Set top box with Analog Pass Through:
There is a new type of set top box just reaching the market that have analog station pass through. These are recommended for use in the Verde Valley. When these set top boxes are turned off, the signal passes through the box to the tv set as if the box were not present. You use the analog tuner in the set to select channels the same way as you did before the dtv transition. When watching digital channels the box is turned on, the tv is tuned to the output channel of the box and the desired digital channel is selected by operating the controls on the box. Connections: The Antenna is wired to the set top box input and a cable wired from the output of the box to the TV set tuner input. If you do not have a set top box with analog pass through then you will need to use options one, two or three listed below. A list of set top boxes is posted at the bottom of the page. Those with an asterisk (*) by them have analog signal pass through.
Connection for Set Top Boxes with Analog Pass Through:
Antenna ---------->> Set Top Box with pass through ------------>> Analog Tuner Input of TV Set
The typical set top box without analog pass through has Composite Video and Audio, HDMI, or Component Video and Audio outputs. Many of these do not have an RF output. In order to be able to watch both existing analog stations and digital stations using the box, there are several connection options.
Connection Options for Typical Set Top Box without analog pass through
OPTION ONE is to connect the Composite Video and Audio output of the Set Top box to the Composite Video (yellow colored RCA jack) and Audio input of the TV set if it has a spare one and switch between Composite input (AV1 or AV2) and the Tuner input.. Many of the older style TV receivers do not have a spare if any Audio and Video inputs. In that case we turn to Option Two.
OPTION TWO is to use an RF Modulator of the kind designed for use with a DVD player. Feed the Antenna signal into a two way splitter. Run one Splitter output into the RF input of the set top box. Run the other Splitter output into the RF input of the RF Modulator. Connect the Composite Video and Audio outputs from the Set Top Box into the Composite Video and Audio inputs of the RF modulator. Select channel 3 or 4 for the output of the RF modulator. With the Set Top Box off program the channels of the TV set for all the analog stations in the area. Then go back and add channel 3 or 4 to your channel memory list whichever is chosen for use with the Set Top Box to watch Digital TV stations.
When you want to watch an analog TV station turn off the Set Top box and the Analog stations will come in the same as they have been. If you want to watch a digital TV station turn on the set top box, the RF modulator will automaticly come on. Set the TV to channel 3 or 4 as you chose and operate the Set Top Box to select the digital channels of your choice.
OPTION THREE will work if the Set Top Box has a built in analog RF Modulator. In this case feed the RF Output of the set top box on channel 3 or 4 into a combiner. (The Combiner must be designed to work on channel 3 or 4) Connect the antenna into the Antenna input of the Combiner and feed the output of the Combiner into the TV set. Turn the set top box on and program all the channels into memory. When watching a digital channel one turns on the set top box and sets the tv to channel 3 or 4. Use the controls for the Set Top box to select the desired Digital Channel. To watch an Analog TV channel scroll up or down the TV channel memory list to pick up the analog stations the same as you always have.
Connection Options for Set Top boxes WITHOUT analog pass through
Option One Connections -- uses audio / video inputs of TV set for digital
Antenna
1
1
1-------------Splitter-------------->1
1 1
1 Set top Box (Using Composite Video and Audio Outputs)
TV Set Analog Tuner Input 1
1
TV Set Composite Video and Audio Inputs
Option Two Connections -- uses external RF modulator for digital
Antenna
!
!
!--------- Splitter ------------------->Set Top Box
! 1
! 1
RF Modulator < -- composite Video and audio --1
1 Video Yellow RCA jacks Audio Red and White RCA Jacks
1
Television Set Analog Tuner Input
Option Three Connections (This option only works if Set Top Box has an analog RF Output)
uses RF output of set top box and an RF combiner
Antenna
!
1--------------------Splitter ---------------->Set Top Box
1 1 (RF output)
1 1
Combiner <---------------------------------------------1
1
1 (channel 3 or 4 output from set top box.
1 Combiner must be designed for use with same channel)
1
Television Set Analog Tuner Input