Catv Signal
With the onset of DIGITAL TV, will I be better or worse?
With the onset of the nationally marketed DIGITAL TV technology (planned in Feb. of 09) I am seeking all ideas of “what-can-I-do?”
I live in a rather “awkward” landscape of many hills and many valleys and barely an eyesight of any TV transmission towers. I have survived with luckily receiving the nationally broadcasted networks (ABC / NBC / CBS) and an occasional PBS program with my 300 Ohm antenna.
All of these had been broadcasted as analog VHF signals and then, more recently through my subscription to my local Cable TV system.
Should this DIGITAL signal travel in the same parameters as the analog signal or is a line-of-sight required to receive these signals (expecting more channels) or should I better stay with my analog CATV subscription?
Thanks for suggestions.
>should I better stay with my analog CATV subscription?
I’d stay with your analog cable until you verify that you get good enough antenna reception.
>Should this DIGITAL signal travel in the same parameters as the analog signal or is a line-of-sight required to receive these signals (expecting more channels)
That was the plan but many TV stations that use VHF analog are using UHF for digital broadcasts. After 2/17/09 a lot of stations are changing frequencies & transmitting power, but the end result will be quite a few former analog VHF stations permanently going to UHF.
UHF is inherently shorter in range than VHF.
You are quickly running out of time to request your $40 off converter off coupons. I suggest you request them today at the first link below.
Some converters are better at handling marginal signals than others. I recommend either the Zenith/Insignia or Channel Master models.
The Zenith/Insignia model is usually $20 (after using coupon) but Kmart sells it for $10 less. Just hook it up between your TV antenna and TV and see what you get.
Even if you only get some of the channels, the picture quality from the converter box is likely to be better than your analog cable.
If you decide to get a better antenna, you need to figure out if all your local TV broadcasts are in UHF or a mix of UHF/VHF. You can find out this info at the second link below.
Unlike analog TV, the channel numbers used for digital broadcasts are not related to the actual frequency band that is used. The actual analog equivalent frequency can be found at the web site below in the “real” columns.
Spectrum Analyzers for Satellite Dish Installations and alignment
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JDSU Acterna CLI-1750 CATV Signal Level / Leakage Meter Kit LST-1700 $745.00 |
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Brand New Sadelco DisplayMax 5000 Signal Level CATV Meter $499.00 |
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Used Working Well LEADER 951 TV FM CATV Signal Level Meter Tester 46 to 870 MHz $499.99 |
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Wavetek JDSU CLI-1750 Cable Signal / Leakage CATV Meter CLI1750 $495.00 |
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NEW DTV Digital/Analog TV Signal Level Meter RY-1127D CATV Testing 5-870MHZ $418.00 |
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Sadelco DisplayMax Jr. 3000 Signal Level CATV Meter Jr $345.00 |
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RY-200 TV Signal Level Meter CATV Cable Testing 46-870MHZ MER BER $342.80 |
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NEW CATV Cable TV Analog Digital Signal Level Meter DB Tester 46~870MHz $325.00 |
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NEW CATV Cable TV Analog Digital Signal Level Meter DB Tester 46~870MHz $299.00 |
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CATV Signal Level Meter MHz–Brand New AG $269.00 |
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PICO TECH SIGNAL LEVEL METER – Digital Signal Analysis Meter Macom’s CATV $275.00 |
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SADELCO DISPLAYMAX 800 800CLI SIGNAL METER LEVEL CATV TV TEST A $249.99 |
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SADELCO DISPLAYMAX 800 800CLI SIGNAL METER LEVEL CATV TV TEST B $249.99 |
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Holland Signal Level Meter ST-4000D 46-807MHz w/charger CATV Tools MSRP $575 $250.00 |
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Cable TV CATV Field Signal Meter Tutor C-100 $239.99 |
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Leviton 47693-16P 1×16 Premium CATV Signal Amplifier Module (1 GHz) $229.75 |
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RY-S100 CATV Handle Signal Level Meter 46-870MHz $175.00 |
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RY-S100 CATV Cable TV Handle Digital Signal Level Meter DB Tester 46~870MHz $163.88 |
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NEW RY-S100 CATV Cable TV Handle Digital Signal Level Meter DB Tester 46~870MHz $149.90 |
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CATV Tracker Cable TV Off-Air Analog Digital Signal Level Meter DB Tester New $160.99 |
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Leviton 47693-8P 1×8 Premium CATV Signal Amplifier Module (1 GHz) $151.40 |
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Cable TV Analog CATV Signal Level Meter Brand New in Box Leader LF941 LF 941 $139.99 |
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Leviton 47693-1P 1×1 Premium CATV Signal Amplifier Module (1 GHz) $119.70 |
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Pico Macom PFAP 550m 806MHz Agile Signal Processor CATV Series Mount Rack $99.99 |
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PCT RF Amplifier Variable Gain CATV Amp Cable TV Antenna Signal Booster $68.50 |
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4 Way CATV TV Signal splitter 1 In 4 Out with Amplifier $28.37 |
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QTY OF 50 COMMSCOPE SV-GB-1G SIGNAL VISION GROUND BLOCK DISH CATV SATV BRAND NEW $39.99 |
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5-PORT PPC EVOLUTION AMPLIFIER SIGNAL BOOSTER CABLE AMP P/N: EVO1-5-U/P CATV BN $39.99 |
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Leviton 47690-6 1×6 Passive TV/CATV Splitter Module $4.97 1X6 Passive Video Splitter, 1 GHz for LIN Integrated Network, Structured Media, Video Distribution, UPC: 07847718371… |
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Leviton 48210-VA Amplifier Module $27.48 … |
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TRENDnet Cable Tester 10/100 COAX and TP ( TC-NT2 ) $39.43 The TC-NT2 is a convenient and comprehensive cable tester for network professionals. Its powerful and user-friendly features enable network installers to accurately check pin configurations of various voice and data communication cables. The TC-NT2 includes a master unit that transmits test signals to its corre-sponding remote terminator to verify cable reliability. It checks continuity and displa… |
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TII 212 Broadband Cable TV Lightning Surge Protector $9.97 If you want to protect your expensive home theater from lightning and other outside surges that come over the cable TV line, then this is what you need. TIIs cutting edge In-Line® Coaxial Lightning Surge Protectors protect personnel and customer equipment, e.g. Televisions, Cable Set Top Boxes and Cable Modems from lightning and power induced surges on coaxial cables. It is specifically designed … |
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Motorola Signal Booster 484095-001-00 Bi-Directional RF Amplifier $61.64 Motorola/Gi Signal Booster… |
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F Type 75 Ohm Terminator, Pkg/10 $0.01 “Also known as Dummy Loads, terminators are an essential component in the proper termination of unused outputs of line splitters and amplifiers which utilize a Type F interface. Available in packages of 10 pieces. This is L-com part number BTF75M.”… |