How Many TVs Can One Aerial Feed?

In the modern age of digital television, it's common want a single aerial to feed multiple TV's and you may be wondering, can I connect a second or third TV to my existing aerial? In this article we discuss how many TV's can be connected and the items of consideration to successfully distribute your terrestrial TV signal to multiple TV points. The capability of a single aerial to feed multiple TVs depends on several factors, including the type of aerial, signal strength, the quality of the equipment used, and the distance from the TV transmitter. This article delves into these aspects to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to maximize the use of a single TV aerial.

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Maximum Amount of TV's That One Antenna Can Feed

Although theoretically there is maximum amount of TV's and the amount of times a TV signal can be split, in practice there is no fixed limit on the amount of TV's that can be connected to a single TV aerial. For example for communal TV systems you may have a single antenna feeding potentially hundreds of flats, each flat could have two or three TV's. To do this amplifiers installed to "boost" the signal strength and overcome the signal losses associated with signal splitters and cable lengths. That is the simplified version. The reason I said that there is a theoretical maximum is because with each amplifier that is installed, this will introduce it's own noise and eventually with many amplifiers the noise figure will eventually catch up with the signal itself. This is not common however and an increase of the aerial strength received by antenna itself will protect against this. Below are some items for consideration when distributing a TV signal to multiple TV's.

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1. Type of Aerial

The type of aerial you have is the first determining factor. There are many different types of TV aerials, such as high-gain, grouped, Yagi, logo periodic, indoor, and loft-mounted aerials. Outdoor aerials generally offer better reception and can easily feed more TVs due to their higher placement, larger size, and forward gain, which helps improve the signal strength and quality. Indoor aerials, while convenient, generally don't won't very well unless you are very close to the TV transmitter, meaning you will have lower signal strength and may struggle to support multiple TVs without additional amplification.

2. Signal Strength and Quality

Together with the type of TV aerial the signal strength is crucial in determining how many TVs one aerial can support, not necessarily to say that a slightly weaker signal won't be able to support extra tv points as an amplifier can be always be added. The signal strength received by the aerial depends on the distance from the tv broadcasting transmitter, obstacles such as buildings or trees, and the overall quality of the aerial itself. A strong, clear signal can be split more times without significant degradation, allowing multiple TVs to receive a good quality picture with just a passive splitter. In contrast, a weak signal might only reliably support one or two TVs without amplification.

3. Signal Splitters

Signal splitters are devices used to divide the signal from a single aerial to multiple TVs. The quality of the splitter is paramount; high-quality splitters with minimal signal loss should be used to ensure the best possible reception, it is recommended where possible to get a screened inductive splitter which works on transformer principles rather than a resistor type or "Y" splitter. Splitters come with an option of how many outputs you require, such as 2-way, 3-way, 4-way, 6-way, or 8-way splitters. Each split reduces the signal strength, so it's recommended that you only install a splitter that matches the amount of TV's that you wish to connect to the TV aerial. This helps to maximise the signal strength at each TV position.

Typical Insertion Signal Losses Per Splitter (UHF)

To help select the correct splitter, below are the insertion signal losses associated with the amount of outputs. If your signal strength is known you can see whether the splitter you choose will allow enough signal to the TV position when also allowing for signal losses on the cable. Splitters can be daisy chained if required but it's not always good practice to do so. It's also worth noting that the amount of signal lost through a splitter increases with frequency.

2-way: 4dB

3-way: 6dB

4-way: 8dB

6-way: 10dB

8-way: 12dB

12-way: 14dB

4. Signal Amplifiers

When feeding multiple TVs from one aerial, signal amplifiers can be very beneficial. These devices boost the signal strength, compensating for the loss caused by splitting the signal multiple times and cable losses. For example if you start with a signal strength from your aerial that is only strong enough to provide a reliable signal to two TV's, if you wanted to add additional coax cables to feed a third or fourth TV position, an amplifier installation will be required. Amplifiers are particularly useful if you are in an area with weak signal reception or if you are splitting the signal more than a few times. The main types of amplifiers used in domestic TV systems are distribution amplifiers which have multiple outputs negating the need for separate splitters, masthead amplifiers which can be installed on the aerial mast itself or where no nearby electrical power is available, and set back amplifiers. The type of amplifier that is most suitable for distributing your TV signal will depend predominantly on where the amplifier will be installed and whether the is nearby mains power in that location. Masthead amplifiers can be powered via the connecting coax. It's usually important to install the amplifier before the signal splitters so as to never let the signal become too weak. Where amplifiers are not required it's a good idea not to install them as they themselves will introduce noise into the signal and it's another potential thing that can go wrong. It's also worth noting that amplifiers are available with varying amounts of signal gain or adjustable gain to help balance to signal.

5. Cable Quality and Length

The quality and length of the coaxial cable used can also affect how many TVs can be fed from a single aerial. High-quality, low-loss coaxial cables should be used to minimize signal degradation. Additionally, the length of the cable run from the aerial to each TV should be as short as possible. Long cable runs can lead to significant signal loss, reducing the number of TVs that can be supported. Cables such as WF100 or CT100 are recommend for domestic installations whereas for communal systems with much longer cable length you may require a larger cable size to reduce the signal cable losses, something like WF125 or WF167 cable.

6. Practical Considerations and Setup

In a practical setup, one outdoor aerial installed in a reasonably strong signal area a high-quality 4-way splitter can typically support four TVs without the need for an amplifier, assuming the cable runs are relatively short and the cables are of good quality. If more TVs need to be supported or the cables are old single screened type, an amplifier may be necessary. For indoor aerials, it's often recommended to not try to split the TV signal and only connect it to one TV.

7. Professional Installation

For the best results, especially in setups involving multiple TVs and long cable runs, professional installation is recommended. Professionals can assess the signal strength with a spectrum analyser or similar signal strength reader to remove all guess work, recommend the appropriate equipment, and ensure that everything is installed correctly to provide the best possible viewing experience.

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8. MATV Communal TV Systems

Communal TV systems with a single terrestrial aerial feeding multiple dwellings are called Master Antenna Television Systems. Typically this comprises of one high gain TV aerial, a launch amplifier to amplify the signal to a very high level (too high to connect directly to a TV, yes too much signal can be a thing), a trunk cable usually of 125 or 167 size feeding tap off units that balance the signal and provide drop in cables to each dwelling which is terminated inside a single coaxial wall-plate. The same trunk cable can then be fed on to feed multiple other tap positions. This method can be used to feed hundreds of TV's, where required additional amplifiers can be installed to overcome signal losses over the very long cable lengths.

Conclusion

A single TV aerial can feed multiple TVs, but the exact number depends on various factors, including the type of aerial, signal strength, use of splitters and amplifiers, and cable quality. By understanding these factors and using high-quality equipment, households can efficiently maximize their TV viewing capabilities from a single aerial installation. For complex setups or areas with weak signals, seeking professional advice can ensure optimal performance and enjoyment.

How We Can Help

If you have any comments of questions arising from this blog please post them within the blog comments section below, please do not call or privately e-mail your questions as we don't offer a free support service. If you're within East Sussex or Kent and require an additional TV point installation please do contact us today to book in your installation or quote.