Improving TV signal

[ukmgranger]

My analogue TV signal is rubbish!

It varies in quality on a daily basis. How can I solve this?

I live in an appartment so the aerial is communal (I can't/don't want to alter it).

Is there a way of boosting the signal from the point that it enters my appartment?

on a side note-
I have a 'freeview' box that takes its signal from the analogue aerial (which looks much crisper/better). I am looking into sending this signal to one of my PVR250's, but I think there may be a problem with the .xml import procedure (2 dif. channel line-ups).

Some help would be great.

[stanger89]

You can try a signal amplifier to boost your signal, try one of your local TV/radio stores. I know here I'd go to Radioshack.

On the XML thing, I seem to remember something about multiple lineup support so do a search, I think it's possible.

[justme]

Also use high quality coax, connectors and splitters.

As a side note you mentioned using multiple feeds. If it's a 3 way splitter, many do not split the signal evenly. So some of the feeds may get a less degreaded signal than others. With multifeed layouts, it's important to map out the splits before you set everything up. Every split of a split is going to get worse, so it's best to figure out how to most efficiently split up the signal first.ie some devices may be fine with a lower quality signal. If you do have lots of splits many of the signal amps come with multiple outputs and some even allow tuning the gain of each output(too much gain can be as bad as too low a signal). Also make sure any unused lines are properly terminated but ideally you shouldn't have any in your setup. Of course sharing a signal line makes this harder/impossible for you to do.

[PaulG]

If the signal thats coming into the apartment is crap then amplifying that signal will amplify the crap so you won't have much of an improvement.

Depending on the distribution system used in the apartment your only solution may be to go to the 'governing body' of the apartments and raise the issue with them otherwise can you get an external antenna for free to air broadcasts outside or near a window ?

[edgley]

I am amazed that you get any channels with a freeview box if the signal is that bad.

It is likely that the building already amplifies when it splits, so you adding more wont help that much.

No chance that your outisde wall faces SSE so you can put up a Sky dish?

[ukmgranger]

Thanks for all the tips guys, you have managed to dpress the hell out of me!

Our flat faces almost exactly south, but we are not allowed to put any form of aerial, dish or anything 'unsightly' on the balcony.

I bought a £20 amplifier from Maplin, which looked promising when I first plugged it in, but then we had some real bad rain here in London and the signal just got real crappy again.

On the point about shielded cables:
behind my TV is a bit of a rats-nest of cables. I'm guessing that some degredation may be being caused by this. Do shielded cables make much of a difference?

cheers again guys