Poor picture on RF2 output

Question

 Good Evening All After Digital Switch Over (in this region on 17 Aug.) I set up my system to supply a Sky feed via RF2 to two other TVs in different rooms and got a good result. The details were as follows:- 1) Sky+ box SD - Amstrad approx. 2years old. 2) RF2 output reset to Channel 50 and RF power turned ON. 3) Distribution in loft (bungalow) via Globalcom F140 Professional 4 way amplifier. 4) Two accessory TVs tuned to analogue Channel 50 connected by heavy duty co-ax cable each about 15 metres from main lounge TV/Sky box. This system worked very well until about ten days ago when the pictures on the two accessory TVs deteriorated suddenly and became very "snowy" and poor quality compared to previously. Pictures direct from the roof aerial to both these TVs are just fine. I have checked all connections and nothing has changed as well as checking the Sky installer menu settings - still OK. The only thing that might have changed is that we have had a "COM power-up" in this area on 23.11.11 from the Belmont transmitter (Channels 22,25,28,30,53,60) but I suppose the two things happening around the same date could be coincidence. I then changed the RF2 output to Channel 49 and have now got an improvement,but still not as good as it was originally.  The pictures are OK in "still" mode eg.when looking at a newsreader or Sky Guide/Planner lists,but sufferfrom a washed-out appearance with 'ghosting' and 'image drag' when movement is going on as in a rugby match and even a golf event - the ball can have a "tail" when flying through the air (bit like a comet). Has anybody got any ideas as to what I can do to improve things from here?  Or am I trying to achieve the unachievable and will have to put up with it as it is? Sorry this is such a long rambling story and thanks to anyone who has stayed with me to this stage!!  Hope someone can help me. Best regards Roy

Answer 1

I too was struggling with poor picture on RF2. Then read this thread.
I recently bought a Samsung UE46ES6710 LED HD TV to replace our old 32" Philips TV in our sun lounge, and the sky picture seemed to deteriorate.
Freeview Aerial - with masthead amplifier - goes into aerial connection in Sky box in living room. From RF2 outlet on sky box goes to distribution amplifier - SLX digital compatible for magic eye. Our bedroom TV's are fed off this as well.
Cable to the sun lounge, probably 15 metres of co-ax - not the newest - but this cable carries the HD Freeview signal no problem and I have great quality Freeview HD. The aerial connects to a Samsung hard drive freeview recorder then loops out to the TV.
RF2 is currently on channel 68.
My transmitter is Rosehearty which I think uses C41/44/47 and has below average signalling.
I thought it might be the Sky box, but have just fitted a new HD box and result is the same - poor picture on RF2.
I saw another thread saying the Sky box does not like amped aerial connections, but at the moment I need the cable to carry the Freeview signal as well as the Sky signal - don't have and don't want to get Multi Room, with all the extra cabling - the way my sun lounge is built on to the gable end of our house may make new cable runs or additional cable runs difficult.
Anyway - after some faffing about trying different things, I removed the aerial cable in my sun lounge from the Samsung HD recorder and plugged it directly into the TV - hey bingo - much improved sky picture.
My hard drive recorder has already been back to Samsung for a new tuner as it was picking up HD but TV was not picking up HD on pass through signal. I think tuner may be poor in Samsung box?
So now I have taken a spare aerial booster, and run the sun lounge cable from RF2 outlet to the through SLX booster to this booster, then separate cables to hard drive recorder and TV and picture is much improved. HD no problem on both TV and Hard drive recorder on Freeview.
Took out my old magic eye and switched on the 9 volts on RF2 but no red light - think the magic eye may be knackered. Still good picture.