RF Modulator users - are you happy with results?

[KenSoren]

I will be ordering my Hopper/Joey system this week and plan to run a RF Modulator off the Hopper and split it to two of the three upstairs TV's. The Joey will be installed in our master bedroom. I am curious as to other users' experiences in installing a modulator and splitting the signal out to multiple sets - mainly what kind of picture I can expect.

Anybody out there willing to share their actual experiences?

 

[garys]

If they are sd tv's (only reason I can see to use an rf modulator) picture quality will be as good as it could be. If they are HD tv's, not worth it, better to run another Joey there.

 

[356B]

I've just used them on old SD TVs. Considering the age of the sets... and it is SD... they work fine. Picture and sound are nominal. The signal is split between two TVs on a Joey and not split on a Hopper, no difference I'm aware of.

 

[KenSoren]

If they are sd tv's (only reason I can see to use an rf modulator) picture quality will be as good as it could be. If they are HD tv's, not worth it, better to run another Joey there.

The main reason I don't order an extra Joey is because I am cheap, and another good reason is the set most used is a five year old 27 inch LCD set that does not have HDMI. So the best connection I could get on this would be composite which isn't much better than the modulated COAX. The second set is in the guest bedroom that is rarely used.

If the picture is equal to what I get from my VIP722 modulated picture I will be happy.

 

[caam1]

I have the composite output from two Hoppers and two Joeys feeding into four RF modulators (2 from Channel Plus and 2 from Inpact Acoustics). The modulator outputs are combined with the feed from my OTA antenna and distributed to all TVs including 6 older SD ones. It works great. The picture on the SD sets looks as good as the old analog OTA channels. The biggest problem in the DFW area was finding unused channels for the RF modulators because we have 33 digital OTA channels. I used UHF channels 17,22,53 and 57.

 

[3HaloODST]

I'm sure that the RF modulator results highly depends on which RF modulator you use and the quality of it's internal components. All the H/J's are doing is feeding it a composite signal to modulate.

 

[Tribbs]

I have used an old NetMedia modulator for many years. After the Hopper/Joeys were installed I use it to feed RF to a small, under-shelf, standard def. kitchen TV. Like another poster had said the picture is as good as it can be for a SD RF signal.

 

[Joe Satellite Fan]

I'm using RF modulators to feeds from both Hopper and Joey for three TVs. They are pretty much exactly like they were before with the "old" receivers.

 

[oldengineer]

I'm using an RF modulator to get the auxiliary outputs of a Hopper to a 37" LCD set in my basement. I previously had a 612 feeding the same TV. The Hopper picture is much better than the 612 and the Hopper doesn't HDCP block my HBO and Showtime recordings like the 612 did. Bottom line - Hopper aux outputs >>> 612.

 

[KenSoren]

Thanks for all the responces. Sounds like I will get performance at least equal to my 722 - maybe even a little better.

 

[Hoopsbd]

I have Hdmi off one hopper and long set of component cables to another hd tv in another room, perfect hd picture on both. Same hopper has two sd tvs running on video cables individual remotes for all four tvs works perfect.

 

[sca]

i use an rf mod. same as any other sd picture. no problems.

 

[CallMeDavid]

Using a Joey on a sd tv, and although tv shows look about as good as can be expected, the menus and Guide are a pain to read cause they are designed for an hd tv, and there is no way to really adjust that.

 

[OhioDon]

I have Hdmi off one hopper and long set of component cables to another hd tv in another room, perfect hd picture on both. Same hopper has two sd tvs running on video cables individual remotes for all four tvs works perfect.

Any idea of the length of your cables?

Did you use "component" video cables (green, blue, red) or "composite" (yellow, white, red)? Does it matter?

 

[isaacmorseMI]

Any idea of the length of your cables?

Did you use "component" video cables (green, blue, red) or "composite" (yellow, white, red)? Does it matter?

Component is HD, Composite is not.

 

[OhioDon]

Component is HD, Composite is not.

I think the joey has only an hdmi and a composite output. I thought maybe I could feed hd from the composite output.

 

[3HaloODST]

Using a Joey on a sd tv, and although tv shows look about as good as can be expected, the menus and Guide are a pain to read cause they are designed for an hd tv, and there is no way to really adjust that.

Scott said that Dish plans on releasing a more SD-friendly interface eventually.

 

[Bobby]

I think the joey has only an hdmi and a composite output. I thought maybe I could feed hd from the composite output.

No, composite is SD only.

 

[isaacmorseMI]

I think the joey has only an hdmi and a composite output. I thought maybe I could feed hd from the composite output.

You would need to get a HDMI to Component adapter.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10114&cs_id=1011410&p_id=8125&seq=1&format=2

 

[OhioDon]

You would need to get a HDMI to Component adapter.

For only $36.00 each when QTY 50+ purchased - HDMI® to Component (YPbPr) & R/L Stereo Audio Converter | HDMI to Component (YPbPr) / VGA Converters

Would that give me the same HD as HDMI?