Cable signal boosters....

[randomlinh]

ok, wondering if anyone has used this before... or has any suggestions for alternatives. I need to boost the video signal after it gets split.

From the reviews, it seems like it works, but curious as to if anything else I should look at.

Linh

 

[sohcrates]

i've been using radio shack ones for years

either put a single booster before a large passive splitter, or you can actually buy "powered splitters"

 

[Hammer]

i was thinking about getting one of these but didn't know if it would affect data. will it mess with my cable modem?

 

[lozina]

We tried a signal booster from Home Depot once, I think made by LEviton. It resulted in a worse picture

 

[aplefka]

I've seen them at Radioshack, and I'd assume they're cheaper there than from Motorola.

 

[tomstevens26]

Originally posted by: Hammer
i was thinking about getting one of these but didn't know if it would affect data. will it mess with my cable modem?

We had to have a signal amp installed, and the cable guy did not boost the line going to the cable modem. He said that unless you are having problems with the cable modem then you never want to boost the signal it receives. The other thing to keep in mind is that perhaps the signal issue is a problem before it gets to your place, and you may just end up boosting whatever is causing the problem.

Tom

 

[Vegito]

I got channel vision cable 2 way amp for data + video.. supposely they were the best, etc..etc.. didn't make much of a difference.. and cost me 108.. 8 way splitter..

at least i know the modem works...

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: aplefka
I've seen them at Radioshack, and I'd assume they're cheaper there than from Motorola.

Outpost has them and yes they are cheaper.

 

[randomlinh]

does anyone have the specific one from rat shack and how much? these motorolas run about $40/50. And I would be placing this AFTER the split for the cable modem, so it wouldn't affect it (have no need to mess w/ that one... altho, i need a coupler for it maybe... I want to move it.. any suggestion for this one?)


also, any opinion on something like this?

 

[Salvador]

I don't use a signal booster, but I do use a high quality splitter that minimizes signal loss (made by Monster). Is that the same thing or does this device actually amplify the signal somehow?

Sal

 

[randomlinh]

these are actually powered amplifiers. and what would be the decent splitter that doesn't cost millions like the monster one? hehe.

 

[3chordcharlie]

what is the reason for a booster? I have three daisied splitters, and no signal loss, it seems to me an amplifier (especially a cheap one - i.e. under a few hundred dollars) would just add noise.

 

[ncl]

charlie - I guarantee with splitters you do have signal loss (usually 3.5 dB per two-way split), you just have a good enough signal coming into your home that the loss is not noticable in your video quality.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: ncl
charlie - I guarantee with splitters you do have signal loss (usually 3.5 dB per two-way split), you just have a good enough signal coming into your home that the loss is not noticable in your video quality.

sorry - i know I have signal loss (and yes it's 3.5db per split) - but in my case i don't have noticeable signal loss. I really would like to know if a radioshack signal booster can do anything but add noise though.

 

[psiu]

That appears to be a good amp. Note in the specs that it is bidirectional, but takes a huge bite out of the return signal (going back to cable co). That's why you usually try to avoid putting them before a cable modem. However, do you have digital cable, as it could interefere with that also.

Each situation is different, so it might be fine too.

I wouldn't put anything Radio Shack near my cable lines. ANYTHING from the Shack was generally the first (and possibly the last) thing replaced when I did service calls. Splitters, amplifiers, cable, fittings...

 

[TechnoKid]

bad signal in bad signal out. Thats why you put the amp in as early as possible. Usually, if you ahve cable moden and video service, you'll have the service drop hooked up to a two way splitter, then one of those legs will go directly to the cable modem, the other leg will go to another splitter or an amplified splitter.

here's another seller on ebay. these are elctroline amps

 

[Caveman]

Avocent makes high quality versions of these...

 

[Fritzo]

These interfere with digital channels, so careful.

 

[huesmann]

Actually, digital channels are the ones that need boosting. They are extremely weak after being split.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
bad signal in bad signal out. Thats why you put the amp in as early as possible. Usually, if you ahve cable moden and video service, you'll have the service drop hooked up to a two way splitter, then one of those legs will go directly to the cable modem, the other leg will go to another splitter or an amplified splitter.

here's another seller on ebay. these are elctroline amps

Can these things be placed outdoors?

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: huesmann

Originally posted by: TechnoKid
bad signal in bad signal out. Thats why you put the amp in as early as possible. Usually, if you ahve cable moden and video service, you'll have the service drop hooked up to a two way splitter, then one of those legs will go directly to the cable modem, the other leg will go to another splitter or an amplified splitter.

here's another seller on ebay. these are elctroline amps

Can these things be placed outdoors?

with the proper outdoor coax connectors ends, yes they can be placed outdoors. the housing is weather proof.

For connectors, Thomas & Betts makes nice SNS (snap-n-seal compression) connectors. You can also use a weatherproof boot over teh f-connection to seal out any possible further moisture. Make sure you are using RG6 or better cable, preferably RG6QS (quad shield).

 

[randomlinh]

i'm not interested in digital cable, so it's no big deal. It's just after the first split (after the cable modem split), quality seems to fall. I'm sure the cheap ass splitter that's there doesn't help, so i want to replace it w/ something powered to make the run all the way upstairs to the bedroom.

Those electroline amps look like what i'll get. any sources for quality splitters?

 

[Gibson486]

ahhhh...yes...they do work, but most people tend to forget one thing......they not only boost the signal, but they also boost the amount of noise. So, yes, it will ampilfy your signal along with the noise with it.

 

[OJ]

My TV picture was really crappy split to five TV's, I checked the net and found out about channel vision active splitter/amplifiers. The only way to go, the picture looks Great.

Pricy but the picture is crystal clear, CVT-2/4PIA II is the unit I bought.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: OJ
My TV picture was really crappy split to five TV's, I checked the net and found out about channel vision active splitter/amplifiers. The only way to go, the picture looks Great.

Pricy but the picture is crystal clear, CVT-2/4PIA II is the unit I bought.

wow, $150 it seems for the unit itself... any suggestions on good places to buy? Right now i'm leaning towards the ebay one mentioned before.