Is your television signal not working properly? The signal quality is affected by natural or artificial interferences, the distance of your residence from broadcast servers, cable loss, and coaxial cable resistance. These interferences can make it difficult for you to watch quality television.

TV signal boosters boost the range of the antenna, ensuring you a better quality signal – both picture and audio. Signal boosters help standard and HDTV antennas feed through channels that have otherwise been difficult to watch.

Living on the Gold Coast, TV signal boosters are a common sight – it is a city where a lot of people see natural and man-made interferences between their antenna and the television broadcast tower.

Let’s look further into the types and uses of TV signal boosters and how people are using these antennas to better their signals.

What is a TV Signal Booster?

A TV signal booster or amplifier is a little device attached to an antenna that extends the reach of TV signals across your premises. It ensures the reception of strong signals for watching smooth and HD-quality videos. Antenna boosters not only prevent signal losses but ensures the reception of those channels that, otherwise, have been impossible to watch. It minimises the signals bouncing off structures like skyrocketing buildings.

Types of TV Signal Boosters

Depending on your residential location in Gold Coast, you may suffer from weak TV signals due to a variety of reasons. There are a range of TV signal boosters on the market, and it is essential to choose the right one keeping in mind the size, structure and design of the home you live in. The wrong booster may mean your signal gets even worse.

Some of the frequently used TV signal boosters are:

  • Masthead TV Signal Booster
  • Setback TV Signal Amplifier
  • TV Distribution Amplifier
  • Indoor TV Aerial Booster
  • Combined Signal Amplifiers
Masthead TV Signal Booster

Many areas in the Gold Coast receive extremely weak TV signals because of signal losses in coaxial cables. A masthead TV signal booster is ideal in these areas with extremely weak signals. It is a small grey or black box attached to the base of the mast. The masthead amplifier takes in the signal from the TV antenna and sends out strong signals with a wider reach across your premises. Masthead signal boosters are more powerful than other amplifiers and are ideal for locations with huge buildings and trees.

Setback TV Signal Amplifier

Setback TV signal boosters are another very popular form of boosters that fit between the aerial socket in the wall and TV sets. These receive signals from the antenna and boost these for clear audio and video streams.

TV Distribution Amplifier

TV Distribution amplifiers are common in homes with multiple TV sets. In some cases, two or more homes share the same connection through duplexes. Distribution amplifiers cover the signal losses from coaxial cables of standard antenna systems and ensure quality audio and video playing experience on all TV sets in the premises. These are the top choice of modern homes.

Indoor TV Aerial Booster

Usually, an indoor TV signal booster fits close to the TV set. However, the manufacturers recommend its usage near aerial booster for better quality signals. It is also worth mentioning that indoor TV aerial boosters come with two connection slots to support two TV sets in the home. Always remember that the use of an indoor TV aerial booster is beneficial only if you have a quality working aerial installed.

Combined Signal Amplifier

The advancement in technology has also given birth to combined amplifiers that are a mix of the above boosters. For example, some masthead amplifiers also perform the function of signal distribution among various TV sets in the premises. Similarly, many TV antenna boosters support both TV and FM radio signals for better audio and video quality.

Things to Keep in Mind while Purchasing a TV Signal Booster

The availability of many antenna amplifiers in the market has made it challenging for homeowners to know which signal booster is the best for their situation. Knowing some of the basic factors can help you choose the best antenna for your needs, and it is these factors a professional installer will look at when adding in a signal booster.

Type of TV Signal Booster

The first and foremost factor to consider is the type of antenna booster you intend to install at your premises. There are two basic kinds of antenna boosters, the masthead amplifier, and an indoor signal distributor. A masthead amplifier needs a preamplifier while a distribution amplifier is useful if you have more than one TV set in your home. However, most of the experts recommend using a masthead amplifier because it gives out the strongest signals for better quality sound and video.

Output Ports

The number of output ports you need in your home also affects your buying decision. However, remember that connecting more TV sets lowers the signal quality. A distribution amplifier with the required number of output ports can satisfy your needs.

Supported Frequency

Different TV signal boosters support different frequencies like UHF and VHF. But, if your TV set supports both the frequencies, always purchase the one that supports UHF and VHF because the amplifier supporting one frequency will block the other and you will not be able to watch many channels.

Noise Level

The noise level of the amplifier may also affect your buying decision. Different TV boosters produce different levels of noise. Always go with the booster that gives out the least sound while amplifying the signals. An amplifier making a lot of noise is not ideal as it will not give out powerful enough signals to provide a quality visual. Usually, amplifiers making noise need frequent repairs to keep them in working conditions.

Price

The price of TV signal boosters varies with their features and affects your buying decision. Always go with the amplifier that comes within your budget but fulfils your requirements.

Really not sure about the process of purchasing a signal booster? Give Home Style Antennas a call and we can do it all for you.

Signal Boosters and TV Reception Quality

Do you know that the number of TV channels accessible on your premises depends on the broadcasting signals reaching your area? However, reception quality depends a lot on the distance of your home from the tower and many other factors like weather, structures, and surroundings that obstruct the signals.

A TV signal booster or amplifier works well and improves the reception of signals on your TV sets. These amplifiers receive weak signals from transmitters and give out powerful signals to provide a better quality reception. Usually, people use these amplifiers with taller aerials to overcome the obstructions in the signals.

Advantages of TV Signal Boosters

A decade or two ago, not a lot of people knew about TV signal boosters and used to face various issues in watching television. An increasing population and bigger structures in cities have worsened the situation further for many. TV antennas often receive weak signals and result in distorted videos. A signal booster provides a few advantages, including:

Better Audio/Visual Experience

The main advantage of installing a TV signal amplifier is a better audio and visual experience. Your current antenna receives weak signals from the aerial antenna and gives out strong signals across all the TV sets in your premises. Remember that it only boosts signals if signal reception is good. It can result in a more clear and crisp picture and sound. However, it cannot work properly if the antenna tower is damaged. A TV signal amplifier also cannot perform in bad weather conditions. In other words, it works well if the original signals are good.

TV signal boosters also alleviate the issues of jumpy pictures and spotty signals and turn them into strong signals. The size of the TV amplifiers also plays a crucial role in giving out strong signals. Outdoor boosters are small and unnoticeable but have lower control over signals. Indoor boosters are mostly larger and offer more vivid results. These are more efficient in filtering noise levels and improving signal strengths.

Installation Guidelines

Do you know that your TV signal booster can only perform well if fixed at an ideal location? It can better filter noise and control visual quality if placed well. The installation location also depends on where you want to run it to on TV cable. The experts recommend using it near TV sets for better quality signals. However, many cling to the point that it should always be closer to the antenna aerial for better reception. Keep in mind to install it near an electric supply because the amplifier inside the booster operates with electricity.

Connect the cable coming from your antenna aerial to the booster input and plugin the output cable into your TV sets for a better video playing experience.

If you aren’t sure how or where to install a signal booster, it is always best left to the experts. Home Style Antennas can choose the best signal booster to meet your needs and install it in the best location.

Where to Buy TV Signal Boosters on the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast is growing and with that comes bigger, and more building. More people are finding a needs for signal boosters for better reception. If buying yourself, it is always buy an amplifier from a seller that offers guaranteed after-sales services.  Better still, contact Home Style Antennas and have an experienced TV antenna repairer service your television antenna.

Whether you’re located in Pimpama or Tallai, Home Style Antennas can help ensure that you’ll always have a working television wherever you are.

Often we forget how much television plays a role in our relaxation after a busy day at work, or a hectic day at home. If your TV signal is no longer working, let Home Style Antennas help. Call today for a chat on why your television may not be working. We offer a quote and a 10% discount to new clients as well as an ongoing 10% discount to pensioners.