Freeview delivery via RG6 or CAT6

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Freeview delivery via RG6 or CAT6

BPInside

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#195513 22-Apr-2016 11:16

Just a quick one here, wondering what you are using for distribution of your Freeview signal. I have about 8 outputs for the signal of which only a couple would be used together at any one time.

What I'm wanting to know is should I just run RG6 cable or can I utilise cat6 for the Freeview signal since I'm already going to be running that everywhere?

Note nothing has been purchased / done yet.

Mavarick

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#1538027 22-Apr-2016 11:52

I have both my UHF and sat into a SAT/ANT Diplexer/Mixer so both run down the same RG6 cable

then split them out again at the bottom, mine had 2x Sat inputs and 1x UHF and 4 outputs, you can get bigger ones for the outputs

BPInside

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#1538030 22-Apr-2016 12:02

Thanks Mavarick, would be good to hear from someone using Cat6 as this is slightly different from the usual RG6 configuration. I have seen some units overseas and the had adapter cables for network to pal at the other end

sbiddle

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#1538031 22-Apr-2016 12:04

You can't run an RF aerial feed over cat5 or cat6 cable. It's not designed for that.

BPInside

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#1538032 22-Apr-2016 12:08

Thanks, sbiddle that answers that!

richms

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#1538044 22-Apr-2016 12:32

sbiddle:
You can't run an RF aerial feed over cat5 or cat6 cable. It's not designed for that.

I tried it and it worked okish. Some loss but an amp in the distribution closet seemed to overcome that. Just poked one wire from a pair into the f connector at each end and no worries.

Richard rich.ms

ZollyMonsta

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#1538081 22-Apr-2016 13:19

Something like this may work.. maybe.. or not.. :)

http://www.intelix.com/RUB_IMAGES/images/spec/130116_RF-F_Tech_Specs.pdf

You would need one at each end though.. Good up to 900mhz according to the specs. Not cheap per unit though.

Stick with RG6.

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."

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mm1352000

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#1538424 22-Apr-2016 21:08

There's a relatively new standard for TV distribution over a network:

http://www.satip.info/

Despite what the name suggests, it can be used for DVB-T/T2 and DVB-C/C2 as well as DVB-S/S2.

The main issue is that the client - TV, STB, PC software - must support the standard. This is usually not the case, but you may be able to update/switch to equipment/software that does.

mm1352000

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#1538429 22-Apr-2016 21:17

richms: Some loss but an amp in the distribution closet seemed to overcome that. Just poked one wire from a pair into the f connector at each end and no worries.

That might work for a terrestrial (Freeview HD) setup, but I wouldn't be brave enough to try let alone recommend it for a satellite setup. In a satellite setup the RG-6 cable normally carries power [for the LNB] as well as the RF signal. I wouldn't be confident that the ethernet cable would cope well with that. Fire risk and all that...

mail2mm

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#1540907 23-Apr-2016 22:49

Agree with S Biddle. Coaxial cables, such as RG-6, RG-59 and RG-11, are designed to carry RF signals. Their 75ohm impedance is a very good match to antennas and TVs. If you only want to use three to four outlets at a time use a 4-way splitter (7-8dB loss) and swap out cables as needed. Good quality RG-6 cable has no problem carrying SKY and/or Freeview satellite LNB output signals around 1 GHz or above along with the low voltage power for the LNB. All this in addition to the Freeview HD UHF signals.

Twisted pair Ethernet cable, with designations like Cat 5e or Cat 6, is not designed to carry broadband radio frequency signals. The baluns suggested previously are a reasonable technical workaround but are a last resort and are not specified to operate at the higher satellite LNB output frequencies.

In short don't do it. Use RG-6 coaxial cable. Keep it simple.

BPInside

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#1542321 26-Apr-2016 16:26

Thanks for the feedback, seems to be that RG6 cable is still very well needed!

One other quick question is there seems to be two diameter sizes 16awg and 18awg, the 18awg is more expensive. What would you use for aerial and subwoofer wiring the thicker or the thinner.. Does it even matter?

MattR

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#1542405 26-Apr-2016 19:52

BPInside: 16awg and 18awg

All mine appears to be 18awg (Belden 1829A-C and Commscope SAT660BV), I doubt it matters as long as it is "Sky Approved" (RG6 dual-shield or better).

If you don't already have a crimper, get a compression crimper and not a radial crimper (maybe get one even if you do have a radial...). They take different crimp plugs, but the compression crimps are so much better. Use F connectors everywhere and then convert it to the Belling-Lee plug at the TV.

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BPInside

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#1542553 27-Apr-2016 08:22

Thanks Matt