Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Need to boost TV signal
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jkkreeves
06-11-08, 10:54 AM
We recently bought a digital TV converter to use with our old analog TV. We had been using a Terk indoor antenna to pick up the signal over the air.
We're still using the Terk and it works well for some of the digital stations but others have fairly low signal strength (below 50%).
I've tried about 4 different antennas and have not seen any significant improvement, so I thought maybe a signal booster would help.
I tried a Motorola booster (484095-001-00) but it seemed to have no effect (I looked at it afterward and it said it was for broadband signals, so maybe that's why).
Anyway, I was hoping someone could give me a recommendation on either an antenna or a signal booster that works with over-the-air antennas. Thanks!
We're still using the Terk and it works well for some of the digital stations but others have fairly low signal strength (below 50%).
I've tried about 4 different antennas and have not seen any significant improvement, so I thought maybe a signal booster would help.
I tried a Motorola booster (484095-001-00) but it seemed to have no effect (I looked at it afterward and it said it was for broadband signals, so maybe that's why).
Anyway, I was hoping someone could give me a recommendation on either an antenna or a signal booster that works with over-the-air antennas. Thanks!
Rick Johnston
06-12-08, 05:08 AM
That signal booster is a television broadband amplifier which should have done the trick if the signals were decent to begin with.
However, since your antenna was not receiving enough signal on those weak stations in relation to the background noise, no amount of amplification will help. The booster is amplifying the noise along with the signal.
When the digital signal is at 50%, it means the background noise is equal to the signal.
A good roof- or mast-mounted outdoor antenna could help.
Check out www.antennaweb.org to see if it's doable in your area.
However, since your antenna was not receiving enough signal on those weak stations in relation to the background noise, no amount of amplification will help. The booster is amplifying the noise along with the signal.
When the digital signal is at 50%, it means the background noise is equal to the signal.
A good roof- or mast-mounted outdoor antenna could help.
Check out www.antennaweb.org to see if it's doable in your area.