floydpinkstr
join:2008-05-05
edit:
May 5th, @11:03PM
| [iO] 4200's really finicky on signal?
Hi All. Hope somebody can help, I'm at wits end. I have a PVR server (BeyondTV) set up in my house and I'm still on regular old analog service. I have now faced the fact that I am going to need to switch to iO since they are now moving Court TV to iO. I ordered up a couple of boxes with which to build a new dual tuner dvr server. They sent me 2 Scientific Atlanta 4200 boxes. Problem is, the things are so finicky I can barely get them to connect.
They work fine off of any line that runs direct from my main splitter (a 4 way, no fancy brand).
I've run new cable myself from that main splitter to a GE 4 way splitter and from there to my office. The 4 way (second splitter) is working well, I have another branch going to my old DVR and it is CRYSTAL clear. But when I hook up the iO boxes from another branch off that 4 way splitter , I just get the blue screen forever and then finally it comes up and I can only tune 18, 20 and 73 because basically there is not a good enough connection for it to tune iO.
Now, I'm a programmer and electronics hobbyist and although I don't claim to be a coax/cable tv expert, I've got enough sense to know that my cables are solid, test both new boxes in another room, etc. They operate great anywhere between the first and second splitter (for example in my LR which isi branched direct off the main splitter) but beyond the second, no luck.
The second splitter is supposedly a gigahertz splitter.
My question is, do I have to run a new HOME RUN to the MAIN SPLITTER for each box, can I buy an amp would that help, will new Monster splitters (or some other brand) help, is there a cheap way to measure signal at different points, etc etc
One other thing, I just switched out my cable modem (had problem before that too) and according to Cablevision my old AND new modem had perfect signal. The modem is a straight branch off the main splitter.
TIA for ANY advice.
Rob |
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Thinkdiff
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-07
Los Angeles, CA
edit:
May 5th, @11:15PM
| I believe every split on the 4-way splitter is -7.4dB. Going through 2 4-Way splitters is therefore -14.8dB, that's quite a bit of loss, no matter how expensive your splitter is.
I would recommend trying to reduce the splitters to 2 or 3 way splitters if possible. a 3 way splitter will have 2 high loss outputs and 1 low loss output. You could connect an additional splitter to that low loss output.
There should also be a way to measure signals on the cable box itself.
If your signals are that bad, or if it would be very difficult to rearrange the splitters, you may need to have a 2nd drop installed. |
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momcat1
No Relation To The Bobcat
join:2002-10-21
Wappingers Falls, NY | reply to floydpinkstr
I think they spoke before they thought. It seems there are a lot more of these situations than they counted on. Wonder what the next move will be? |
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jaa
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
New Canaan, CT
 ·Vonage
 ·Optimum Online
| You can read the signal level from the modem. I think the SA boxes can also display the signal levels.
When you ask about running cable back to the main 4-way splitter, are there two ports on that splitter available? If so, replace it with a 2-way, and that may solve your problem. If there is one port open, replacing it with a 3-way would be just as good - make sure the branch to the other 4-way is off the -3.5db leg.
Finally, if the second 4-way does not have to support 4 devices, try replacing it with a 2-way or 3-way.
--
NOTHING justifies terrorism. We don't negotiate with terrorists. Those that support terrorists are terrorists. |
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floydpinkstr
join:2008-05-05
| Thanks for the replies, didn't get email notification for some reason or I would have been back here sooner :-(
The main 4 way is completely tied up. I just changed the set up so that I have a two-way from the main 4-way and one leg of that two way is going to the boxes. Have to have another splitter at the actual boxes, they need to be in the same room due to the fact that they'll be running a DVR server. They are currently hanging on but CV says the signal is marginal.
They did tell me I can get an amp but don't know what model they usually use. Anyone have any suggestions?
I feel like I'm doing a lot of splitting but honestly as I told the phone rep in a house my size with a 2 tuner DVR server and 3 televisions and a cable modem (plus lots of other outlets currently hooked up in some way), it's going to be tough to not have splitters and to do all home runs to the main. Plus with even 2 splitters the box won't work if both splitters are 4 ways.
Hopefully the amp helps, if not I'll have to get a kick butt main splitter and run like 7 home runs to it... |
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