Will a cable amplifier/booster help?

[LuDaCriS66]

I'm using a satellite cable connection to connect to my computer using an ATI TV Wonder PCI card. The cable line that connects to the TV Wonder has gone through two 2-line splitters. I get a whole bunch of dark lines that are in columns on the screen and this is with any TV viewing software .. from the MMC software to DScaler to PowerVCR II. I'm assuming it has to do with the cable having gone through splitters and thus degrading the signal. It could be the tuner itself though.. I don't know

Will a cable amplifier/booster help? I've seen generic amplifiers in a hardware store that go for about $14 (canadian). It plugs into a power outlet and it allows 3 cables to be plugged in. 1 for the input and 2 outputs. If it does indeed improve the video, it's exactly what I need.

Anyone know if it'll help or if anyone can point me in the right direction? I'd post a pic of what it looks like but I don't know how to upload pictures on this forum and I don't have a server to host it on.

 

[LuDaCriS66]

bump

 

[wyvrn]

Amplifiers do just that, amplify whatever is on the line. If you have snow or static, then they will amplify that. However, if you plug the amp into the line before the first split, you should be amplifying the best signal on the line and that might get you through a couple of splits. I have tried these and results were sometimes ok, sometimes made it worse.

 

[goog40]

Would an amplifier negatively affect the cable internet connection?

 

[LuDaCriS66]

<< Amplifiers do just that, amplify whatever is on the line. If you have snow or static, then they will amplify that. However, if you plug the amp into the line before the first split, you should be amplifying the best signal on the line and that might get you through a couple of splits. I have tried these and results were sometimes ok, sometimes made it worse. >>



Thanks for the info. Except now I don't know whether I wanna get one.

 

[sohcrates]

they key with a regular "one in one out" amplifier is to put it before the splitter...that way you boost the good signal before it gets split..or you can buy a "powered splitter" that actually has one in and multiple outs. either might help if you have several splits through an unpowered splitter right now

and no, it's not *supposed* to affect your cable modem (i asked a cable modem guy that once...course, i knew more than him...but still..)

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< they key with a regular "one in one out" amplifier is to put it before the splitter...that way you boost the good signal before it gets split..or you can buy a "powered splitter" that actually has one in and multiple outs. either might help if you have several splits through an unpowered splitter right now

and no, it's not *supposed* to affect your cable modem (i asked a cable modem guy that once...course, i knew more than him...but still..) >>


my dad used on of those...splits it into 4 outputs which are all amplified...all it did was put lines in the signal

 

[SuperSix]

I have one. It's like an A/C adapter brick with a coax connector on it. Time Warner ran a line from the amplifier to the street and then new cable from the street to the house. I have 5 TV's on it and a cable modem, with no problems. Just my high monthly bill.. :|

 

[ScottMac]

The dark vertical bars are "ringing" caused by an impedence lump (or two) in the cable..it's causing a standing wave on the line (just like crummy SWR in the old CB days). Probably bad connectors/connections.

IF you have a decent signal coming in, then putting an amp on the line ASAP is likely to help. Go to an electronics store (not Rat Shack), and buy some commercial-grade splitters. If you need a two-way split, then get a two way splitter. If you need a three-way split, then buy a four port splitter and cap one of the outputs, it's a much better match.

There are some amps that will allow a cable modem to communicate through. If possible, you should put the cable modem before any splits.

If you are splitting the line twice, each time through a two-way splitter, then you'd need a ~9db AMP (each split is 3db+loss, plus loss at each connector) at the cable entrance to compensate for the drop. Use RG6 cable if you can (less loss).

Good Luck

Scott

 

[LuDaCriS66]

<<

IF you have a decent signal coming in, then putting an amp on the line ASAP is likely to help. Go to an electronics store (not Rat Shack), and buy some commercial-grade splitters. If you need a two-way split, then get a two way splitter. If you need a three-way split, then buy a four port splitter and cap one of the outputs, it's a much better match.

If you are splitting the line twice, each time through a two-way splitter, then you'd need a ~9db AMP (each split is 3db+loss, plus loss at each connector) at the cable entrance to compensate for the drop. Use RG6 cable if you can (less loss).

>>



Thanks for the info! You mentioned commercial-grade splitters.. how much does the mhz rating on these splitters matter? One of the splitters I'm using says 5-890mhz on it. It's an extremely cheap piece of hardware though but I was getting the "bars" before I put that one in.

And I should place the AMP before any splitters right? It has to be right at the beginning?