Universal diagrams for DVB-T/T2 antenna systems

Digital terrestrial television (DVB-T/T2) covers the whole Europe. These several examples of DVB-T antenna systems will help anyone who wants to build a new antenna system or upgrade the existing one. The antenna installations presented below are a set of options that can be selected depending on the power of the transmitter and its distance to the reception point, as well as specific requirements of the user(s).
In particular, the solutions may be interesting for those who plan to:
  • install an antenna system in a new house,
  • modernize the existing antenna system,
  • replace the old cabling,
  • distribute DVB-T/T2 signal to additional TVs,
  • buy DVB-T/T2 receivers to suit individual requirements.
Antenna system for areas with high signal intensity (up to 20 km from high and medium power DVB-T transmitters)
Signal splitting to 2 televisions, a "balcony" solution.
Professional VHF and UHF DVB-T/T2 Antenna Set (H/V): DIPOL 15/5-12/21-60Coaxial Cable (75 ohm, class A): TRISET-113 1.13/4.8/6.8 [1m]Inductive FM/TV 2-Way Splitter RI-2/1 F

In this example the DVB-T signal is provided to two TVs, one of them capable of receiving digital channels (with built-in MPEG-2/MPEG-4 tuner) and the second an analog one, requiring an external DVB-T receiver. The good choice is the most functional and best selling on the market Ferguson T265 A99317.
BThe DIPOL 15/5-12/21-60 DVB-T/T2 A1515 professional DVB-T antenna set has been designed for reception of TV broadcasts in VHF (174-230 MHz) and UHF (470-790 MHz) bands. Thanks to a universal construction, the VHF and UHF antenna segments can be set to the vertical (V) or horizontal (H) polarization of the received signals.
When installing an antenna with amplifier, the user has to provide supplying voltage. The power supply is usually placed by one of the TVs. Such an installation requires the use of the appropriate type of splitter passing the voltage to the antenna, in the case above it is inductive splitter E2094 providing the DVB-T signal to the two receivers. It is possible to use a larger number of TVs/receivers by employing one of the splitters with a larger number of outputs.
Antenna system for areas within a 20-40 km distance from the transmitter, with signal distribution to 4 televisions
Professional VHF and UHF DVB-T/T2 Antenna Set (H/V): DIPOL 28/5-12/21-60VHF/UHF Amplifier - Terra HS-013 (1xIN/2xOUT, 12V)2-Way TV/FM Splitter: Signal R-2Subscriber Terminal Outlet: Signal RTV

The installation uses the directional antenna Dipol 28/5-12/21-60 A2810 and the amplifier Terra HS-013 R82010 compensating the loss of signal connected with its splitting to several receivers. In the case of low power transmitters or a place on the fringes of the coverage area, a preamplifier should be installed instead of the balun in the antenna box.

Everyone should keep in mind that antenna preamplifiers in such systems must be chosen very carefully, not to overdrive the amplifier. Usually the optimum ones are models with low or medium gain (e.g. LNA series, B4007 and B4008 respectively). The high-gain preamplifier LNA-177 B4009 should be used only in exceptional cases, when the signal level is very low. Generally, application of preamplifiers and/or amplifiers with excessive gain can lead to signal distortion and big problems with reception of any channels.
The DVB-T/T2 signal is split by Signal R60104 and distributed to four TV outlets. When a larger number of outlets is needed, there is a whole range of Signal splitters.
Connecting different types of TVs.
  • In the diagram above, the both televisions have built-in H.265/HEVC tuners, so they are directly conneted to the antenna system.
  • The third and fourth television are equipped with HDMI input, but do not have H.265/HEVC tuner. So, they cooperate with the external DVB-T/T2 H.265/HEVC receiver connected via HDMI cable.
Antenna system for areas over 40 km away from the transmitter, with signal distribution to 4 televisions
Professional VHF and UHF DVB-T/T2 Antenna Set (H/V): DIPOL 28/5-12/21-60 (with LNA-101 amplifier)VHF/UHF Amplifier - Terra HS-013 (1xIN/2xOUT, 12V)2-Way TV/FM Splitter: Signal R-2Subscriber Terminal Outlet: Signal RTV

Just as in the earlier example, the DVB-T/T2 signal is to be distributed to four outlets. Long distance to the transmitter is the reason for using UHF Tri Digit A2670 antenna with 18 dBi gain. Its version with preamplifier, A2675, gives opportunity to receive digital broadcasts from extremely distant transmitters, even over 100 km.
The Terra HS-013 R82010 amplifier compensates for signal loss in the distribution network as well as can be employed to power supply an antenna preamplifier.
Televisions that do not have suitable DVB-T tuners will receive any available digital TV signals after connecting external DVB-T/T2 receivers.
Antenna system for receiving DVB-T broadcasts from two transmitters
UHF TV DVB-T/T2 antenna: DIPOL 19/21-60 DIGITALUHF TV DVB-T/T2 Antenna: DIPOL 44/21-60 Tri DigitRF Splitter/Combiner RSI-02Ms (outdoor)

Until the analog switch-off, some transmitters can transmit certain multiplexes with reduced power in relation to the final project. Therefore, users in many areas may need to receive some packages (multiplexes) from another transmitter. Similarly, residents of border regions can expand their antenna systems to receive programs from abroad.
If the angular distance between the transmitters is smaller than 45 degrees, usually the single antenna A2670 can be adjusted so that both multiplexes will be received. When the distance is larger, the signals have to be received by two directional antennas connected to the UHF inputs of the C0370 multiplexer. The antennas employed in the diagram above are A1911 and A2670. Any other set of UHF antennas can be used instead.
The C0370 device allows for injection of power supply indispensable for preamplifiers and is also equipped with FM/DAB radio inputs.
Antenna system for receiving DVB-T/T2 broadcasts (VHF+UHF)
UHF TV DVB-T/T2 Antenna: DIPOL 44/21-60 Tri DigitDAB / DVB-T/T2 Antenna: DIPOL-4/5-12FM-VHF/UHF Antenna Diplexer/Combiner: Telmor ZWR-210DC
Antenna system for reception of DVB-T/T2 broadcasts in UHF and VHF bands

In some countries, including Poland, DVB-/T2T operators use or will use VHF band (channels 5-12, 174-230 MHz). In such a situation, some viewers may need to adjust or upgrade the receiving antenna systems. Before purchasing a new antenna, it is worth to check the current antenna system, adjust the direction etc., because at a short distance from the transmitter there is a possibility of satisfactory reception without adding new components. When the current antenna system does not allow reception of broadcasts in VHF band, it will be necessary to add a VHF antenna and combine signals from the existing and the new antenna. A solution of the problem is presented in the diagram above. An existing UHF antenna (e.g. A2670) has been combined, with the use of the C0364 diplexer/combiner, with the VHF antenna A0140 (here in vertical polarization). Of course, it can be any other configuration of a UHF antenna and VHF antenna.
Antenna system combining satellite and DVB-T/T2 signals, with distribution to 4 outlets
UHF TV DVB-T/T2 antenna: DIPOL 19/21-60 DIGITALUHF TV DVB-T/T2 Antenna: DIPOL 44/21-60 Tri DigitRF Splitter/Combiner RSI-02Ms (outdoor)Steel Satellite Dish: TRIAX 80 TD (dark gray)Universal QUATRO LNB: Inverto HOME Pro 0.3dBCoaxial Cable (75 ohm, class A): TRISET-113 1.13/4.8/6.8 [1m]Multiswitch Signal MRP-504 (5-in/4-out, passive terrestrial TV path)Subscriber Terminal Outlet: Signal R-TV-SAT

Thanks to the application of A98257 quatro LNB and Signal MP-0504 R6944504 multiswitch, the combined SAT and DVB-T/T2 signals can be provided to each of the four Signal TV/SAT outlets R694100.
In the case of a larger house/apartment or application of dual tuner PVR receivers the number of outlets can be increased by using multiswitches with a larger number of outputs.