Quick broadband question

[acebake]

I have cable internet service with Charter. My question: it runs on the analog signal, so I can't plug it in and watch TV on my computer with that same line, right?


Thanks!


Aaron Baker

 

[MichaelD]

Which line? The one from the wall or the one from the modem?

The "internet" signal is combined on the same line w/the cable tv signals. The internet signals are at a much higher frequency then the singals for your TV channels.

The modem strips the TV signals out and "passes" the internet signal on. You can run a splitter on the line before the modem. One side to your TV, the other to the modem. Should be fine.

*edit*
This is assuming that you're actually paying for cable TV thru your cable provider and not just the cable internet. IIRC, even if you're NOT paying for TV service, you can still get the basic channels for free. YMMV.

 

[acebake]

Thanks for writing back!

I wanted to get an ATI all in wonder card, and use that to watch TV on my computer. So if I was to put a splitter on the line, and run one side to the internet and the other to the computer (ATI card), it would work?

Edit: Yeah I have full cable service with them also. Have both that and the cable internet.

 

[Budman]

Putting a splitter on your internet cable line is not a good ideal,you might be able to get away with it but most of the time you get slower speeds & may even lose sync on your cable modem (frequent disconnects).

 

[acebake]

Oh ok--so they're ok running another line right beside the cable modem line?

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: acebake
Oh ok--so they're ok running another line right beside the cable modem line?

I dont know how your cable co setup your cable modem line but for me when I had cable internet they put a new thicker cable coming from where the cable came into the house.

Cable modem needs the strongest signal you can get if you want good speed,you can try it but if you notice slowdowns then I would run an other line & not split the cable modem connection.

 

[Wolfsraider]

I have both as well as an leadtek tuner

it doesn't cause any interuptions on mine although I have heard it can

I run a splitter at the wall one to modem one to computer and one to my children's room

seems to work great as I can't tell a difference from 1 line vs three all used at the same time

mike

 

[crazychicken]

yea theoretically i dont think its supposed to be a problem, but i have heard problems usually only when you split it like 8 ways and then run it across a house. with a simple 2 way split you should be fine

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Budman
Putting a splitter on your internet cable line is not a good ideal,you might be able to get away with it but most of the time you get slower speeds & may even lose sync on your cable modem (frequent disconnects).

My cable TV existed - Comcast - added Internet Cable. A normal splitter doesn't work - but they have a special splitter that works perfectly. The cable comes into the house - goes to the splitter - then the Internet side goes to the cable modem, then to the router, then to my three computers.

 

[GrumpyMan]

I use a regular splitter from the wall to my modem and to my Haupauge TV card with no slowdowns whatsoever and get good reception on my second monitor with that setup. Now my TV is upstairs so I'm not sure if a split between a TV and cable modem would be any different as far as reception goes.

 

[robphelan]

i have had no problems with my line split to my modem & Winfast TVTuner... the only thing is Time Warner installed a filter to drop the internet signal down by 6db. My tv signal, i think is affected by this, bcuz it can be grainy.

 

[Lothar1974]

I have my cable line going to a splitter then one line to my cable modem and one to my 9700 AIW card. I haven't had a slow down or drop yet, plus the tv comes in great, except for a channel issue but thats another story.

 

[WackyDan]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Which line? The one from the wall or the one from the modem?

The "internet" signal is combined on the same line w/the cable tv signals. The internet signals are at a much higher frequency then the singals for your TV channels.

The modem strips the TV signals out and "passes" the internet signal on. You can run a splitter on the line before the modem. One side to your TV, the other to the modem. Should be fine.

*edit*
This is assuming that you're actually paying for cable TV thru your cable provider and not just the cable internet. IIRC, even if you're NOT paying for TV service, you can still get the basic channels for free. YMMV.

YES AND NO.... If you only subscribe to internet they will install what is called a trap on your line at the tap. The trap is a filter that filters out the TV freq range..... Now... Because they use contractors to install cable and internet sometimes you get a trap... sometimes you dont....hehe.... When I was having signal quality issues with Charter they came and removed the trap thinking that would boost my signal..... I hooked up the TV that same hour and had free tv. SO.. again... YES AND NO.