Digital television break up

A common issue in all houses, we Television technicians have incurred many situations which cause digital television break up. WE WILL KEEP IT SIMPLE, three main issues, cable, connections and gain, your antenna must have enough gain to maintain enough signal for your set top box to keep a stable picture (We will elaborate issues soon) and cable/connection problems.Signal gain, like most digital boxes state whenever changing channels, there will be a level of signal, this can be used as a simple guide. (we find 85% as minimum and preferably above best)The gain can be improved by improving the quality of your antenna or if a new quality antenna adding a mast head amplifier (booster).There are many boosters available, we find mast head amplifiers the best (installed in two parts booster and power supply with power pass splitter)WHAT IS A POWER PASS SPLITTER, when installing a two part booster, you must feed the amplifier installed at your antenna with power, this is done by a power supply and the way it gets power is through the antenna cable THROUGH THE POWER PASS POINT on the splitter.Install a splitter with a power pass and connect the power supply to the point with the power pass, then the power will go to the amplifier and power the amplifier and distribute to the entire antenna system with this amplifiication of signal gain.We find Kingray the best for durability and performance, 24 to 34dB gain boosters.CABLE ISSUES, a major problem for constant stable signal flow to the set top box.We find RG6 dual at minimum and RG6 quad shielded as preffered to maintain constant flow of signal transfer from antenna to set top box.Last but not least, all connections should be with ftype connectors because a strong grounding and direct centre core connection is accomplished enabling a low lose flow of signal.SIMPLE HEY, yeah but we keep it simple BUT KEEP TO THE IMPORTANT.

Comparing DVI to HDMI

The HDMI standard is actually based on DVI, so picture quality on both should be similar. Where HDMI has it over DVI is its audio capabilities - DVI can only carry video signals. HDMI cables can also be made longer than DVI - HDMI can go up to 15m in length. And from an aesthetic viewpoint, HDMI connectors are less bulky than DVI ones. HDMI connects like a USB device for PCs, while DVI still has screw pins on its connector.
HDMI is fully backwards compatible with DVI, so you won't be making your DVI products obsolete if you buy something with an HDMI connector. For example, HDMI televisions will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, while a HDMI DVD player will play on a DVI-equipped television. All you'll need is a HDMI/DVI adaptor. Just be aware that doing this will lose you the added functionality of HDMI, such as automatic screen format conversion and universal remote control.

The DVI connector usually contains pins to pass the DVI-native digital video signals. In cases of dual-link systems, more pins are provided for the second set of data signals.

The DVI connector may also incorporate pins to pass through the legacy analog signals using the VGA standard. This feature was included in order to make DVI universal, as it allows either type of monitor (analog or digital) to be operated from the same connector.

The DVI connector on a device is therefore given one of three names, depending on which signals it implements:

• DVI-D (digital only)
• DVI-A (analog only)
• DVI-I (digital & analog)

The connector also includes provision for a second data link for high resolution displays, though many devices do not implement this. In those that do, the connector is sometimes referred to as DVI-DL (dual link).

DVI is the only widespread standard that includes analog and digital transmission options in the same connector.

Some new DVD players, TV sets (including HDTV sets) and video projectors have DVI/HDCP connectors; these are physically the same as DVI connectors but transmit an encrypted signal using the HDCP protocol for copyright protection. Computers with DVI video connectors can use many DVI-equipped HDTV sets as display.

HDMI can deliver high quality sound or vision without the risk of quality loss due to the conversion or compression of a video or audio signal. HDMI pictures should be smoother and sharper, with a distinct reduction in video noise. Sound should be crisp and taut, without any distortion. And of course, using the single cable HDMI can get rid of a lot of messy cables snaking around your home theatre kit.

Because of its digital nature, HDMI also works well with fixed-pixel displays such as LCD, plasma or DLP screens and projectors. A HDMI cable allows you to exactly match pixel-by pixel the native resolution of the screen with whatever source device you've got connected. HDMI systems will also automatically convert a picture into its most appropriate format, such as 16:9 or 4:3.

HDMI has some built-in smarts that allow you to control any device connected via HDMI through the one remote. Since the HDMI connection allows two-way communication between devices, it gives you basic universal remote-like functions which, for example, can tell a HDMI-linked system at a press of a button which components to turn on or off when you want to watch a DVD.

Pin 1 TMDS Data2+
Pin 2 TMDS Data2 Shield
Pin 3 TMDS Data2–
Pin 4 TMDS Data1+
Pin 5 TMDS Data1 Shield
Pin 6 TMDS Data1–
Pin 7 TMDS Data0+
Pin 8 TMDS Data0 Shield
Pin 9 TMDS Data0–
Pin 10 TMDS Clock+
Pin 11 TMDS Clock Shield
Pin 12 TMDS Clock–
Pin 13 CEC
Pin 14 Reserved (N.C. on device)
Pin 15 SCL
Pin 16 SDA
Pin 17 DDC/CEC Ground
Pin 18 +5 V Power
Pin 19 Hot Plug Detect

Installing TV antennas

Since the introduction of digital television we have found that most household antenna systems/pre-digital are not within the boundaries which digital requires to maintain a constant stable picture. Which means most households will need to upgrade there antenna system before being able to achieve a constant and stable digital picture.

We base our installations on 3 main charactoristics, Cable, Connections and Gain.

Cable, digital requires RG6 dual shielded cable minimum with RG6 quad shielded as preffered to maintain a stable flow of signal transfer.

Connections, the best method of connecting coax cable is to use ftype connectors on cable and with there splitters.

Ftype twist is avaliable for dual shielded and quad shielded RG6 but most common for dual and with quad shielded can be difficult to fit. We then suggest to use a crimping tool and apply ftype crimp connections instead, this tool will cost approx $35 to $50 but will save a huge amount of time and create a stronger more direct connection.

Also keep in mind that with the remainder of you coax cable you are best to use this with some crimp pal plugs to make your own flyleads from the wall socket to your appliances, this means that you have an equal quality cable and connection from start/antenna to finish/appliance.

A guide to fitting connections and stripping coax cable will be covered in another section.

Gain, simply is your antenna supplying enough signal to maintain stable picture, below are basic factors when fitting the antenna.

Antennas will vary from state and country and quality doesn't always mean size, yes a larger antenna will be able to receive more signal but we have installed small antennas with a better success than some large antennas from other suppliers. We would strongly recommened seeking a professional antenna supplier or installer to purchase the best antenna.

Depending on the amount of TV points you are installing and the level of gain your antenna is supplying, you may need to increase its performance. This is done by a mast head amplifier/booster (for instructions on installing a mast head amplifier please see appropriate section).

You want your antenna to have the best shot/line to the transmitter, this means placing the antenna directly in front of a tree etc will affect it's ability to recieve signal. The location on the roof is also important but difficult to find without the aid of a field strength meature so best to base your antenna in the best line to the transmitter remembering a few more metres to the back of the house will make very little difference. The angle of the antenna must be positioned with the front facing towards the transmitter, if the transmitter is not in site and you have no field strength meter check your surrounding neighbours, if there picture is good face in the same direction.

HEHE HAHA, funny to finish on such a basic suggestion (facing simular to your neighbours) but installing an antenna isen't difficult but keeping to the 3 important factors in mind CABLE, CONNECTIONS and GAIN with give you the best chance of a successful installation.