# Video production tech question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-production-tech-question/85292>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 4, 2001, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-production-tech-question/85292 "2001-10-04T00:11:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-production-tech-question/85292/1 "2001-10-04T00:11:02Z")

</div>

i need to run a video feed from a palmcorder to a VCR then to a monitor approx 300 ft away. I understand that i would need some kind of an amp… 1.) would a VCR be a powerful enough amp?  
2.) Would RCA wires/cables do as good, better or worse than coax? I could omit the VCR part if i have to.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-production-tech-question/85292/2 "2001-10-04T00:32:03Z")

</div>

Hmmmm…line loss across 300 feet of coax. You might acually get away without an amp if the VCR out signal is strong enough and you go with a single non-broken line of coax (ie get a 500 foot roll and and make you own non-broken 300 foot section). If you have three 100 foot sections joined together with female-female couplers there will be line loss and potential RF interference at each coupling.

If you do need one coax line amps are not that expensive ($20- $60) as long as you have an AC source to power them.

[In-Line Signal Amplifier for CATV, Satellite, VCR, and TV](http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F002%5F004%5F004%5F000&product%5Fid=15%2D1170)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-production-tech-question/85292/3 "2001-10-04T00:35:17Z")

</div>

lets try that again

Just go to the [http://www.radioshack.com](http://www.radioshack.com) website and look for at # 15-1170.

In-Line Signal Amplifier for CATV, Satellite, VCR, and TV

$29.99 Reg. Price Brand:  
Cat.#: 15-1170 Model:

Where to Buy  
On-line Yes  
In Stores Yes  
1-800-THE-SHACK Yes

Minimizes signal loss caused by in-line devices or long cable runs (over 100 feet). Boosts signal by up to 10dB for CATV, satellite, VCR, and TV antennas. Requires 75-ohm coax cable connection.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2001, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-production-tech-question/85292/4 "2001-10-04T01:06:25Z")

</div>

Astro! You ist ein Wunderkind! How do you do it?? As usual, thank you!