Ways of signal combining without spending a ton?

[MikeF]

Ok, not completely on topic, but... Currently have have Two DirecTiVos (Series 1) and I take the Ch3 and Ch4 outputs from them and use those cheapo signal combiner boxes to put their signal onto the OTA antena. This then allows any TV in the house to tune to Ch 3 or Ch 4 to watch what is on these boxes (not the greatest picture, but this is mainly for smaller sets in the house, so no biggie).

Is there a better way of doing similar without buying some eleborate (read expensive) signal distribution system? I've looked a little at AvCast in the past but have heard mixed comments about it.

Now with me converting to Series 2 and zippering them, I'm thinking these DTiVos can now move directly to be with the main tvs they are for (and can use MRV to move programs around between them), so I'm not sure how to lay all of this out.

Are there examples of how others here do similar (signal combining and/or distribution)? Do most people have slave Series 2s for all of the TVs in their house so that combining and distributing isn't an issue?

FWIW: We almost never use the OTA signal anymore. Its just there as a backup if/when DTV goes out and for a way to watch whatever is on a specific Series1 DTiVo...

[classicsat]

Define "A ton"/
You will have to get at least one of those off the stock 3/4 modulator to a cable modulator.

T have a Ch 2 modulator, and it isn't even that good with a CH4 modulator combined.

[JimSpence]

You get bad results by combining ch 3 and ch 4 outputs because of the overlap in the frequencies. So, try one of these http://www.smarthome.com/7715A.HTML and combine its output with the other TiVo.

Or use this two channel version. http://www.smarthome.com/7717.HTML
This one has five RF outputs for TVs, no splitters are needed.

[MikeF]

"A Ton" is sort of vague, huh? :rolleyes: Guess I should have been more specific (I've been going nuts trying to think about how to rearrange things, and then after wasting most of the day I think I've come up with a solution that doesn't move much of anything)

I'm trying to keep this under $200. I think what I'll probably do is use the Ch 3/4 RF Stereo Modulator I have now (it takes rca plugs for the input and the signal it puts out is better than the coax kind of combiner I was using) for one of the boxes that will mainly be for the kids. Then use a couple of these:

http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=21129

I'll then use a band pass filter like this:

http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=67990

to clean up an area to insert the signal into and hopefully give me a decent picture on the remote tvs for the main two DTiVos.

By doing this, I can have all of my DTiVos in the entertainment center on the main tv and make it easier to do the remote control sending to a single location.

[dishrich]

OK, one thing I'm confused on - are you still wanting to combine all this with your OTA signals? If so, you don't need the bandpass filter.

Other than that, everything should work like you want it to.

[MikeF]

Yes, the idea is to then feed all of this into a 4 way combiner/splitter and output a single line with OTA and the 3 channels I'm inserting from the DTiVos (4, and two higher band ones). I just thought the filter would help, but if its not needed then I won't buy that.

[JimSpence]

Check the different equipment on the Smarthome site. There may be other parts that can help you.

[dishrich]

Yes, the idea is to then feed all of this into a 4 way combiner/splitter and output a single line with OTA and the 3 channels I'm inserting from the DTiVos (4, and two higher band ones). I just thought the filter would help, but if its not needed then I won't buy that.

If you are doing this w/OTA, then you really should buy the filter - just make sure you are buying a filter with the correct bandpass... ;)

[MikeF]

Then use a couple of these:

http://www.beachaudio.com/product_info.php?products_id=21129
I just got these today from Beachaudio and I'm really impressed. While the video is not equivilent to straight RCA plugs on a set (duh! :p ), its very good (I even had to pull a signal booster out of the line as it was over doing the signal to the remote tvs). I don't even have the band pass filter yet. Its supposed to be here tomorrow, so I'll see if it makes any difference. If not, I'll probably just send it back.

Oh, and its great having Stereo now on a couple of the remote TVs too. Very nice little boxes especially for the price.