1 connection to 2 TV's?

GuestUK · 13-04-2005, 18:34

Hello,

I apologise if this is out of place or incorrect, but I'd like to know whether it is possible (will it work?) and allowed to take the output RF aerial that comes from my VCR (the NTL aerial goes into the VCR) at the moment and directly then goes to the TV and instead plug it into one of the aerial splitters so the aerial can go to the TV and to the TV card on my PC?

First of all, will it work? If so, is it acceptable or is there a problem with NTL (I tried to do some research by searching this forum but I'm not sure whether they were trying to do the same as me, or trying to split the direct cable connection)?

By the way, if it makes any difference, I'm still on analogue NTL cable TV.

Also, this should only be temporary for about 1 - 2 weeks as I am awaiting a card that will allow me to send the output back to the TV, so I will only need it going to the PC then.

Thanks a lot for the help

paulyoung666 · 13-04-2005, 18:42

hi and

to the site , i cant see why not , you may well need a powered splitter to avoid a poor signal , i hope you enjoy your stay here btw

MovedGoalPosts · 13-04-2005, 18:43

to Cable Forum

I've done a similar thing, but to the TV downstairs, TV upstairs and the computer

Provided all your connections to TV's are internal to your property, in other words the split or division of your signal is after the STB (not on the ntl network side of the STB) I see no reason why you cannot do it. You might get a little degradation of the picture though, if the signals are weak. You'd only be able to watch one channel output of the STB at any one time, on all your TVs.

13-04-2005, 18:45

hi -

to Cable Forum:

I don't see why this wouldn't work - it is messing with connections downstream of the decoder that is frowned on, using a normal RF signal splitter/amplifier as you propose should be ok.

- obviously, unless you have a combiner, you will have to watch the same channel on both tv & pc.

(my analogue box is connected to my tv card & works great

)

<edit> well at least we all said more or less the same thing

GuestUK · 13-04-2005, 19:10

Thanks for the replies and for the welcome

Just what I wanted to hear

Just need to try and find a good splitter now.

Thanks again

Graham M · 13-04-2005, 20:48

I recommend some sort of plugin Signal Booster with 2 or more ouputs.

jonifen · 13-04-2005, 21:51

We do that too... its a great idea (until the kids want to watch some crap or other when they're in bed). I tend to let em watch it (anything for a quiet life - or an attempt of one...

)

GuestUK · 14-04-2005, 02:26

Hi again

Thanks for the help but I'm afraid I may need to trouble you a bit more for a little more advice.

As I'm quite new to this whole area (I've always gone by plug the aerial into the TV and hope it'll work, now things are getting a lot more complex

) I was trying to find a good splitter.

I was wondering if this device here http://www.beststuff.co.uk/slx2.htm would do what I need it to, as it's been suggested to have a powered booster as the connection is being split. Will that work?

Thanks a lot, sorry for the trouble. I'd just prefer to make sure before I order something that may be totally useless for me because of my lack of knowledge

Thanks again

Raistlin · 14-04-2005, 03:51

First of all I'd like to add my

to everybody elses, it's nice to have some fresh faces around here every now and then (some of the old ones are getting a bit stale

).

Secondly, don't worry about being trouble. Nobody minds when people ask questions here. A large part of the ethos behind CF (or at least, so it seems to me) is to help people out when they need it. Also, we've got enough trouble-makers on here already that one more won't make any difference

Thirdly, I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your question. What you're doing is something I've never tried. However, I'm sure someone will be along in the morning with some good advice.

In the meantime, sit back, kick off your shoes, relax, and enjoy your stay

Raist.

**Paul** · 14-04-2005, 03:55

Yes, that little device will do the job for you.

Raistlin · 14-04-2005, 03:56

See what I mean?

Nice one Paul

zoombini · 14-04-2005, 09:54

Something to consider.

To simply split the RF signal 2 ways from out of the back of the VCR should not require the use of an amplified/powered splitter if your signal levels are quite good & the distance to the computer is not too far.
(some VCR's also amplify the signal slightly)

A simple inductive Y splitter costing less than a couple of quid should be able to split the signal & share it between both TV & PC.

The TV should get a decent signal as it's likely only a couple of feet away, the PC too provided it's not too far away. I.E. even upstairs is OK.

I'd recommend trying a simple splitter first, then if the signal level is naff try an amplified one. Starting out with an amplifier may give too strong a signal & cause picture problems. You may also have spend lots on an amp & find it does not work anyway.

There is a difference between the simple Y splitters, Resistive & Inductive.
Resistive ones use resistors to split & share the signal & cause a fairly larger signal loss.Inductive ones on the other hand do not cause as much a signal loss & can give a better signal out.

The problem may be figuring out if its resistive of inductive in the shop, if the salesperson does not know 7 it's cheap the it's likely resistive.
(you can tell with a multimeter though).

I ran an entire network of 6 Tv's off of a selection of Y splitters around my house & the signal did not degrade until I got to the 4th TV on wards.

GuestUK · 15-04-2005, 17:29

Hello again

Taking the advice to try a simple Y splitter first I went down to the electronics store and obtained a 2 way y splitter and was assured by the assistant that it would work.

Anyway, this is probably some big mistake on my part again

I arrived home looking forward to connect it up, but as far as I can see the outputs and inputs are the wrong way round! There is one marked input and 2 marked outputs. The outputs both have the same ends as the inputs they should be plugging into, and the input has the same end as the output, so in otherwords, no luck

Have I made some idiotic mistake as usual

or what am I doing wrong? Is it possible to buy some simple adaptors or the like to put on the ends?

Thanks once again

paulyoung666 · 15-04-2005, 17:42

it sounds as though you are going to need some 'gender'

changers

Acropolis · 15-04-2005, 23:44

Yes it will work, and no you wont need a powered/amplified splitter to make it work, i install tv systems that run 24 tv, run from a 2 way splitter then to 2 12 way tap plates and dont need an amp for this so you should be alright.

The best way to sort out the problem, is to pop back along to the place you got the splitter from, taking it with you and ask them for a couple of fly leads, explaining exactly what you want it for and ask them for the right leads, for the tv and the pc card, they shoud need a male plug, and the output from the video should be female.

so you need a female to ?? depending on what the input is on the splitter, and 2 ?? to male depending on what the output on the splitter is, and that should get ya up and running.