Advice needed for cable distributor/amplifer

[aarond]

I’m no expert on this subject but the cable lines in my parent’s house appear to have grown into a less than ideal patchwork. An also non-expert (but learning) friend of mine suggested a “distributor” that he though could be had for about $50. I took a quick look at what PE had to offer. The prices seem to vary quite a bit and I still don’t know what would be necessary to get the job done. I thought it would be easiest to describe the current setup and let you guys make suggestions.

Signal is split 2 ways as soon as it enters the house
1)to digital cable box
2)to basement distribution where a series of splitters are all located

The basement distribution is then split 2 ways
1)to cable modem
2)to a 3 way splitter

The 3 way splitter then feeds
1) another digital cable box
2) a TV (I think, no digital box)
3) a 2 way splitter that goes to 2 more TVs (no cable box)

If a distribution/amplifier is deemed necessary I thought the incoming cable line could be routed to the basement where most of the splitters are located instead of its current location. The line that currently leads to the basement could be “reversed” to feed the digital cable box listed in the 1st 2-way split. This approach would have all of the lines originate from one location. I need 6 outputs total.

The longest line is maybe 75’, at the most from the 1st split. Moving the input point of the incoming line would decrease the longest run to about 40’.

On a related note, how important is it to have RG6 line in place for the length of runs mentioned? I believe it is currently all RG6 except for a 40’ line leading out of the 1st split to the basment.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Max_Andrews]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=182-564

looks like it would allow you to remove all the splitters and use this as the central distribution hub.

[aarond]

I saw that but before spending $120 I thought I should ask if something like that is what was actually needed.

Could someone elaborate what the "return" feature on this item is used for:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=182-568

It seems that this item has a return path insertion loss of 0dB while the first option lists 10.5dB and a return loss of about 20dB. info found here:

http://www.electroline.com/en/produc...es/amp_3da.pdf

I don't know what any of this means. I'd hate to spend $120 and not get what I need but I really don't want to spend $175 either.

Other potential options can be found here maybe??

http://www.parts-express.com/wizards...TOKEN=76438338


Thanks again,
Aaron

[aarond]

I'm still researching but I found this link to be very helpful. Just wanted to share...

The test is almost immediate. I'm going to do this at my parents house to see if an amp is actually necessary.

http://www.cabletvamps.com/Info/cabl...nal-levels.htm

Aaron

[JRT]

...test is almost immediate.
http://www.cabletvamps.com/Info/cabl...nal-levels.htm

Excellent. Highly useful info. Thanks for posting that.




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[lhwidget]

I had always used the little $30 distribution amps (lots of VCRs and TVs), on at the service entry point, then two more at my TVs' locations.

I didn't get good service until I removed these amps, one had failed and was adding noise I could see on the TV in my bedroom, the other was removed without any negative effects.

I also experienced an intemittant modem failure that affected the signals at the TVs (very odd, and hard to find).


My experience with Cox Cable in Oklahoma City netted the following set-up:

All passive splitters, the first is a two way, with the first split serving the modem (this puts the modem signal down 3 dB instead of 6 dB or more).

The other leg of the first split serves a larger passive splitter to hit the remaing locations in the apartment.


If you go with a distribution amp, make sure it's a high quality unit, & place it close to the modem's location if posible.

Use large conductor cable, & replace the connectors with high quality parts anywhere you are seeing interference. (the sliding sleeve connectors are expensive, but the cable guys prefer them because they provide a moisture resistant seal at the end of the cable).

Any place you wind up with an un-used outlet, terminate that outlet with a 75Ω dummy load. Microwaves leaked by ovens love to crawl into the system through unterminated outlets.

My system is all passive now, with 4 splits and it has been noise free for over a year.

[ropey man]

double check the freq ranges. digital cable goes up to and in some cases over 1GHZ. alot of splitters and amps only go up to 900MHZ. like stated before, have the cable modem off the first split coming into the house. having it as a second or later split will cause intermittent connection failures. and depending on how many splits there are in the line, a good quality distobution block possibly with an amplifier can make a huge difference in quality in other areas. i have gone into homes and seen people complain about having lines on the screen and "ghosting" because they have 5 or 6 splitters on thier lines and each time you split the signal you are dropping 3-8db depending on the splitter used. just my $.02.