24DB Dual Output Vhf/uhf/fm Amplifier

by Philips

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.5 x 3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009A1F6O
• Item model number: PH61111
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,516 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 28, 2005

Product Description

24dB Dual-Output VHF/UHF/FM Amplifier

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Philips PH61111 Amplifier Compares Favorably with Motorola Model BDA Signal Booster for HDTV, April 21, 2008

By 

Mike Hall (Silicon Valley) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 24DB Dual Output Vhf/uhf/fm Amplifier (Electronics)

I compared the two signal amplifiers in an over-the-air antenna situation. The antennas (both VHF/UHF - digital) were outdoor type with from about 50' to 75' of coax cable connected to an HDTV. Also tested on an analog TV.

The Philips PH61111 is meant for indoor use, is black, and has two output terminals, a convenience. It's lightly built, and reminds me of the boosters that have been available at Radio Shack for years (decades). Has a convenient power on light. Connects directly into AC via two pronged cord. Comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Made in China. Amplification is 24 db (very nice); not adjustable. Recommended only for TV applications.

The Motorola Signal Booster is also black, has only one output terminal. Besides the input terminal, there's a terminal for DC power via an AC adapter. It could easily be plugged into one of the other terminals by mistake. It's ruggedly made of die cast aluminum. Box contains two 6' coax cables with connectors. Has a limited 1 year warranty. Made in China. Amplification is 15 db; not adjustable. Can be used for multiple broadband applications. Is bi-directional, so more versatile than the Philips for non-TV communications applications. The three cables with adapter makes it a bit clumsy to work with in an enclosed space.

THE TEST
Used both units on a Toshiba 40XF550U and an older Panasonic superflat CRT. Units were placed in cabinets close to the TVs (not at the antenna source). Digital channel signal strength was measured using the TV's signal strength indicator for approximately 30 channels in the San Francisco bay area (north and south from Mountain View).

FINDINGS
Both units performed equally well. They substantially boosted signal strength from a non-amplified situation. Even though the Philips claimed higher amplification power, it did not boost signals from distant stations any more than the Motorola. Fringe signals were exactly the same strength. The analog TV also received benefits that were, subjectively, equivalent.

CONCLUSIONS
The Philips is roughly half the price, more compact, with two signal outputs, and works just as well at TV signal amplification as the Motorola. If that's the only application required, the Philips is a good choice.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Works as expected, January 7, 2008

By 

C. Hatipoglu (Redmond, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 24DB Dual Output Vhf/uhf/fm Amplifier (Electronics)

This product works just like it is supposed to work.

It seems pretty reliable too, it has been in my attic (110+ degrees in summer and mid-20s in winter) and did not cause any problems.

The important thing about this unit (or any amplifier for that matter) is, it has to be as close as possible to the antenna. If you have an antenna in the attic and if this amplifier is in your living room (after losing 6-10 dB), the 24 dB amplification will not be sufficient to re-generate the digital signal.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Look out for amplified interference, May 9, 2008

By 

D. Jensen (Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 24DB Dual Output Vhf/uhf/fm Amplifier (Electronics)

I purchased this amplifier because the signal from our VHF/UHF roof-mount antenna was being lost in a sea of cables and splitters I recently added to our home.

My first test with the new amplifier involved running an extension cord to the roof so that I could connect the amplifier directly to the antenna. To my surprise the results were terrible. Several channels actually disappeared. Others worked poorly.

I bundled up the amplifier in anticipation of returning it. But then I had another thought. I wondered if the VHF and FM signals that saturate our valley were being amplified to the point that they were swamping the front end of either the amplifier or our DTV converter boxes. (All I wish to receive are UHF DTV signals.)

To test this hypothesis I made a very crude UHF loop antenna (out of a 2' piece of 12 gauge copper wire and a 300-to-75-Ohm balun) and plugged it into the amplifier. Everything worked great! Every TV in the cable/splitter chain had a fine signal on all DTV channels.

So my conclusion is that this amplifier works fine. In fact it works too well at VHF frequencies. If all you want to receive and amplify are UHF signals and you live in an RF-saturated area, you need to use a UHF-only antenna with this amplifier.