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Re My Cable Internet Connection: I am Using a Splitter Which Boosts the Signal What Is Wrong With Doing This?

I

Infos

Diamond Member
One lead is 3 db and the other is 6 db

Is that why I have heavy duty static on the higher stations' audio on my tv tuner card?

Should I break down and buy a splitter with no boost?

Thanks 🙂
 
So you're splitting your internet connection, and putting one lead into the tuner card and other into the modem? You shouldn't do that. The net connection has a filter on it to isolate it from noise on the line - you shouldn't try to use it as a regular TV outlet. I'm surprised your modem hasn't stopped working.
 
What filter are you referring to? My tv cable just happened to run right behind my pc, so the installer just cut the line and put a standard, non-amplified splitter on the line. Certainly no filter on it. I subsequently split off the signal again to feed both my cable modem and my TV Tuner card. No problems with signal levels on either. Of course, your original signal strength matters.

As for the original poster on this thread, I'd just go with a normal splitter.

Edit: After some more research, it looks like for some people, there might be issues with splitters, normal or otherwise. Maybe I was/am just lucky with mine, but as far as I can tell, there's nothing special about the one my cable company gave me.
 
A 6db boost on the cable level is probably overloading the input on your tuner card.

All you need is a plain-old cable splitter. Make sure it is rated for at least 1.0GHz (many say "5-1100MHz" on them), or you will have problems with your internet access. It should cost maybe $10 from Radio Shack. Also, if you have more than 2 splitters between where the cable comes into the house and your cable modem, the cable modem may not work.

There are no line filters typically used with cable internet access.
 
I don't know what service you guys are using, but it's my understanding that all DOCSIS modems use filters on the line. At least the company I get my cable internet from does. I used to work there (although a different department) and heard the techs complain about people trying to watch TV off their data line and how it could mess up that whole part of the network.

Edit: After a little reading, using a filter is apparently dependent on how much upstream noise is present in the system, and how the company plans to deal with that noise. This article from cable-modem.org has a simple explanation. This article from cabletoday.com has a little more detailed explanation.
 
Thanks for all your helpful input

I do know the cable guy didn't put any filters on the line (shaw.ca)

Tomorrow I'm off to Radio Shack/Walmart to get a regular splitter

It's wierd the way the audio is just distorted on the higher channels 😕
 
Are you sure the splitter is amplified? A quality splitter will have a db value on it, (usually 3.5 per leg on a two-way...7db per on a four-way), but these values are how much said splitter PULLS OFF the line, not amplifies...the lower the number the more signal you have. Also, any amplifier will have to have a power source...if the splitter isn't plugged into an outlet then it's not an amp. The poor reception is due to signal loss on the tuner, and your modem works cause it's on the 3 leg. And Workin is right, it wouldn't be good to have more than two splitters between the tap at the pole and your computer, as the return signal is not amplified, (even if you did have an amplifier).

The only filters we use are high-pass filters, which block all return signal, (if someone has faulty wiring and its screaming back to the tap and affecting other customers), and we do not use them in conjunction with modems.

I'm a contract Online installer for Comcast.

-Rhi
 
Thanks for clearing that up Rhi

So the only way to boost a signal is with an amp?

The original splitter I was using is labelled 3db and 6 db on the 2 different output ends
The one I got from radio shack doesn't have any labels (except input and output)
 
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