re: 2nd HD Tivo and how to split OTA signal

For splitting OTA signals, a simple 1 in 2 out splitter from Radio shack will work just fine. However, there will be signal loss whenever you split a signal. This could result in your HR10s being unable to lock onto the digital signal.

 

I've got mine split three ways with no issues, but I do have a pre-amp in the attic with the attenna. I went with a quality skywalker splitter from http://www.a1components.com.

 

I'm either close enough to the transmitters, or my antenna has too much signal.

One split so I could use the TV's tuner along with the HR10 and the HR10 occasionally had problems tuning,
split it again when I got the S3, and the HR10 has never been happier, and the S3's tuning is stellar as well.


phox

 

Don't waste your money on the amp from Lowes, HD, or RS. Mounting the amp close to the antenna is highly recommended -- and you don't need power in the attic. Most all pre-amps have a seperate unit that powers the preamp and it can be mounted further downstream (as it injects on the DC power onto the coax). Just take a look at the link I already posted...

 

Any 2-way splitter should do. OTA channels are usually allocated below channel 64 for ATSC channels, so you really only need to pass about 775 MHz at the most, and out of 1000's of splitters I've seen, I can't remember one that didn't at least pass that frequency. Most are rated at least to 890 MHz.

Every 2-way will give about 3.5-4 dB of loss, but it would be really rare for a single split to require the addition of an amp. Try without it first. Check your SQL meter on your HR10 before and after adding the splitter. I doubt any of your levels go down significantly, and they might even go up, since reception quality, not level, is what is being measured.

Channel Master makes the best amps (if you actually need one), but you don't need a "best" amp, and probably not even any amp. Pretty much any garden-variety amp will do if you do need one. But it is important to distinguish between pre-amps and line (distribution) amps. Preamps are designed to raise the level at the antenna if it is already weak, and impractical for use in compensating for the distribution losses of adding splitters. Line amps are for that purpose, but usually are only needed if you are adding 8 or more extra outlets.

 

As I said, you don't likely need the amp at all. You also do not need to relocate the PS if you don't want to. All you have to do is make sure that the DC power is blocked from going anywhere else but to the PS. That can easily be done by placing a power block (RatShack, of course) in any line that is not directly between the amp and PS (for instance, between the splitter and the STB/PVR/tuner that does NOT contain the PS), which might work out to be more practical. PM me with details if that seems unclear.