AM21 and splitting antenna line

[itzme]

I'm know nothing about signal strength issues, but here's my questions which involve maybe adding an AM21 to my HR21. My rooftop antenna has two leads coming into the house by the STB. One is now going into the TV directly (model in sig) and the other into my HR10 (my 2nd and backup DVR). I kind of like having one go into the TV even though I hardly ever view that input, because as it cycles inputs, it helps me see where I am in the cycling (it has to cycle, no direct inputs, also I have no built in HD tuner). Should I SPLIT one of the 2 leads to add the AM21? Should I remove the TV lead and use it for the AM21? By splitting, to I potentially degrade the signal? Also, is this a moot question because will I loose my TV's signal come Feb 9, 2009 (I'm thinking not). THANKS!

[tfederov]

I have my signal split five ways. 4 go to HR20s and the 5th goes to my AM21. I have zero issues splitting them. Like you said, your TV doesn't have an HD decoder built into it so it'll be up to you if you want to leave the line going straight to your TV. The only thing is that you won't be able to pause, rewind, etc. from it. Not a big deal maybe, but my issue is once you get used to DVR functions you find yourself trying to pause and rewind everything (who hasn't wished they could rewind their car radio! :D).

[Phil T]

I am splitting an antenna 3 ways between a HR20, HR21/AM21 and my Sony TV. Works fine, no issues at all.

[houskamp]

Pull the one off the TV.. Do you realy need the tv to recieve OTA if your DVR can?

[Scott in FL]

By splitting, to I potentially degrade the signal? Also, is this a moot question because will I loose my TV's signal come Feb 9, 2009 (I'm thinking not). THANKS!

If you insert a 2 way splitter, you will degrade the RF signal by about 3.5 dB. If you now have a high carrier-to-noise ratio for all the channels you wish to receive, you will never notice a problem (like some of the others who posted answers). But if you're close to the threshold on a channel(s), that 3.5 dB might make the difference between receiving and not receiving a signal. 2 way splitters are cheap. I'd suggest you try it, but don't buy a splitter with more outputs than you need. More outputs, more loss.

I assume your TV has an ATSC tuner built in and you are receiving digital TV with it. If so, you won't notice any difference when the analog channels turn off in February (unless the digital TV channels in your area move to new frequencies). After February, some of the DTV channels will move from UHF to VHF, or vice versa. Depends on your area. If your antenna can receive both UHF and VHF well, with adequate margin, you'll be fine. If I knew your location, I could answer this better. What's your zip code?

[itzme]

Some more questions. Is hardware quality an issue with the actual splitter? I've seen them at the dollar store. Are there any specs I should look for? Also, is it better to do the split at the wall outlet, the TV, the secondary DVR? I think all 3 are an option.

[Scott in FL]

To cover both the VHF and UHF television channels you will need a splitter for 50-900 MHz. Besides that, I've found they're all about the same.

And it makes no difference where you install it. 3.5 dB loss is 3.5 dB loss no matter where it appears in the line. If it were an amplifier, you'd want it as close to the antenna as possible, but a splitter can be installed anywhere.

[itzme]

If you insert a 2 way splitter, you will degrade the RF signal by about 3.5 dB. If you now have a high carrier-to-noise ratio for all the channels you wish to receive, you will never notice a problem (like some of the others who posted answers). But if you're close to the threshold on a channel(s), that 3.5 dB might make the difference between receiving and not receiving a signal. 2 way splitters are cheap. I'd suggest you try it, but don't buy a splitter with more outputs than you need. More outputs, more loss.

I assume your TV has an ATSC tuner built in and you are receiving digital TV with it. If so, you won't notice any difference when the analog channels turn off in February (unless the digital TV channels in your area move to new frequencies). After February, some of the DTV channels will move from UHF to VHF, or vice versa. Depends on your area. If your antenna can receive both UHF and VHF well, with adequate margin, you'll be fine. If I knew your location, I could answer this better. What's your zip code?

im in 41011

[Scott in FL]

According to our good friends at tvfool.com, all of your local digital stations are now on UHF with the exception of the ABC station. That is on channel 10.

None of the channels will change after February 2009 with the exception of the CBS affiliate. That is now on channel 31 and it will move to channel 12.

I would say that if you're now receiving your digital ABC station on channel 10 OK, you'll receive the CBS station OK when it moves to channel 12.

[Mike Huss]

Pull the one off the TV.. Do you realy need the tv to recieve OTA if your DVR can?

One instance where you might want to do that just happened to us. The tuners on the HR21 were all tied up recording and we wanted to watch something on a different OTA channel. Flipped to the antenna input to watch it. Of course I was bummed when I wanted to rewind to hear something again, but that's beside the point. :lol: