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  1. #1
    DF VIP Member lombie's Avatar
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    Default Splitting the TV Aerial

    We have an aerial in the loft which feeds the downstairs TV (built in freeview) and all works fine. The kids both got new TV's for xmas, again with built-in freeview but with the desktop aerials don't get any channels. I also want to purchase a TV with built-in freeview for our room.

    Can i just chop into the cable from loft aerial to downstairs TV - fix one of THESE and then run new cables to all new TV's and reconnect the chopped cable back to downstairs TV?

    Am i making hard work and if so is there an easier way?

    Cheers

  2. #2
    DF VIP Member raelmadrid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    depends on the signal quality in your area, this can be chacked on some freeview boxes by going into the diagnostic section.

    You should be OK splitting it if it has 90% +

    If not you can get a signal amp and splitter combined, bang that in the loft and feed all the cables down to the rooms.

    hope u get sorted.

  3. #3
    DF VIP Member BertRoot's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    My signal was 55% and I bought a very similar piece of kit to that. Uses F-Plugs to connect and once you have made a nice clean connection it does the job perfectly. After installation of this I now get 70% on all three tellies round the house.


  4. #4
    DF VIP Member TotallyRandom's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    if you are trying to run 4 TV's would probably better with a Powered splitter

  5. #5
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    Hangman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    You would be best off using something like this http://www.aerialshack.com/aerial-bo...ier-p-693.html - this is the first link i found so shop around and you might find something cheaper.

    Cut the cable from the main aerial and fit a coax plug and put into the input of the amplifier. Then run your extra cables and fit coax plugs to each end. Plug one end into the output of the amp and te other end into the TV and bingo.


    Its better to burn out than to fade away...............

  6. #6
    DF VIP Member Pegasus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    No you can't just cut the cable and use a splitter.
    You may get away with that if you have a decent signal with very low noise and only want to feed 2 sets, anything else and you will need a distribution amplifier.

    It is also worth noting that if there is any noise present on the aeriel signal, then the cheap distribution amps will amplify the noise as well as the signal...so you could end up worse off.
    Understeer is when you hit a wall with the front of your car
    Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the back of your car
    Horsepower is how fast your car hits the wall
    Torque is how far your car sends the wall across the field once you've hit it

  7. #7
    DF VIP Member lombie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Cheers Fellas. Think i'll go with a decent amplifier then but will check the diagnostics settings first just in case..

  8. #8
    DF VIP Member Lighty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    there are a few good uns in Maplin mate if there is one local to you? I had the same situation a few months back and got a powered amplified splitter (4 way) and re did all connections with f plugs, all in it cost me about £24 but my signal that was 73% on sons TV is now 91% on all 3 TV's

  9. #9
    DF VIP Member lombie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Managed to sort it with some help from the local electrical shop. Also advised me to tap into the lighting ring circuit and install a double socket for the power to the amp.

    Didn't even know it was possible but all works good and the kids are happy

  10. #10
    DF VIP Member Roty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    I didn't think you could run a socket off the lighting circuit.


    TIM-MAY!!!

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  11. #11
    DF VIP Member TotallyRandom's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Quote Originally Posted by Roty View Post
    I didn't think you could run a socket off the lighting circuit.
    It will run a small AC adapter for the Amplifier ok (60-100Watts) just like a light bulb

    but if you add any thing bigger it will just trip.

  12. #12
    Argyll's Apprentice TwoPlAnKs's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Quote Originally Posted by Roty View Post
    I didn't think you could run a socket off the lighting circuit.
    this is probably stating the obvious but its not exactly up to code

    probably most convenient electrical source in an attic but not ideal if you forget in 10 years time and try to run a 3 bar fire off it

    or if your house burns down(for that or any other reason) and the insurance inspector finds incorrect wiring in the charred remains
    "The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it." - John Gilmore

  13. #13
    DF VIP Member Pegasus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Quote Originally Posted by lombie View Post
    Also advised me to tap into the lighting ring circuit and install a double socket for the power to the amp.
    Completely illegal, and if anybody should get injured or killed due to negligence (ie, if it happens to catch fire), then you are in deep shit.

    Replace that twin socket for a switched fused spur, and make sure the fuse rating does not exceed 3 amps.

    PS
    Make sure you connect the earth!!!
    Last edited by Pegasus; 17th March 2009 at 11:51 PM.
    Understeer is when you hit a wall with the front of your car
    Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the back of your car
    Horsepower is how fast your car hits the wall
    Torque is how far your car sends the wall across the field once you've hit it

  14. #14
    DF VIP Member lombie's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Quote Originally Posted by Pegasus View Post
    Completely illegal, and if anybody should get injured or killed due to negligence (ie, if it happens to catch fire), then you are in deep shit.

    Replace that twin socket for a switched fused spur, and make sure the fuse rating does not exceed 3 amps.

    PS
    Make sure you connect the earth!!!
    hmmm cheers - didn't realise it was illegal!

    We're looking at selling up now too so i think i'd better get that done..

  15. #15
    DF VIP Member Pegasus's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Quote Originally Posted by lombie View Post
    hmmm cheers - didn't realise it was illegal!
    It has always been against the regs to have a power outlet tapped off the lighting circuit, it's just since the introduction of Part P (which was only brought in because of numpties like those in your local electrical shop) that you can go to prison if something goes wrong.

    Quote Originally Posted by lombie View Post
    We're looking at selling up now too so i think i'd better get that done..
    All the more reason to ensure that everything complies then.
    I would also label up the relevant breaker in the CU (fusebox to you) that it is also powering up the distribution amp (although that is not a legal requirement).
    Understeer is when you hit a wall with the front of your car
    Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the back of your car
    Horsepower is how fast your car hits the wall
    Torque is how far your car sends the wall across the field once you've hit it

  16. #16
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    B B Leo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Splitting the TV Aerial

    Quote Originally Posted by Pegasus View Post
    Completely illegal, and if anybody should get injured or killed due to negligence (ie, if it happens to catch fire), then you are in deep shit.

    Replace that twin socket for a switched fused spur, and make sure the fuse rating does not exceed 3 amps.

    PS
    Make sure you connect the earth!!!
    Quote Originally Posted by Pegasus View Post
    It has always been against the regs to have a power outlet tapped off the lighting circuit, it's just since the introduction of Part P (which was only brought in because of numpties like those in your local electrical shop) that you can go to prison if something goes wrong.


    All the more reason to ensure that everything complies then.
    I would also label up the relevant breaker in the CU (fusebox to you) that it is also powering up the distribution amp (although that is not a legal requirement).
    well put pegasus . couldnt have put it better myself
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