Wiring terrestrial Freeview - which multi splitter?

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rayonline

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#115988 14-Apr-2013 17:52

People are hogging up the standard def sky tv, so figured if I am going to put in UHF and a splitter.

For the time being upstairs we have two bedrooms wanting it now out of the four rooms. Would you get a 4 way splitter incase for the future or would you just get a 2 way for now and upgrade later or is there no difference?

Cheers.

gregmcc

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#799248 14-Apr-2013 18:22

Put a 4 way splitter in.

Do you have a masthead amp? if so you will need a splitter that has a power pass thru (this is so the power adaptor you have in side can send power up the aerial wire to the amp)

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rayonline

1734 posts

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#799250 14-Apr-2013 18:26

Don't have the UHF aerial yet. Just planning. Hope I don't need an amp.

Deev8

481 posts

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#800268 16-Apr-2013 15:12

Do keep in mind that any splitter will reduce the strength of the signal received at each output from the splitter compared to that comming in from the aerial. Although you reduce the signal strength by splitting the signal, the signal quality should be exactly the same before and after the split, and signal quality is normally more important than signal strength.

At UHF frequencies a 2 way splitter will result in a loss of around 4dB, the loss of a 4 way splitter will be around 8dB and a 6 way splitter around 10dB. So when you get your UHF aerial fitted, first try connecting it directly to one TV without any splitter to make sure that you get an acceptable signal like that. Then fit the splitter and see if the signal is still acceptable - if it isn't you may need to fit an amplifier between the aerial and the splitter.

heavyusr

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#800634 17-Apr-2013 03:22

Isn't it possible to have a powered splitter without a masthead amp?
A powered splitter doesn't degrade the signal at all does it?

Brunzy

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#801078 17-Apr-2013 16:02

Deev8: Do keep in mind that any splitter will reduce the strength of the signal received at each output from the splitter compared to that comming in from the aerial. Although you reduce the signal strength by splitting the signal, the signal quality should be exactly the same before and after the split, and signal quality is normally more important than signal strength.

At UHF frequencies a 2 way splitter will result in a loss of around 4dB, the loss of a 4 way splitter will be around 8dB and a 6 way splitter around 10dB. So when you get your UHF aerial fitted, first try connecting it directly to one TV without any splitter to make sure that you get an acceptable signal like that. Then fit the splitter and see if the signal is still acceptable - if it isn't you may need to fit an amplifier between the aerial and the splitter.

Sorry but that is incorrect , the quality also deteriorates, although if you have a decent signal you can comfortably split it 4 or more ways

Also , if the quality stayed the same why would he need an amplifier ;-)

Deev8

481 posts

Ultimate Geek

#801083 17-Apr-2013 16:12

heavyusr: Isn't it possible to have a powered splitter without a masthead amp?
A powered splitter doesn't degrade the signal at all does it?

A powered splitter is just an amplifier and a splitter combined into a single device - so it amplifies the signal then splits it, with the loss of the splitter theoretically cancelling out the gain of the amplifier. That's OK if you know that your signal needs amplification, but you really don't want any amplification unless it's really necessary.

And finally it's worth saying that a "masthead amplifier" doesn't have to be installed on the mast head, it can be anywhere before the splitter, right next to it if necessary. You do get the best results by installing the amplifier as close as possible to the aerial, but there really isn't much loss of efficiency by putting it several metres further from the aerial, and inside the house where it is much easier to install.

Deev8

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#801085 17-Apr-2013 16:21

Brunzy:
Deev8: Do keep in mind that any splitter will reduce the strength of the signal received at each output from the splitter compared to that comming in from the aerial. Although you reduce the signal strength by splitting the signal, the signal quality should be exactly the same before and after the split, and signal quality is normally more important than signal strength.

Sorry but that is incorrect , the quality also deteriorates, although if you have a decent signal you can comfortably split it 4 or more ways

Also , if the quality stayed the same why would he need an amplifier ;-)

The reason that you need an amplifier is to boost the signal strength above the required threshold, amplifiers do not, and cannot improve signal quality.

Brunzy

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#801133 17-Apr-2013 17:50

Far be it from me to argue with an expert , you mentioned amplifier , not me