In the line of all the uni-taskers, “As Seen On TV” products, and hardware hard sells, how about this time we shine a light on debunking another superfluous claim for a miracle product and find out if it really works! So the catch here is, would installing signal amplifiers or a TV aerial booster really improve the signal? Let’s jump on the textbooks and find out.
A usual claim would be that it’s “faulty” or a “scam,” but what people fail to realize is that these instruments are highly functional when you figure out how to use it properly. The placement and timing are crucial. For example, if you try and summon the power of a TV aerial booster box for a network of communal TV systems or multiple TVs in your household, the throughput might just not cut it. This would always depend on the TV signal booster that you have purchased. If this is the case, might as well find out if it works and how it works.
How does a TV Signal Booster work?
The principle here is every straightforward no matter what type, brand or model: an aerial TV booster will chew up your signal as input and spit it out stronger or less weak as an output. The problem is, the “boosting process” does not totally come out from nowhere; it does not beat the third law of thermodynamics. A usual occurrence and problem in these things are that when the aerial signal is amplified, other things around it are also amplified. This is usually unnecessary stuff you don’t want such as radio signals from another transmitter, interference, or electrical noise so it wouldn’t be best to install one if you don’t really need it. A problem only usually comes up with aerial signal boosters when you settle for knock-offs or a cheap indoor tv aerial booster. For best results, go for reliable manufacturers of only the best tv signal booster and best tv aerial signal booster such as Triax, Televes, Wolsey, Vision, or Antiference.
When Do You Know You Need A TV Signal Booster?
I’m not particularly saying you shouldn’t buy a digital tv signal booster. What I’m pointing out is that you keep in mind the timing and placement of it. Again, it’s not a miracle worker that randomly fixes your TV signal when you plug it in, nor can it suddenly make the signal from the source work better for you. A usual spot where things go wrong is through the cables; either it’s too long, and you’re losing it to the coaxial cable or you split it to too many devices that the signal gets too cut off. In these cases, it would be best to amplify from the source rather than near the device. A stronger push would lead to a clearer output, hence making it work out in the end.
Making More From Giving Out More: Overcoming Losses in Splitting
It’s pretty logical how throughput kills all the fun in this situation: the more TVs you source from one signal, the worse the signal you get for each unit. Do note, it doesn’t matter if it’s not all on or connected at the same time: as long as you’re using a signal splitter or a cheap TV link, you will have some problems in terms of picture quality and signal strength. In this case, it is highly recommended that you purchase yourself a digital tv aerial booster. Help yourself out a little on this.
So, How Would You Install A Signal Booster Properly?
A big hassle on how to use a tv signal booster aerial amplifier would be its need for power or current. If you would install it from the source of the signal, wherever is that it usually does not have an available nor accessible power outlet. So your best bet for this is to have an electrician make things happen and work for you. Or you may also opt for the masthead tv amplifier that sources the power from the coaxial cable itself, making the cabling cleaner and the entire conundrum less of a hassle. It would be better because it can amplify a cleaner source of the signal given that it can be installed nearer to the source, making up for a stronger result.
Common Problems In Using Boosters
Just when you thought it couldn’t go wrong, it goes wrong. Read through for forward-thinking preventive measures.
A Lot Of Signal
The math here is simple folks: There is such a thing as amplifying the signal too much. If it’s too amplified, there’s too much aerial signal, the system overloads. Effects on your TV would be pixelation, blocky images, a high noise figure, or complete signal loss.
Whether you’re using a signal booster for tv, an aerial signal booster, or an indoor digital aerial signal booster, too much of it is going to cause you more problems rather than improve your picture quality.
Extremely Amplified Signal Strength = Not Good
Wrong Signal Strengthened
Your booster can pick up radio signals from other transmitters in the area or even interferences such as tetra, 4G or 5G. In such cases, it would be wise to manually tune the television instead of an auto scan and using a built in 4G filter that blocks unwanted signals. The same goes for those who have a separate TV and 4G device.
Massive Overlooks
You should never forget that the booster needs electricity or current to run. A common mistake would be to overlook the simplest source of the problem: sometimes it’s just really that the power supply is broken or unplugged.
Also, make sure everything is tightly connected to your TV or home cinema system. Any loose connections will no doubt mess with your TV reception.
Filtering Problems
Channels are usually separated by differences in signal. The further you go usually leads to a more obscure type of signal that may be considered interference by an installed filter with the booster.
Final Thoughts and Verdict
It really does work, albeit not perfectly. Any solution to a common problem is always relative and highly dependent on the current environment of the set-up. With a little bit of tinkering and a quick skim on this article, you’ll do just fine. However, if you think you need the help, do not hesitate to call for a professional to help you out.