OTA Newb Dumping Cable

[tfrook]

Someone on slickdeals recommended this forum so here I am. I am looking to dump cable and go OTA.

Currently BHouse has a line coming in split 2-way (one directly to my modem one to a 8 way splitter) Do I need to eliminate all this when I go OTA or can I drop all the splits and only use what I need?

Does the splitting affect my inet in anyway?I am going to be keeping that as I work from home.

I hope the following are possible:

1)I would like to be able to record OTA HD to a media server and stream to 3 tv's in the house. The only channels i really care about are ABC,CBS,NBC, FOX & PBS.

2)Would like the ability to watch live TV on all 3 of the tv's if possible.

I'm sure I forgot a ton of stuff but thank you for the wisdom that I am sure to gain from the responses. Here is my tvFool report (http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3dda3259ab79fbfb)

[GroundUrMast]

An antenna such as the CM2016 http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=CM2016&d=Channel-Master-CM2016-HDTV-VHF-High-Band-and-UHF-Antenna-%28CM2016%29&c=TV%20Antennas&sku= aimed at about 112° (compass) feeding a passive 4-way splitter should give you what you're looking for. If you re-use the 8-way splitter (passive I presume), you might need to add a high input preamp such as a Winegard HDP 269.

Do not try to combine OTA signals with cable. To do so will cause you to transmit signals into the air on aircraft navigation and communication frequencies.

If you are going to keep your existing internet access on cable, you will likely need to run some additional RG-6. But I think that you may be able to isolate the cable modem, freeing up the cables to each set.

[tfrook]

An antenna such as the CM2016 http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=03&p=CM2016&d=Channel-Master-CM2016-HDTV-VHF-High-Band-and-UHF-Antenna-%28CM2016%29&c=TV%20Antennas&sku= aimed at about 112° (compass) feeding a passive 4-way splitter should give you what you're looking for. If you re-use the 8-way splitter (passive I presume), you might need to add a high input preamp such as a Winegard HDP 269.

Do not try to combine OTA signals with cable. To do so will cause you to transmit signals into the air on aircraft navigation and communication frequencies.

If you are going to keep your existing internet access on cable, you will likely need to run some additional RG-6. But I think that you may be able to isolate the cable modem, freeing up the cables to each set.

Can this be mounted in the attic or must I roof mount it?
As far as a splitter goes do you recommend a specific one or can I just use this one (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10422&cs_id=1042206&p_id=2871&seq=1&format=2)?

Definitely keeping cable inet. Only other option is DSL which I've had nothing but bad experiences with.

So if I was to use the existing cables, how would I tie the new antenna into that group?I guess regardless I'm gonna have to somehow run a rg6 to the spot where the existing cables split or do separate runs for everything?

[GroundUrMast]

The antenna will do better if mounted up, in the clear... but there is no harm in trying it in the attic. Metal roofing, ducts, foil faced insulation, etc. will all work against you.

The splitter you linked to has more than the needed bandwidth, and should be fine. Any splitter rated to 1000 MHz (1 GHz) is fine.

It sounds like you will run the new RG-6 from the antenna to the location of the existing 8-way splitter, mount the new 4-way splitter, move each of the active cables that run to receivers from the 8-way splitter - over to outputs of the new 4-way splitter. The input of the 4-way splitter would of course be fed by the new antenna. That should leave the cable modem connection unchanged. You may want to disconnect the cable that runs between the 2-way and 8-way splitters, and place a terminator on the unused port of the 2-way splitter.

I recommend grounding the new antenna. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901

[Tower Guy]

1)I would like to be able to record OTA HD to a media server and stream to 3 tv's in the house. The only channels i really care about are ABC,CBS,NBC, FOX & PBS.



I'd suggest a HD7694P, HBU-22 or ANT751 antenna. They will do better on WESH than the 2016.

Take a look at the HDhomerun with dual tuners. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815327005&cm_re=hd_homerun-_-15-327-005-_-Product

[GroundUrMast]

I'd suggest a HD7694P, HBU-22 or ANT751 antenna. They will do better on WESH than the 2016.

Take a look at the HDhomerun with dual tuners. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815327005&cm_re=hd_homerun-_-15-327-005-_-Product

Yes, you're right TG.

[tfrook]

The antenna will do better if mounted up, in the clear... but there is no harm in trying it in the attic. Metal roofing, ducts, foil faced insulation, etc. will all work against you.

The splitter you linked to has more than the needed bandwidth, and should be fine. Any splitter rated to 1000 MHz (1 GHz) is fine.

It sounds like you will run the new RG-6 from the antenna to the location of the existing 8-way splitter, mount the new 4-way splitter, move each of the active cables that run to receivers from the 8-way splitter - over to outputs of the new 4-way splitter. The input of the 4-way splitter would of course be fed by the new antenna. That should leave the cable modem connection unchanged. You may want to disconnect the cable that runs between the 2-way and 8-way splitters, and place a terminator on the unused port of the 2-way splitter.

I recommend grounding the new antenna. http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=901

Thanks a lot. Time to get busy.

[tfrook]

I'd suggest a HD7694P, HBU-22 or ANT751 antenna. They will do better on WESH than the 2016.

Take a look at the HDhomerun with dual tuners. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815327005&cm_re=hd_homerun-_-15-327-005-_-Product

HDHR looks like a winner.

As far as the antennas, which would you choose given the choice? The 751 has the best reviews on amazon. Is there a place to see what other equipment I will need along with the antenna to mount it properly or does it come with all that? I was reading reviews and some said it didnt come with a mast.

[tfrook]

Just realized that I need a 5 way splitter dont I? 2 to the tuner and 3 to the tv's. Thanks.

[GroundUrMast]

It sounds like you already own an 8-way splitter. You may or may not need a distribution amplifier ahead of the splitter. For example: http://www.amazon.com/PCT-BI-DIRECTIONAL-AMPLIFIER-BOOSTER-PASSIVE/dp/B000F28DP2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1294334545&sr=8-5

Unused ports should be terminated: http://www.amazon.com/Type-75-Ohm-Terminator-Pkg/dp/B000AAN76Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1294334545&sr=8-3

[tfrook]

Thanks again.

[tfrook]

Ok so I'm ordering the RCA ANT751 as it had the best reviews on Amazon. I'm picking up a pack of the terminators as well. As far as cable goes do I need quad shield? Or will I just be fine picking up some like this
http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electronics-Extention-Cable-White/dp/tech-data/B002GU5XKO/ref=de_a_smtd

One other thing I realized was that the line running to the cable modem actually goes through the 8 port splitter, can I take the line coming from outside and the one that runs to the cable modem and use a barrel connector to splice em?

Question about when I am trying to find the best placement for the antenna,what is the easiest way to do this? My tv's are all large that I am am connecting to. So how can I see how good the signal really is ? I have radiant shield on the inside of my roof should I just immediately install roof top and not even mess with attic install?

[tfrook]

What is the difference between the If you re-use the 8-way splitter (passive I presume), you might need to add a high input preamp such as a Winegard HDP 269. and the It sounds like you already own an 8-way splitter. You may or may not need a distribution amplifier ahead of the splitter. For example: http://www.amazon.com/PCT-BI-DIRECTI...4334545&sr=8-5
. Will I only need to use these if a large splitter is used like 8 way? Is the distribution amp the same as the high input preamp?


Also, I noticed that the HD Homerun has two ports for coax, does the antenna have two lines coming off it? Or am I just running the 1 line into my splitter and going from there. I just need to diagram this out.

[GroundUrMast]

You do not need to spend extra money on quad shielded coax. Black insulation will generally have better UV resistance, so I suggest that when it will be exposed to sunlight.

Rule of thumb, don't use more than one amplifier. You have good to excellent signal levels to begin with so one or the other of those amplifiers will overcome the loss of the splitter. I would try with out an amp, just to see if I could save the money.

I have several HD Homerun tuners, all are the dual tuner model and are in fact two independent HD tuners sharing a case. Each tuner input uses a splitter port.

[GroundUrMast]

Regarding my experience with the Silicondust HD Homerun

http://forum.tvfool.com/showthread.php?t=820

[tfrook]

You do not need to spend extra money on quad shielded coax. Black insulation will generally have better UV resistance, so I suggest that when it will be exposed to sunlight.

Rule of thumb, don't use more than one amplifier. You have good to excellent signal levels to begin with so one or the other of those amplifiers will overcome the loss of the splitter. I would try with out an amp, just to see if I could save the money.

I have several HD Homerun tuners, all are the dual tuner model and are in fact two independent HD tuners sharing a case. Each tuner input uses a splitter port.

Thank you for answering all my Q's and being so patient. You said each tuner uses a splitter port, so you split right there at the tuner? Meaning you have a little two way passive splitter right there at your tuner. Coupled with two tiny cat6 cables? I just wanna do it the right way the first time sorry if these questions seem redundant.

In your pdf file you have 4 antennas and 4 wires running into the 4 ports of the tuners. In my setup I have one antenna with 1 wire, so I just wanna make sure I should split in a central location so the runs are all about equal...?I think im just gonna go with a 4 way splitter and just split to the 2 tvs and not worry about the one furthest away. That tv will just have access to recorded shows.

[GroundUrMast]

Ideally, you would 'home run' coax. For example, I have an 8-way splitter in a wiring closet, in my basement. From the wiring closet, I have run two coax cables to the upstairs living room, to F-type wall outlets. This gives me the flexibility to feed separate OTA-TV and OTA-FM signals to the TV and FM tuners. All of the coax, phone and data cables originate at the same wiring closet.

If you already have a single RG-6 coax run from the splitter to the location of the new LAN tuner, and it's impractical to run another coax, you can use a 2-way splitter adjacent to the new dual tuner. It will work just fine, though you will only have one signal source available to the two tuners and you will loose anther 4 dB of signal level through the 2-way split. For most applications, the end user is looking for the same signal to each tuner, so, no worries. :)

My use of the Silicondust HDHR tuners is somewhat unusual.

[tfrook]

Ideally, you would 'home run' coax. For example, I have an 8-way splitter in a wiring closet, in my basement. From the wiring closet, I have run two coax cables to the upstairs living room, to F-type wall outlets. This gives me the flexibility to feed separate OTA-TV and OTA-FM signals to the TV and FM tuners. All of the coax, phone and data cables originate at the same wiring closet.

If you already have a single RG-6 coax run from the splitter to the location of the new LAN tuner, and it's impractical to run another coax, you can use a 2-way splitter adjacent to the new dual tuner. It will work just fine, though you will only have one signal source available to the two tuners and you will loose anther 4 dB of signal level through the 2-way split. For most applications, the end user is looking for the same signal to each tuner, so, no worries. :)

My use of the Silicondust HDHR tuners is somewhat unusual.

Thanks this is what I was looking for. Unusual but cool nonetheless.
My house was prewired before we moved in. There was a closet upstairs that I ran all the wires from network,tv etc to. Since there was no existing ethernet or coax in that room I "stole" one of the ones running to the nursery and ran it to the closet. I wish there was a way to run cables back to the original 8 port splitter but unfortunately they nailed them inside the wall as I couldn't pull anything through. Can't wait to get started on this project.

[tfrook]

Ok wizards. Got the antenna, picked up a 50 foot rg6 cable and went up on the roof for the install. The compass that was working on my phone stopped so I used the lines drawn from TVFOOLS antenna map checker and zoomed way in on google to my house so I could see exactly where to point it as a starting point.

I have the antenna about 20 feet up but there definitely are some trees that are in the line of sight pointing in that general direction. I was amazed at how many channels I picked up. Here are the issues I have ran into hoping for some advice so I can go about this the correct way.

1) Signal strength
I have a Pioneer pdp5060 tv and it has a signal strength meter from 0 -100. The most I am getting on any channel is 40. I only get pixelation on one of the channels I care about (CW forgot to add that one to the list but when it came up wife definitely wants that one). Will pre amp help this or do I need to just cut the tops of the trees off. They are in the back side of my lot.

2) Channel 17 (18.1) CW. This is the only channel that cuts in and out and the signal strength on it is 38ish. Should I just walk all around on the roof till i find a spot that it picks up?

Needless to say over all I am stoked if all the pictures always are good like this. Hooking up my HDhomerun tonight and gonna mess with that. Looking forward to your responses. Thank you so much all for your help and wisdom.

[No static at all]

I would try

1. Raising/lowering the antenna 6-12 inches at it's present location.
2. Walk the roof to find a better spot if no improvement above.
3. Add a Winegard 8700 pre-amp if no improvement above.
4. Replace the ANT-751 with a Winegard 7694 if all else fails.

You are right on the edge of what the ANT-751 can do on it's own from my experience. The 7694 is about 10-20% stronger.

[tfrook]

I would try

1. Raising/lowering the antenna 6-12 inches at it's present location.
2. Walk the roof to find a better spot if no improvement above.
3. Add a Winegard 8700 pre-amp if no improvement above.
4. Replace the ANT-751 with a Winegard 7694 if all else fails.

You are right on the edge of what the ANT-751 can do on it's own from my experience. The 7694 is about 10-20% stronger.

The crazy thing is that after hooking up my HDHR I can view and record channel 18 (cw) perfectly on the pc. I wonder if its a tuner issue on the pdp5060.

[John Candle]

Yes tuners can be bad in the Tv. Also do these checks , connect the antenna directly to the Tv by passing every thing else and scan for Broadcast Digital Tv Channels. Not cable channels. Also if the Tv has DIRECT Channel Selection , select the channel Directly with the Tv. The reason I am making a point about the DIRECT is because some Tv's will select the channel directly but only after is been scanned in first. What I am saying is Channel selection DIRECTLY even if it has not been scanned in. Yes some Tv's , Converter boxes , DVD recorders with digital tuners and other devices with digital tuners can select digital channels DIRECTLY. Before Digital Tv , DIRECT channel selection was the Norm. Now because of Real Digital Tv Channels and Virtual Digital Tv Channels , Scanning makes it so people do not have to Think to receive and watch Tv. Many ways people are getting Dumber and do not know it. I know I am. I constantly dig to find the Real Truth. Useless Jibber Jabber is every where now days , the Jibber Jabber makes you 'Feel' better but does not tell you any thing important.

[tfrook]

Wow, i just typed a huge reply but it erased it.

Ok, by direct selection do you mean just key in the channel?
The only two choices for scanning are air and cable. I've had air selected from the get go.
I'm with you for knowing the truth and actually using the brain.

I did a signal strength test on the wmc box connected via hdhr and 18 is perfect signal 5/5 bars. Also the wmc box picks up 16 additional channels that the pioneer tv doesn't pick up with its built in tuner. I might try manually punching these in to the pio. My thing is that 18 still is pixelated on the pio but perfectly clear on the wmc box...

I was at lowes and saw barrel connectors rated 3ghz and splitters rated 2ghz. I know my splitter is 1ghz , does this affect anything? On my ports it has 4db on the one rated 2 ghz it had 8db... If I am splitting just 4 way, do I still need a signal amp? How do I tell something like this? I know I need to fully read through the install guide by channel master.

Now I am wondering if buying a preamp will actually hurt my signal since all the channels i want (abc,nbc,cbs,cw..etc) show perfect signal on wmc but only 12-40 out of 100 on my pioneer plasma....