Analogue TV distribution help request

GeezerNug · 05-12-2003, 13:29

Hi guys,

First post, so apologies up front if I screw up!

I would like to distribute the analogue channels from the cable within my house. I've got a fairly good idea what's required but I'd appreciate any tips.

Cable comes out of the street into a VC210 2-way splitter. One leg goes to my STB and the other goes to my cable modem. It's here I'd like to connect to the cable. At the cable modem termination there's a VC330 TV/FM isolator with the TV connecting to the modem through a 4dB Forward Path Equaliser.

My plan is to insert a passive 2-way splitter before the equaliser and take one o/p to the distribution amp, some 20 metres away with the second o/p going to the modem through the equaliser.

I obviously don't want to upset the network so should I put some sort of booster/buffer amp before the new 20m length or is that overkill? If it's required, any suggestions for make, model, important specs etc?

I have a suitable length of 'satellite coax' which would be fine (I believe) from a buffer amp but is it OK for the NTL cable? I'm happy to get some RG6 if necessary.

So, good people, what do you think?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers
John Ansell

homealone · 05-12-2003, 14:16

no idea, but I'll bump it for you, in case someone else does - welcome to the forum btw.

SMHarman · 05-12-2003, 14:48

It's my understanding that you should not plug anything into the cable pre STB or SACM as this is against T&C and can upset the network for all other users on your segment and screw up the SACM / interactive downstream.

If you want to distribute analogue chanels you should take the pass through output of your STB and then distribute / amplify (if necessary) this output.

Hopefully your STB has pass through. If it does you will have a coax going into the back of your TV from the STB that shows 1-4 and the cable box output. You can do what you want with the output from this cable.

**Chris** · 05-12-2003, 14:54

Hi there, Hemel neighbour!

Nemesis · 05-12-2003, 15:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by towny

Hi there, Hemel neighbour!

Ok, I have one cable coming in ...... that is split in two, one to downstairs STB, the other to Upstairs STB, this last one is split again, one to the STB the other plugged into a signal booster/splitter .... this gives the analogue channels to all the other TV's in the house.

I was told by the engineer that this would not be a prob ....

GeezerNug · 05-12-2003, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMHarman

It's my understanding that you should not plug anything into the cable pre STB or SACM as this is against T&C and can upset the network for all other users on your segment and screw up the SACM / interactive downstream.

If you want to distribute analogue chanels you should take the pass through output of your STB and then distribute / amplify (if necessary) this output.

Hopefully your STB has pass through. If it does you will have a coax going into the back of your TV from the STB that shows 1-4 and the cable box output. You can do what you want with the output from this cable.

That's my understanding too. Trouble is, there isn't a pass-through o/p on my STB. Life would be a whole lot easier if there were!

When I asked the installation engineer about adding extra analogue TV's he said the cable would drive 'several' (I think he said 5 or 6) so I'm fairly sure I wouldn't be wrecking the network.

I think I read somewhere on the site that a separate pass-through unit is available from NTL, am I right? This would certainly help, especially if it doesn't have to be near the STB. Anyone know where can I get more info on this?

Cheers
John

spiderplant · 05-12-2003, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerNug

When I asked the installation engineer about adding extra analogue TV's he said the cable would drive 'several' (I think he said 5 or 6) so I'm fairly sure I wouldn't be wrecking the network.

I think I read somewhere on the site that a separate pass-through unit is available from NTL, am I right? This would certainly help, especially if it doesn't have to be near the STB. Anyone know where can I get more info on this?

the problem isnt overloading the network, its the TVs sending noise back into the network. You are correct that bypass units are available - these contain filters to make sure no noise is passed back. Give ntl a call to get one. But you may have to pay a callout charge.

GeezerNug · 06-12-2003, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderplant

the problem isnt overloading the network, its the TVs sending noise back into the network. You are correct that bypass units are available - these contain filters to make sure no noise is passed back. Give ntl a call to get one. But you may have to pay a callout charge.

Good point, thanks for that. I'll try them first...

15 mins later, they seemed to understand but said there are no technicians available & they'll phone back to give us a date! But at least it'll be done 'correctly'.

Wonder if he'll leave me some coax...

Thanks everybody for your help.

Cheers
John

GeezerNug · 06-12-2003, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by towny

Hi there, Hemel neighbour!

Hi Towny!

I only just worked out your location - I thought it was somewhere in Wales...

Cheers
John

**Chris** · 06-12-2003, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerNug

Hi Towny!

I only just worked out your location - I thought it was somewhere in Wales...

Cheers
John

lol they all say that ... it's just that, to my northern ears, it seems to me that I live in Emmw Emstid.

GeezerNug · 12-12-2003, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeezerNug

Good point, thanks for that. I'll try them first...

15 mins later, they seemed to understand but said there are no technicians available & they'll phone back to give us a date! But at least it'll be done 'correctly'.

Wonder if he'll leave me some coax...

Thanks everybody for your help.

Cheers
John

Ayup, guys, me again.

Well colour me surprised but they didn't phone back.

When I chased 'em up the droid I spoke to told me (after putting me on hold for 10 minutes and then losing my direct debit details) that he'd spoken to two different departments and was getting different replies but basically it looks like NTL don't/won't supply a bypass unit after all.

So, are there any techs or NTL staff on the forum who can help? My needs are simple but I'm running out of patience! I need to know either the correct part no. to buy from CPC or a way to contact an intelligent fitter. I know they're out there, the guys doing the original install were great. Wish I'd realised then...

Help!

Cheers
John

ntltech32 · 15-12-2003, 22:15

Hiya,

Hopefully my pm to you has sorted it =) can you pm me your address again so i can pop some bit's in the post to you..

cable and twin isolator etc..

Kris

GeezerNug · 16-12-2003, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntltech32

Hiya,

Hopefully my pm to you has sorted it =) can you pm me your address again so i can pop some bit's in the post to you..

cable and twin isolator etc..

Kris

Hi Kris,

Thanks very much. PM replied to!

Cheers
John

altis · 16-12-2003, 14:17

It's easy if you have a terrestrial aerial - and you can distribute Freeview too. For a distribution amp, try the Antiference A200 series.

GeezerNug · 16-12-2003, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by altis

It's easy if you have a terrestrial aerial - and you can distribute Freeview too. For a distribution amp, try the Antiference A200 series.

Thanks Altis,

That works fine if the STB has an analogue (RF) output. Mine doesn't - I'm lucky like that

Cheers
John