Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - General Coax Questions
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sinTAKS
03-29-05, 10:42 AM
I'm remodeling my basement and just finished running all wiring, electrical, speaker, coax and cat5. For TV, I'm going with a digital cable/HD solution. I have 2 lines coming into the house... One for internet, the other split 5 ways. All lines run to a backboard I mounted in the basement. The reason for the 5 splits is for 3 tvs... 2 sets will get a pair and the third will get a single (I ran pairs so I could use a PVR with 2 tuners.) OK, onto the questions...
1. I have a feeling that I will have to amplify the signal. Should I amplify all braches off the slitter or just one that may be degraded? Should I use an inline amp or one that will accept all lines coming from the splitter? Do they even make such a thing?
2. I haven't opened the box on the back of the house yet. How many lines do cable companies allow you to bring into your house from the box? Would bringing in a second line help with degradation?
3. I tried to stay as far away from electrical runs as I could, but at spots I get as close as 1.5 feet parallel to each other. Think that will be an issue? I heard you have to stay 6 inches when running parallel... this accurate?
I'm a big time novice, so bear with me if the questions are trivial. Thanks so much for any help you can provide.
1. I have a feeling that I will have to amplify the signal. Should I amplify all braches off the slitter or just one that may be degraded? Should I use an inline amp or one that will accept all lines coming from the splitter? Do they even make such a thing?
2. I haven't opened the box on the back of the house yet. How many lines do cable companies allow you to bring into your house from the box? Would bringing in a second line help with degradation?
3. I tried to stay as far away from electrical runs as I could, but at spots I get as close as 1.5 feet parallel to each other. Think that will be an issue? I heard you have to stay 6 inches when running parallel... this accurate?
I'm a big time novice, so bear with me if the questions are trivial. Thanks so much for any help you can provide.
Desy2820
03-30-05, 06:17 PM
1. I would try just splitters first and see how the picture looks. Try to use as few splitters as possible to minimize signal loss, ie try not to use multiple 2-way splitters, use a 3 or 4 way. If you have problems, use a "distrubution amp". They will take one input and amplify/distrubute that signal for you. Example: http://www.smarthome.com/7750-8.html
2. I'm not sure about this, I'd run at least 2, maybe 3 between your distrubution panel and the cable co's box. (Just in case you decide to go satellite later.) Cable modems are a special case, try to give them a dedicated line between the cable company box and the modem itself. I'd split once at the outside panel-one line for the modem and the other line for the TV's, at your inside box-no splitters on the modem's line, just a coupler to the outlet for it- if you're not mounting the modem at your panel. The TV line will get all the splitters. This should give you the best/fastest connection for the modem.
3. It sounds to me like your routing is good. Generally, try to avoid parallel runs with electrical lines, where it's not possible, then space the cables as far apart as possible. Try to cross electrical and coax/network cables at 90 degrees. Coax cable is not as bad as speaker cable or computer networking cables where induced noise is concerned, due to the construction of the cable. (The outside braid is grounded.)
Hope this helped!
2. I'm not sure about this, I'd run at least 2, maybe 3 between your distrubution panel and the cable co's box. (Just in case you decide to go satellite later.) Cable modems are a special case, try to give them a dedicated line between the cable company box and the modem itself. I'd split once at the outside panel-one line for the modem and the other line for the TV's, at your inside box-no splitters on the modem's line, just a coupler to the outlet for it- if you're not mounting the modem at your panel. The TV line will get all the splitters. This should give you the best/fastest connection for the modem.
3. It sounds to me like your routing is good. Generally, try to avoid parallel runs with electrical lines, where it's not possible, then space the cables as far apart as possible. Try to cross electrical and coax/network cables at 90 degrees. Coax cable is not as bad as speaker cable or computer networking cables where induced noise is concerned, due to the construction of the cable. (The outside braid is grounded.)
Hope this helped!