Discarding the old cable TV network and switching to the free on-air broadcast is no doubt, exciting. But even so to your disappointment, an erratic signal is no rare case. Chances are that you’ve finally stopped being dubious of your antenna and decided to mitigate through an amplifier.
However, your quest for the best antenna preamplifier can be a bit ponderous. The reason is that the market is filled with imitating devices with similar specifications. So it’s pretty easy to come a cropper. Thus, our motive here is to narrow down your options and ultimately lead you to the most efficient ones.
Best Antenna Preamplifier for You
Cheap advertisements and diversity in types and brands can leave you puzzled about the right amplifier. Save your precious time and prevent yourself from picking the wrong one as we have already chosen the best ones for you.
1. Winegard LNA-200
Assets
When it comes to vivid pictures and sublime signal quality, you’ll find no alternative to the Winegard HDTV preamplifier. Be it extending channel range or enhancing the quality, this TV antenna amplifier serves the purpose convincingly.
The most intriguing and unique feature is the TwinAmp Technology. It amplifies both VHF and UHF signals each at a time to improve performance as well as reduce noise. Moreover, it helps in handling the signal 10 times more efficiently and maintain a clean signal path.
A low figure of the noise of 1 dB refers to lesser signal dropout and pixelation. The Winegard antenna amplifier does just that utilizing the feature of Boost Clear Circuit Technology. As a result, your non-amplified antenna is enhanced to maximize the output.
Another interesting fact is that you’ll be able to connect the antenna with streaming devices such as AppleTV, Google Chromecast, or FireTV for programming to a large degree. Along with the increased amount of channels, you’ll be able to watch tv shows and movies from Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon with lesser cost.
Winegard antenna amplifier is capable of detecting VHF and UHF signals from more than 65 miles away. If the best signal quality is what you are looking for, this preamplifier will do the job giving you a clean, lossless, noiseless, and astounding picture experience.
Drawbacks
- You will need at least two additional cables.
- The plastic on the preamplifier is frail and can be easily damaged.
2. RCA TVPRAMP1Z Preamplifier
Assets
Being in a remote area and having trouble with a weak TV signal is pretty normal. RCA antenna amplifier is designed to enhance the weak signals produced from the outdoor antennas. So, if a strong and quality signal is what you are looking for, this peerless amplifier is capable of pacifying you.
Similar to the previous antenna amplifier, this one is also potent in enhancing and amplifying both UHF and VHF signals, separately. Improvement of wideband RF causes lesser loss and shelter signal quality when multiple TV or VCR connections are made.
Another intriguing aspect makes this the best outdoor TV antenna preamplifier is that there’s a controllable FM trap. This helps you reduce the interruption from FM frequencies. Not to mention, the picture quality is maximized through the noise and intermodulation reduction.
You’ll be surprised to find out that RCA’s SmartBoost Technology is state-of-the-art. Through this technology, your TV experience jumps up a level with the delivery and amplification of most of the channels.
As a preamplifier, this unique product does a good job of amplifying and strengthening the range of outdoor antennas. Overall, a worthy amplifier for your weak TV antennas at a reasonable price.
Drawbacks
- The power injector is weak.
- You may have to face some pixelation.
3. Channel Master CM-7777V3 Titan 2
Assets
The best way to describe the Channel Master TV antenna booster would be that it’s a signal amplifier of moderation. That means, you can get the best out of it using it in an area where signal strength fluctuates, which is the most common scenario. If your antenna is in such an area, then grabbing this one should be a good idea.
As a high gain amplifier of 26dB, it accumulates a higher range of signals, resulting in an aggravated range of signals. As a result, the noise is reduced to a minimum, and picture quality is enhanced to the maximum. If you are worried about pixelation, then rest assured as it is reduced to a minimum to augment the experience quality.
There’s an FM signal trap switch, which will exterminate the tendency of catching onto FM frequencies. Moreover, to make sure that moisture doesn’t invade into the device, the housing is selected to be a heavy-duty one and a rubberized seal is applied. Using this preamp with the rural TV antennas is a great experience as many reviewers suggest.
As far as decent antenna amplifiers are concerned, it is expected that the signals are protected against unwanted interferences. RF shielding in the Channel Master does just that. To summarize, it’s a decent antenna preamplifier to use in harsh weather and fluttering conditions.
Drawbacks
- A bit overpriced considering the benefits.
- Channel receiving count may or may not increase.
4. Channel Master CM-7777HD Amplify
Assets
Channel Master Amplify being both an indoor and outdoor amplifier, is durable and easily installable. The preamplifier is compact, and the die-cast housing makes it sturdy and weatherproof. As a professional-grade amplifier, you are guaranteed to perceive a stable image and enhancement in performance.
What sets this product apart from the other ones mentioned previously is its built-in LTE filter. This feature blocks the interference from smartphones and transmitters of any generation. Moreover, to eliminate the over-amplification problem, FM radio signals are now allowed to pass.
As for other features, there’s a push-button for easy regulation of gain between high and low order. An LED light tells you about the gain status of the amplifier. In other words, you’ll have little to no trouble adjusting the antenna amplifier gain. These features make this a perfect preamplifier for outdoor antenna along with the indoor ones.
Indoor installation simply requires an extendable USB medium for power while outdoor, a USB power injector is to be used. If you are having an issue with pixelation and keeping the signal steadfast, then Channel Master Amplify is your pick.
Drawbacks
- This amplifier doesn’t increase the number of channels.
- A bit pricey for all its worth.
5. Pingbingding HDTV Preamplifier
Assets
Pingbingding is your all-in-one solution to weak signals and dreadful picture quality. Unlike all the other products, this one has got both TwinAmp Technology and LTE filter integrated. Thus, amplifying your antenna with this device is an intellectual idea any day.
As you may already know, TwinAmp Technology is important for amplifying VHF and UHF signals separately. This results in maximum signal output and purification of channeling performance. Similar to most of the decent amplifiers, Pingbingding has this fine feature that increases the signal handling competency ten times more.
Pingbingding also features a built-in 4G LTE filter that reduces pixelation and blocks smartphone signals from intervening. Not to mention, the bandpass filters dispel RF signals that create interference.
As for installation, it’s easy and quick since mounting hardware and instruction manual are included. Moreover, the product comes with a guarantee of one year.
The noise level of this device is a minimum of 1dB, and the gain number is favourable for both VHF and UHF signals. So if you are looking for an amplifier with good reception, more range, and more channels for your 85 inches HDTV. So, you can purchase Pingbingding with your eyes closed.
Drawbacks
- An extra coaxial cable might be required.
Track to the Best Antenna Preamplifier
The top-notch antenna preamplifiers have some unique features that differentiate them from the generic ones. Moderation is preferred because too much focus on certain aspects will result in a loss in value. Follow along to learn more about the basics of buying an antenna amplifier.
Gain Figure
In short, amplifier gain means the increase of the amplitude of a signal. It is the ratio of output and input. There are three types of gain- voltage gain, current gain, and power gain.
The general gain range of preamplifiers is 12-30dB. What you need to understand is that the gain figure here is intertwined with the loss of your cable. Your gain count must be equal or higher than the loss count. So if your cable has a loss of 10dB, then the amp gain should be 10dB or higher.
However, avoid buying the one with a very high gain number. A gain number of 25dB or more can cause over-amplification ultimately damaging the TV tuner.
Gain Control
This feature is provided to protect your TV’s tuner. Normally UHF signals have a very high gain causing damage to the tuner. An auto-gain control system will automatically reduce the amount of gain if the signal is too strong. This feature also helps the weak signals to get the maximum gain.
Noise Level
Noise is produced when an amplifier with a certain level of gain is affixed with a system. A decent amplifier’s noise level should never exceed 2 dB, be it VHF or UHF signal. Noise figure can be 4-6dB as well, but such amps are considered to be the highly noisy ones.
Devices with a lower noise level have better susceptibility and can generate better signals.
Frequency Support
VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) are the two types of frequency that can be supported by an amplifier depending on the antenna. Typically, UHF has a higher count of gain ranging from 20-26 dB.
If your antenna supports only one type of signal, then you should opt for an amplifier that supports that. However, in case your antenna supports both signals, but you’ve bought an amp with only one signal reception, then the other broadcast will be blocked.
Built-in Splitter
Due to splitters, a certain amount of signal loss is conceded. To illustrate, for a 2-way splitter, the loss is 4dB. Again for a 4-way splitter, the count rises to 8dB. An amplifier with a built-in splitter or otherwise known as a distribution amplifier can improve your signal level given the scenario of delivering the signal to multiple receivers.
FM Trap Switch
This switch serves the purpose of subsiding strong FM radio signals that might cause interference with the TV signal. If your receiver is on VHF channel 6 or 7, then this feature is a must for the amplifier you hope to buy.
LTE Filters
Cellular signals can affect your TV signal drastically reducing the picture quality. An LTE filter is provided with the amplifiers to diminish the interference from radio and mobile signals outside of the TV broadcast band. LTE filter can clamp down signals above 700MHz to aggravate signal quality.
Indoor or Outdoor
Most of the amplifiers that you’ll find in the market are for internal use only. These type of amps have a normal cable entry point along with a power lead which is kept exposed.
On the other hand, outdoor amplifiers have a power supply system that transfers power to the antenna coaxial lead. Such amps’ casing needs to be sturdy, moisture-free, and weatherproof.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the noise reducible for an amplifier?
Ans: Lower noise means lower gain. You can buy an auto gain control amp and reduce the gain to lower the noise level. Otherwise, try changing cables as an alternative.
Q: Can I use multiple amplifiers to boost the signal?
Ans: Yes, you can use two or more amplifiers to connect with your antenna. But such action may result in noise level increment as amplifiers amplify noises too, distortions, and audio problems.
Epilogue
There are several brands and types of amplifiers in the market. However, you must not make the mistake of choosing one without doing proper inspection of your TV antenna and the preamp you’re interested in. To help you shorten your choice list more, we have picked the ones that seemed best to us.
Winegard HDTV preamplifier seemed as the most valued one for us. With TwinAmp Technology, a maximum gain figure of 18dB, and a low noise level of 1dB, this amp ensures that you have a peaceful TV experience resting on your couch. Pingbingding also stands out for its both TwinAmp Technology and LTE filters features. If you are looking for an outdoor one, then you can choose Channel Master Amplify.
To sum it up, solely looking for features will not help you get to the best antenna preamplifier. As things stand, what you need to do is dot the I’s and cross the t’s.
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