Problem with distributed signal

jimmybhoy

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Hi

I have an incoming signal from the TV aerial, which has an amplifier in-line just as it comes into the loft. (We are in a crap reception area)

It then goes down to the Sky+ box, the F out comes back up to an 8+1 amp from Wolsey, passing through an 18db attenuator first.

Now, signal to rooms is OK, but new purchase of a Plasma has shown the sky signal to be not perfect.
I can run a Sat grade cable from the RF out to the plasma and get a great picture. The same cable to the amp gives a poor picture.
Disconnect the attenuator.... crap picture.
Adjusted the RF channel from 68 to 24 - better, but still not great.
Disconnected the incoming Aerial signal from Sk+ box, no difference.
Internal cabling from back of Sky+ box goes to a wall plate, then TV quality RF cable to amp.

Looking for pointers for troubleshooting.....

Is the amp any good? Could this be the problem? It was supplied new about a year ago, when we had a better aerial fitted, but still poor TV reception.... hence the need to concentrate on the Sky signal.

My thoughts are to replace the cable from Sky+ box to amp, then if needs be amp.

Thanks

Jim
 

rolfw

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Two things, why have you got a pre-amp in line when you require an 18db attenuator lower down the line?

18db is a huge attenuation and should never be required in the middle of a domestic system, all it is doing is knocking the stuffing out of your digibox channel.

Try removing the first amp and the attenuator and see what happens. :)
 

PaulR

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Also, is the Plasma TV not in the same room as the +box?

If they are co-located then you should be using a scart lead to connect them together. This will give you the best possible picture and also stereo sound (the +box only transmits mono sound via the aerial lead)
 

jimmybhoy

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Hi

Thanks for the replies....

I will remove the in-line amp tomorrow and remove the attenuator... don't know why they were fitted.

I re-terminated the outlet in near the Sky box, which has slightly improved the picture.
Will update tomorrow.

Thanks

Jim
 

rolfw

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Technomate 5402 HD M2 Ci, DM7000s, Transparent 80cm Dish, Moteck SG2100 DiseqC motor, lots of legacy gear. Meters: Satlook Digital NIT, Promax HD Ranger+ spectrum analyser.
My Location
Berkshire
Just a thought, check out whether what you think is an inline amp, is not a power supply for a masthead amp, if it is, then don't remove it. If that is the case, put the attenuator on the input of the digibox, then you will only attenuate the terresrial signals, not the digibox channel. :)
 
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