Difference between these tv aerial cables?!?
Difference between these tv aerial cables?!?
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Discussion

nick s

Original Poster:

1,372 posts

239 months

Thursday 16th February 2012
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Hi Guys,

I have a sky magic eye in an upstairs bedroom, but i bought some cables to extend it so i could sometimes watch in another room.. (well at least that's what i thought i was doing!)

anyway, my plan was to by 10metres of tv aerial cable with male/female adapters, and extend the cable that comes from the sky box all the way to the next room, then plug the magic eye into the extension cabling i bought. (hope you're still with me) But i can't seem to get it working.
Now, the cable that went into the back of the magic eye before, looks different to the one i'm now putting into the back of the magic eye.. The thing is, they both fit snugly into the back of a tv aerial port?

Is there any real difference with the below two? (i'm 99% sure it's not just male and female ends before someone says that smile ) in case it's unclear, the one on the right as you look at it isn't a "solid" prong in the middle. It's hollow.



If they are essentially the same thing, then what am i doing wrong? I can't get the sky picture on the other tv?


miniman

29,229 posts

284 months

Thursday 16th February 2012
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Sorry but I would say those are one male, one female. Magic eyes are **very** sensitive to cable / connectors / cable routing but you should still get a picture. Have you made up the cable yourself?

nick s

Original Poster:

1,372 posts

239 months

Thursday 16th February 2012
quotequote all
no, basically the one on the left is what comes out of the sky box and goes into the female part of the magic eye at the back? so don't think it can be female? plus when i try and plug it into a male end of the other cable it won't fit, so it makes me think it's not that?

The thing is the red light is on on the magic eye which makes me think it's powered up and working. It may be me not setting it up right. Would i have to scan the analogue channels to pick up the signal?

nick s

Original Poster:

1,372 posts

239 months

Thursday 16th February 2012
quotequote all
ok got it working! biggrin
i think one is a satellite aerial cable and one a normal tv. it does work, but picture quality isn't amazing!

Dr Doofenshmirtz

16,590 posts

222 months

Friday 17th February 2012
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Did the extension cable come pre-wired?
The plug on the right (with the hollow hole) looks like a DIY plug? You slip the solid coax condictor core down into this hole.

h0b0

8,872 posts

218 months

Friday 17th February 2012
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Both those cables look like cheap crap. Unlike HDMI cables, coax cable quality have a big difference on picture quality. Don't buy Monster or any of those brands, get yourself to Mapplins or the equivalent and buy some CT100 and the necessary plugs. That will result in an improved picture.

The Excession

11,669 posts

272 months

Saturday 18th February 2012
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h0b0 said:
Maplins
nononononononononono

I was in one of their shops the other day and nearly had a heart attack at their prices.

£2.99 for a twist on F connector!!!! They cost about 20p from a electrical wholesaler and that's expensive! Also Maplins' cable prices are extortionate.

Get to a local TV shop or better still a wholesale place where all the sparks go and you'll save more than the price of a few beers.

h0b0

8,872 posts

218 months

Saturday 18th February 2012
quotequote all
The Excession said:
h0b0 said:
Maplins
nononononononononono

I was in one of their shops the other day and nearly had a heart attack at their prices.

£2.99 for a twist on F connector!!!! They cost about 20p from a electrical wholesaler and that's expensive! Also Maplins' cable prices are extortionate.

Get to a local TV shop or better still a wholesale place where all the sparks go and you'll save more than the price of a few beers.
True, I would suggest RS but I don't know if they are open to the public. It has been a while since I was in the business

headcase

2,389 posts

239 months

Sunday 19th February 2012
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CPC in preston, if your not close they do mail order too.