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It seems I write articles about this subject a lot. Perhaps more than I should. But it's a question that keeps coming up. Our customers, especially those in the RV community, want to be able to watch multiple TVs using the same satellite receiver or streaming box for multiple TVs. Generally the question comes up because the RV itself is prewired with coaxial cable, and people want to use it.

Can it be done?

Well you can… but it takes one of these zVPro modulators or something similar to do it, and they're awfully expensive for home use. Not only that, someone who uses this device will probably find that a lot of content is blacked out due to copy protection.

This used to be something people did all the time, so the question is, what happened?

When TV went to digital, it all got more complicated. Instead of simple analog modulation, now all TV had to be converted to digital and that meant more expensive, licensed chips. It also meant dealing with content providers who didn't want their signals going out in pure digital form all over the world, and keeping them happy means additional licensing fees. Sound like a shakedown to you? Sounds like one to me as well. Content providers are so worried about someone flooding the world with cheap DVDs of their stuff that they are willing to derail the efforts of honest folks like you and me.

Here's the real reason, though.

That's a big part of the reason you can't have a $30 HD modulator, but the biggest reason is that… well… people don't want them. Sure some people do but the big reason people wanted RF modulators in the first place was because their old TVs didn't have composite inputs.

In the 1980s and 1990s there were millions of old TVs that didn't have the right inputs for the VCRs and DVD players that people wanted. RF modulators were in high demand, and that brought costs down. Today, pretty much every TV has a component or HDMI input, and those that don't have a composite input. RF modulators aren't really the hot item they once were, and while there are still probably several thousand people who would use an HD version of the old RF modulator, that's not enough to drive costs down. You'd need millions of people to do that.

Of course, the old RF modulators are still available, but they won't provide HD On the other hand, they are very inexpensive. The key is that you need a device that will output standard definition like a DIRECTV H24 or DISH Wally. If that works for you, they connect easily to satellite receivers and other devices with SD outputs and can run a signal anywhere in the house on a single wire.

A better option

Our HDMI to Coax extender isn't a modulator, but the net result is the same. Connect an HDMI cable to one of the boxes. Connect coaxial cable between the two. You will get an HDMI connection on the other end. It's perfect for RVers who want to use existing coax in the wall. Here's a video review:


If you want to use it for two TVs, just use virtually any HDMI splitter box. Just know that due to the nature of HDMI, you might need to have all TVs on. This is true even if you're only using one. You'll find this product, and lots of other great products, at SolidSignal.com. If you're not finding what you're looking for, or if you need help choosing, call us! We're here during East Coast business hours at 888-233-7563. If it's after hours, fill out the form below. We'll get right back to you!


The post Why can't you send HD to your television on channel 3? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.

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