worth while? There's no (or minimal) pixelation right now but we must be on the verge... Sony say the signal (they didn't say if Quality or Level) should be 80 or better.

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