TV aerial cable

[MikeMusic]

The only original (naff ?) cable/s in my overall system
Is it worth upgrading to better ?
Currently wall goes to Freeview box then another to the Tivo
Kimber Scart RGB only to TV, Kimber interconnects to back of Naim 82 for sound

[MartinT]

If you're using Freeview (and you will have to very soon), my aerial chappy said that a new downlead is very worthwhile having installed. I used Reading Aerials to install my Freeview aerial, loft distribution amplifier and Sky dish.

[MikeMusic]

Can only work out how to get the Tivo on Freeview so been that way a while.
Brand new aerial cable in 2009 by the very good and recommended Woking Aerials
Do you think it worth putting a Kimber or similar cable between the wall and the Freeview box, or anywhere else ?
Seems odd that all that 1p cable and kit produces quite a good sound through the hifi

[MartinT]

No Mike, save your money. Good quality satellite downlead is what they put in these days and it's the right stuff for the job. As long as they put the plugs on right (and some cowboys don't) then you'll be fine.

[StanleyB]

Since around 2004 a lot of aerial coax cable have been made with steel. Prior to that it was copper. The reason for the change was the increased cost of copper. The copper cable has however a lower resistance and is therefore better.
So your old aerial wiring might actually be better than the new one. And if the old wiring is copper, then most installers would be more than willing to help you dispose of all that copper ;).

[MartinT]

Mine's definitely all copper, installed three years ago.

[chris@panteg]

Since around 2004 a lot of aerial coax cable have been made with steel. Prior to that it was copper. The reason for the change was the increased cost of copper. The copper cable has however a lower resistance and is therefore better.
So your old aerial wiring might actually be better than the new one. And if the old wiring is copper, then most installers would be more than willing to help you dispose of all that copper ;).

Sounds dubious to me Stan ? I bought a load of coax about 3 years ago and installed it myself , definitely copper !

[StanleyB]

The cable manufacturers have been coating the steel with a thin layer of copper so that it looks like copper. You have to scrape off the top layer on both the center conductor and the braided shield in order to make sure.

[chris@panteg]

The cable manufacturers have been coating the steel with a thin layer of copper so that it looks like copper. You have to scrape off the top layer on both the center conductor and the braided shield in order to make sure.

Well I snipped a few bits off , looked like copper to me, no sign of any steel ?

[NRG]

Stan is right there are some 'no name' cables out there that are not copper, however if you stick to known brands then you should get copper cables. Look for CAI approved cables, this should ensure you're buying a quality product. Also go for a foam dielectric if possible especially if you are burying cables in the wall, WF100 is very good.

NRG -- ex ariel installer ;)

http://satcure.co.uk/tech/cable.htm

[MikeMusic]

No Mike, save your money. Good quality satellite downlead is what they put in these days and it's the right stuff for the job. As long as they put the plugs on right (and some cowboys don't) then you'll be fine.

Assumed with cable/Freeview box/cable/Tivo/Scart to TV and Phonos to Amp I could make it better.

[MartinT]

Yes, you can. But you were talking about the aerial cable :scratch:

[DSJR]

The chap who installed our aerial distribution system used a Belden satellite grade cable - copper but with a "wrap" and fine mesh screening. seems fine to me and I actually use a half metre as a 75 ohm digital interconnect with some basic Rean phono plugs at each end (don't tell anyone I'm a real scrimper these days).

[MikeMusic]

Ah. I was talking about the connects between the wall and the various boxes.
Would they be called interconnects or a.n.other ?

[MartinT]

Aerial feeds to the various boxes - use good quality sat cable.
Audio feeds via interconnects - usual advice goes, the best you can afford/fit.

[MikeMusic]

Thanks.