Video Switchbox / Converter Box Hookup - To boost or not to boost?

[Planocat]

Ok, so it's time to reveal my ignorance of "all things electrical".

I read that the TV converter box must be placed downstream in the "out to tv" coax line. Placing it on the "antenna in" coax would fry the converter as soon as the "on / signal boost" switch is pressed. That tip saved me destroying my converter box as I had originally planned to place the converter on the "antenna in" side.

So, it will be placed on the "out to tv" side of things. Now my question is this. Can you use the amplified signal with this configuration? Or will any use of the "on / signal boost" amplifier blow the converter box when it is placed "downstream" from the switch box.

I'm sure this is elementary to most of you, but it is a mystery to me. All help is much appreciated.

Planocat

[PDR John]

You should be fine to boost.

The converter box only operates in one direction, the boost would force the signal the wrong way. If the converter is places upstream from the booster.

[wa8yxm]

As to putting the converter between the switch/power supply/splitter and antenna.. It may or may not damage the converter depending on how well the converter was designed. And considering how thy design now days.. play safe.

IT WILL disable the booster (Which is in the antenna) Since it will not get any power

IF you wish to feed converted video to multiple TVs then what I would do is this.

Main TV (The one next to the switch/power supply/Splitter) hook converter to the TV_2 port on the back.. The wire hooked to the current TV_2 goes to the COAX out on the converter.

Hook TV-1 (Front jack) to antenna port on MAIN TV (How it is now more than likely)

Run A/V Cables (3 RCA Red,White,Yellow) from matching jacks on converter to AV-1 or AV-2 on main TV.

This gives you..

SWITCH ON: Converter on: OTA to convrter and front TV (basically useless there) Converter to front TV via A/V (line) in.
Converter to Rear tv via coax

Switch off Converter off
Park cable to all TVs (Assums converter passes through when off).

[Planocat]

Thanks guys..... I very rarely watch TV in the bedroom so I will just do the basic hookup to the front TV. I want over the air reception for the stormy time when my dome satellite loses the signal and occasional local network reception. This setup should be the ticket.

Planocat