Coax Splitter Question about Quality

[us3rnotfound]

I currently have a 4-way splitter in my basement that's rated to go up to 1500 MHz, and is overall pretty good quality, it's the one AT&T put in. However, I only use 2 lines out of the available 4, and have been having occasional signal and PQ problems with it, so I was planning on replacing it with a 2-way splitter I already had in storage.

It's this one: http://www.consumerdepot.com/products.asp?id=N2WAYSPLITTERR&referer=google

Would I be doing more harm than good in replacing the 4-way with this, or is the Nexxtech too low quality?

EDIT: Nevermind, after some Googling, wound up on a really good guide for splitters: http://www.dslreports.com/faq/cabletech/4._Splitters#3332

The NEXXTECH is a cheap 900 MHz splitter/combiner, so it's junk for digital internet/tv.

 

[sivart]

if the other 2 lines you are not using are connected, try disconnecting them and see if that helps.

 

[CubanlB]

If you want to keep the better splitter just put these on the unused ports.

http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-...9019113&sr=8-1

You can find them at radio shack and whatnot.

 

[sswingle]

If you want to keep the better splitter just put these on the unused ports.

http://www.amazon.com/Parts-Express-...9019113&sr=8-1

You can find them at radio shack and whatnot.

What would those accomplish exactly?

A 4 port splitter will have a higher db loss per port than a 2 port.

 

[CubanlB]

Just keeps loss out of unused ports to a min.

I just found this, http://www.swhowto.com/VideoLoss.htm good read, to the point for most distribution questions.

Yes, a 2way splitter will have less loss but a higher quality splitter will be better in the long run. However, just because a splitter says it's 1500mhz doesn't automatically mean it's higher quality.

If you are having issues on a 4way splitter you have an issue with your signal from the street. See if you can get you gain turned up by the cable company.

 

[smitbret]

You basically have three options, all of which will result in better signal, but some are better than others:

1) Replace the four-way splitter with a two-way splitter if you don't need the extra ports.

2) Cap/terminate the unsed ports on the four-way

3) Get a GOOD distribution amp and place it on the line going into the splitter. This will probably be the best solution, but also the most expensive. If you're problem to begin with is long cable runs or poor coax condition, then dropping to a two way splitter or terminating the terminals might not be a big help.

The 1200mHz label thing in almost no way determins the quality of the splitter. db loss ratings are the important factor when looking at splitters.