Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? in Cable & Satellite TV http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r10849973 en Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:17:51 EDT Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:17:51 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10985462 marat650 : ok, i get the point now, thanks for all your help guys.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10985462 Sat, 07 Aug 2004 04:00:49 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10978747 digismdu : Regardless of how many TVs there are, a cable modem should ALWAYS be on its own, dedicated splitter or directional coupler (tap), and be the first device in the line. The only exception is if it's impossible or impractical to do so.

Again the question, why would you want to move your cable modem from a splitter that has an insertion loss of 3.5dB to a splitter that has 7dB of loss? You would be decreasing your signal level by 3.5dB.

CIAO!

Ed N.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10978747 Fri, 06 Aug 2004 11:55:32 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10976868 drjim : No, leave the cable modem on the two-way splitter. You'll have plenty of signal to work with. And stop thinking that a stronger signal will give you higher speeds. IT WON'T. Unless you have such a low signal that the modem has trouble getting sync, the strength has NOTHING to do with what speed you get.
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One man's Magic is another man's Engineering.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10976868 Fri, 06 Aug 2004 05:33:06 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10976734 marat650 : ok, let's forget about the AMP's, my splitter setup looks just like the one DEFIANT posted except instead of 7db it's 7.5 on my 4 way splitter.
I have disconected one of the four cable connections that goes to my 4 way splitter, so now should i just get rid of the 2 way and hook up the HSI cable to that 7.5db leg?
By doing this, what are the pros and cons?
I think that my HSI will be a little bit slower but overall wouldn't i get a better signal since i'm getting rid of my two way splitter?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10976734 Fri, 06 Aug 2004 04:17:44 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10964832 anon : Thought i should throw down and help yall out. You need a signal amplifier only if your signal is dropping below negative 5 to mabey negative 7 at the tv set. In the attic it normally gets to around 0 on the upper digital channels and is a perfect spot to amplify. Keep in mind amplifiers do add some noise to the picture, so if you can get away without one then you get a cleaner picture. However, if you have more than 3 tv's /w a cable modem then you usually need an amp unless your 50ft away from the pole. Always route a 2way split for your cable mdm before the amp, most amps add noise and up the reverse making it harder for your modem to reach the head end. the split off the 2way should hit the amp then go directly into a 4way, 8way or whatever you need. Avoid using daisy chained 2ways unless that's all you got. I'd recommend calling your cable company and asking for an amp install because we'll be happy to do it for you and usually only charge for parts, if that. If i hit a house that should have had an amp installed a long time ago, and i'm the 3rd guy there... that amp is free :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10964832 Wed, 04 Aug 2004 21:00:58 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10929806 malvado6 : The boxes need help because they only show programs for today and the next day, the day after shows "To be announced" so i'm assuming that there is not enought signal going to the boxes.

I think someone else suggested you quit monkeying with your setup. Sounds like good advice to me. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10929806 Sat, 31 Jul 2004 21:37:55 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10928305 dib22 :
said by marat650 See Profile:
The boxes need help because they only show programs for today and the next day, the day after shows "To be announced" so i'm assuming that there is not enought signal going to the boxes.


if its getting today and the next day your signals are fine... otherwise it wouldn't even be able to get todays...

if the boxen are motorolas they take a long time to get the guides...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10928305 Sat, 31 Jul 2004 17:28:50 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10927963 defiant : I don't think that means that your digital boxes are getting enough signal. If you haven't posted already, what is the make/model of the boxes you are using? Maybe someone here knows how to access the diagnostic screen so you can see the signal stats for yourself.
--
My local Humane Society is in need of help. Join me in donating whatever you can to help them provide food and shelter for stray animals. Please visit The Humane Society of Monroe County for more info.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10927963 Sat, 31 Jul 2004 16:38:29 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10927945 marat650 : The boxes need help because they only show programs for today and the next day, the day after shows "To be announced" so i'm assuming that there is not enought signal going to the boxes.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10927945 Sat, 31 Jul 2004 16:35:24 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10917880 JPuppy :
said by marat650 See Profile:
Also, if he will hook it up, where is the best place to do it, before the splitter of after?
What you want to do is go straight from the amplifier into the biggest antenna you can find. That way the whole neighborhood can share in the fun ;)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10917880 Fri, 30 Jul 2004 12:55:59 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10915374 briankelly9 :
said by marat650 See Profile:
It sounds like i got a great setup then, so looking at the chart above it looks like the leg that's a 3.5db has more signal then the 7db leg like you guys said, the tech's at RCN which i no loger have told me the oposite.

Also, what if my 4 way splitter has one 3.5 db leg, can i get rid of the first splitter then?

There won't be much signal improvement if i do that but do you guys think it will help my 3 digital boxes at all?
the 3.5 is negative. so tell the RCN boys negative 3.5 is greater than -7. also you have 5 devices right? 4 tv + 1 modem so no you cannot plug 5 devices into a 4 way splitter. your hooked up right now stop monkeying with it and see how it works !! just kiddin good luck let us know how it works. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10915374 Fri, 30 Jul 2004 05:53:04 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10914208 dib22 :
said by marat650 See Profile:
There won't be much signal improvement if i do that but do you guys think it will help my 3 digital boxes at all?


what are the digital boxes doing that makes them need help?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10914208 Fri, 30 Jul 2004 00:26:32 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10914127 marat650 : It sounds like i got a great setup then, so looking at the chart above it looks like the leg that's a 3.5db has more signal then the 7db leg like you guys said, the tech's at RCN which i no loger have told me the oposite.

Also, what if my 4 way splitter has one 3.5 db leg, can i get rid of the first splitter then?

There won't be much signal improvement if i do that but do you guys think it will help my 3 digital boxes at all?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10914127 Fri, 30 Jul 2004 00:15:41 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10907695 defiant : I know its a bit crude but maybe this diagram will help you visualized what is going on.
Click for full size
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10907695 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 12:13:55 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10905593 dib22 :
said by marat650 See Profile:
SO...what i would like to do is take off the first splitter and install the HSI cable to the main 4 way splitter in the [see below] leg, would that be a good idea?


BAD IDEA. :) your setup is perfect.

signal levels will not change the speed of your connection... they will just let it connect or not.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10905593 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 06:51:46 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10905446 briankelly9 : why would you take it off the -3.5 leg of the 2 way splitter and put it on a -7 leg of a 4 way if your trying to improve signal strentgh?? it sounds like you are hooked up right . ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10905446 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 05:43:56 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10905377 marat650 : ok so the Comcast guys came out and they told me that i do not need the AMP.

BUT, they installed two splitters which i only wanted one, the first splitter is a two way, one goes to my HSI and other one to the 4 way splitter.

SO...what i would like to do is take off the first splitter and install the HSI cable to the main 4 way splitter in the [see below] leg, would that be a good idea?

And someone said in this post that the db rating on the splitter is an indication of how much signal loss there will be on that port. The larger the number, the less signal you'll get.
If someone can confirm this and If this is true then RCN are a bunch of idiots who never got ANY training, they have set up the other way around and maybe that's why i was having signal problems and my HSI was at 1 to 2MB instead of 5MB.
I hope Comcast set up the splitters the right way, i'll check tomorow and will post here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10905377 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 05:16:10 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10894468 malvado6 : The rule of thumb is to split the signal before the amp, sending a dedicated leg to the modem with the other leg of the splitter running through the amp to power the video legs.

again, an amp will not help your speed. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10894468 Tue, 27 Jul 2004 23:27:26 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10885195 oachalon : well there is a way that an amp makes ur internet faster. If you are running so many tvs that your cable modem is not getting enough power and it goes on and off you wont be getting all your internet speed so when you get the amp it gives the cable modem enough power and then you get full speed. Thats what could happen but other than that no an amp wont make ur internet faster.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10885195 Tue, 27 Jul 2004 02:00:44 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10879357 malvado6 : To add to imrf's post concerning amped signals and internet speeds, an amplifier will not improve picture quality either.

an amp will not overcome a bad quality signal due to bad cabling in your house or in the system, it will merely restore to it's original level/quality.

there is absolutely NO way that anyone here can tell you how many splits you could do without an amp. the rules of thumb for one system doesn't work for the next. this will also vary for different parts of the same system.

you may be "fortunate" to have a cable system that blasts enough signal to the side of your house that you could have an 8-way splitter and still have signal to spare on the other end. or you might barely scrape by with putting a 3-way on.

system to system, tap to tap, drop to drop, inside wiring, etc. - there are too many factors to say unequivocally that you need an amp after "x many splits". ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10879357 Mon, 26 Jul 2004 14:33:09 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10878181 malvado6 : No and no.

You really should leave the amp installation up to the tech - if it's even necessary. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10878181 Mon, 26 Jul 2004 12:12:36 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10878097 imrf :
said by defiant See Profile:
it won't necessarily make your Internet faster.


You can take out the necessarily part. An amp won't make the internet faster at all. An amp isn't like a supercharger for a car.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10878097 Mon, 26 Jul 2004 12:02:16 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10877806 defiant :
said by marat650 See Profile:

And why will i need to put the modem on the 3.5db, isn't 7db makes it faster?

I thought that the AMP's sopouse to boost the HSI speed as well as make the picture look better on TV's?

The db rating on the splitter is an indication of how much signal loss there will be on that port. The larger the number, the less signal you'll get. The amp will allow you to receive a satisfactory amount of signal to all of your outlets; it won't necessarily make your Internet faster.
--
My local Humane Society is in need of help. Join me in donating whatever you can to help them provide food and shelter for stray animals. Please visit The Humane Society of Monroe County for more info.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10877806 Mon, 26 Jul 2004 11:26:29 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10875901 marat650 : Damn, this might not work, my box outside that the splitters are in is too small.

And why will i need to put the modem on the 3.5db, isn't 7db makes it faster?

I thought that the AMP's sopouse to boost the HSI speed as well as make the picture look better on TV's?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10875901 Mon, 26 Jul 2004 02:32:39 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10875559 oachalon : We have 5 tvs and a cable modem hooked up. We definately had to get an amplifier. Made a huge difference with picture quality. We bought a motorola signal booster and it works great.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10875559 Mon, 26 Jul 2004 01:06:16 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10872815 shades : My internet connection has been up and down and my tv picture has always looked bad especially analog channles, only have 4 tv's hooked up and the cable modem split on one for the last few years, they are coming tomorrow to look at the lines, i assume they will put an amp on?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10872815 Sun, 25 Jul 2004 18:07:19 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10872686 imrf : Yes, that would work too. Just put the modem on the 3.5db leg of the 3-way.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10872686 Sun, 25 Jul 2004 17:47:04 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10871658 marat650 : Thanks for your help.

One mroe question thought, what if instead of that 2 way i put a 3 way, one line to HSI and other to one of the digital boxes, will that digital box get better signal then the 2 other ones that will be on the second splitter?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10871658 Sun, 25 Jul 2004 14:57:11 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10865110 imrf :
said by marat650 See Profile:
so what if i use a 2 way splitter, one way to modem and one way to another splitter [4 way] for all of my tv sets


That would be smartest way to do it. And if those 4 tvs need the amp, you can install it between the 2-way and the 4-way.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10865110 Sat, 24 Jul 2004 15:43:49 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10865078 marat650 : i actually have 1 high speed modem and 4 TV's, 3 have digital boxes, 1 regular cable, total lines = 5

so what if i use a 2 way splitter, one way to modem and one way to another splitter [4 way] for all of my tv sets]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10865078 Sat, 24 Jul 2004 15:39:26 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10862441 briankelly9 : your not supposed to run the modem thru the amp it wont help anthing it will just possibly cause problems so i never do. the less splitters ,amps, devices, whatever ou have before the modem the better. if you have new cable with good signal coming to the house you may not even need one at all. so you have a modem and 3 tvs ??? if that were the case I would just try 1 4 way splitter and see how that works. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10862441 Sat, 24 Jul 2004 07:01:47 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10862204 marat650 : So what if i use a 3 way splitter AND a 2 way, will the two lines going from the 3 way show better picture then the two going from the 2 way?

brian, why can't i just put the amp before it hits any splitters, doesn't amp improve HSI as well?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10862204 Sat, 24 Jul 2004 04:45:08 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10859704 briankelly9 : If you are going to wire them yourself homerun them all, i think you got that already. they dont have 5 ways around here its 4 or 6. in either case you should wire like IMRF did main cable to a 2 way splitter one side to your modem other side to amp if needed then to a 4 way splitter then to your sets. also if your fishing them down from the attic drill your holes in the top plate big enough that later if you wanted to run something else to those location you wont need to drag drill and all to the attic. i use like a 7/8 auger bit. later if you want to add a telephone or ethernet to one of those rooms you could drop it in the same bay as the cable jack. just a thought. and of course use RG6 wire if you dont have good tools for compression fittings just run all the wires and the cableguy can put on the fittings. viewsonics are good amps as well as electroline. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10859704 Fri, 23 Jul 2004 19:59:32 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10854947 58483323 : I didn't have any in home wiring maintenance plan and they gave me an amp free of charge, my HSI service wouldn't work if I didn't have it so I'm guessing they provide it for free if absolutely needed.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10854947 Fri, 23 Jul 2004 10:42:53 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10854143 cjynx : When I got mine, they never charged us for it. Is that because of the $2.95 a month in home wiring maintenance thing?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10854143 Fri, 23 Jul 2004 08:40:09 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10852874 kcharg : When we come out and do an install our network is designed to support up to 4 total outlets without an amplifier (In most cases). So by your having a total of five it would depend on how your picture looks after the install but keep in mind Comcast charges for amplifiers. In Dallas an amplifier costs approx. $32 each.

kcharg
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kcharg »home.attbi.com/~kcharg/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10852874 Fri, 23 Jul 2004 01:08:37 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10852197 marat650 : I will be using ONE 5 way splitter, then i'll run induvidual cables to all of my 3 digital cable boxes, one cable for high speed and one for regular tv cable [non digital]

I don't know if Comcast will provide me with a 5 way aplitter but i hear that the less splitters you have the better the signal is, true?

Also, i had RCN while back and they gave me a Viewsonics Amp, can i use it with Comcast?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10852197 Thu, 22 Jul 2004 23:27:40 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10849973 malvado6 : If you get a competent tech, you really should have no say on whether you get an amp or not. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10849973 Thu, 22 Jul 2004 19:17:33 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10847268 cjynx : I have a total of 6 splits and am close to adding a 7th. It helped bring back the signal to where it needed to be for the HD box to pick up things like the music channels that I never watch/listen to. There are different kinds also. We have the digital phone service so it had to be some two way amp that would let the phone service go through in both directions or something like that.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10847268 Thu, 22 Jul 2004 14:11:38 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10846467 imrf : 1) Yes, they work. I need one to feed my 5 sets after my modem.

2) After the modem split. He will want the drop to hit a two way, with one leg going to the modem and the other leg to the input of the amp, then out of the amp to your final splitter.

3) Sure, the one that the cable company provides. It will probably be either a Viewsonics or an Electroline, both are excellent.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10846467 Thu, 22 Jul 2004 12:48:01 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10843605 anon : If you are splitting your signal more that 3 ways then they might help slightly. Otherwise I don't think they help that much. If you are getting digital cable and splitting the signal 3 ways or less you should not need an amplifier.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10843605 Thu, 22 Jul 2004 02:13:33 EDT Re: [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10843516 Jeremy341 : Of course they work, when they're needed. You don't just hook up an amplifier for the hell of it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10843516 Thu, 22 Jul 2004 01:53:59 EDT [COMCAST] Do Amplifiers really work? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10843504 marat650 : I am going to get Comcast next week [digital cable & high speed] and wanted to find out if i should ask the installer
to hook up a amplifier, i mean do they really work?

Also, if he will hook it up, where is the best place to do it, before the splitter of after?

And is there such a thing as a "better" amplifier?

Thanks in advance. :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,10843504 Thu, 22 Jul 2004 01:52:28 EDT