Famicom World

Misc. => Off-Topic Chat => Topic started by: MarioMania on February 13, 2010, 11:52:38 pm

Title: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: MarioMania on February 13, 2010, 11:52:38 pm
I'm hooking my Indoor Antanna up to my DirecTV reciever to get wireless on Ch 3 or 4..But it dosen't go as far as my room, like 10 ft

I know 133MHz did this with his SNES, but with a Rooftop antanna with a signal booster, 

But I don't have a rooftop...Is it even possible the booster will bump my signal??....I don't really need it for Digital TV
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: Peps1ru1es92 on February 14, 2010, 07:28:15 pm
they sell little boxes at radioshack that accomplish this.
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: MarioMania on February 14, 2010, 09:40:26 pm
I'm waiting for 133 MHz to peplay to this, He know's about this
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: MarioMania on February 14, 2010, 11:02:43 pm
I know that

Would a Booster work on a Indoor Antanna
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: nintendodork on February 15, 2010, 06:38:56 am
Quote from: MarioMania on February 14, 2010, 09:40:26 pm
I'm waiting for 133 MHz to peplay to this, He know's about this
You're making it look like you think 133MHz is the only one who knows anything about electronics here, and that's very untrue.
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: UglyJoe on February 15, 2010, 07:07:00 am
Are you planning on boosting the signal before broadcasting it?  Or are you planning on boosting the signal after you receive it?

I have a feeling the former would distort the signal too much (since the picture coming out of your DirectTV box is going to be pretty strong already), but who knows.  The latter will probably work as long as you get *some* picture without it (these are the boxes you can buy at Radioshack).
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: MarioMania on February 15, 2010, 11:48:27 am
It prolly won't work..but the booster is only $6

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130322190713&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: 133MHz on February 15, 2010, 02:41:11 pm
Yup, that one won't work. It's specifically designed for satellite dish antennas with very long cable runs, as UglyJoe said it won't do anything at all if your DirecTV already looks fine. Besides it serves a completely different purpose (digital signals).

You need one of these:
(http://www.summitsource.com/images/products/AMS656.jpg)

Known as CATV distribution amplifier. $10 tops at your nearest Home Depot or similar. Hook up the RF out from your video game console or DirecTV box into the IN port of the amplifier (which strangely isn't labeled on the picture above) and plug in your antenna into the OUT port, plug the amplifier into a wall outlet and presto!. The higher the gain in dB, the stronger the output signal will be.

Side note: I've got one of these
(http://www.wakamatsu.vc/cgi-bin/pc/data/1-660829b.jpg)

It's called a Video Sender, model number UT-66. It takes 12V DC from a wall wart and a standard RCA AV input, and it broadcasts whatever you feed it into analog TV Channel 12 using its built in antenna. Range its pretty good, enough to cover a large house without problems. I presume you can increase the coverage by replacing the built in antenna with a larger one.

I've got no idea where to get one or how much does it cost (I found mine on a box of junk at my aunt's house more than 7 years ago). Found one on ebay but it's in the UK (link (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12Volt-Video-Sender-Model-UT-66-Boxed_W0QQitemZ230427910255QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20100124?IMSfp=TL100124015001r30772))

The Video Sender would be the best option if you want a 100% hassle free homebrew TV station, but if you can't get your hands on one, the CATV signal amplifier + indoor antenna should suffice for the same purpose. Once again, this is from personal experience, YMMV.
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: MarioMania on February 15, 2010, 03:13:43 pm
Thanks guys

I'm not going to Radio Shack for my needs, to expensive there

I might end up buying the $6 anyways. ABC Family been breaking up & sometime No Signal,even when it's a nice day out...

All the Channels are fine
Title: Re: Analog Signal Booster
Post by: Peps1ru1es92 on February 15, 2010, 06:55:16 pm
You need to either tighten your cables, or have your dish repointed. They did it for me for free after a snowstorm.