TV aerial advice please.
Discussion
Bit odd this one. And its long with detail so skip if boring.
Have a Samsung telly downstairs, have an LG telly upstairs - don't have a butler called Hudson though.
In the rear lounge we have another Samsung
In the rear bedrooms we have a Hitachi (yes I know but it was Mums old one) and another LG
We have 2 aerials on the roof. The aerials come into the house and in the case of the lounge and front bedroom TV are split via this sort of splitter - not this actual one but this design:
This split takes place behind the front lounge TV in a sort of hidden space about a metre to the right of the lounge TV the cable to the bedroom then exits the house and goes upstairs into the bedroom where it connects to the LG TV this is via a screw terminal plate thing that you then screw another cable to that connects to the TV's coaxial plug
This, the front bedroom TV is the one with the problem
In the case of the rear bedroom TV's the cable enters into a loft space is split with a similar slitter then exits out the loft and into the rear bedrooms. Both those TV's are fine.
Both major TV aerials are on separate masts connected to the chimney stack.
The rear lounge TV has its own point ie direct feed from an aerial to the TV. This aerial is on a right angled type bend bracket and that bracket is mounted high on the wall .
The only TV with an issue is the LG one in the front bedroom
The picture breaks up sound cuts out its sort of blocky etc. It has only happened recently.
I assumed the connection to the TV was loose so I replaced the plug - no difference.
I then plugged another Samsung 22" TV in and the picture was perfect. I then thought that either the LG TV or the cable feed was faulty and that the fact it was ok with another Samsung may be down to the LG not being as good at reception.
I then switched the LG's over and astonished to find the second LG gave the same result in the bedroom as the first.
So I put them back then tried the "faulty" LG downstairs in the lounge on the other arm of the split. - Result perfect.
Getting frustrated but intrigued I noticed by chance that when the aerial cable was being unscrewed from the wall box that the picture returned to being fine. I therefore deduced the wall box was faulty and replaced the plate. Problem persists.
I then thought well if its ok when its getting unscrewed maybe its TOO \powerful for the TV so I screwed in an antenuator - result perfect. I cannot find anything on the LG forums to suggest its a known fault.
I temporarily replaced the cable from downstairs to upstairs via a new length I left the old one there as it was tacked neatly to the wall. The new cable did exactly the same. I therefore went back to the old cable. I checked where the cable joins the downstairs splitter and the upstairs screw thread box and there was no "greening" or any sign of corrosion. I checked the cable run could find no sign of tearing. All entry points have a drip loop on them. In any case a brand new connection cable does the same. Also if the two cables from the splitter are switched from left to right the problem persists.
Is it possible that the TV itself is TOO RECEPTIVE to the signal and cant adjust itself or that the TV is sending out interference itself that is then being amplified by the cable and making reception poor ?
Bare in mind its 2 identical TV's that do it. The same TV's elsewhere are just fine.
Have a Samsung telly downstairs, have an LG telly upstairs - don't have a butler called Hudson though.
In the rear lounge we have another Samsung
In the rear bedrooms we have a Hitachi (yes I know but it was Mums old one) and another LG
We have 2 aerials on the roof. The aerials come into the house and in the case of the lounge and front bedroom TV are split via this sort of splitter - not this actual one but this design:
This split takes place behind the front lounge TV in a sort of hidden space about a metre to the right of the lounge TV the cable to the bedroom then exits the house and goes upstairs into the bedroom where it connects to the LG TV this is via a screw terminal plate thing that you then screw another cable to that connects to the TV's coaxial plug
This, the front bedroom TV is the one with the problem
In the case of the rear bedroom TV's the cable enters into a loft space is split with a similar slitter then exits out the loft and into the rear bedrooms. Both those TV's are fine.
Both major TV aerials are on separate masts connected to the chimney stack.
The rear lounge TV has its own point ie direct feed from an aerial to the TV. This aerial is on a right angled type bend bracket and that bracket is mounted high on the wall .
The only TV with an issue is the LG one in the front bedroom
The picture breaks up sound cuts out its sort of blocky etc. It has only happened recently.
I assumed the connection to the TV was loose so I replaced the plug - no difference.
I then plugged another Samsung 22" TV in and the picture was perfect. I then thought that either the LG TV or the cable feed was faulty and that the fact it was ok with another Samsung may be down to the LG not being as good at reception.
I then switched the LG's over and astonished to find the second LG gave the same result in the bedroom as the first.
So I put them back then tried the "faulty" LG downstairs in the lounge on the other arm of the split. - Result perfect.
Getting frustrated but intrigued I noticed by chance that when the aerial cable was being unscrewed from the wall box that the picture returned to being fine. I therefore deduced the wall box was faulty and replaced the plate. Problem persists.
I then thought well if its ok when its getting unscrewed maybe its TOO \powerful for the TV so I screwed in an antenuator - result perfect. I cannot find anything on the LG forums to suggest its a known fault.
I temporarily replaced the cable from downstairs to upstairs via a new length I left the old one there as it was tacked neatly to the wall. The new cable did exactly the same. I therefore went back to the old cable. I checked where the cable joins the downstairs splitter and the upstairs screw thread box and there was no "greening" or any sign of corrosion. I checked the cable run could find no sign of tearing. All entry points have a drip loop on them. In any case a brand new connection cable does the same. Also if the two cables from the splitter are switched from left to right the problem persists.
Is it possible that the TV itself is TOO RECEPTIVE to the signal and cant adjust itself or that the TV is sending out interference itself that is then being amplified by the cable and making reception poor ?
Bare in mind its 2 identical TV's that do it. The same TV's elsewhere are just fine.
Edited by gpo746 on Tuesday 9th December 09:22
Yes, absolutely it's possible to 'deafen' or overload the receiver if the incoming signal is too loud/high. I am surprised it's happening in a domestic setting though. Do you have a particularly high-gain antenna, or are very close to the local transmitter mast? A splitter usually takes around 3dB out of your signal strength immediately, effectively halving your signal strength.
The symptoms suggest something simpler, like a loose or poor connection, have you tried another cable, or re-making the end of the one you have? Improving signal during unscrewing might simply be due to the centre core making a better contact at that moment.
You could try swapping the feeds on the splitter around, or bypassing it entirely, temporarily, with a joining barrel. This is just while you trace the fault.
I'm not sure it makes sense that the TV is overloading or is over-sensitive if it works downstairs at a point closer to the aerial. You'd expect it to be worse as the cable run is shorter, and thus the signal level will be higher. Your fault might be at the splitter end of the cable to the bedroom.
Having said that, if it works with an attenuator, leave it in situ.
The symptoms suggest something simpler, like a loose or poor connection, have you tried another cable, or re-making the end of the one you have? Improving signal during unscrewing might simply be due to the centre core making a better contact at that moment.
You could try swapping the feeds on the splitter around, or bypassing it entirely, temporarily, with a joining barrel. This is just while you trace the fault.
I'm not sure it makes sense that the TV is overloading or is over-sensitive if it works downstairs at a point closer to the aerial. You'd expect it to be worse as the cable run is shorter, and thus the signal level will be higher. Your fault might be at the splitter end of the cable to the bedroom.
Having said that, if it works with an attenuator, leave it in situ.
Edited by Super Slo Mo on Tuesday 9th December 08:55
Super Slo Mo said:
Yes, absolutely it's possible to 'deafen' or overload the receiver if the incoming signal is too loud/high. I am surprised it's happening in a domestic setting though. Do you have a particularly high-gain antenna, or are very close to the local transmitter mast? A splitter usually takes around 3dB out of your signal strength immediately, effectively halving your signal strength.
The symptoms suggest something simpler, like a loose or poor connection, have you tried another cable, or re-making the end of the one you have? Improving signal during unscrewing might simply be due to the centre core making a better contact at that moment.
You could try swapping the feeds on the splitter around, or bypassing it entirely, temporarily, with a joining barrel. This is just while you trace the fault.
I'm not sure it makes sense that the TV is overloading or is over-sensitive if it works downstairs at a point closer to the aerial. You'd expect it to be worse as the cable run is shorter, and thus the signal level will be higher. Your fault might be at the splitter end of the cable to the bedroom.
Having said that, if it works with an attenuator, leave it in situ.
Thanks for the prompt reply. I had tried altering the left right connections on the downstairs splitter - I forgot to mention that and have edited the op to include that.The symptoms suggest something simpler, like a loose or poor connection, have you tried another cable, or re-making the end of the one you have? Improving signal during unscrewing might simply be due to the centre core making a better contact at that moment.
You could try swapping the feeds on the splitter around, or bypassing it entirely, temporarily, with a joining barrel. This is just while you trace the fault.
I'm not sure it makes sense that the TV is overloading or is over-sensitive if it works downstairs at a point closer to the aerial. You'd expect it to be worse as the cable run is shorter, and thus the signal level will be higher. Your fault might be at the splitter end of the cable to the bedroom.
Having said that, if it works with an attenuator, leave it in situ.
Edited by Super Slo Mo on Tuesday 9th December 08:55
Its odd that it only affects the LG TV's they are identical one bought from Currys the other mail order. It doesn't affect any other TV connected to that point. I have made and remade connections several times. Will try the split bypass later today effectively that would make one cable run from the aerial to that TV.
In that case, it suggests that your original thoughts are in the right ballpark, there's something specific about those particular TV's that's causing the issue. It doesn't make sense that the TV is more sensitive if it's working fine on a shorter length of cable, you'd expect it to be the other way around.
As said though, if it works with the attenuator, leave it in. It might be the case that the cable in question is picking up a bit of noise that the attenuator is squashing, noise that might be enough to lower the Signal to Noise ratio, and then if the TV is less sensitive, it'll start losing information off the signal.
Out of interest, where are you placing the attenuator, at the TV end or at the splitter end? This might make a difference, i.e. it might not change anything when placed at the splitter end.
My gut feeling is that there's a minor fault with the cable from the splitter to the TV, perhaps the shield isn't properly connected at each end, although I'm sure you've checked that.
As said though, if it works with the attenuator, leave it in. It might be the case that the cable in question is picking up a bit of noise that the attenuator is squashing, noise that might be enough to lower the Signal to Noise ratio, and then if the TV is less sensitive, it'll start losing information off the signal.
Out of interest, where are you placing the attenuator, at the TV end or at the splitter end? This might make a difference, i.e. it might not change anything when placed at the splitter end.
My gut feeling is that there's a minor fault with the cable from the splitter to the TV, perhaps the shield isn't properly connected at each end, although I'm sure you've checked that.
Hi
I've put the attenuator just behind the TV.
I readily take on board the comment about the aerial cable fault between the tv and the splitter but I did wire in a temporary replacement - brand new cable etc. As the fault persisted I went back to the old one as it was clipped to the wall and showed no signs of any damage or corrosion etc.
I've put the attenuator just behind the TV.
I readily take on board the comment about the aerial cable fault between the tv and the splitter but I did wire in a temporary replacement - brand new cable etc. As the fault persisted I went back to the old one as it was clipped to the wall and showed no signs of any damage or corrosion etc.
Ok. Just humour me and explain in simple terms which aerials are feeding which TV's, if you don't mind.
As I understand it you've one aerial feeding a splitter to the two back bedroom tv's, one aerial feeding a splitter to the lounge and front bedroom, and something else feeding the rear lounge tv? Where's the feed to the rear TV coming from?
I was going to suggest you run in a temporary extra cable, but you've already done it!
Just read your OP again, you've a 3rd aerial feeding the last tv?
As I understand it you've one aerial feeding a splitter to the two back bedroom tv's, one aerial feeding a splitter to the lounge and front bedroom, and something else feeding the rear lounge tv? Where's the feed to the rear TV coming from?
I was going to suggest you run in a temporary extra cable, but you've already done it!
Just read your OP again, you've a 3rd aerial feeding the last tv?
Yes 2 aerials split with a device as per original post that serves 2 TV's
Yes again the rear lounge TV has its own aerial an eaves type thing. Its as high up the wall as I could get it.That obviously isn't as high as the other 2 aerials on masts in fact its the height of a roof and a chimney lower so maybe 4.5 to 5 metres lower (I'm guessing)
That suggests maybe reception is very good round here ?
Someone I asked last night mentioned 4g interference ? And fitting a filter in place of the attenuator Ive banged in.
Yes again the rear lounge TV has its own aerial an eaves type thing. Its as high up the wall as I could get it.That obviously isn't as high as the other 2 aerials on masts in fact its the height of a roof and a chimney lower so maybe 4.5 to 5 metres lower (I'm guessing)
That suggests maybe reception is very good round here ?
Someone I asked last night mentioned 4g interference ? And fitting a filter in place of the attenuator Ive banged in.
Yes, could be, although it depends, essentially the 4G frequency would have to be the same as the frequency on your cable, which is an almighty coincidence, although not unheard of.
When you added the spare cable, did you run it up the side of the house following a similar route to the original cable? If so, it might be worth stringing it through the inside of the house just in the interests of science.
With regards 4G, I don't think your TV aerials will have LNB's fitted, so any 4G interference should be getting into the aerial rather than the cable, which is shielded (hopefully) anyway. As your other TV is ok, this would suggest it's not 4G. However, there might be something on the path of the cable to upstairs which is transmitting or causing interference. Maybe a power supply or something?
When you added the spare cable, did you run it up the side of the house following a similar route to the original cable? If so, it might be worth stringing it through the inside of the house just in the interests of science.
With regards 4G, I don't think your TV aerials will have LNB's fitted, so any 4G interference should be getting into the aerial rather than the cable, which is shielded (hopefully) anyway. As your other TV is ok, this would suggest it's not 4G. However, there might be something on the path of the cable to upstairs which is transmitting or causing interference. Maybe a power supply or something?
gpo746 said:
Someone I asked last night mentioned 4g interference ? And fitting a filter in place of the attenuator Ive banged in.
In theory you should have received a post card if you're in an area that might suffer interference from 4g, however you can put your postcode in here: https://at800.tv/im-sure-received-postcard/ to check.Super Slo Mo said:
I would be more inclined to route it completely differently, even just running it across the lounge and up the stairs, just for experimentation purposes.
Having said all of that, if it's now working with the attenuator in situ, it might be less hassle just to leave it alone.
Last night wifey asked in an enquiring voice is the Samsung Telly was susceptible to the "interference"Having said all of that, if it's now working with the attenuator in situ, it might be less hassle just to leave it alone.
I replied - no. She was a bit busy on her laptop and then later on told me about the £150 in Currys vouchers she had won in the work promo for October- November. As I bought her a Kenwood Chef some weeks ago and as we are quite happy with the other stuff we have her inkling is to get a 32" Samsung Smart at £270 less the vouchers and she conveniently knows someone who wants a TV for their kids room which she is quyite convinced she can sell them the LG for at £100 ish.
As she reminded me " and you've got to think some of the channels we cant see cos there not in HD and even though they don't show them in HD you still cant see them if its not HD.
The other thing that's practical is the Samsung will have the I player stuff built in and a usb record function which we use on the TV downstairs. So that's looking like the way foreward, plus we like the software on the Samsungs - the freeview guide is a lot better, that's the only thing that is a bit lesser on the LG.
To be blunt if we do get it I will try removing that attenuator- if it works then ill just leave it alone.
I can't fault her logic and as she put it whats the point of buying something we don't need.
TonyRPH said:
Do you have any Ethernet powerline adaptors?
As in picking up the interference ?Answer NO I've been able to wire up the Smart TV's etc with Cat 5
Wireless is kept to a minimum in that the wifes laptop an I pad etc
There are a couple of NOW TV boxes in the rooms
But no powerlines.
I'm trying to understand your problem, haven't managed to read everything. Check you've selected the correct region for freeview, you may be watching programmes from a neighbouring transmitter, with low signal.
Have a look in the settings, there maybe a strength indicator somewhere?
Are you using pre-made RF cables from the wall plates? These can often be of poor quality. Caught me out a few times.
Have a look in the settings, there maybe a strength indicator somewhere?
Are you using pre-made RF cables from the wall plates? These can often be of poor quality. Caught me out a few times.
Gassing Station | Home Cinema & Hi-Fi | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff