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HD TV & TV/FM Amp boosters?
- Thread starter jras20
- Start date
jras20 said:How well would a TV/FM Booster help HD-TV? I was looking at some converters for my old TVs I dont know how well they will work in a very fringe area, but I would like to see. I mainly want it for the weather plus channel. (TVHD 2)
If I'm not mistaken, the typical TV/FM booster takes the analog signal (which is basically voltage) and amplifies it (while also adding a small amount of noise). What is needed here is a digital booster - however, somebody correct me if I'm wrong (and I most likely am), but when a digital signal is broadcast, isn't it run through a Digital-to-Analog converter first, and then through an Analog-to-Digital converter on the receiving end? Since I'm in production and not broadcasting, my knowledge is very spotty.
If it is converted to analog, seems like there should be some sort of amp that would do the trick - but as I said, my knowledge is spotty. I do know, though, that there are HD antennas out there (Terk makes one that pops in my mind) that are powered, meaning they probably have a built-in signal booster. So I think such a thing is possible, but if there's a standalone solution I'm not aware of one.
A booster might help. I use one, and it helps in my location.
For HDTV, the actual transmitted signal is analog, but it is modulated digitally. Other than the transmitter's exciter (which incorporates the modulator) there is no difference in the basic system. Amplifiers by their nature do not know or care if the signal is digitally modulated or if it uses an analog method. The only thing important is if the amplifier in question is designed to work at the frequency in question, and if it has sufficient bandwidth to pass the signal.
Since HDTV signals are contained on the same TV channels that can also be occupied by analog signals, and since by design, the channels occupy more or less the same bandwidth as existing analog signals, antenna devices and distribution equipment work as well for HDTV as they do for analog NTSC signals.
If something an antenna or video cable says "Digital Ready," on it that is simply a marketing tool and has little to do with reality. Antennas, cables and other accessories are very often marketed this way to remove as much money from the pockets of the gullible as is humanly possible. Buyer beware.
For HDTV, the actual transmitted signal is analog, but it is modulated digitally. Other than the transmitter's exciter (which incorporates the modulator) there is no difference in the basic system. Amplifiers by their nature do not know or care if the signal is digitally modulated or if it uses an analog method. The only thing important is if the amplifier in question is designed to work at the frequency in question, and if it has sufficient bandwidth to pass the signal.
Since HDTV signals are contained on the same TV channels that can also be occupied by analog signals, and since by design, the channels occupy more or less the same bandwidth as existing analog signals, antenna devices and distribution equipment work as well for HDTV as they do for analog NTSC signals.
If something an antenna or video cable says "Digital Ready," on it that is simply a marketing tool and has little to do with reality. Antennas, cables and other accessories are very often marketed this way to remove as much money from the pockets of the gullible as is humanly possible. Buyer beware.
Chuck said:A booster might help. I use one, and it helps in my location.
For HDTV, the actual transmitted signal is analog, but it is modulated digitally. Other than the transmitter's exciter (which incorporates the modulator) there is no difference in the basic system. Amplifiers by their nature do not know or care if the signal is digitally modulated or if it uses an analog method. The only thing important is if the amplifier in question is designed to work at the frequency in question, and if it has sufficient bandwidth to pass the signal.
Since HDTV signals are contained on the same TV channels that can also be occupied by analog signals, and since by design, the channels occupy more or less the same bandwidth as existing analog signals, antenna devices and distribution equipment work as well for HDTV as they do for analog NTSC signals.
If something an antenna or video cable says "Digital Ready," on it that is simply a marketing tool and has little to do with reality. Antennas, cables and other accessories are very often marketed this way to remove as much money from the pockets of the gullible as is humanly possible. Buyer beware.
Thanks for the info. Like I said, I'm not all that up to speed on HD engineering or tech specs. That'll definitely help when I get ready to buy one!
C
CW
Guest
Dan Dennis said:jras20 said:How well would a TV/FM Booster help HD-TV? I was looking at some converters for my old TVs I dont know how well they will work in a very fringe area, but I would like to see. I mainly want it for the weather plus channel. (TVHD 2)
If I'm not mistaken, the typical TV/FM booster takes the analog signal (which is basically voltage) and amplifies it (while also adding a small amount of noise). What is needed here is a digital booster - however, somebody correct me if I'm wrong (and I most likely am), but when a digital signal is broadcast, isn't it run through a Digital-to-Analog converter first, and then through an Analog-to-Digital converter on the receiving end? Since I'm in production and not broadcasting, my knowledge is very spotty.
If it is converted to analog, seems like there should be some sort of amp that would do the trick - but as I said, my knowledge is spotty. I do know, though, that there are HD antennas out there (Terk makes one that pops in my mind) that are powered, meaning they probably have a built-in signal booster. So I think such a thing is possible, but if there's a standalone solution I'm not aware of one.
Any RF preamp (which is technically the correct name) will work....analog or digital, it doesnt matter. Preamps are biased for (or should be) best Signal to Noise ratio and minimum distortion....usually Class B or AB mode....which works with any RF modulated signal..especially since digital TV is still a linear mode (the audio of an analog TV signal is FM and not a linear signal...but the amps work fine for FM since they also work for AM signals)....
Yes they also increase the noise but with the SN ratio peaked properly, its usually much less than the actual signal increase.
High power transmitting amps are another issue....For FM (non linear) modes, Class C amps work best but they distort linear/AM products in an amplifier stage..(this is why HD FMs must modify the PA if they use low level combining).
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