Is there a way to amplify a cable TV signal?

[coolred]

I just moved into my new apartment and got digital cable and high speed internet. There is only one cable outlet in our living room, so in order to have the cable and the HSI, the line needs to be split. Unfotunately I also need to have my Tivo hooked up, which isn't a problem, except I want to be able to watch one show while recording another. Therefore the line needs to be split again in order to make this possible, at this point I can start to notice some artifacts in the picture.

I was also considering just dropping the digital and going back to just analog. But I managed to get a nic eprice on the package, since I told them time warner had offered me a discounted rate since they recently did maintenance in my area and cable was out. SO I am actually getting thier digital cable for less then what they charge for analog. I guess I could just drop the digital and keep the price. How much is everyone else paying for cable and HSI? I mainly only went digital for a couple channels(G4TechTV and the science channel)G4tech is okay, but from what I understand its not what it used to be, and I have yet to see anything interesting on the science channel, although the website lists several shows that seem interesting, I just haven't see them on.


So for a recap or cliffs notes, is there any way to amplify a cable signal? And how much is everyone paying for cable and high speed internet. Please also list if you have analog or digital and what speed of internet, also list provider if you wish. Thanks

 

[slick230]

You can get a cable amplifiler, but make sure you put it as close to where the cable enters your house as possible, preferably BEFORE any splitters. You basically want to amplify the best signal you get, which is where is comes into your place, before sending it down the line. If you amplify after splitters, you'd be amplifying any artifacts or other losses those splitters induce in the line.

edit: You'd want to get a GOOD amplifier, too, not one of the cheapos they have a Raggedy Crack. Something like this should work well for you.

 

[teething]

what you're looking for is called a distribution amplifier- and yes, do it as close to your drop as possible

 

[coolred]

Well thats another problem, these apartments were just recently cabled for the provider I chose(wide open west) and the line downstairs didn't work. The cable guy went upstairs and took the cover off the line in one of the bedrooms and found out the line downstairs wasn't connected to anything. So he split the line in the bedroom so that one ran to the bedroom and th other downstairs, so before it even gets to thier cable boxits already split twice. Man maybe I should have gone with time warner, but I have heard some horror stories about them, I should probablly just dump the digital, that would require one less split and it looks okay without that last split. I just wonder if I would be pushing it trying to get another discount if I dump the digital, even though I am already paying less then thier cost for analog and HSI.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

amplifier

 

[TechnoKid]

A very good read: Text

and yes, like slick mentioned, you want to put in an amp right after the ground block; you don't want to put one at your outlet otherwise you'd be amplyfying a bad signal.

Make sure you are using quality splitters and cables..what brand and kind are you using now? The pre-terminted RG6 cable you buy at the store is often of very poor/improper crimps, make sure you are using only RG6, and preferably snap-n-seal compression type connectors, or a properly cut and crimped crimp connector.

 

[coolred]

How much do those cost?

 

[teething]

Originally posted by: coolred
Well thats another problem, these apartments were just recently cabled for the provider I chose(wide open west) and the line downstairs didn't work. The cable guy went upstairs and took the cover off the line in one of the bedrooms and found out the line downstairs wasn't connected to anything. So he split the line in the bedroom so that one ran to the bedroom and th other downstairs, so before it even gets to thier cable boxits already split twice. Man maybe I should have gone with time warner, but I have heard some horror stories about them, I should probablly just dump the digital, that would require one less split and it looks okay without that last split. I just wonder if I would be pushing it trying to get another discount if I dump the digital, even though I am already paying less then thier cost for analog and HSI.

you should be fine- keep the digital

 

[TechnoKid]

Originally posted by: coolred
How much do those cost?

amps run anywhere from $40 to several hundred dollars (though the multi $$$ are professional distribution balancing/attenuable amps) ebay cable tv amp store

edit: found a much chepaer place than the ebay guy....http://www.tvcinc.com/ theyu dont have the best of websites as far as purchasing goes, so call them instead.

 

[coolred]

teething, why do you say I will be okay

 

[ttown]

My dad had a very similar situation....
He just called the cable company and they either increased the signal or added an amplifier -- for free.

 

[coolred]

Thats a good suggestion, I will try asking them about that. Just wondering how well it will go over since it looks okay without me splitting it for tivo use.

 

[teething]

Originally posted by: coolred
teething, why do you say I will be okay

I'm sitting here after a splitter outside the house, then a cable run to the office, then the DA. After that, the cable modem, then routers/etc.

 

[coolred]

Well I found a decent deal on an amplifier, so i went ahead and bought one myself. I installed it in the only place I could. In the living room its the first connection fromt he wall outlet. It then goes out and goes to my cable box, and the other line(its a dual jobby)gets split between the tivo and cable modem. Unfortunately with the amplifer where it is, it is already after one split in the line, since the installer had to split the line upstairs, since it wasn't connected properly. Thus the amplified signal is already slightly degraded because of the split, and amplifying basically makes it look as bad as it does without the amplifer but split the extra time. SO I plan to call the cable company, but what exactly do I say, what can they do? It would seem to me if they install thier own amplifer then the problem will continue, unless thiers are crazy good, and hey they probably coul be.


But what exactly should I say to them?