I just cut the satellite cord yesterday so I'm just starting my ventures into off-air. I'm learning A LOT. I have a degree in mechanical engineering, but that doesn't help me with electrical stuff. However, I am capable of understanding advanced concepts.
I understand the difference between preamps and distribution amps, how they function, their uses, etc. I'm just not sure how to apply them in my current setup. Here's my report:
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...1dda07ce79f7d8
I would like to get (virtual channels) 7, 9, 12, 14, and 25 at a minimum. Channels 8(real), 19(virt) are sister stations to some of the above and I've never gotten 26(real) and never really cared to. No skin off my nose if I can't get any of those.
I have a Clearstream C2V from Antennas Direct mounted in my attic (~25' AGL) pointing in the direction of 7, 9, and 25. All my cables are RG-6. From the antenna there is a 25' run that goes to a 2-way splitter. One side of the splitter goes to a converter box about 5-10' away. I get all the channels listed above on that set. I looked at signal strength and they're all in the 95-100% range. I don't have any other numbers to give that may be helpful. That side of the splitter I'm happy with.
The other side of the splitter has a 30' run to a 4-way splitter on the outside of the house. I only need a 2-way in this location currently, but I may decide to run lines to other rooms. From the 4-way, two lines run about 50' to two TiVo boxes on opposite sides of the wall. This is where I'm losing my signal. One box only gets 7, 12, and 14. These signal strengths are in the 40-50% range. The other box recognizes all the channels, but only displays 7, 9, 12, and 14. These signal strengths are in the 40-60% range. For the rest of the channels on this box it just says it's looking for a signal. If I remove the 4-way splitter and take out a TiVo box and run the line (all 80' of it) straight to the TV I get all the stations (including 8 and 19), no problem. So at this point I'm pretty convinced I just have too much signal loss from the 4-way splitter.
I'd like some input before I go out and buy more equipment only to find out it doesn't work or I really need something else.
So here are my questions:
What would be the most beneficial for my setup? A preamp at the antenna, a 4-way distribution amp in place of the 4-way splitter, a 2-way distribution amp in place of the 2-way splitter, or some combination?
I know you can run a preamp and a distribution amp in series, but can you run two distribution amps in series? What would the consequences be if any?
Is there potential to overdrive the converter box signal if I put in a preamp?
Thanks in advance!