Combining off air and satellite feeds

[rlcoker]

I have both satelite and off air to my new 722. On TV 1 I have all channels. On TV 2 I have only satellite channels. I have a off air antenna cable to the 2nd TV (disconnected because the TV has only one F type connecter). The installer told me that I could get an A/B switch. But is there another solution that does not involve me having to get up each time I want to surf between off air and satelite? I don't mind if I have to juggle two remotes but pulling two more RG6 lines in order to use the existing RCA connectors would be a major pain.
Thanks.

 

[boba]

TV2 dosen't pass the TV antenna. Simplest method is A/B switch.

 

[lentesubigo]

Wouldn't a diplexor work to mix the signals down one RG6 coax? As long as the signals on the OTA antenna don't interfear with the channel used for TV2 output I would expect this to work.

 

[gdarwin]

Diplexor is for combining satellite and antenna. Take a TV splitter and run it backwards. Put TV2 in one output and the antenna in the other output. Send the splitter input to the tv. Make sure TV2 output is on a channel that will not interferr with OTA channels.

 

[bebop]

Diplexor is for combining satellite and antenna. Take a TV splitter and run it backwards. Put TV2 in one output and the antenna in the other output. Send the splitter input to the tv. Make sure TV2 output is on a channel that will not interferr with OTA channels.

Exactly right! I did this 6 months ago after the installer left my house and it works perfectly. You may want to configure the receiver to send out the signal on a higher channel than the locals come in on if there is interference.

No A/B switch needed, just using the remote to change the channel. BTW I have my TV2 set to cable and I change the channel to 60 when I want to watch the satellite, and to the local channel numbers when I want to watch over the air antenna signals.

 

[old corps]

Yep, I've got 2 TV2's hooked to satellite and OTA via the "reverse splitter" method, one from a 622 the other a 722 and they both work great.:up

Ed

 

[Tyralak]

Yep, I've got 2 TV2's hooked to satellite and OTA via the "reverse splitter" method, one from a 622 the other a 722 and they both work great.:up

Ed

And now you have a big ass transmitter sending your TV2 channel all over the neighborhood.

 

[old corps]

And now you have a big ass transmitter sending your TV2 channel all over the neighborhood.

I'm sure the rabbits, squirrels, turkeys and deer are enjoying my programming. LOL I'm a country boy, my friend.

Seriously, I wasn't aware that this would cause anything to be transmitted. Funny that another TV down the hall doesn't pick anything up from the other, even on the same channel? Could you enlighten this old fart?

Thanks.

Ed

 

[old corps]

BUMP???

Ed

 

[Tyralak]

I'm sure the rabbits, squirrels, turkeys and deer are enjoying my programming. LOL I'm a country boy, my friend.

Seriously, I wasn't aware that this would cause anything to be transmitted. Funny that another TV down the hall doesn't pick anything up from the other, even on the same channel? Could you enlighten this old fart?

Thanks.

Ed

Ah well, that far out no big deal. In an area with close neighbors, it can create a problem. If you combine an OTA antenna on the same line as the sat feed with a diplexer, great no big deal. However, you add a TV2 out on that same line, and the output not only goes to the second room, it goes straight up the antenna and all over the neighborhood. But, as you mentioned, it's a moot point in your case.

 

[old corps]

Damn, the wildlife around here's gonna be happy! Maybe I should put popcorn out in the bird feeder? LOL

You're the expert, I ain't, so don't take this the wrong way--still seems strange that I'm not able to pick up any kind of signal on another TV that's not hooked up to anything but rabbit ears when either the 622 or 722 is putting out on TV2. And I do have a BIG ASS Channel Master antenna that's amplified.

Ed

 

[Tyralak]

Damn, the wildlife around here's gonna be happy! Maybe I should put popcorn out in the bird feeder? LOL

You're the expert, I ain't, so don't take this the wrong way--still seems strange that I'm not able to pick up any kind of signal on another TV that's not hooked up to anything but rabbit ears when either the 622 or 722 is putting out on TV2. And I do have a BIG ASS Channel Master antenna that's amplified.

Ed

What channel do you have TV2 set on?

 

[old corps]

One is on 21 the other is on 34, 622 and 722. Channel #s were chosen because there was no OTA next to 'em.
Ed

 

[Tyralak]

One is on 21 the other is on 34, 622 and 722. Channel #s were chosen because there was no OTA next to 'em.
Ed

Ah I see. Well, maybe one of the splitters or some other part of the setup you're using is blocking the retransmission. The only way I know of to deliberately do it is by installing a trap for the exact frequency of TV2 in line close to the antenna. One time I tested the whole re-transmission thing to see if it actually happened, or if the FCC was just being paranoid with their regulations. I had a good size antenna in my attic, and I set my TV2 to 60. My buddy at the end of the street could pick it up (albeit poorly). But something in your setup must be doing the trick.

 

[kb7oeb]

I use backwards splitters to combine modulators and OTA and I don't have a problem leaking the in house signal. I've checked with a portable TV because I was worried that it might be.

I've found typical splitters greatly reduce the signal passed between the OUT legs

 

[whatchel1]

2 way 4 way

I use backwards splitters to combine modulators and OTA and I don't have a problem leaking the in house signal. I've checked with a portable TV because I was worried that it might be.

I've found typical splitters greatly reduce the signal passed between the OUT legs

All that they reduce it by is 3.5 db for a 2 way & 7 db for a 4 way.

 

[old corps]

I even took a 13" TV out in the back yard and fired up my "TV2s". No signal on 21, 34 or any channel other than weak ones from normal analog OTA.
Guess the wildlife will have to get their own programming and the FCC will have to find somethin' else to do, LOL.

Ed

 

[harshness]

I even took a 13" TV out in the back yard and fired up my "TV2s". No signal on 21, 34 or any channel other than weak ones from normal analog OTA.
Guess the wildlife will have to get their own programming and the FCC will have to find somethin' else to do, LOL.

TV antennas generally make pretty lousy transmission antennas and what signal does come out is pretty directional.

 

[smwien]

Could some one explain this a little better for me. I'm trying to add an ota to my setup. My current setup is I have two boxes and 4 tvs. What would I need to do to keep all my tvs and add the ota.

Thanks for the help.

 

[old corps]

Pick up a couple of plain ol' 2-way splitters. Connect your OTA antenna to one of the "OUT" sides and with a short length of coax connect your TV2 (Home Distribution) from your Dish receiver to the other "OUT" of the splitter. Then connect the coax that's been supplying your TV2 signal to your other TV's to the "IN" port of the splitter. You're just using the splitter in reverse. Then you'll have Dish programming on whatever channel is set for yout Modulator Setup, just like you always did but any OTA channels from your antenna will be on the normal channels on your TV.
If you don't get a clear picture try changing the channel assigned to TV2. MENU-6-1-5, Modulator Setup. Usually the lower the channel number the better the signal but choose a channel that doesn't have an OTA one right next to it. Example: If there's an OTA channel on 25 pick 23 or 27.
Now you'll be broadcasting all over the neighborhood!
Hope this helps ya.

Ed