How to be guided when choosing a splitter for a TV

A TV splitter is a special antenna divider. They are used in cases where there is more than one TV in the room and the signal must be distributed in a consistent manner between different consumers. A television splitter with an amplifier can serve immediately a large number of devices (from 3 and above).

And if we talk about such devices, in general, they are necessary for the frequency separation of channels. And also in such devices there is additionally built-in protection against incorrect pulse voltage and currents that may occur in the cable cores during a thunderstorm. And also the splitter protects against interference from power lines and contact electric transport networks.

What are

In this area, such manufacturers as Lans, Rexant, Premier, Alda, Hama, Sat. At the output, they always give a better signal than Chinese or do-it-yourself ones.

The best are splitters, the device of which includes transformers with high resistance and higher frequency. But they have a fairly high cost and are weak technologically. As a rule, they are able to split the signal in only two directions. When you need more, a splitter with series-connected resistors will be a good solution.

There are television crabs for 2, 3, 4, 6 or 8 exits under the F connector for general and satellite television. They are characterized by high bandwidth.

Popular TV splitters:

1. RTM type SAH 204F. 2-way splitter (28 dB isolation, 3.6 dB pass loss).
2. TLC type SAH 306F. Directions - 3 (decoupling 28 dB, loss per pass 5.8 dB).
3. Tbtec type HST 0408 / F. 4-way splitter (32 dB isolation, 7.2 dB pass loss).

The power division coefficient can be equal (in most cases) or unequal.

How to choose

When choosing a television splitter, you must be guided by the following parameters:

• What frequency do the received channels have?
• how many TVs do you plan to connect;
• cable cross-section in diameter;
• how experienced the installer.

Action plan in the selection process:

1. Using the menu of your TV, you need to find out the frequency of all received channels. Having determined the channel with the highest frequency, you should make sure that the upper limit of the range of the splitter is greater than this indicator.
2. Count all the available television devices, as well as think about the prospects. Based on this, you need to choose a splitter with the number of outputs that exceeds units of home appliances.
3. In addition, the attenuation of the splitter should be estimated, the unit of measurement of which is decibels. This value can be found on the device case or in the attached instructions. The lower this indicator, the more appreciated the device.
4. Appearance and dimensions. If the separator is in a conspicuous place, it is important that it looks aesthetically pleasing. And if it is located inside the cable box, it would be nice to pick up a small splitter.
5. How to fasten. Of course, you can just hang it on the wires. But it is better to fix it on the surface - it will be more reliable and prettier. So you need to check that there were holes for mounting on it.
6. The connection method can be many. It is necessary to focus on the type of cables used, as well as whether it is possible to solder.
7. When making a purchase, it is important not to confuse the splitter with a diplexer or coupler.

If you take into account such points, then further problems during operation should not arise.

How to connect

There are various connection methods:

• a splitter having a screw clamp can be combined with cables of any diameter and it does not require soldering skills;
• the device with threaded connections is compatible only with thin cables, but it also does not require soldering;
• a device with coaxial jacks can be connected to any cables using conventional antenna plugs;
• splitters that involve soldering.

And the connection technology itself includes several simple steps:

1. Decide on the appropriate surface and fix the separator on it.
2. Remove the plugs from each connector on the antenna splitter.
3. Use a coaxial cable to connect the input to the TV and to the jack.
4. Connect a common television cable.

The whole process takes a quarter of an hour.

It is important, when buying a splitter “for growth” (more TVs may appear in the future), temporarily drown out the unused outputs with a resistor, which will absorb excessive voltage in the circuit (up to 75 Ohms).

When the image ceased to satisfy

It happens that after the introduction of the separator, the image quality on several TVs deteriorates. Some get out of this situation by connecting a Polish antenna with an amplifier. And the second solution to the problem is to purchase a television splitter with an amplifier. The latter method is good if before that the TV showed without complaints and, in fact, there were no complaints about the antenna.

But more precisely in this situation the telemaster will be able to prompt. He has devices for measuring the signal level. This is important because the image may also be distorted due to too much signal.

There are 3 ways to implement additional devices that increase the signal power:

1. With high splitter load transfer rates, you can use one intermediate amplifier at the input to the splitter.
2. If overload is likely, it is better to give preference to separate amplifiers at each output. And it is set independently at each exit.
3. Combined gain. One is placed at the entrance and additional separate at the outputs.

Splitters in our time are widely sought after devices. If the house has more than one TV, then you can not do without such a device. Some craftsmen make such devices on their own. Someone, wanting to save money, is buying Chinese splitters. But it is most reliable to buy this item from a trusted manufacturer, and to use the services of a telemaster for installation.