[mythtv-users] PVR500 poor picture quality

Brian Wood beww at beww.org
Wed Dec 2 15:31:04 UTC 2009


On Wednesday 02 December 2009 08:07:45 am Calvin Harrigan wrote:

> > I've noticed the image degrades if I split the output between the PVR
> > and a TV, but before I run out and buy a signal booster, could it be
> > something else?  Of course I'm a lucky guy, it could be both...
> 
> <scissors of brevity>
> 
> 
> Seems like you have a poor/week signal coming from the RF input.  The
> fact that splitting it makes it worse almost proves it beyond a doubt, a
> booster might help.  Where is the signal coming form?  An antenna,
> cable?  The booster should be placed as close to the origination point
> of the signal as possible.

I agree, he definitely has low signal.

What type of amplifier to try depends mainly on whether this is an antenna 
or a cable signal. Multi-channel cable signals require a different type of 
amplifier than antenna signals. For one thing a cable amp has to be push-
pull so the second harmonics of the low band signals don't fall in the mid-
band. For antennas a single-ended amplifier is usually sufficient, there are 
usually far fewer channels then a cable system carries.

As Calvin said, if it's an antenna try to put the amplifier as close to the 
antenna as possible, with cable it doesn't matter so much, just make sure 
whatever amp you use has a frequency range sufficient to cover the entire  
cable spectrum, and is rated for multi-channels.

It's possible you could get your cable company to increase your signal level, 
this would be a better solution than adding another amplifier to the system.


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