Analog and Digtial Signals on Same Media

[reicherb]

I'm sure this questions is super simple for those in the know....Basically I've got analog cable now. I've put a HD Tuner in my HTPC and am using a small set top antenna. I'm thinking about putting up a large antenna and am wonder where to run the cable. Do I have to have a separate HD cable plant for the house or can I use a splitter in reverse to combine the analog cable and over the air HD where the cable enters the house and use the existing cable for both signals?

Thanks.

 

[PurdueRy]

No you cannot just combine the signals. You will need two tuners or a switch to go between the two signals.

 

[reicherb]

Right. I have many tuners throughout the house. Will the two different signals interfere with each other? I assume they are in different frequency ranges and will be fine but before I go to the work I want to make sure.

 

[erwos]

Yes, the signals will interfere with each other if you try to run them over the same wire.

That said, you'd be far better off buying a clear QAM tuner and putting that in your PC. All cable companies are required to carry OTA digital channels, and 99% of them just run them straight through on your cable no matter what package you're carrying.

 

[reicherb]

Interesting, I didn't know they relize the digital OTA channels might be on my current cable. I'll give it a try.

Can you explain why the two signals would interfere? does digital OTA use the same frequency range as standard analog cable? Or is it because they are already sending the OTA channels over the cable?

Thanks.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: reicherb
does digital OTA use the same frequency range as standard analog cable?

This is the case. You'd have the same problem with analog OTA, in fact.