On reflection it would have been a sensible idea to run some good-quality coaxial cable from the comms room to the likely locations of TVs around the house. While video transmission is definitely moving towards Internet streaming services you still get a more seamless viewing experience when you can provide a TV with a good aerial signal.
In particular, it was surprising to find that the ‘All 4’ catch-up app on Android TV needed to be enabled via the YouView setup process – which insists on seeing an aerial, albeit only temporarily.
There are two CAT6 cables running from the comms room to all the likely TV locations, so one of those provides a wired Internet connection and there’s a second one available for other purposes.
While the high frequencies of broadcast television present something of a challenge, using a pair of high quality baluns it’s perfectly feasible to distribute a TV aerial signal over 50 or so metres of CAT6 cable. MuxLab from Canada offer a range of baluns and their CATV units are rated up to 900MHz. They offer shielded and unshielded variants. In the UK they’re available from CPC Farnell and other similar distributors.
It’s pretty much essential to use an amplifier to help offset the inevitable loss of signal strength. This one from Labgear works well.
