Community Forums

AWM · 02-14-2019, 05:02 PM

We have a 2018 DS 4018. We do not have satellite and use cable when available or antenna. Would like to get a cable booster because often the bedrooms TV pulls in the channels but by the time the signal gets to the front TV only a couple come in. So, I thought a booster would help but do not know where I would connect a booster.The input cable located in the 50 amp compartment has no AC outlet. Does anyone else use one?

FatChance · 02-14-2019, 05:09 PM

Are you sure the cable goes to the bedroom TV first and then to the front TV? That seems different than most coaches...

Do you have some sort of video distribution device in the front of the coach? Have you scanned cable channels in each TV?

AWM · 02-15-2019, 06:26 AM

Yes we scan each separately. We have a DVR in the front and back bedroom but nothing that indicates a central location. Thought someone else might have used a booster and tell where and how they used it.

"007" · 02-15-2019, 09:23 AM

Page 80 of this Owners Guide will explain what your asking.

Norm Mac · 02-16-2019, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWM

We have a 2018 DS 4018. We do not have satellite and use cable when available or antenna. Would like to get a cable booster because often the bedrooms TV pulls in the channels but by the time the signal gets to the front TV only a couple come in. So, I thought a booster would help but do not know where I would connect a booster.The input cable located in the 50 amp compartment has no AC outlet. Does anyone else use one?

We have a '15 4369, don't know if '18 is still the same and don't know your floorplan.
Our cable comes in the electric bay then up to the OTA antenna booster then back to the passenger basement bay forward of the pegboard bay.
On this wall is a splitter that splits to the bedroom tv and to the kitchen. In the kitchen there is another splitter that goes to the televator and the outside tv.

The televator and outside tv always show a weaker signal more than the bedroom.
You can place a booster in the basement bay on the feed just before the splitter and it should help.
NOTE: the basement splitter may also have a feed going to the Front TV, we don't have a front TV so I don't know exactly where the feed comes from.

wildtoad · 02-16-2019, 06:36 AM

Before purchasing a booster, I’d check all the cable connections to make sure they are all clean and tight especially at the splitter(s).

AWM · 02-17-2019, 02:01 PM

Norm, great help. This is a new RV for me so just figuring things out. I have looked and indeed the splitter is just where you said. One IN and 3 Out. Also in that Bay is an outlet I can use for the booster. I have checked connections and all are tight. Thanks again.

PaulTNaples · 02-17-2019, 02:47 PM

Make sure the antenna boaster is off first. That may be the original issue.

wildtoad · 02-18-2019, 05:55 AM

Now that you found the splitter you might try checking each of the three output legs by connecting a cable from the pole directly to each one ( thus bypassing the splitter, and OTA box ) and making sure they are all good there or not. You may also connect a direct line from the pole to the input to the splitter to rule out a splitter problem. If all your TVs get a good signal then a booster won’t help.

PanJH · 02-18-2019, 09:58 AM

I have the same issue with the cable signal.... what booster are you installing ?

turbopilot · 02-18-2019, 11:36 AM

A booster is not the answer. All you do is boost a bad signal. The TV cable system in the Newmar coaches is poorly designed with multiple splits and poorly shielded switching. The result is a weak signal to the TV's from the antenna or cable hook up.

I reworked my entire system. Biggest improvement was to remove TV/Cable switching from Winegard antenna control (which is totally unshielded) and the addition of digital channels flowing through the coach WiFi system via an HD HomeRun converter. Now I can view the TV sources either via the antenna input on the TV's or on any Mac OS or IOS device within several hundred feet of the coach via WiFi.

redbaron73 · 02-18-2019, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbopilot

A booster is not the answer. All you do is boost a bad signal. The TV cable system in the Newmar coaches is poorly designed with multiple splits and poorly shielded switching. The result is a weak signal to the TV's from the antenna or cable hook up.

I reworked my entire system. Biggest improvement was to remove TV/Cable switching from Winegard antenna control (which is totally unshielded) and the addition of digital channels flowing through the coach WiFi system via an HD HomeRun converter. Now I can view the TV sources either via the antenna input on the TV's or on any Mac OS or IOS device within several hundred feet of the coach via WiFi.

I use the HDHR with a PC based DVR setup. Clients are *anything* with a web browser.

The DVR software has evolved a lot. My current setup is PlexTV. This also serves up my antiquated DVD library that has been ripped to MKV files.

turbopilot · 02-18-2019, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaron73

I use the HDHR with a PC based DVR setup. Clients are *anything* with a web browser.

The DVR software has evolved a lot. My current setup is PlexTV. This also serves up my antiquated DVD library that has been ripped to MKV files.

Yes, between the Channels app (IOS/Android/AppleTV) and HD HomeRun apps most anything is a client for live TV.

The key is getting a quality cable signal from the antenna or the cable box. Newmar lets the Wingard head unit do the video switching but it does it in a totally unshielded plastic box in the electrical panel. The result is the signal coming in the cable is assaulted by all sorts of interference, the worst being LTE cell phone interference. Thus the A/B switch in my setup.

Here is the back of my Wingard antenna box.

creativepart · 02-18-2019, 01:08 PM

I find it ironic that while most folks are working on figuring out ways to stream TV via the Internet in their RV there are still some that are working on the (now ancient) cable tv options in their mostly state of the art RVs.

No disrespect intended... just a vivid reminder that we're all different.