Why does the TV show badly? Some channels cable television not configured? How to determine that the wiring of the television cable is carried out correctly? Questions of this type are common. Ordinary people want to understand them in a simple way. Indeed, as practice shows, there are many home-grown TV masters today. And their services (already paid) are money thrown to the wind. So, let's try to analyze a few of the questions posed, one of which says - which one is better tv cable?

TV cable

So let's start with appearance and cable design for cable television. Unlike power wires, it is always round. At the same time, its optimal diameter is 4-8 mm. There are cables both smaller and larger. They will be discussed separately.

Notice the cut. It consists of several concentric layers.

  • The central core, located in the middle, is a copper or steel (copper-plated) wire. Core diameter - 0.3-1.1 mm.
  • From above it is enveloped by a dielectric. Usually it is white plastic.
  • The third layer is the so-called screen, consisting of two layers: foil and braid. In some models of television cable, there may not be a foil layer. But remember that its presence in the design indicates the high quality of the product. A braid is a mesh of conductors that are woven together crosswise.
  • And the outer layer is a protective barrier against mechanical stress, made of either PVC or polyethylene. The protective outer layer can be either black or white.

Attention! If the TV cable you are purchasing has all these layers, then do not hesitate to purchase it. If there is no layer, then look for a cable in another store.

Does more expensive mean better?

In this section, we will answer the question, how to choose a TV cable? And immediately make a reservation that in relation to this wire, the postulate, the more expensive, the better, will be illegal. Why?

It is necessary to answer the question posed from the fact that there is main characteristic television cable is the quality of the signal attenuation associated with the frequency of the signal and the length of the wire. So in this case it will be correct to assume that the less this indicator, all the better. It should be noted that each television channel has its own attenuation rate due to a certain frequency of the incoming signal. By the way, the unit of attenuation is dB/100m. That is, a complete dependence on frequency and length.

Therefore, before choosing a cable, you must first decide on the television system that you will be installing. Why is it so important? The thing is that terrestrial television and satellite have a different frequency range. And if you installed a cable that has a signal attenuation rating suitable for terrestrial television, then the signal from satellite may not pass through. That is, it will pass for sure, but with great interference.

  1. Remember, we talked about the diameter of the television cable. So you should not buy a product with a diameter of less than 3.5 mm. This wire can pass the frequency only in the meter range. That is, your TV will only show channels such as ORT, NTV, RTR and others. But the UHF channels (Home, Culture, STS, TNT, and so on) you will no longer see, but forget about the satellite signal altogether. Plus, the shielding characteristics of this cable are in doubt. And this is not good either. Of course, if you try, you can make a cable with a meter range visible to all channels. To do this, you will have to install an additional head station through which decimeter channels are converted. But this will require additional costs. To summarize: the thicker the TV cable, the better (by reducing signal loss). It is he who is needed.
  2. There is still a RK-75 cable with one shielding layer on the market. This is an old domestic product. So he has a very high attenuation rate. You shouldn't buy it.
  3. There was an interesting situation with sales. Even in some specialized stores you come across low quality television products at a high price. It is perfectly packaged in a beautiful wrapper, it has a certificate, accompanying documents, but the price does not match technical specifications. Exactly the same option on the regular market is several times cheaper. So be vigilant.

So let's sum it up. First, pay attention to the diameter of the wire. Optimal size 6-7 mm. Second, the shielding layer. There should be two of them: the lower one is foil, the upper one is a braid of copper wires treated with tin. Thirdly, choose the right manufacturer. Of course brand names are preferable. This is a cable from Belden, Mediaflex, Commscope and so on.

Attention! If during operation the television cable will be subjected to sufficiently harsh conditions (laying in the ground, overhead lines on the street), then it is better to purchase a special impregnated model. This must be indicated in the accompanying documents of the product.

And one more piece of advice, which concerns this question: is it possible to lay two cables side by side: power and television? You can, you just have to purchase a television with a diameter of 10 mm with increased protection against interference.

Installation

AND last question, which needs to be disassembled in this article - how to connect the cable to the TV? Let's start with recommendations.

  • The gasket circuit should be located as far as possible from power circuits and powerful electrical appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, iron, microwave oven, etc.).
  • You can lay a cable for cable television next to any low-current circuits (telephone, internet, alarm).
  • Try to reduce the number of connections. The best option- one-piece TV cable for the whole apartment.
  • If it is not possible to avoid the division of the circuit into sections, then use factory-made separators and splitters when connecting the two ends of the cable. No twists that will reduce the quality of the incoming signal.
  • If it is impossible to avoid crossing the TV wire with power circuits, then it is best if this intersection is made at an angle of 90º.
  • The gasket must not be coiled or bent at an angle greater than 90º.
  • The section up to the first splitter from the shield box must pass in a wide channel. Other weak current circuits can also be laid here.
  • When connecting a cable in a shield box, only soldering should be used (this is a question of how to connect correctly). In this case, you should not expose the cable itself much. The smaller the unshielded area, the better.
  • The splitter must be installed in easily accessible places. The best option is to put it in a special box.

Additional devices

Usually, there are several devices in the television cable wiring diagram. If considered apartment house, then the first device that receives a signal from the antenna is a splitter. That is, from a common antenna, the signal through this device enters the apartment. From it you can spread the wiring even in different rooms, it all depends on the number of posts.

You can also install a signal amplifier before the splitter. What this device does, it makes no sense to explain. Further, the so-called adder is used last. Its purpose is to sum signals from different frequencies into one.

Conclusion on the topic

Connecting a television cable for cable television (digital) can also be done by hand. There is nothing difficult in this. You need the tools and some knowledge that we have discussed in this article. A little wiring skills won't hurt either.


TV cable, an integral part of any home television network. Whether it's terrestrial, cable, or satellite TV, the signal to your devices comes via cable. And often the signal level, the absence of interference in it, largely depends on the coaxial cable. This is the name of the radio frequency television cable.

How to choose a TV cable and what to remember when laying it

In this post, I will not talk about how they are marked, what characteristics a coaxial cable has. This is the lot of specialists and an uninitiated person, it is not easy to understand this, and it is not particularly necessary.

But if you decide to do the acquisition and laying of the cable yourself, then a few tips will not hurt. I will share how you can identify a low-quality TV cable, which cable to use under what conditions, and a little about proper installation.

However, I will remind you. If you do not have the skills and knowledge of switching and distributing RF cables, then consider whether it is worth laying the lines yourself in the walls or under the screed when they will not be accessible later. In such cases, the errors will not be easy to correct.

But in other cases, act boldly.

A modern TV cable looks like this.

The center conductor and cable braid can be made of A) Copper for more expensive cable.

B) From a metal alloy, but copper-plated.

C) The central core is copper-plated, and the braid is aluminum or rather from some kind of white alloy.

The foil screen can also be copper-plated or aluminum. In many cables, this is not pure foil, but polyethylene film on which a metal coating is applied from the outside. This solution makes the metallized film screen more durable and resistant to bending. In very cheap cable options, it’s just a silvery film from which there is no sense.

Nowadays, the market is filled with products of very different quality and origin, this also applies to the subject of our conversation.

Therefore, when purchasing a cable, pay attention to its quality.

It happens frankly cheap, when cutting such a cable, when you carefully, without damaging the braid itself, cut off the upper protective sheath, then the entire braid will simply crumble like dust, or it will be too “Liquid”.

Another sign of a poor-quality cable is the upper insulating sheath that does not fit very tightly, it simply rotates around the wire itself by hand, and can be easily removed from a small piece of cable by hand.

Also, a bad shell is easily torn and has a loose structure.

In no case do not purchase such a cable, it's money down the drain. It will quickly begin to break and crack from frost and sun.

Below is an example of a cheap cable, but this is not the worst option. It happens that there is simply nothing left of the braid, a few hairs that will just fall off. A) The braid is watery B) The foil is cracked and peeled off C) The outer sheath is too loose and will easily shrink.

Therefore, when buying, ask the seller to show the internal content of the cable.

Right cable is also inexpensive price category. It can be used, but only if it can be replaced and better indoors. And also when a long cable length is not needed. I would not hide such a cable in the walls.

Pay attention to the labelcable its characteristic impedance is indicated - 75 Ohms (Ohms) This is the resistance that a television cable should have.

And here is another sample, the difference is obvious, isn't it?

A dense braid, a foil that does not lag behind the internal insulator. Tight-fitting upper shell.

Also, a good TV cable should be flexible enough, this will allow it to be laid well, especially in places where you need to make a turn.

But when laying, try to avoid sharp corners on which the cable can rub, for example, from the wind when descending from the roof against the corner of the wall. When this cannot be avoided, then in these places, if possible, it is advisable to fix the cable and make additional protection, well, at least several layers of electrical tape.

It is also necessary to avoid bending the cable itself under acute angle, so that it does not pinch at the bend.

If you need to pull the cable over long distances, especially if it has to hang horizontally, for example between houses, then there will be correct application special cable with a bearing steel core.

For outdoor use, it is better to ask about the resistance of the cable to low temperatures and ultraviolet radiation. For a cable that is not adapted to such conditions, after a while the outer layer will become brittle, crack and become saturated with water over time. There were times when water flowed into the room from the cable like a hose.

There is a kind of cable specifically for outdoor use, its peculiarity is that inside it is impregnated with a special gel. This gives additional protection against moisture penetration, this will last on the street for many years.

By the way, another installation error, if the cable enters the room through a hole in a wall or window, then this hole must be drilled at an angle, so that the outside of the hole is slightly lower than inside. This will prevent water from flowing in through the hole.

In general, there are special devices for winding the cable in such places without drilling. For example, such, the length is about 30 cm, you open the window, lay the adapter and close the window.

Or this option: The principle is the same. But personally, I think that the more solid the cable, the better.

copper cable


Not all copper cables will be with a stranded center wire as in the photo, there are also with one thick core.

There is no need to purchase copper just because…..

It is advisable to use it only when a long line length of 50 m and above is needed. This will play a role due to the low attenuation coefficient in the copper cable.

For example, when building a house, you plan to make cable wiring in all rooms, while the cable will be hidden in the walls and floor. The total length of such a line can be very significant, and therefore the cable is needed with the lowest signal attenuation coefficient.

copper cable good quality will be what you need.

Although now there are copper-plated cables with very good characteristics.

And so the conclusion: If you are aiming for the cable to last for a long time, select it in the right way.

For long lines: Low attenuation cable is copper.

For hanging long lines: Cable with supporting steel core.

For outdoor use: Resistant to atmospheric influences(Frost and Sun) Better with a filler in the form of a special gel. But there are not necessarily other options.

If you are using an inexpensive cable, then do not hide it, leave an opportunity for a quick replacement.

In the following posts about cable routing, how to connect two or more TVs to one antenna, and more on this topic.

Customers often complain about a weak TV signal in bad weather conditions. This may be due to poor quality tv cable. Sellers often complete equipment from products that are not of high quality. This reduces the cost of equipment, and sellers can make a big markup.

In order not to fall for tricks, you need to know which wire to choose. This is what we will talk about in our article.

Types of cables

There are four types:

TV cable which is better

We'll figure it out the most common option television wire - coaxial. It is produced under various brands. But, they all have a wave impedance of 75 ohms. With the help of such a television wire, you can connect several TVs. So, what brands are:

  • RG-6 cable. Produced under the Russian brand. Manufactured in China. It has a copper or steel central vein, the thickness of which is 1 mm. The central vein in the shell, which is made of foamed polyethylene. The device itself consists of a shield, which is made of foil, a copper or aluminum braid, and a protective sheath, which is made of PVC. The thickness of the entire wire is 6–6.8 mm. This brand is used to connect digital, cable or conventional television. The price for such a cable is small, only 10 rubles per meter. You can buy in the online store.
  • Cable PK-75. This brand is similar to the previous one. Produced in our country. Copper central vein, the thickness of which is 1 mm. Screen made of copper or double aluminum lavsan and tinned copper. The cable has a single shield. Most often used for cable television. If there is a double screen, then you can connect satellite TV inside the building.
  • RG-5 cable. This brand of cable is distinguished by its thickness, which is 0.58 mm. Outer diameter - 6 mm. The cable is designed to transmit any kind of signal. It also broadcasts satellite TV. Provided that the distance is no more than 190 m. Due to its thinness, the cable cannot catch a signal at a distance of more than 190 m. The picture will be of poor quality. and the signal is weak.
  • Worth noting: Model RG-5 and other similar variants are used for one device. Due to its thin structure, it often breaks. It is the most difficult to mount in sockets and connectors.

Foreign television wires

Let's highlight several options that are produced outside of our country:

The coaxial version has many brands that differ not only in characteristics, but also in price.

How to choose the best TV cable

When choosing a cable for a TV, you need to decide which signal you need to catch. That is, what kind of television will be:

  • Digital.
  • Essential.

If you choose a device for terrestrial television, then digital will work with interference or will not work at all. In this case need to pay attention to the following features:

So, we have considered which cable for the TV to choose. In order for the cable to work well, it is necessary to choose it correctly. You can choose a cable for cable TV according to the following criteria: section 6.5 mm, with two screens and a well-known brand. You can buy the device in the online store.

What is the best TV cable? - such a question is asked by people who want to connect television equipment on their own.

There is a wide range of cable products on the market, but very often they are of poor quality, since poor raw materials were used in the production. As a result, the antenna cable does not pass the signal well or other problems occur.

When choosing a television cable, it is important to consider not only the characteristics and type, but also on what television equipment it will be used, since satellite and terrestrial TV operate on different bands.

  1. Coaxial- the most common type of television cable. Each TV is equipped with a coaxial cable. But today this connecting element is considered obsolete, as more modern developments have appeared. Experts recommend using it to connect home-type antennas, as the signal will be very good.
  2. Composite– used to connect video equipment to the screen ( game consoles, players). This cable is only suitable for transmission analog signal. The connection is made in accordance with the colors of the cords and connectors of the monitor.
  3. Component - modern development, suitable for satellite signal transmission. Connection also occurs in accordance with the colors.
  4. HDMI, DVI- designed to transmit a signal high definition, therefore, if the television equipment has an HDMI connector, then it is recommended to connect through it, since the quality of the broadcast picture will be ideal. As well as HDMI and DVI cables are often used in computer technology, for connecting game consoles.

What is the cable made of?

The design of television cables is almost identical. All have a center core, which is hidden behind the insulation. The insulating sheath is necessary in order for the center core to be in a stationary state. After the insulation comes a shielding layer and a braid, which provide protection against interference. Therefore, it is important that they are made of quality material.

For the manufacture of the screen, aluminum foil or lavsan is used, and for the manufacture of the braid, copper or aluminum wire is used.

The quality indicator is the screening factor:

  • average 60 -85 dmb;
  • high 90–100 dmb;

All elements of the television cable are hidden under a PVC sheath; it serves to protect the cable from possible damage.

How to choose a cable

  1. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the cut of the cable. If there is no foil or lavsan, this is a clear indicator that the cable is of poor quality. If there is foil in the cord, but it peels off, then this also indicates that the product is of low quality.
  2. The cable must be made with the highest quality insulation, so if it is bad, then precipitation (rain, snow) will fall under it, as a result of which, this is hello to the destruction of the connecting element.
  3. You need to give preference to popular manufacturers who have proven themselves well. Good brands are: Commscope, Cavel, Belden .
  4. The diameter of the cord must be at least 7 mm.
  5. Flexibility - good cable should be flexible, this will simplify its installation, and also help to avoid kinks.

Popular Options

Television cable is available under different brands, below are the most common options:

RG-6U

For RG-6U good feature and affordable price. The central core is made of copper. This cable is considered a good alternative to outdated PK cables. Suitable for connecting analog, digital, satellite TV equipment.

The service life of RG-6U is 8 years, but when used outdoors, it often fails earlier. The advantage of this cable is that it can be freely purchased at any specialized store. The cost is from 10 rubles per meter.

Quality product, excellent signal transmission, suitable for satellite television. Holds up well to use outdoor conditions, as the cord is resistant to changes in weather and temperature.

The central core is copper, the wire is equipped with double shielding. Service life: 15 years. Price: from 30 rubles.

RG 59U

Another popular connecting element provides the transmission of high-frequency signals over fairly long distances. Like the SAT 703, it is double shielded and has a copper-clad steel inner conductor. Thanks to this equipment, it is very durable, but at the same time it has good flexibility, which is important when laying.

Service life: 10 years. Approximate cost: 25 rubles.

Cable DG 113

This option is more expensive than the previous wires. The characteristic presented by the manufacturer is almost identical to the sat 703 wire, but there is one significant difference - DG 113 has a higher shielding factor, it starts from 90 dmb. Due to this, the signal quality is perfect, without interruptions and interference.

Service life: 10 years. Price: from 70 rubles.

  1. In apartments, it is best to use cords for digital television, they skip more waves on any bands than usual.
  2. In areas with unfavorable weather conditions, it is recommended to use a specially impregnated cable.
  3. When laying, you need to make as few connections and solderings as possible, since for this reason the signal transmission deteriorates. It is best to lay a solid wire.
  4. Do not use homemade splitters, it is better to buy branded ones. Also, splitters and amplifiers must be installed in accessible places, this is necessary for ease of maintenance and repair.
  5. During installation, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions on the permissible bending radii of the wire, as well as on the optimal distance for fastenings.
  6. Do not run coaxial cable near electrical wires, it may cause interference.

The above recommendations will help in choosing a high-quality coaxial wire that will provide excellent connection to television equipment, without interference and damage. Read also.

In connection with the emergence and popularization of digital and satellite broadcasting, the question arises more and more often which television cable is better to choose. The relevance of the issue is more than justified, because the quality of the signal directly depends on the conductor.

When switching to satellite or digital television with analog, quite often users encounter problems in the process of setting up individual channels. The picture quality leaves much to be desired. Naturally, this result goes against the expectations of consumers from modern equipment.

The main reason for the appearance of failures and defects is the technical inconsistency of the old line in comparison with new signal reception technologies. That is why everyone should know how to choose the right cable for the TV.

Now we will carefully study the main features, as well as give specific recommendations on choosing a conductor for satellite television. We will also dwell on the features of operation, but let's start with the structure of the television cable.

How is a television cable

Analyzing the structural features, it is highly likely that absolutely all models have approximately the same concept of the internal structure:

  1. The inner conductor is made of solid wire, copper tube or multi-strand material. The quality of the material determines the signal receiving distance, as well as the allowable bending index.
  2. The dielectric layer acts as a retainer for the conductors.
  3. The conductor of the external type is a braid. Often made of foil and thin wire. Quality affects the level of protection against external factors such as electromagnetic interference.
  4. The inner sheath provides protection for absolutely all structural elements of the cable.

Thus, in terms of structure, the types of television cables differ little. Of course, there are certain features, but basically they appear in the quality of the material from which this or that element is made.

Which TV cable is better to choose? The answer to this question directly depends on the goals set. For example, if the signal distance is minimal, then there is no point in overpaying for an expensive coaxial cable conductor. In general, television cables and their varieties are versatile as they are suitable for satellite, digital and analogue broadcasting.

What to look for when choosing

Lay the wire, and then connect the television equipment within the power of everyone. To perform such work does not require special skills or extensive work experience. It is much more difficult to choose a coaxial conductor, given the specifics of television broadcasting. Even experts sometimes make mistakes.

If we take into account exclusively external characteristics: thickness, color, etc., it will not be possible to determine the internal composition with absolute certainty. As a result, with a high degree of probability, the purchase will not live up to expectations. To understand which television cable is better, one should proceed from the initial data, marking. There are several types: RG 6 cable, SAT-50, SAT-703. All of them differ in their structure.

RG-6 cable (internal)

SAT-703 cable

Before you go to the store, figure out what indicators a cable network should have. Therefore, first you need to find out a few important points:

  • supported signal format – digital or analog broadcasting;
  • type and number of connected television devices;
  • laying territory - a large house, apartment;
  • location of the signal source - roof, balcony, entrance;
  • the total length of the network.

Regardless of the manufacturer, each cable must have a resistance parameter of at least 75 ohms, otherwise there will be problems with the acceptance of a modern television signal. Now let's talk about the main selection criteria.

Outer shell

The outer shell is made of polyethylene for the white shell or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for the black shell.

Until recently, experts unanimously stated that for laying on the street, that is, when the antenna is located on the roof of a house or on a balcony, only wires with a black sheath are suitable. Today, no one uses such critical ratings, so sometimes a television cable with a white sheath is chosen, for example, SAT 703. This model is universal, as it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation.

Be sure to consider the thickness of the outer shell. Of course, the thicker it is, the more secure the connection will be.

However, in this case, the flexibility of the structure is significantly reduced - therefore, the bending radius is significantly limited. Of course, this point also needs to be taken into account when drawing up a cable TV installation plan: calculate all turns and angles.

central vein

As practice shows, in the manufacture central vein companies prefer copper or an alloy of other metals that have the proper strength. To make the final product even more durable, sometimes alloys are additionally clad with copper.

There is no evidence that the copper core is of higher quality than other metal alloys. Accordingly, it is also not advisable to talk about the difference in signal transmission. However, experts strongly recommend choosing high-quality cables with a copper central core. This type is considered more resistant to various damages.

V without fail the thickness of the central core should be taken into account, this parameter varies in the range of 0.3-1 mm. Here you can be guided by the principle, the thicker the better. The fact is that the attenuation coefficient is associated with this characteristic, in other words, an inverse relationship. When choosing a core, consider the cross section of the wire.

Cable thickness and length

A cable with a small diameter is much easier to lay. In addition, a thin wire can be easily hidden in a box. However, this will raise questions about the quality of the signal. A cross section of 3.5 millimeters is the smallest parameter for home use.

If you take a model with a smaller cross section, then only the main channels will be able to be configured, since the action of the wire will be limited. To watch TV channels with a more progressive resolution, you should buy an auxiliary device, for example, a special set-top box. However, their cost is much higher than the price of a cable with a suitable cross section.

As for the length, in order to prevent problems during the installation process, you should first purchase a cable with a margin. Better to let it be a little longer than shorter.

First of all, the reserve is useful in case a certain area is damaged during operation, naturally this negatively affects the quality of the signal. It is possible that the damaged area will have to be eliminated.

The second reason is the change in the position of the equipment. Even redecorating may result in an unforeseen rearrangement of furniture and interior items. It is clear that along with this it will be necessary to change the location of equipment, including the TV. The long length will allow for rearrangement without changing the cable.

When choosing a cable, you need to take into account the length of the network - the larger it is, the thicker the wire model should be. If you are looking for a quality option for an antenna located on the roof, it is more advisable to purchase a cord with a larger cross section.

Moreover, before purchasing a competitive model, be sure to check if there are additional conditions that should be considered during the installation process. This information is especially necessary if you plan to make an antenna yourself.

When choosing a television cable, be sure to remember that there are no special digital-type models designed to receive broadcasts of the same name. Such rumors are deliberately promoted by manufacturers for marketing purposes.

A modern cable is a broadband wire with a frequency of 5-3000 MHz. satellite dishes and digital TV broadcasting are included in the specified interval.

Manufacturer

The market offers consumers a wide choice. This applies to those parameters, and manufacturers. Naturally, it is more expedient to buy products from trusted companies, which have a wide range of advantages. First of all, Belden, Cavel, Mediaflex should be highlighted.

However, this is still a minor factor. First you need to decide on the main criteria: sheath, core, length and thickness, and only then look at the name of the manufacturer.

To avoid premature wire failure, follow these guidelines:

  1. When choosing an antenna cable to a TV for residential connection, you should buy a model with a large throughput waves.
  2. For outdoor installation in regions with extreme weather conditions (abnormal heat, excessive temperature fluctuations, elevated level rainfall, too low temperature) choose wires with special impregnation.
  3. During the laying process, you do not need to make too many solderings and connections, as this negatively affects the quality of the signal. Solid wire laying is the best solution.
  4. You should not use handicraft splitters, it is more expedient to acquire a branded device. In addition, splitters and signal amplifiers should be located in accessible places - it is possible that a breakdown will occur over time, and repairs will be carried out accordingly.
  5. Follow the manufacturer's instructions during installation. This is especially true for the bending radius and the distance between the fasteners.
  6. In no case should you lay a coaxial cable close to electrical appliances - this can become a catalyst for interference.

The suggested expert advice will help to make right choice. As a result, you will reach the maximum High Quality connection of television equipment.