OT: Anyone ever install a distribution amplifier when splitting their cable?

[Ranger Dan]

I'm not a techie, nor a hard core audio/videofile. I do enjoy watching sports, movies, and TV and would prefer to better quality if it's reasonably cheap/easy to do. Also, I try to do what I can as DIY as opposed to paying someone. I wanted to see if anyone on the board had some helpful advice.

Our house was built in 1998 and virtually every room in the house (except bathrooms and laundry room) were wired with cable TV. The cable is split 8 ways currently. As I'm starting to work on finishing the basement, I want to run cable to my dedicated man cave as well as the "home theater" viewing area, and maybe where the bar will be located. I don't want to continue to degrade the signal any more. One option is to disconnect the cable going to the rooms where there is no TV (we only have 3 total at the moment). When I started looking into this, I stumbled upon the idea of a distribution amplifier. Has anyone used one of these? Will I notice any improvement by using this and keeping it split 8 ways? Is it possible to keep the basic cable splitters, and add this on the specific cable feeds where we want the best quality?

 

[sluggo72]

Running cable is just like running water lines, works the same. So yes you can do the amp thing on the whole circuit or on just one leg and yes they make amps for multiple or single circuits if you signal is poor amps will help. If the tv look fine it won't make them that much better. It sounds like the hard work is already done. Make sure you pre wire your man cave

 

[91Joe95]

Running cable is just like running water lines, works the same. So yes you can do the amp thing on the whole circuit or on just one leg and yes they make amps for multiple or single circuits if you signal is poor amps will help. If the tv look fine it won't make them that much better. It sounds like the hard work is already done. Make sure you pre wire your man cave

What he said.

 

[mn78psu83]

Know it's obvious, but make sure it's centrally positioned. Sounds like you should get an 8 output distribution amplifier.

 

[MtNittany]

Do you ever complete any of the myriad of projects that you inquire about? Just curious.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Running cable is just like running water lines, works the same. So yes you can do the amp thing on the whole circuit or on just one leg and yes they make amps for multiple or single circuits if you signal is poor amps will help. If the tv look fine it won't make them that much better. It sounds like the hard work is already done. Make sure you pre wire your man cave

Thanks for the response. I know they exist and what the options are... what I'm asking is whether there will be a noticeable difference if I go from no amp split 8 ways to either split 8 ways through an amp or existing split and an amp on the two or three critical lines? Which is preferable?

 

[crm114psu]

Is this for digital cable? If so, be aware that digital errors due to signal strength issues will exhibit a "cliff" effect - you will either get a picture or you won't. You might see macroblock type artifacts or freezing streams but there will be no gradual degradation like with analog.
Best way for you to go is to run the drop to where you want it and observe before looking at throwing more hardware into the feed. If you get smooth streaming with no artifacts then you will not get a better picture by using an amp.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Do you ever complete any of the myriad of projects that you inquire about? Just curious.

I do a lot of planning and research before kicking off a project. I do complete projects, but certainly am more eager to start them than finish them.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Is this for digital cable? If so, be aware that digital errors due to signal strength issues will exhibit a "cliff" effect - you will either get a picture or you won't. You might see macroblock type artifacts or freezing streams but there will be no gradual degradation like with analog.
Best way for you to go is to run the drop to where you want it and observe before looking at throwing more hardware into the feed. If you get smooth streaming with no artifacts then you will not get a better picture by using an amp.

You throw a lot of technical terms around and I clearly said that I'm not a techie. Isn't all cable digital? If its an on off as opposed to quality of signal, then why would anyone need an amplifier?

 

[crm114psu]

You throw a lot of technical terms around and I clearly said that I'm not a techie. Isn't all cable digital? If its an on off as opposed to quality of signal, then why would anyone need an amplifier?

Run the cable. Observe the picture. If it doesn't freeze you are good to go. If not, consider amplifier.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Run the cable. Observe the picture. If it doesn't freeze you are good to go. If not, consider amplifier.

Thanks but you aren't answering my question. I'm not asking whether I can run the cable and be able to watch TV, I'm asking about whether a digital amplifier improves the quality of the signal.

 

[mn78psu83]

Thanks but you aren't answering my question. I'm not asking whether I can run the cable and be able to watch TV, I'm asking about whether a digital amplifier improves the quality of the signal.

If you are getting a signal, then the digital amp can help prevent the potential intermittent loss of signal. sluggo's water analogy is good. Using the digital amp is like attaching a nozzle onto a hose to get a more powerful stream of water.

 

[crm114psu]

Thanks but you aren't answering my question. I'm not asking whether I can run the cable and be able to watch TV, I'm asking about whether a digital amplifier improves the quality of the signal.

By definition, an amplifier will increase the strength (gain) of the signal, not the quality. Gain and quality are two different entities.

 

[sluggo72]

Thanks but you aren't answering my question. I'm not asking whether I can run the cable and be able to watch TV, I'm asking about whether a digital amplifier improves the quality of the signal.

He's trying to answer. That is no one knows until you see what you have. If the picture is good the signal amp won't make it better. If it sucks than add the amp

 

[mn78psu83]

He's trying to answer. That is no one knows until you see what you have. If the picture is good the signal amp won't make it better. If it sucks than add the amp

That's another point. Any quality issues are often related to the coaxial cable and or the antenna.

 

[crm114psu]

If you are getting a signal, then the digital amp can help prevent the potential intermittent loss of signal. sluggo's water analogy is good. Using the digital amp is like attaching a nozzle onto a hose to get a more powerful stream of water.

Or like installing a pump - it will increase the water pressure (gain) but it will not change the color/purity of the water (quality).

 

[Ranger Dan]

OK, so the TV in our living room is never "off" and always has a signal.. It's a 120 hz, 1080P (5 year old visio, not top of the line) and it never seems to look as crisp/detailed as other TVs. If I understand what people are saying, then there is nothing I can do to improve the quality. Whatever signal we have is enough to ensure that the TV is "on". I did have an understanding that digital TV antennae worked this way, but I thought that splitting the cable TV signal degraded the signal a little every time you split it

 

[sluggo72]

OK, so the TV in our living room is never "off" and always has a signal.. It's a 120 hz, 1080P (5 year old visio, not top of the line) and it never seems to look as crisp/detailed as other TVs. If I understand what people are saying, then there is nothing I can do to improve the quality. Whatever signal we have is enough to ensure that the TV is "on". I did have an understanding that digital TV antennae worked this way, but I thought that splitting the cable TV signal degraded the signal a little every time you split it

The only thing I can say is try it with the amp and see, it won't hurt anything

 

[Ranger Dan]

The only thing I can say is try it with the amp and see, it won't hurt anything

OK, sorry for being dense/stubborn. I just couldn't accept the on/off situation as opposed to the bad/good/better vision in my mind.

I'll try it without the amp first, because I don't want to buy one if it's unnecessary.

 

[Big 0]

I used a distribution amp in my prior home, which had 5,000 sq. ft. finished space and therefore some very long cable runs from the basement to the second story. I was going to use a newer modulation amp to run my DSS signal along with the cable, which I still have new in the box, but never got around to it installing it as I got rid of the DSS service once I upgraded my cable. The old amp worked fine for my purposes. My new home is one story and about 2400 sq. ft. With a lot shorter cable runs, so I no longer need something to amplify the signal.

As people have mentioned, a distribution amp amplifies the signal and is designed for long cable runs. It is not intended to improve the quality of the signal.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

OK, sorry for being dense/stubborn. I just couldn't accept the on/off situation as opposed to the bad/good/better vision in my mind.

I'll try it without the amp first, because I don't want to buy one if it's unnecessary.

Another thing you can try with your current issue is get rid of the 8 splits and run a direct line to you tv that doesn't look like you think it should.

 

[crm114psu]

OK, so the TV in our living room is never "off" and always has a signal.. It's a 120 hz, 1080P (5 year old visio, not top of the line) and it never seems to look as crisp/detailed as other TVs. If I understand what people are saying, then there is nothing I can do to improve the quality. Whatever signal we have is enough to ensure that the TV is "on". I did have an understanding that digital TV antennae worked this way, but I thought that splitting the cable TV signal degraded the signal a little every time you split it

You are correct that each split degrades the strength of the signal, but it does not degrade the quality. The quality is embedded in the digital stream of the signal.

A newer TV or better cable box could improve the quality, but an amplifier most definitely will not.

 

[crm114psu]

Another thing you can try with your current issue is get rid of the 8 splits and run a direct line to you tv that doesn't look like you think it should.

That should make no difference at all in picture quality.

 

[91Joe95]

OK, so the TV in our living room is never "off" and always has a signal.. It's a 120 hz, 1080P (5 year old visio, not top of the line) and it never seems to look as crisp/detailed as other TVs. If I understand what people are saying, then there is nothing I can do to improve the quality. Whatever signal we have is enough to ensure that the TV is "on". I did have an understanding that digital TV antennae worked this way, but I thought that splitting the cable TV signal degraded the signal a little every time you split it

You need a better cable box. Not all cable is digital. If you don't have a cable box at the TV, you're probably watching non high def channels, even if it is " digital. " In fact, even with a cable box, a bunch of your channels are probably still not high def. As others have stated, no amp will help that and it is not the cause of your problem.

 

[Ranger Dan]

You are correct that each split degrades the strength of the signal, but it does not degrade the quality. The quality is embedded in the digital stream of the signal.

A newer TV or better cable box could improve the quality, but an amplifier most definitely will not.

You need a better cable box. Not all cable is digital. If you don't have a cable box at the TV, you're probably watching non high def channels, even if it is " digital. " In fact, even with a cable box, a bunch of your channels are probably still not high def. As others have stated, no amp will help that and it is not the cause of your problem.

We do have DVR Cable boxes at two of the three TVs now and a mini/basic cable box at the third. I will run the new lines, which will be the basement and shorter than the ones in the second floor bedrooms, so I should have no trouble getting signal there. I'll forget the amp idea, unless I have a room where the TV isn't receiving the signal.

Thanks for all the help in educating me and confirming that I don't need an amp.

 

[rtrainer]

Another thing to be careful of is MOCA. If you are using Verizon FIOS (not sure about Comcast) the router is also a MOCA interface that creates a network for the set top box to access the internet using the coax cable. If you are going to put anything between the set tops and the router it needs to be two way.

 

[coveydidnt]

Another thing to be careful of is MOCA. If you are using Verizon FIOS (not sure about Comcast) the router is also a MOCA interface that creates a network for the set top box to access the internet using the coax cable. If you are going to put anything between the set tops and the router it needs to be two way.

Correct, need two way AND the amp must be wide spectrum. Most you see at best buy & the like will not be suitable.

Some/most of the answers above were only partially correct. Just because the signal looks good at one frequency does not mean all frequencies are good. Specifically MoCA and DOCSIS data protocols are usually carried at either/both of the hairy edge of the frequencies.

 

[T J]

You throw a lot of technical terms around and I clearly said that I'm not a techie. Isn't all cable digital? If its an on off as opposed to quality of signal, then why would anyone need an amplifier?

Had some wires, connectors, splitters and a multi-cable booster replaced about a year ago. The older installed system did not work well with the newer FIOS 2-way signal. They upgraded the components and it was at their cost, so apparently they thought that each of the specific upgraded versions were important. MOCA for two-way signals as I recall.

 

[artsandletters]

For a sharper picture, once a year I take a 100% cotton cloth and wipe the dust off my 27" CRT TV. I don't know if that'll work with the new fancy TVs but it's worth a try.

 

[Creek Side]

Ranger. Did you, your home builder, or your cable provider installer install the 8 way splitter? When you do run the new lines and prepare to hook the television(s) up, I would unhook a line on the splitter that isn't being used (if it's full) to make room for your new line. Don't add another splitter in series. Make sure you use a good quality RG6 cable and run each individual line back to that splitter location. The connector on each end of those cables is a very important piece of your service. Make sure you do them correctly.

 

[FHSPSU67]

One thing: Be sure to terminate all unused coax lines with a 75-ohm terminator. These are cheap and available at Amazon.

 

[crm114psu]

For a sharper picture, once a year I take a 100% cotton cloth and wipe the dust off my 27" CRT TV. I don't know if that'll work with the new fancy TVs but it's worth a try.

Once a year? Damn, you are a real neat freak.

Those CRTs really were dust magnets due to electrostatics. Flat panels aren't near as bad but an occasional cleaning would have a positive effect on picture quality.

 

[lionroar88]

According to every Xfinity tech who has been to our house the amps are no longer needed with HDTV, in fact they can cause you to lose signal. I've had them replace all the connectors with new connectors, and they checked every run with a signal strength monitor, any runs that were weak they ran new cable. You are wasting your money buying amps.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Ranger. Did you, your home builder, or your cable provider installer install the 8 way splitter? When you do run the new lines and prepare to hook the television(s) up, I would unhook a line on the splitter that isn't being used (if it's full) to make room for your new line. Don't add another splitter in series. Make sure you use a good quality RG6 cable and run each individual line back to that splitter location. The connector on each end of those cables is a very important piece of your service. Make sure you do them correctly.

The splitter is kinda a hot mess, It's split by a combination of multiple spliters (figuratively held together with spit and bailing wire) all at the entry into the house. This was most certainly done by original home owner.

For the new cable runs I will establish direct runs back to the entry into the house, using the best cable I can get. Since I'm not likely in need ot a amplifier, then maybe I'll just look for a better quality/more professional looking splitter/manifold.

Are you saying that only cable runs that actively have a TV on the other end should be hooked up to the cable splitter?

One thing: Be sure to terminate all unused coax lines with a 75-ohm terminator. These are cheap and available at Amazon.

I'll check out the terminators. Thanks.

 

[crm114psu]

The splitter is kinda a hot mess, It's split by a combination of multiple spliters (figuratively held together with spit and bailing wire) all at the entry into the house. This was most certainly done by original home owner.

For the new cable runs I will establish direct runs back to the entry into the house, using the best cable I can get. Since I'm not likely in need ot a amplifier, then maybe I'll just look for a better quality/more professional looking splitter/manifold.

Are you saying that only cable runs that actively have a TV on the other end should be hooked up to the cable splitter?



I'll check out the terminators. Thanks.

If you can use a single splitter that matches the number of drops that you need then you will maximize the signal strength at each drop and possibly eliminate the need for any terminators.

 

[lionroar88]

I did some addition 'research'. What Xfinity has installed:

PPC EV01-5-U/U Active Return. This is an amplified splitter, but there is no power being supplied to it so not sure where the power is being generated from, maybe a LI battery or something?

On the input there are two additional pieces that I cannot identify one has GLF-1002 marked on it, there doesn't have anything identifiable.

Amazon sells Active Returns, just determine the number of runs you need and then search Active Return on Amazon and find the one with the corresponding number of drops. If you need 7 get an 8 and put a COAXIAL terminal on the unused port. However, if you run the coax and call your service provider, they should come out and hook everything up free of charge.....

 

[Bob_Anderson]

I'm not a techie, nor a hard core audio/videofile. I do enjoy watching sports, movies, and TV and would prefer to better quality if it's reasonably cheap/easy to do. Also, I try to do what I can as DIY as opposed to paying someone. I wanted to see if anyone on the board had some helpful advice.

Our house was built in 1998 and virtually every room in the house (except bathrooms and laundry room) were wired with cable TV. The cable is split 8 ways currently. As I'm starting to work on finishing the basement, I want to run cable to my dedicated man cave as well as the "home theater" viewing area, and maybe where the bar will be located. I don't want to continue to degrade the signal any more. One option is to disconnect the cable going to the rooms where there is no TV (we only have 3 total at the moment). When I started looking into this, I stumbled upon the idea of a distribution amplifier. Has anyone used one of these? Will I notice any improvement by using this and keeping it split 8 ways? Is it possible to keep the basic cable splitters, and add this on the specific cable feeds where we want the best quality?

This is really simple. If you have digital cable, either you get the signal, or you don't. It works, or it doesn't. If you can watch TV without pixelation, you have nothing to worry about no matter how many times the coax is split.