TV distribution set-up

[neil-c]

Okay, please bear with me. I imagine this will be a long winded question with a very simple answer

I have Sky HD in main lounge, have additional tvs in bedroom and kitchen both with own aerials. I want to fit one new aerial in loft and distribute this signal along with Sky via magic eyes.

So is it set up like this: New aerial connected directly to masthead amplifier/splitter in loft. Also cable from RF2 out on Sky box to masthead amplifier/splitter. Three output cables from masthead to each TV with magic eyes fitted in-line at bedroom / kitchen TVs

I understand this will not be HD.

Also can anyone recommend a masthead amp/splitter with at least 4 outputs and preferably F-connections

Thanks

Edited by neil-c on Wednesday 1st September 04:43

[Paul Drawmer]

I've always thought that Labgear are pretty good.
I've got this one: PUH141PSM114V
My antenna is in the loft since I get good signal strength from the mast, and can't see the point in exposing everything to the weather if I don't need to. This amp allows you to reduce the gain so that you don't swamp the receiver. It's phantom powered via one of the down leads.

There are other models that will work on the satellite outputs, maybe their CA141 will be better for that.

[cjs]

Take your aerial feed directly to the Sky Box RF IN. Then out of the RF 2 to the distro amp. No need to split the aerial signal as it will be passed by the Sky box.

Make sure any distro amp has a DC pass to allow the 9v 'Magic Eye' power to pass from the Sky box. Some do some don't.

[neil-c]

cjs said:

Take your aerial feed directly to the Sky Box RF IN. Then out of the RF 2 to the distro amp. No need to split the aerial signal as it will be passed by the Sky box.

Make sure any distro amp has a DC pass to allow the 9v 'Magic Eye' power to pass from the Sky box. Some do some don't.

Is a distro amp and masthead amp the same thing?

If I set this up as you describe can i have the distro amp behind my main tv/sky box then split from there to other tvs?

[cjs]

neil-c said:

cjs said:

Take your aerial feed directly to the Sky Box RF IN. Then out of the RF 2 to the distro amp. No need to split the aerial signal as it will be passed by the Sky box.

Make sure any distro amp has a DC pass to allow the 9v 'Magic Eye' power to pass from the Sky box. Some do some don't.

Is a distro amp and masthead amp the same thing?

If I set this up as you describe can i have the distro amp behind my main tv/sky box then split from there to other tvs?

Not the same thing, it appears you could have a distribution amp, yes this can go behind the TV and if all the cables are there it will work, as long as it has a DC pass through for the 'Magic Eyes'.

A masthead amp is usually a 'box' that goes close/on the the aerial and has a separate power supply which will often go at the bottom of the cable run. Used to boost a poor signal rather than distribute to multi TV points.

[Smiler.]

Try these guys

http://www.cyberselect.co.uk/range/364

Their technical chap James is very helpful.

[Tyrant]

For a little more outlay you could run HDMI cables from an HDMI distribution box (£90 for one in four out with simultaneous viewing) and use Keene IR distribution for changing channel (http://www.keene.co.uk/multi.php?mycode=IRBKITS). It's then HD in every room.

Add an AV amp and you can have the signal from the Blueray, Xbox, PS3, media centre etc available in every room also.

[neil-c]

Not sure i want to spend whats required for HDMI as some of the cable runs will be 20 metres. Still looking at the co-ax route but looking at the back of my sky box I need to make a cable with a female co-ax end to plug into the box, can you buy female ends to put on cables as I havent seen any yet.