Previously, I had a CM 4228 in the attic with a CM 7777 amplifier which was combined with a Terk Multi-switch and then split out with an STVC splitter on an existing DirecTV coax run .

I just upgraded to an HD DVR which replaced out my multi-switch which nows uses MPEG-4 compression, so that old config was toast.

So, I wanted to upgrade and added a new LCD TV as well as a CM 9521A rotator. I am also running dedicated Coax for the OTH antenna.

As I mentioned, I added a new HD device to the mix and I would like to supply an antenna signal to both the upstairs LCD and well as the downstairs plasma.

I have a couple of questions:

1. I need to split the antenna signal coming off of the 4228 to feed the upstairs and downstairs high def units, do I split it before or after the pre-amp?

2. It looks like and I try and pull an FM signal from the 4228, my receiver can take in a coax connection via an F connector, do I just split this out and if so, before or after the amplifier?

Thanks in advance,

Scott

Split after the pre-amp. The CM4228 doesn't have useful gain at FM frequencies.

Scott,

Please post yur zip so others can see what you can get for TV and FM stations as directions and transmit power of the station.


You would set it up like this.

4228 ------- Pre-amp ------- Pre-amp power supply ----- splitter ----- to TV sets

4228 has good gain on upper VHF but not for FM band. You could put a FM antenna and combine it, but I will leave it that up with Rick0725 as he bypass the preamp if the FM station is close.

-Willie

Willie,

My zip is 78726 which is north west Austin. I have not had this antenna hooked up for a couple of months, from when I added the HR20 which invalidated my coax multi-plexing. As I remember, I received the locals very well (CBS, NBC, ABC & PBS), except for FOX.

I am really not concerned about FM, since this is all about HD and I am now adding my second HD display device. I still have some wiring to do, since it is awful hard to re-wire homes that do not have basements and do not use conduit and that do have offsetting walls from first to second floor. To add my new coax to the downstairs plasma, I am going out on the roof, down the gutter and then back in the house, which is the easiest route.

I added the rotator just because I can and since I am already running one wire, another small three conductor wire is no big deal.

My only point of confusion is that the pre-amp has a post-amp which is powered and I will have that downstairs. For the new LCD in the bedroom, I am just going straight from the pre-amp splitter directly to the device. Will just have to test to see what happens.

Thanks for replying,

Scott

Willie,

In reading your reply again, I noticed that you recommended going from pre-amp directly to powered amp and then splitter. I remember reading the directions for the powered amp and they had said that it needs to be close to the TV set. I had intended on putting the the powered amp at the farthest TV and forgo it for the really close LCD. Thoughts?

Scott

Willie,

In reading your reply again, I noticed that you recommended going from pre-amp directly to powered amp and then splitter. I remember reading the directions for the powered amp and they had said that it needs to be close to the TV set. I had intended on putting the the powered amp at the farthest TV and forgo it for the really close LCD. Thoughts?

Scott


Scott, You DO NOT want to put the splitter between the power supply and the pre-amp because if you do then your upper floor will get the 14VDC going into the TV set and it will destory the tv tuner. The power supply does is inject the DC voltage to the pre-amp and the" to TV" side on the power supply cuts the DC voltage from going to the TV set, So the splitter needs to be after the power supply. I hope you run a new RG-6 coax cable. If you have a power outlet in the attic you put the powersupply there and run a splitter from there run one down the wall on the second floor from the attic and run the other one outside wall.

Good Luck

-Willie

The easiest place to put the power injector is before (closer to the antenna than) the first splitter.

However, if there's no A/C power available there and you must put it near a TV, you can do so provided you are careful about your splitters. As far as DC is concerned, splitters come in three different varieties

1) Power pass all ports -- you don't want these, as they will feed DC to your TV, which is not a good thing.

2) Non power-passing -- you don't want these, as they won't get the power to the pre-amp.

3) Power-pass one port. These pass power from a particular "out" to the "in" (and vice-versa), and nowhere else. This is what you want. They usually have a line drawn on them indicating the flow of power.

Scott, nybbler is correct, I forgot about that two way with one power pass splitter.

Thanks nybbler for bring that up.

If you have no power outlet you could get your power from one of the room below and tie it with one room outlet. I am sure you have a buddy that is a electrition and give him a 12-pack of beer, but make sure he get the outlet in first before giving him the 12-pack ;)

-Willie