My HTPC came with dual digital TV tuners (two cards).
It works fine with just one connected but if I split the leads to connect
both with a normal splitter I lose most of the stations.

I had a new antenna fitted when I switched to freeview about five years ago.
I worked fine with the Freeview box 'most of the time' - in 'bad' weather I
do sometimes get freeze frames or pixilation.

I already have an 6db gain amplifier in the roof space to split the signal
into three rooms, though only one is actual used/connected.
Should Terminators be fitted to unused sockets - mine do not have them.
Does this make a big difference?

What are my best options?
A more powerful roof space Amp, a second amp splitter next to the PC, a
better antenna, or is there something else I could try

TIA
Slatts

On Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:28:36 -0000, "Sla#s" wrote:

My HTPC came with dual digital TV tuners (two cards).
It works fine with just one connected but if I split the leads to connect
both with a normal splitter I lose most of the stations.

I had a new antenna fitted when I switched to freeview about five years ago.
I worked fine with the Freeview box 'most of the time' - in 'bad' weather I
do sometimes get freeze frames or pixilation.
So the signal is marginal and your resistive splitter is probaly halving what is
available.
I suggest you ask in:-
uk.tech.digital-tv
But before you do - you will need to say which town you are in and which
transmitter you use. I would also suggest stating if you had new aerial coax
fitted and what type of aerial (18 element? wideband?) and its location on your
house/flat.
My guess is that amplification will not be a real cure unless (possibly) on the
mast.


Geo

Geo wrote:
On Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:28:36 -0000, "Sla#s"
wrote:

My HTPC came with dual digital TV tuners (two cards).
It works fine with just one connected but if I split the leads to
connect both with a normal splitter I lose most of the stations.

I had a new antenna fitted when I switched to freeview about five
years ago. I worked fine with the Freeview box 'most of the time' -
in 'bad' weather I do sometimes get freeze frames or pixilation.
So the signal is marginal and your resistive splitter is probaly
halving what is available.
I suggest you ask in:-
uk.tech.digital-tv
But before you do - you will need to say which town you are in and
which transmitter you use. I would also suggest stating if you had
new aerial coax fitted and what type of aerial (18 element?
wideband?) and its location on your house/flat.
My guess is that amplification will not be a real cure unless
(possibly) on the mast.


Thanks for that.
After doing a bit of checking I decided that as you say the antenna would
probably need changing and I would also need new cable as that was not done
the last time.
Due to the cost of that option I though it worth the risk of wasting £20 on
a 4 db two way amp and some 75 ohm terminators on the unused sockets .
And it worked! I have all the TV and radio stations with the two that I had
with the single tuner.

Though I suspect in the long run I will need to re-cable as the stuff in the
walls and to the antenna must be at least twenty years old.

Slatts

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:02:24 -0000, "Sla#s" wrote:


After doing a bit of checking I decided that as you say the antenna would
probably need changing and I would also need new cable as that was not done
the last time.
Due to the cost of that option I though it worth the risk of wasting £20 on
a 4 db two way amp and some 75 ohm terminators on the unused sockets .
And it worked! I have all the TV and radio stations with the two that I had
with the single tuner.
Ok - glad it worked - but it will be interesting to see if you get any problems
from interference (or when the weather changes)
Though I suspect in the long run I will need to re-cable as the stuff in the
walls and to the antenna must be at least twenty years old.
Mine was about 30 years old and I replaced it with a decent sat grade when I put
up a new aerial. Made an enormous difference to the reception and the double
screening on the coax prevents interference pick-up. Total cost was about £40.

Geo

Geo wrote:
SNIP

Though I suspect in the long run I will need to re-cable as the
stuff in the walls and to the antenna must be at least twenty years
old.
Mine was about 30 years old and I replaced it with a decent sat grade
when I put up a new aerial. Made an enormous difference to the
reception and the double screening on the coax prevents interference
pick-up. Total cost was about £40.

.... Thats cheaper than I thought it would be!
I might very well get an estimate :-)

Slatts

On Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:19:57 -0000, "Sla#s" wrote:

... Thats cheaper than I thought it would be!
I might very well get an estimate :-)
Ah - that was DIY. Just bought aerial and cable and did a bit of climbing
ladders. Might be £150-£200 done for you.

Geo