If your TV and antenna are far apart from each other, an amplifier can help. It can also mess with your cell phone and two-way radio communications systems. Incorrect installation of a TV amplifier can cause radio signal interference due to overload, distortion or oscillation. If this is the case, a new booster won’t solve the problem. If the cable is used as an external antenna or it’s been installed for a while, it may have received a certain degree of moisture, which can cause it to attenuate or reduce signal strength. If you think you need a preamplifier, it’s a good idea to check your antenna cable first. So if you have multiple TVs or receivers, this might be for you. In some cases, you might need both. Look for a preamplifier that will produce enough gain to make up for the lost signal. Distribution amplifiers increase signal loss due to splitters. Preamplifiers compensate for signal loss that occurs in long cable runs and are usually placed outdoors near the TV antenna.

TV antenna boosters can be divided into two categories: preamplifiers (or masts) and distribution amplifiers. When looking for a booster, it’s important to know which kind you need.

A booster might also be necessary if you’re trying to push signals to two or more televisions from the same antenna. If signals are low and don’t produce a high-quality picture, it’s time to try a booster. TV antenna boosters pick up frequencies that TV signals are broadcast on (VHF and/or UHF), but if other radio waves are broadcast on or near those VHF or UHF frequencies, the antenna will also enhance those signals. If the signal is generally decent but occasionally drops out due to trees or weather, an amplifier may not help. According to Solid Signal, the only thing you need to worry about is whether the signal is stronger than the noise around it. People in rural areas are prone to weak signals due to the long distance from transmitters or nearby areas that interfere with reception like hills or wooded areas. However, selecting the right one can give you a clearer picture with less pixelation and less picture disruption. They increase the signal’s strength, creating a better viewing experience for the user.Ĭhoosing the best booster is essential because if you select the wrong one, you can make matters even worse. A TV antenna booster, also known as an amplifier, is a product that can amplify the incoming signal before it reaches the TV to boost it to a sufficient level. This could be due to a weak or low-quality signal strength received by your antenna. In some cases, even after installing a high-quality antenna, you still might be lacking reliable reception. See which TV antenna amplifiers we found below.If you’ve jumped on the over-the-air TV bandwagon and have installed a digital antenna but feel like there’s still room for improvement in the reception, a TV booster might be your best bet. As always, we sought to only include products that have satisfied customers, so all of our picks have received at least 4 stars or more on Amazon. We also compared our selections with other publications like CNET and BestReviews. Our selections are easily divided up into categories so you can pick the best option for your home.

Since there are a wide range of TV antenna amplifiers with a diverse range of capabilities, we made sure to gather up some for the most common needs and use cases. Make sure the antenna amp you buy corresponds with your TV's frequency, which may be any one of the following: VHF, UHF, FM, ATSC, NTSC, FTA, or OTA. Frequency Supportįigure out what frequency your television supports by looking at the product specifications for your model. Figure out the number of inputs you need and make sure your amplifier has the appropriate amount of output ports for the number of TVs you have. This factor only needs to be considered if you’re connecting multiple televisions to your TV antenna amplifier. Higher profit may also translate to less noise, a.k.a. This translates to the strength of the boost, so to speak, so higher decibels roughly translate to better signal. Mast amplifiers provide between 30 and 40 decibels of profit, while indoor amplifiers offer between 16 and 24 decibels of profit. Profit is the measurement used to signify the level of signal gain an amplifier offers. If you're planning on putting your TV antenna amplifier outside, look for weather-resistant options that'll stand up to the elements. Mast amplifiers only work for terrestrial television, while indoor amplifiers can do both terrestrial and satellite TV. Mast amplifiers strengthen the signal from the antenna directly, whereas indoor amplifiers are usually used for a specific device, like a cable box. There are two types of amplifiers: mast amplifiers and indoor amplifiers. Show more What to Consider Type of Amplifier

Best cable tv signal booster amplifier