TV signal amplifier: how it works and how to choose a digital TV signal amplifier

A weak signal from the transmitter causes the reception of television channels to deteriorate in places remote from the television towers. To improve image quality, a television signal amplifier is used - a small-sized device that is installed on the antenna and connected with a cable.

We will talk about how amplifiers work, which criteria for choosing devices are decisive. Here you will learn all about the types of antenna amplifiers, their pros and cons. Based on our recommendations, you can purchase the most suitable model for you.

Why is the television signal deteriorating

Determining that the signal does not meet the requirements is simple. However, analog and digital television receivers respond differently.

In the first case, gray-white ripples, “snow” appear, the picture is partially distorted or disappears completely. In the second - the image freezes, turns green or “pixel”.

If the image and sound disappear or worsen, the corresponding inscription and recommendations on how to correct the situation appear on the screen

The reasons for the deterioration of the signal are many - from quickly defective defective antennas to the unsuitable state of the cable or connector. There are more serious reasons - for example, too much distance from the transmitter, which even a powerful antenna with an amplifier can not cope with.

The digital signal may disappear in the following cases:

The image and sound quality can be affected not only by the cable, but also by old, oxidized connectors, splitters, connectors - any additional elements, except for the amplifier.

Even with properly selected equipment, noise can occur from all kinds of transmitting devices - modems, radios, repeaters, routers, and even devices that are not equipped with an antenna.

It happens that due to incorrect calculations, an antenna or amplifier with an too high gain is selected, as a result of which the signal is overloaded and adequate data transmission becomes impossible.

Digital TV Signal Amplifier

To eliminate some of the listed reasons, and use a digital TV signal amplifier. It is installed on a remote antenna, next to a room antenna or separately, connecting with a coaxial cable. The type of device is selected depending on specific conditions and requirements.

Purpose and principle of operation

As soon as you find out that it is possible to improve the quality of the transmitted information by equalizing or stabilizing the received signal using an amplifier, it remains to buy a suitable device and install it. This almost always helps if the cable from the roof mounted antenna is too long.

It is also possible to remove interference using an amplifier if the reason is a large number of antenna connectors, which not only conduct the signal, but also significantly weaken it

The purpose of the TV signal amplifier, therefore, is to improve data transmission and, as a result, in a clear, blurry picture on the TV screen and clear sound.

Digital television differs from analog television in that when used at points remote from the translator, you need to install only a narrowly directed antenna and select a signal amplifying device under it.

An external noise-resistant amplifier for digital data transmission, signal equalization and stabilization is installed directly in front of the digital receiver

Powerful devices for DVB-T2 not only amplify the signal received by the antenna, but can also perform additional functions: summarize data transfer from 2-3 antennas or, conversely, split one signal into several outputs.

Types of antenna amplifiers

In practice, it is possible to check whether it is worth buying an amplifier in an elementary way: install a TV and a signal receiving antenna nearby. If the image becomes clearer, it makes sense to buy a signal amplifier, if the picture on the screen does not improve, you will first have to replace the antenna itself.

When choosing an amplifier, do not pay attention to devices designed for powerful teleinstallations. Suitable devices designed for home television - that is, for medium and small antennas

On sale there are 3 categories of amplifiers:

• Range The sample is a DMV device intended for digital data transmission DVB-T2.
• Multiband operating in the decimeter and meter ranges, that is, recognizing all transmitted signals.
• Broadband - LSA and SWA. They amplify the signal transmitted in a given band.

If a store consultant says that you need a device for amplifying a digital signal, then most likely he will offer a choice among special digital amplifiers - devices with boards operating in the UHF (decimeter wavelength range).

Advantages and disadvantages of devices

The selected amplifier can not be good or bad, it is necessary that it fit the technical characteristics.Even an expensive high-quality adapter can both improve the signal and make it unstable.

To avoid this, the design of the home television network should be thought out before installing the main elements - a TV, antennas and amplifying devices.

The advantages of the device are obvious: it enhances the signal, improves its visible part - the picture on the TV screen, blocks interference. But there are a number of disadvantages to consider

Ideally, when using several television sets, the number of amplifiers should be limited, since any additional device distorts the video stream, and not only improves the signal. The result of distortions can be their layering on each other and a negative result.

An unexpected effect can be obtained if you use a broadband amplifier. Receiving signals of different levels from the repeater, the amplifier increases the frequency, overloads the stream supplied to the connector of the receiver or decoder.

As a result, the signal parameters, and subsequently the image quality, drop sharply. The situation can be saved by the ability to adjust the amplifier, but not over the entire range, but at individual frequencies.

Amplifier Recommendations

Not the fact that the selected amplifier will correct the situation. Some devices have their own noise, while others are sensitive to ambient noise. Due to the installation of such a device, the signal will not improve, but will decay completely.

You can experiment with a choice of models or a way of eating in order to arrive at a better result. For example, sometimes it helps to replace the original antenna power supply with a digital tuner

An amplifier is also not suitable if:

• reception level is exceeded, device parameters cannot cope;
• the signal, on the contrary, is weak and does not improve;
• the antenna, in addition to the main signal, catches interference, which is also amplified.

Chasing the maximum gain is not worth it, as usually all incoming signals are not needed. In order not to guess, it is better to first measure the level of the transmitted signal and determine whether it is direct or reflected.

One of the good ways is to properly position the antenna before buying an amplifier. You just need to change the height of the installation and its direction. It is often enough to simply use an antenna mast with a height of 1.5-2 m, so that the signal quality improves noticeably, with or without an amplifier

Digital television, as you know, has its own characteristics. If during data transmission strong frequency fluctuations overlap each other, signal amplification will not help. It is better to purchase a passive antenna of directional type. The amplifier will only violate stability and cause malfunctions in the digital decoder.

To amplify the entire TV frequency band, broadband devices are used, but with the possibility of fixed gain.

If there is a lot of interference in the area where the television sets are installed, it is recommended to use narrowly targeted devices, but preferably also with convenient manual adjustment of the range

The appearance and dimensions of the amplifiers should not be confusing, since most modern devices are designed to be mounted anywhere on the coaxial cable for the antenna. They are compact, ergonomic, have suitable connectors. There is no need to disassemble or carry the antenna for installation.

But remember: increasing the distance to the antenna leads to the appearance of intrinsic noise, which can interfere with the passage of the signal.

When choosing an amplifier, be sure to consider the following criteria:

• noise figure;
• frequency range;
• gain;
• degree of protection.

An experienced consultant can choose a model if you correctly describe your home network and explain the conditions for installing the antenna. A special table also helps a lot when choosing, where the decisive criterion is the distance from the repeater to the receiver.

When choosing a device by the power method, do not forget that the digital tuner also generates voltage, so you can connect a device with a 5 V microcircuit.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Amplifiers for passive antennas:

Digital TV Device Overview:

When choosing a TV antenna amplifier, try to consider all the criteria. The main mistake is to ignore intrinsic noises, which as a result do not improve the signal, but cause its attenuation. High-quality details, a minimally short cable, narrow antenna directivity - this is what you should pay attention to to reduce the noise level.

Please comment in the box below. We are interested in your opinion and stories about personal experience in choosing and connecting a TV signal amplifier. Here you can ask questions if they arose during your familiarization with the information provided.