OT: Rewiring Coaxial Cable in my House

[Code001]

I'm posting this here in hopes that it'll get more hits. I was told by my current cable company that I would get a much better signal if I were to rewire my house. They said I'd be better off doing it myself instead of having them do it for an outrageous price. Basically, we have a splitter in the wall of every room (From the main outside line to bedroom 1, split to cable modem, split to bedroom 2, split to bedroom 3. We also have a splitter on the main outside line which goes to the living room tv, split to addition living room, split to addition bedroom). It's kinda confusing, but I could physically draw a diagram if needed. We have 7 outlets that need cable. What would be the best way to do this? I'm thinking the best way would be to put an 8-way splitter on the main line and run dedicated lines from that splitter to each outlet. Would this be the correct way to wire everything?

Edit: I forgot we have an amp on the line going from the main line -> bedroom 1 -> cable modem -> bedroom 2 -> bedroom 3

 

[glpg80]

go with a digital splitter, regal or tru-splitter for instance.

the cheap ones dont use capacitor coupling, and have a higher noise ratio, and they DONT have a high connection issolation between each channel which will help each leg from crosstalking.

make sure that any splitter you use is at least 0.5Ghz (500MHz) to 1.0Ghz (1,000MHz). most of them are, but just keep an eye out.

use damn good cable - RG6

stay away from the push on connector cables, and packaged coax cables like retail stores sell - yes - including best buy's.

if you run any extra wires for future use, terminate the F connector with a screw-on false load. any ends that are not being used have the ability to allow noise and RF singals to leak into your system.

make sure the splitter you use is bi-directional and/or unbalanced IF you are not using a digital splitter.

you need to have them come and measure the incoming signal, you will actually have a problem if the incoming signal is too hot or also too low.

you will lose a good bit of dB with an 8 way splitter, i cant say what numbers though.

id recommend doing some research on the un-balanced and digital splitters, not sure if that is required or not i cant remember.

hope some of this helps.

 

[Code001]

For the splitter, something like this is what I'm looking for, correct?

http://www.pacificcable.com/Picture_Pag ... me=201-108

 

[glpg80]

are you mounting the splitter inside or outside?

get the regal model DS8DGV10

find a good solid place to ground it.

if i find more ill post them here for ya to choose

 

[Code001]

It'll either be mounted in the attic or outside on the wall. Either will work.

 

[glpg80]

tru spec II's has a higher noise dB loss ratio than the regal. but both are good.

https://www.tselectronic.com/pico/tsv_splitter.html

heres something you need to keep in mind, you will have 10.4dB of loss for each channel independently with the tru-spec. so for instance, if you have 100dB incoming, you will only have 89.6dB for each F connector.

3.5dB is considered terrible, so make sure you are getting enough in to boost it adequately to still have a reasonable level AFTER it splits.

dont boost the signal after, boost it before. have them come and measure your incoming signal and adjust it to that splitter's specifications.

the rest you can do yourself, hooking it up, running cables, making excellent grounds, doing the 75ohm terminations, etc.

hope this helps

 

[Mudder]

Whether or not you should use a splitter depends on how much signal is getting to the house. An 8 way splitter can take anywhere from 8 to 12dbmv off the initial level. With that in mind you may need a distribution amplifier instead of a splitter. You won't have any 100dbmv coming in, probably closer to 15 at the side of the house in a good situation. I've seen just 2dbmv at the side of the house though, which is why the amp might be needed. Each TV should have right near 0-4dbmv.

Either way, home runs for each line, RG6 with at least 75% braid (you probably don't need quad shield), and good compression type fittings. Home Depot sells the fittings and a compression tool. The key to good fittings is good prep work, and making sure the fitting is on far enough before crimping. And not too long a center conductor after the fitting is on.

 

[IndyWS6]

Some good advice being offered...

A few years ago, I decided to re-wire my house to eliminate some splitters and get a better signal for newer digital TV's. I installed a distribution amplifier and then ran RG6 Quad-Shield cable from each drop location back to a demarcation point. The cable company terminates their incoming line at my demarc, where I split it with a high-quality 2-way bi-directional splitter. One feed goes to the cable modem for my Internet service and the other goes to the input for the distribution amplifier. All of the runs terminate on a homemade "patch" panel in a Hubbell rack cabinet and short jumpers connect the runs to the distribution amp.

The backing board for my wall rack has a ground termination block installed, so it was easy to provide a proper ground for the amplifier and splitter. I ran all of the cable in the attic and then routed it down the walls to the various points in the rooms, taking care to keep the cable runs as far away from electrical feeds as possible. My house is a single-story ranch, so the layout made it easy to accommodate that approach.

I can't remember the brand or model number of the amp, but I can get it for you if you are interested. I could probably get some photos of how the connections are made and the cabling is laid out, if it would be helpful.

 

[Code001]

This thread is 2 years old. I've rewired the house long ago.

 

[IndyWS6]

Doh!! I just saw it pop-up on the first page and didn't think to check the date. My bad. Those damn 1-post spammers

 

[Shawn Lutz]

oops...holy thread revival...