RG-59 coxial cable causing flickering when component video cables connected...

[brigden]

Our cable TV signal is split three ways using a RCA four-way signal splitter, like this one. My TV set is connected via a 50' length of basic RG-59. I recently purchased component video cables and was having picture quality issues. I finally pinpointed the RG-59 coaxial cable as the culprit; the flickering goes away once the cable is unscrewed from the back of my set.

Now, I need to know what's causing the interference. Could it be the cable TV line not properly grounded? Could it be the cheap RG-59 I'm using? Could it be the splitter?

Could an ungrounded cable damage my equipment?

What do you guys suggest I do? What's the best way to split our cable signal? Oh, and would someone tell me the difference between RG-59 and RG-60?

Cheers.

 

[Howard]

RG-6 has a thicker insulator and generally is higher-quality than RG-59.

 

[brigden]

Thanks, Howard. Anyone else care to help?

 

[Crusty]

I would check to see if your splitter is grounded properly. I had the same problem with mine...kinda. Everything on the tv was flickering, but as soon as I grounded the splitter it cleared right up!

 

[Electric Amish]

Originally posted by: Howard
RG-6 has a thicker insulator and generally is higher-quality than RG-59.

You can also get Quad-shielded RG-6.

 

[brigden]

How does one properly ground a splitter?

 

[Kaervak]

Originally posted by: MCrusty
I would check to see if your splitter is grounded properly. I had the same problem with mine...kinda. Everything on the tv was flickering, but as soon as I grounded the splitter it cleared right up!

Definitely ground it and as said before, switch as much cable as possible over to RG6. Especially if you have digital cable. I had some cheap coax (not even sure what rating it was) and reception was awful. Finally figured out that switching over to RG6 is what I needed to do. Picture quality is much improved since then. Also you may want to pickup one of these. I've got one of my cable line just in case. You can get one much cheaper online than what APC has it listed for on their site.

 

[brigden]

What is the difference between a regular splitter and a bi-directional splitter?

 

[Praetor]

Originally posted by: brigden
What is the difference between a regular splitter and a bi-directional splitter?

Bi-directional does just what it's name implies. It allows data to flow both ways through the splitter. "Conventional" (aka ancient, cheap POS) splitters aren't rated for the frequencies that cable co's use for digital video, internet, etc.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: brigden
What is the difference between a regular splitter and a bi-directional splitter?

Bi-directional does just what it's name implies. It allows data to flow both ways through the splitter. "Conventional" (aka ancient, cheap POS) splitters aren't rated for the frequencies that cable co's use for digital video, internet, etc.

Thanks. So, I'm assuming one would not need a bi-directional splitter for a standard cable TV signal?

 

[Zee]

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: Praetor

Originally posted by: brigden
What is the difference between a regular splitter and a bi-directional splitter?

Bi-directional does just what it's name implies. It allows data to flow both ways through the splitter. "Conventional" (aka ancient, cheap POS) splitters aren't rated for the frequencies that cable co's use for digital video, internet, etc.

Thanks. So, I'm assuming one would not need a bi-directional splitter for a standard cable TV signal?

why, is ure tv sending stuff back up the wire to the broadcast stations?

 

[Ameesh]

get a powered splitter and use RG6

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Electric Amish

Originally posted by: Howard
RG-6 has a thicker insulator and generally is higher-quality than RG-59.

You can also get Quad-shielded RG-6.

Yes.