TV splitters: types and which one is better to choose?

It has long become commonplace to have several televisions in the house at once. In order to divide the signal entering the dwelling into several points, a special device is used - it is called a TV cable splitter. Such a device allows you to watch several television programs at the same time, while the quality of the transmitted video and audio sequence remains at a high level.

What types of splitters there are, which one is better to choose - we will consider these and many other questions in the article.

A splitter for a TV cable allows you to distribute a signal to several TV receivers at once. Usually it is embedded in the wire between the TV cable and the tuner.

On the one hand, there is a plug for the incoming wire, on the other, a pair or more plugs for connecting television devices. The body of the splitter is sealed and completely sealed. Usually, a label is glued on the top panel, which indicates the model name and its basic technical parameters.

• Bandwidth. It reflects the frequency range transmitted by the divider. As a rule, for terrestrial TV, the standard frequency varies in the corridor from 5 to 1000 MHz, for satellite this range is 5-2500 MHz. Satellite crabs are often used to broadcast analogue and digital broadcasting.
• The number of outputs. A standard antenna splitter can contain up to 8 outputs. The equipment must be selected based on the number of connected TV repeaters in the house. If you expect to expand your television network in the near future, then you can connect a device with a little more holes in advance - this will not weaken the signal quality in any way.
• Attenuation level. One of the most important parameters that determines the amount of power reduction in the signal passing through the splitter. The dependence here is direct - the lower this parameter is, the less part of the signal will be lost.
• The presence of a high frequency amplifier... Such a splitter is called "active", it is designed not only to keep the power of the incoming signal, but also to increase it several times. Such models are expensive, while they can only share the signal between 2 TVs. If this number of outputs is not enough for you, it is better to choose a splitter with several resistors connected in turn.

If you believe that you can connect a pair of cables in parallel and get another signal source, then you are deeply mistaken.... As a result of such a connection scheme, you will see an image of extremely low quality: the contrast will decrease in it, multi-contouring will appear, and some other interference will be noticeable. That's why it is very important to use the antenna splitter, popularly called the "crab".

If the signal source is good, usually it can be determined visually, or previously there was only one TV in the apartment, then you can use a "crab" assembled on the basis of several resistors. Such a splitter was named passive. Despite the fact that it provides a high-quality broadcast of the signal, it still introduces some attenuation into it, which is directly proportional in its strength to the total number of outputs.

If you have a large number of receivers, it is better to give preference antenna amplifiers of active type. The principle of operation of such a device is based on performing separation of the incoming signal and, in parallel, a significant increase in its power.

There are three options for splitters, all of them are responsible for certain capabilities of these devices. Depending on the goals and objectives set for the equipment, the following may be involved:

• splitter;
• coupler;
• diplexer.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with each of them in more detail.

The splitter is better known as a splitter, it allows you to evenly divide the incoming signal into several channels at once. Let us explain with an example: if the input signal has parameters of 12 dB, it can be divided into two TVs of 6 dB each. If you have to divide the signal into a T-piece, then each television repeater will have 4 dB, respectively, for four consumers the signal will be divided by 3 dB per channel.

These devices are indispensable for the main distribution of the TV signal; they are most often used in apartment buildings. The communication scheme in this case assumes that the signal coming from the antenna is distributed floor by floor through the splitters, and there it is met by the couplers, which divide it into all apartments located on the site.

Typically used by cable TV operators - such a device allows you to separate paid and social packages for connecting channels.

Such splitters are also called diplexers. They are used when in one wire it is necessary to combine signals received from both the terrestrial and satellite antennas. By the way, the adder can also work as a normal separator - the cable of the incoming signal to such a device can be divided into 2 television devices.

Pay special attention: despite the fact that in general, the output signal level when using a splitter remains quite high, nevertheless it is weakened. If the antenna gives a signal to two TV receivers, then it will be weakened by half. If the splitter has an output to three repeaters, then each will have only a third of the original cable TV signal or antenna.

When the signal is initially quite high, then this is perfectly acceptable. But very often, with such a connection, the signals arriving at the TV monitor lose quality, the video sequence and sound have serious interference.

That's why when choosing a splitter, it is very important to pay special attention to its operating parameters.

With a reduced signal level, it is best to use an active TV antenna splitter, and it must be installed near the antenna itself. This arrangement will provide the optimal signal-to-noise ratio and thus give the best possible image quality.

An active antenna splitter will also be good if when the level of the incoming signal gives good quality audio and video on one TV receiver, and when a passive splitter is connected, the signal becomes noticeably worse.

Before choosing one or another splitter option, you need to decide on the following factors:

• specify their operating frequency range, as well as channels;
• calculate how many TVs you plan to combine into a single network;
• measure the cross-section of the cable.

Let's consider the sequence of actions for connecting the splitter.

It is necessary to go to the TV menu and select a tab in it indicating the frequencies of all channels received by the receiver. The highest one must be included in the frequency range in which the splitter operates.

Next, you need to calculate the number of receivers that you are going to connect, and provide several outputs for the future - and then choose a splitter with the required number of outputs.

Pay attention to the nature of the signal attenuation.

Assess the appearance of the device. Please note that the "crab" will be in full view of the household and guests of the house, so make sure that it has a decent design... If you plan to place it inside a cable duct, size it so that it fits easily inside.

Take a look at the fasteners. As a rule, there are holes on the TV cabinet for fixing the device. In no case should the splitter dangle freely - this is not only unaesthetic, but also causes bending and chafing of the wiring. Accordingly, the device fails.

Think about the method you will use to connect the "crab". When making a decision, users are guided by the characteristics of the cables used.

If you doubt your ability to connect a pair of wires, as well as perform high-quality soldering, then it is better to buy splitters with a screw type connection. For people who have some skills in working with appliances and electronics, models with coaxial connectors can be purchased. They work with cables of all diameters, but the most important part of the work in this case will be the soldering to connect the antenna plug.

And, of course, try not to make a mistake in your choice... Buy a splitter, and not any other device similar to it in configuration for a completely different purpose. Before going to the store, be sure to look at the manufacturer's website how it should look, and consult with a sales consultant.

Depending on the operating conditions and requirements for the design of the room, there are several options for installing the splitter.

If the device will be located in a conspicuous place, it is best to place it inside the wall panels and cover it with a decorative cover. In this case, in the future you can replace or connect any additional channel quickly and easily.

If you have resorted to floor wiring, the cable and the splitter are placed in specially equipped channels inside the skirting board.

The connection itself is not particularly difficult, since modern manufacturers have made sure that the device can be easily installed, repaired and, if necessary, replaced.

The order of work includes several steps.

• The ends of the wire are stripped in such a way that so that the central vein is bare and at the same time protrudes from the shell by 1.5-2 cm.
• Slightly stepping back from the edge of the cut insulation, it is necessary to clean the surface coating. This is necessary in order to expose the braid with an area of ​​about 1.5 cm.
• Braid follows wrap around the insulating cover.
• The end of the cable is inserted into the F-connector so that the connection is as tight as possible... After that, the female connector is carefully and tightly screwed onto the desired splitter port.

See below for the difference between a splitter and a coupler.