![]() So why include these amplifiers with indoor antennas? My guess is that it’s an old holdover from analog TV days based on the assumption that more power is better. If the signal made it this far, it should be received by the TV already. This makes little sense as any signal loss between the antenna and amplifier has already occurred. This means all the noise and signal strength travel all the way down the cable, and both are amplified just before they hit the television. Generally, they are designed to be installed closer to the television. The type of amplifiers that come packaged with indoor antennas serves little purpose in most cases. This brings me to the reason for this article. Amplifiers are also very helpful when splitting a signal as a splitter will lose about 3.5 dB of signal per split. Generally, an RG6 coaxial cable will lose an average of 5 dB of signal per 100 ft. ![]() However, it can boost the signal to make it through a long cable run or overcome a splitter to supply more than one TV with reception. Ultimately, an amplifier isn’t going to help you receive a signal that isn’t already reaching your antenna. While overload is usually a bad word in electronics, it means the signal is over an acceptable strength threshold in this case. In fact, if the signal is too strong, the TV turner overload and not be able to display the channel. If a channel’s signal is above the threshold of being picked up by a TV, making that signal stronger isn’t going to improve the picture’s quality. Digital television either comes in, or it doesn’t. The stronger the signal, the more detail and better receptions a TV would receive. Distribution amplifiers are typically designed to be used indoors.īefore digital television, the signals were analog. However, distribution amps also come in the form of a powered amplified splitter. These are usually weatherproof to be installed outside near the antenna.Ī distribution amplifier boosts the signal (and the noise) to send the signal to multiple receivers (televisions.) Putting an amplifier before a splitter serves is essentially a distribution amplifier. The difference between them is really about the intended use.Ī preamplifier‘s job is to be installed close to the antenna and boost the overall signal to overcome a long cable run. ![]() Both perform the same function of boosting the signal strength (and noise) received by the antenna. Generally, antenna amplifiers are typically referred to in two categories, preamplifiers and distribution amplifiers. Sometimes, it can even make a channel’s signal too strong for the TV and not come in at all. In fact, most of the time, it doesn’t help in all. If you are like most people, you will assume that this will improve your antenna reception and possibly help your television receive more channels. Many indoor TV antennas that are sold today come with an amplifier. Sometimes, with TV antennas, it can even get in the way.
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