Need advice on signal strength...

[j1d10t]

I have been capturing TV for a while now (using a Pinnacle PCTV Pro PCI TV Tuner), and have been going though the motions after capture to remove noise, etc. but I'm wondering what I can do to improve the picture before I capture, so I don't have to run the file through Virtual Dub applying all sorts of filters. I think the picture has a lot of noise, and even some ghosting once in a while. I know noise can come from a weak signal, but ghosting can happen if the signal is too strong. I've been thinking about going out and buying a signal amplifier to see if that helps, but I'd hate to buy one, then find out the signal was too strong in the first place, and all I've done is make it worse, and spent some $$ in the process. Looking at the picture below, can anyone offer some advice on whether the signal is too strong, too weak, etc.? I'd really appreciate any advice in helping resolve this issue, because running it though Virtual Dub is getting annoying.

Thanks

[snowmoon]

"survey says..... just plain crappy"

My UPN looks like that too. In my case it can't be fixed, the tuner card is just exposed to too much interference. For a while I was doing ok with an external tuner ( cable box ). The insides of a PC are very noisy esp with how fast processors are today.

What number is the channel?

[j1d10t]

It's channel 14. If I change PCI slots, moving it as far away from all the other PCI cards I have installed, will that help any? I read one post where someone said they installed a divider to reduce interference? Do you think that is an option?

[snowmoon]

I don't think it will make much of a difference... neither will the amp, since the signal is so poor. I dont' have a channel 14 to compare it to, so I can't tell you if it's a computer thing or not.

Personally and external tuner is your best bet, if that can't get the channel I'de call your cable company and have someone service the line.

[j1d10t]

So, for an external tuner, something like an old VCR?

[hoyboy]

Does the picture look like that on your normal tv- If it dosen't are you using the same quality cable to go to your computer as is going to the Tv- If you are using quad shielded RG6 cable to everywhere but then use a $5 flylead and splitter, this can cut down on quality a lot. Most Co-ax leads that you buy prepacked (at least in australia) are crap. They use the cheapest cable they can lay the hands on, and the ends they use are no better. If you need good cable, see if you can buy enough dual shielded RG6 cable to do the job (Quad shielded if you can afford it), and get the solderless ends to fit on (or F-connectors if you have the tool, and an adaptor). This is a far better solution than any store-bought cable. Hope this helps ( may not )

[j1d10t]

My other channels aren't this bad. The reception on my TV is OK, but I've got digital cable so it goes through the converter box. The way my house is wired, is over on the side of my house there is a little cable junction box, and all the cable outlets in the house run to that (the house was pre-wired for cable when it was built), and the cable TV runs to that as well (so you can hook up each cable outlet as needed). Then the cable company used a 3-way splitter to hook up 3 of the cable outlets in my house (one for my family room TV, one for a TV in my bedroom, and one for my cable internet). Could buying a better splitter help? I've looked at the setup, and it looks like a splitter that you could buy at Radio Shack. I thought the cable companies would be using a high quality splitter, but like I said, it looks like something that you could pick up at the store for about $3.
Thanks

[hoyboy]

Your system can only be as good as the weakest link. Assuming your house was wired with the proper grade of cable, and you say you get a pretty good rception on your main TV, then it could very well be down to something simple like a splitter. Is it a type of splitter that uses push on plugs?. If it is it won't be as good as one which uses f-connecters or even one which is wired up. In other words it probably won't help to replace a push-in type of splitter with another push-in type. hope this helps

[thayne]

Mine look like that too, grrrrrr....

[j1d10t]

The cable running though the walls looks pretty good - it's really big (looks like it has a lot of shielding), with nice gold screw type connectors. I have been looking at some of the Monster Cable splitters, and wondering if that might help - the splitter in there now is just the simple screw type that you can pick up at Radio Shack for $3 - It even says RCA on it. Does anyone have any thoughts about the Monster Cable splitters? Are they any good? Would it be worth switching?

Thanks

[txpharoah]

If this is coax, get a shielded, gold RG6 cable. Buy them at Radio Shack. If it is another wire, buy MONSTER. If the signal itself is weak (as in crap being fed to the wires), buy a powered signal booster. Walmart has some for $25. They can go up to $100 or more.

[j1d10t]

Yeah, the cable is coax, but will having a cheap splitter on the line make a difference? Or should I just get a signal booster, and try that first? Looking at the picture above, which do you think would give the best results?

Also, I can't really switch to a better cable - the cable runs into the house, and I have my computer hooked up directly to the cable when it come out of the wall.

[txpharoah]

Get a splitter that is AT LEAST 1000db (one thousand db), and if you get a booster, be sure it actually increases the signal (rather than decreases due to low db output). Place the booster AFTER the split.

In all likelihood, you have crappy wires right now that needs replacing.

Only use RG6 and it must be shielded. Gold contacts are preferred. The shorter the length, the better.

If you only need some real short pieces, go beg at your local cable company. They normally give it away for free (especially to subscribers) or charge some nominal fee per foot or per yard. Just note that they normally use RG6 shielded with copper/silver contacts.

Wires/splits/boosters may add up real quick in price, but the quality difference is amazing, even on consumer-quality video equipment.