Technomate RF Loopthrough Problem

[Norm]

I recently bought a (much needed!) new TV. I decided to upgrade scart leads and generally tidy up the rats' nest of cabling during installation. I have a Sky box and a Technomate 1500Ci and for maximum flexibility use a two way aerial amp/splitter to run a second TV in another room.

I connect the STBs to the main TV via scarts and run the second aerial splitter via the RF loopthroughs on the STBs so that the STBs can also be viewed in the other room. The case on my original ancient aerial splitter box was cracked so - for the sake of about twenty quid at B&Q - I thought I would also replace it.

Trouble is, the Techno and the B&Q box seem to be incompatible - distorted picture & sound on all channels with Techno in the loop. Initially, I thought the Techno had developed a fault but further investigation has shown that the loopthrough is fine without the B&Q box in circuit. Even with the Techno upstream of the splitter, the problem is there.

Anybody have any suggestions what this problem might be or how to cure it? Or even recommend a two way splitter/amp that would be guaranteed to work. When I was tidying up after installation, I (stupidly?) threw out the splitter with the cracked case!! Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Topper]

Hi Norm
Without any details as to what the specifics of the B&Q box are that you have purchased and a drawing of what is connected to what I doubt you will receive any replies

 

[Norm]

Thanks Topper - you're absolutely right, it was a very garbled and unclear description! What I should probably have said is something like this.

I bought a Philex (Labgear) SLx2 aerial splitter/amplifier and have done a standard hook-up (ie as shown on the box). If I use a Technomate 1500Ci in the circuit, the subsequent picture on every channel is distorted. If I substitute a digibox for the 1500Ci, the pictures on all channels are fine. The RF loopthrough on the 1500Ci works fine without the splitter.

I have now sent a query to Philex asking whether there are any known compatibility issues or might my SLx unit be faulty? Has anybody else any experience of these units? Thanks.

 

[Topper]

Yes now I understand a bit better, I did have a similar setup in the analogue days and seem to remember a distortion when using a different receiver whilst I was having mine repaired. If I remember correctly it was corrected by adjusting the output channel of the stb unit. On a specific channel frequency the active splitter/amplifier created a beat frequency which distored the output considerably.