Digital TV - Problem to Solve - Need Converter

Don't know if this is it....

http://www.amazon.com/Zinwell-ZAT-970A-Digital-Converter-Antenna/dp/B001DVZXC0/ref=pd_cp_e_1

http://www.amazon.com/Magnavox-DTV-Digital-Analog-Converter/dp/B0045Y1IMQ/ref=pd_cp_e_0

The old computers used to have a module (very cheap) on the mother board that converted composite video into a UHF signal for an analogue TV to be used as a monitor.

They used to only cost a few dollars / pounds....

Any help??

Thanks Electroman,

I remember the first Radio Shack' (Tandy) and Z(?) having these too. Most of them work on Channels 3 or 4.

I bought a second hand RF converter to channels (adjustable) 62 to 68 on an auction, but once it arrived it didn't work. For channel 4 I have one here that works. GA too.

Before rulling out the current configuration, check if the analog output signal is too strong and a plain attenuator will stop disturbance on other channels. It just can't be that bad and be on production. S.M.

Thank you S.M.

The attenuator works. Thanks for the hint. But it still gives us only 2 channels: the program that the digibox owner is watching (Channel 3) and the CCTV video cameras, converted to channel 4. We need more choice, like a DVD and/or VCR, e.g. netflix or a satellite channel - what brings us to 3 more channels.

5 is used by the cable company to show the program guide.

up to 55 they have their lower channels. Pay TV starts at 300 here.

A GA anyway for the hint. Cheers, D.

Thank you for the the response.

I am still reading the customers' reviews of the first 2 links.

These boxes seem to need an antenna to receive "air" signals. I could try it too, but here in the Bahamas, 100 miles from Florida, I do not expect to pick up TV signals well, from the US mainland. But then again: the cable company does it also?

What I actually need is a "box" that generates RF outputs, like the RF converters for video and audio signals, that allow you to connect these to a TV set without video inputs, straight in the antenna/cable cable input of the TV.

These units convert mostly to a TV channel #3 or #4.

These RF converters is widely spread, but the same that can convert different inputs, say 5 (minimal 3 or more) to steady permanent TV channels between 3 and 4 (then leaving channels open) and taking up at about channel 60 or higher seem to be hard to find. I have not even a clue for a name what to search for.

We will be able to see the information (inputs) on each TV separate by choosing the corresponding channel, say e.g. CH78, CH 79 e.g.

I have seen this in hotels where they provide several video channels, simply to select with the remote control. (same as in airliners?)

I am looking for a cheap solution.

This unit can do the job. Meanwhile I placed a bid on 5 separate units with each a digital channel display. The price is not too bad. GA. D.

It is quite possible to use a "fringe digital" antenna and work 100 miles over water. Did it in Key West with a small unit. Buy and try. Digital seems better at distance than analogue. Try to get up at least fifty feet, and use a masthead amplifier.

Don't forget your lightning arrester. Tropical storms and all...

In the legal sense the cable company has the right to charge for each customer in each room. That is why hotels in the USA have these systems. They split the revenue with the hotel.

You can receive all the over the air digital channels, one receiver for each channel, then you need to create your own cable system internally.

I am not an expert in this, but if you send me a PM with your e-mail I will send your inquiry to a friend of mine who operates a cable system in the Turks and Caicos, which might help you.

Do an internet search for Analogue RF Modulators, you will be able to buy 5 of the same units, set their output channels far enough apart ( they will usually be frequency adjustable) and then diplex them back together.(each mod should be around 50 dollars )

You can do this the cheap and nasty way by reversing a domestic 5 way antenna splitter, ie plug the outputs of the modulators to the outputs of the splitter, the remaining input terminal will produce all five frequencies combined on the one cable for distribution.

I would suggest UHF modulators for but am unsure as to what frequency range you have available on you televisions.

Of course the channel 3 RF output of the box will interfere with your channel 3 camera feed. Do either have a choice of output channels

You don't want to buy a set top box for every room it seems. If you want to watch 3 channels simultaneously you will need 3 boxes as they only allow viewing one channel at a time.

You can buy modulators and combiners to do what you want but is relatively expensive. Your vanilla DVD player or retired VCR has a modulator onboard that if video is sent into it will modulate onto a TV chanel. You normally have at least 2 channels to choose from.

So, AV out from set top box to AV in of DVD/VCR then RFchannel out. Different channels could be combined through a splitter in reverse. Try it out, I think it will work. Test with say your camera feed and a DVD player with a non Ch3 RF output plugged into a TV and see if you can receive those two OK. Signal level may be a problem though so a linear amp (booster) will need insertion at the combined output before reticulation.

Good place to start with locally available hardware before investing in something like this Search for CATV headend.

The difficulty is that DVR, CCTV, and the output channels of the box are analog. Modulators for ch3 and 4 are easy and cheap (starting at $9.00) But I need more channels. This is just a big house, no hotel, but with 12 TV's and avg. 4 people.

The cable is only one set, that I want to keep analog in the house. The box in each room will probably not work for this reason, unless special equipment is installed.

Your proposal has worked here with splitters and amps. I will check your link and come back on this. Thanks, D.

It is useful to know, what works for others.

I use a rotatable wideband log-yagi antenna with a masthead amplifier. The antenna is a few wavelength above the treeline. At 60+ miles outside of 2 metropolitan areas it is definitely fringe area. Normally I receive 50+ channels, not all from the same direction. The one I consider a record for stable reception is a mere 3kWatts transmitter from 60 miles away. It is located on a 1000' tall mountain. That takes care of the curvature of the earth. Nonetheless, it is nowhere near in power to usual commercial transmitters. A few channels come in between 2 and12, 17 and 25 are occupied too. But the maiority comes in between 33 and 69.

If you amplify it sufficiently for distribution, the settop box can decode them fine. Nobody uses proprietary digital coding (nobody with any sense, that is). You most likely need a high pass filter to avoid interference with the existing low channel info.

This way, it is straight digital off the air - decoding - TV set setup. The settop box captures the channels during Scan. It works seamlessly with the standard remote control.

That is how I do it within my home. I do not have the extras you do in the low channels, but the filter takes care of that iust fine.

I suggest to try it out for yourself. The log-periodic yagi is Radio Shack, so is the rotator. Inexpensive. The masthead low noise preamp can be found, not easily. Mine is one - off. Settop box is standard, the one used on the mainland. Try it, you may like it. K.I.S.S principle applied.

Maybe go for a satelite dish?

Difficult to get here. DirecTV and Dishnet supply only to the US Mainland (and Canada?)

We pirated here with cards and codes and also with FTA receivers, but that is a different (not continuing) ended story.

You could use a multi-channel distribution amp like this one:

NEW # 3418 8-WAY 54-1002 mhz INDOOR DISTRIBUTION AMP with return path YouTube VIDEO

add Qty: to shopping cart 3418 4dB ea of the 8 OUTPUTs 54-1002 mhz INDOOR DISTRIBUTION AMP. $44.99 plus shipping

This will get the RF signal with the digitally modulated signals to 8 TV's (use two to get more). Each user will have to have a digital decoder box (available for < $ 40) in order to be able to select any of the digital channels individually using their VIDEO inputs or channel 3 (or 4).