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Master antenna TV system (MATV)


MATV system can carry analogue and digital television free to view and subscription services through an aerial, FM radio and DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) but it cannot carry satellite services. Generally MATV systems over 30-years old are unsuitable for carrying digital television signals and they will need to be replaced. This is because cables degrade over time and are unsuitable to carry digital signals adequately when they are broadcast at full power after switchover.

In a typical MATV system:

  • The aerial is a conventional UHF TV aerial, receiving both analogue and digital TV signals.
  • Signals received by the aerial are then processed. Systems need to be modified to carry and handle digital signals correctly. Most current processors are only designed to handle analogue TV signals.
  • A distribution network then delivers all television signals to a socket outlet in each household. There can be more than one outlet per household, by the use of signal splitters and boosters.

A typical MATV system, as found in a block of 12 flats, is shown in the diagram below:

Typical MATV system found in a block of 12 flats
 

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