Just got my Clearstream 4Max set up. I didn't even realize how many OTA channels there are. I'm pulling in 134. A lot are doubles but still go. No stuttering or issues thus far. I paid a DirectTV contractor to install it. The only thing he did that I'm not happy about is when he ran the coax. He ran it in the hole where the previous homeowner had drilled for DirectTV on the side of the house. But, instead of connecting to the coax plate he pulled the cable all the way through and connected directly to the HDHR. That is definitely not what I wanted. My question is if I back his cable out and connect it to the coax plate then connect another coax cable to that and run it to the HDHR will I see a significant signal loss?
No, it shouldn’t be significant.
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Did u connect the coax to a ground adapter and ground that to something that is properly grounded?
You don't want to see what happens if lightening strikes the antenna and it feeds that to your indoor equipment.
Grounding also can help with certain type of interference, so I have been told.
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Interesting, I believe that the antenna has one but I will have to check on that one.
The antenna may have a ground point yes, you can attach a wire to that and run that to a ground point, but from you picture of install location, on a wood beam, I do not see a good metal ground point near the antenna it self.
Also, those flat coax things, not well liked as, I am told, they can add significant risk of interference issues due to lack of shielding. They also can break easy due to their nature. They are last resort thing to use. But, if you can't drill hole through wall, then yup, they the only other option.
I noticed some things with my antenna set up and I thought I'd ask for the opinion of experienced cord cutters. I noticed that the guy I had install it ran the coax across my roof instead of running it under the eve of the house and making it look more inconspicuous. I live in Scottsdale, AZ and our roof uses tile shingles which get extremely hot during the summer. Will the coax be fine or will it melt? Can that heat disturb the signal? I'm wondering if I should have someone else come out and run it the way I first assumed even though that will cause the coax to be a little longer run?
A very interesting question. Look at the side of some of the coax and will likely fine a manufacturer and part number. From there, you should be able to google the coax and find the actual specifications. The heat will not affect the signal unless the coax were to be damaged by the heat.
For example, I use LMR400 for some antenna runs and its official operating temperature range is -40F to 185F. Am guessing that most coax will have a temperature range that exceeds even the hot Arizona sun.
Shorter runs are typically better than longer, but 10-20% is typically immaterial. The quality of the cable has much impact on signal quality. The latter is rated in attenuation-dB typically per 100ft and varies by frequency. Reputable manufactures will have a graph showing this (along with mechanical properties like temperature range) on their website.
So what is the best coax I could get signal-wise? Is it RG6 Quad or maybe RG8 Low Loss (If I can find it). I'm a newb to coax and whats best. If it matters my antenna is a Clearstream 4Max.
The AZ sun is brutal. I'd get that coax under the eves for sure. Even if it's rated for hellish temperatures, it will decay faster over the years if you leave it exposed like that. As for what kind, well if you already have RG6 then RG11 would be a major upgrade for reducing signal loss. Those are both 75 ohm which is probably what you need there.
Rg11 is pointless if you have less than a 100-150ft run. Good quality rg6 is fine... Plus I would hate to have rg11 tacked around my house 
Per the prior posts, good quality RG6-quad will be fine. Suspect the installer ran RG6, though the quality can only be determined by looking at a datasheet. RG11 has better signal characteristics, but is larger in diameter, harder to work with and is more visible (overkill for short/medium runs).
If the aesthetic of your current install bothers you, then replacing makes sense. If not, then I would not bother unless the coax degrades to a point it becomes a problem. Suspect the coax will outlast its mission life even in Arizona (assuming you can verify specs).
If you decide to replace the coax, then you might consider locating the HDHR closer to the exit point to avoid what sounds like a scenic coax run. Once the signal has gone from analog (antenna to HDHR) to digital (HDHR ethernet to router/switch), it is way easier to extend the Ethernet digital run with zero signal impact.
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Does anyone have problems with OTA football games? I use a HDHomeRun Connect Duo with an Apple TV and Firestick. I don't have any problems watching or recording shows on CBS or Fox, but often when I turn on a football game the screen will go crazy. My issues range from minor pixelations to huge image breakups that look like waves where the game is completely unwatchable. Sometime the image will freeze and fall behind the audio then rush to catch back up.
The Signal Quality and Symbol Strength on both channels is always at or close to 100% with Signal Strengths ranging between 80-95%. I added a LTE filter to no effect. I also recently switched the Transcoder from Hardware to Software, but it's too soon to know if that will make any difference.
No. This only happens on football games? That seems impossible. Have you tried with the HDHomeRun app to see if there are also issues there?
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I have tried the HDHomeRun app, but not in a very long time, so I don't remember if it was any better. Last season I just moved my indoor antenna around with little to no improvement. Then later I thought I may be getting interference from the cell tower close by because it seemed to be the worst for the NFL, like maybe there was more traffic on Sundays or they were running weekly test, but the LTE filter didn't help at all. I saw a Reddit thread where someone said the NFL OTA signal uses a higher bit rate and some devices have trouble transcoding it on the fly, so I don't know what to think.
I just know that if I never have major pixelation issues with regular programming--I may get a few minor pixelations here and there, but never that huge wave where the entire screen turns to mush.
It might be emi interference. Possibly you have a game day routine causing the issue. Do you fire up that crockpot for nachos, turn on a ceiling fan, light up that neon sign in the man cave, the glade plug in, the kegarator. Really any thing electrical you don’t normally use. Cheap led lights a notorious for emitting emi and destroying signal
Ok I would definitely recommend trying the HDHomeRun app the next time it happens to narrow down the issue some more.
No, I don't have any special game day routine. I've heard the same thing about electrical interference, so I tried turning off all my ceiling fans and LED lights to no avail.
I will definitely try that HDHomeRun app the next time my signal starts breaking up and report back though. Thanks for the tip, Macnbaish.
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Enable tuner sharing then look for the signal info in the dvr activity, you should be able to see the bitrate and if there are signal or network errors.
What is the HDHR plugged into?
Will do.
I have an AT&T wifi modem with 3 ethernet lines running out of it. One goes to my Apple TV, one to my LG TV, the other up through the attic and down to an ethernet switch box in the back room. One line off the switch box goes to the HDHR the other to my PC where the Channels DVR software lives. Then I have about a 6 ft line of cable running out of the HDHR into an LTE filter that's attached to my antenna.
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Why do HDHomerun and pre-amps not get along? If I’m unable to receive signals without a pre-amp, what then are my options? EDIT: Never mind. Found the answer. Overamplification of a few strong signals can foul up everything else.