Any cable TV installer Anandtech members here?

[GrumpyMan]

I have a quick question for ya. Do I need to call the my cable company to get the cable working in my downstairs computer room? My cable works fine upstairs where my living room is but the cable outlet downstairs does not seem to have a signal coming out of it. These are brand new Townhome/Apartments. I didn't know if there was a switch inside or is it outside my townhome or something to turn on that bottom room cable signal on. It's 7:00 am so I can't call the cable company yet. Anyone know offhand?

 

[TonTo]

depends.... how geeky are you?
personaly, i'd do it myself..... but, if you don't have the time or the energy(it could be alot of work) i'd just call them.

 

[brxndxn]

open up all your cable outlets (or it might be under a blank wall panel) and find the splitter... make sure the connections you need are currently in the splitter..

sometimes stupid contracters with have a 3-way splitter when there's like 5 different cable-outlets in the house..

you might have to buy another splitter to add if you're already using all the others

 

[dman]

Usually cable co will "connect" for free. Just call 'em up. Some charge a $.30 a month per outlet.

If you find the splitter and some outlets aren't connected, you can just twist it on. [Edit] IN GENERAL [/EDIT] If you add a splitter (or need an upgrade from a 3way to 4 or 5way for example) you'll lower the signal quality overall. The CableCo can compensate for that by, one example, adding an amplifier so that the overall signal stays the same [edit](or by using a better quality splitter)[/edit].

Anyway, It's very easy to connect a splitter up, but, it's a pain if you are using cable modem or digital cable because small changes in signal quality can have big effects on performance. If all you do is watch tv, then adding a splitter probably won't make a big deal. But, since the cable co's don't usually charge for this, I'd let them do it.

 

[Zach]

<< If you find the splitter and some outlets aren't connected, you can just twist it on. If, however, you add a splitter (or need an upgrade from a 3way to 4 or 5way for example) you'll lower the signal quality overall. The CableCo can compensate for that by, one example, adding an amplifier so that the overall signal stays the same. >>



Wrong, good splitters will degrade the db only a certain amount per plug. I have one with one 3.5db (for a mainTV or cable modem) and three others at 7 with a main input. Free from my @Home installer. I have another with 4 7db's and an input. All rated for the needed 1000Mhz. This is the same as using a two way splitter with 3.5db on either jack as far as my cable modem can tell. Of course, cascading the splitters will negatively affect some things, but the overall system is fine. So, it depends on the equipment.

Of course, your mileage may vary. I asked two of the older, smart acting @Home installers (contractors here) about this, over a period of two years.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Great job guys, thanks alot. I just need the downstairs cable connection on for my TV card on my computer (I already have DSL). I am very kind of geeky so I'm going to root around all the cable outlets and wall panels to try to find that splitter you guys are talking about. My cable company will do it but they can't get a guy out for a couple of weeks they said. I don't have the patience to wait unless I have to. I'll just go get some more cable andthe best splitter I can get so it won't degrade the signal as much. Once again thanks again guys, I appreciate it.