Also which distribution amp did you get? Do the amount of splitters matter?
The number of splits definitely matter. Each split creates a loss of signal strength.
Then I’m wondering how the distribution amp helps if it amplifies it AND splits it at the same time, essentially. If I’m understanding correctly…
Maybe an ohm terminator fixes that… ?
The distribution amp does not split the cable. It gets installed immediately before the splitter to amp the signal before it gets splIt. Look at the Winegard HDA 200 distribution amp.
I have my amplified OTA antenna installed with the amplifier close to the antenna - say 20 feet of cable then the amp is inside. Then after another 25 feet of cable it is split by a 1x2 splitter - one cable feeds the HDTV and one cable feeds the Tablo. Some channels were pixelated on the Tablo which were fine on the HDTV. I installed that Winegard HDA200 just before the splitter which is close to the HDTV and Tablo. About 6 feet of cable after the splitter to each device. Said channels are no longer pixelated on the Tablo.
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So I’m amped on both ends… winegard preamp by the antenna, winegard amp dist by the tablo. All rg6 cable. Made sure my cable wasn’t running across any electrical lines in my attic. Still having the pixelation / choppiness on that one channel.
I did discover this - in the attached picture, the antenna for this particular place is behind the main farm for my area (circled in blue). Could it simply be that? According to the details, this antenna puts out 1000kW compared to some in that main farm that are less. The signal comes in strong according to Tablo, but clearly something is causing it to pixelate and be choppy. Could it simply be that geographical difference? Thanks for putting up with my anal questions…
Which OTA antenna are you using now?
http://www.walmart.com/msharbor/ip/GE-Attic-Mount-Antenna/20976617
Another user here who likely lives in the same neighborhood as me had good success with it. Honestly I have as well, it’s just this one channel that’s finicky. I probably need to test it for a couple of days with these amps. I think they’ve helped, but it’s still not as good as the others and seems inconsistent like something is affecting the signal at various times.
Not sure how much money you want to spend tracking this down but if you get a HDHomeRun and a iPad app you can get live signal strength outputs for your channels and see if the signal for that channel is see sawing.
I used this setup to dial in the direction my antenna was pointing.
I believe there are also Android apps. I just used my iPad.
Any plans on adding a live signal strength utility to the Tablo?
It was hinted at previously as a possibility. It would be very useful to me and others.
Thanks!
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Definitely something cool we’d like to do, but I don’t have an ETA. There are other things that are higher on the priority list.
Have you tried moving your antenna around in the attic? If the problem is multipath interference simply moving the antenna to the opposite end of the attic could help.
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Somewhat, yes. Though right now it’s at the southernmost point of my house with a single uninsulated wall between it and the outside. Moving it back at all will add more obstructions, inside and out. Last night we were able to record on this one weak channel with success - or at least enough to make it watchable. We’ll see how tonight goes but I’m hopeful.
When I used the iPad app and the HomeRun I found that there was a sweet spot for the angle of the antenna that improved the weakest signal and did not hurt the others.
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I have a Homerun device. Not everyone wants to put out the money just to find the best antenna location.
I like to use “DTV Antennas”, a Free android app on the google play store. It combines a compass with the TV Antenna locations in their database.
It at least gives you a starting point in placing your antenna.