I have a Xantech ZPR68 distrb amp with 6 zones audio. Now I am ready to distribute video. Problem is I have coax in the walls and the ZPR has RCA inputs and outputs. I know I can use a modulator to convert the signal from RCA to COAX, but this seems to be a clunky and somewhat expensive proposition. I have 2 cable boxes (no RCA outs) and 6 zones to distribute to. This would seem like I need 8 modulators. Are there combo modulators or some other method to do this?

Let's back up a step. Do you mean you want to distribute video, which is to say the signal that comes out of the yellow jack on a DVD player? Or do you want to distribute an RF signal? Or do you want to distribute video, and RF is the only way that it seems you can do it?

If you have the audio already being distributed, then all you really need to send out is the video, right? Maybe not -- depends upon what is going to display the video. Maybe the easiest thing is to modulate, as you say.

But this gets tricky. First, I am about to install a channelVision 4-channel modulator. They exist.

Second, to do this, you need to have that many clear channels. I don't know how things are in your area, but here in Los Angeles, the UHF band is filling rapidly with digital and non-digital stations, and the upper cable channel frequencies are being used for digital cable.

Going back to straight video (NTSC, in other words), if you want to distribute video, by the way, check out Audio Authority. Even Radio Shack has a one in, four out video distribution amp, and it is cheap enough that it might be worth playing with to see if it will do for you.

"I have 2 cable boxes (no RCA outs) and 6 zones to distribute to."

One of the things you will need to do if you want to distribute the output of these cable boxes is apply demodulators to each, to convert the channel 3/4 output of the box into baseband audio & video. Not inexpensive.

How about the entire picture on this project; how many sources, what type, how many zones you are serving, is the audio distribution currently installed & running, etc?

This message was edited by Theaterworks on 12/02/02 07:34.33.

ZPR6810 can already distribute video, convert RF to composite for the cable boxes

The audio is already working (6 zones). I currently have 3 sources. Want to add 2 cable boxes, DVD, and VCR. The ZPR68 DOES have video distrb, the problem is it has RCA jack outputs. I have coaxial going to each zone. Is there a way to convert RCA to Coax without a (de)modulator?

You can de-modulate the cable boxes, to get composite video outputs, which will plug directly into the ZPR. Although it would probably be better (quality and price) to get new cable boxes with video out.

The coax going to each room can be used to distribute the video -- as long as you no longer want to use it for RF. Use inexpensive F-to-RCA adapters, available at Radio Shack (and many other places), to convert the ZPR's outputs to coax connectors, then do the same thing, going from the wallplates to the TVs' video inputs.

I think some of the confusion has to deal with what I am converting. If I understand correctly, I can convert the video only using the RCA to F connector and run the audio through the existing audio setup. If I want to run the audio through the coax, then I need a modulator. Since I don't know that I want to hear the TV through my ceiling speakers, I may need the modulators. In the family room, I have surround sound so I only need video through the coax.

Run your RF into a VCR. Then Video and audio out to your surround receiver. Use the VCR as your tuner.