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I have cable internet and cable TV. What I'm trying to do is use a splitter on my cable line so I can connect both the TV and the computer. Now I know this is not recommended...but I've seen it done before with no problems.
So I got a 5-1100MHz two-way splitter from Radio Shack and hooked it up. The TV works, but not the internet. Seems the cable modem doesn't like the signal. Am I using the right splitter? What can I do to make this work? :confused:
Thanks!
"I have cable internet and cable TV"
Are you currently paying for both services?
If not, the cable service is switched off and it won't work till you call and sign up.
If yes to you already have the cable service, how is it wired now?
Hi
As I see it looks for me like ONLY TV splitter - you will get two TV signal from one. Try attaching TV to either it or the other connactor.
I'm Polish so the signal characteristics might be dfferent, but
the more or less the same products like this one:
http://www.tridex.com.pl/j/1328.jpg
is designed ONLY for TV
For using TV and internet I have sth like that:
http://www.tridex.com.pl/j/5875.jpg
Although the outputs look the same maybe it's different. My provider give me it. Maybe contact ISP or check if the cables are attached firmly to the product you bought.
Good luck
I use the first splitter for cable and internet access with comcast. (they provided it)
With analog cable, you can split a number of times before it becomes a problem. However, if you have a satellite dish, digital cable, or cable internet, you can't really spilt the signal without problems unless your splitter has a built in amplifier. You just need to check with the cable company and make sure you're using the right thing.
I was originally using an amplified splitter from Radio Shack (about $20) which worked well, but had to be located near a power outlet. A few weeks ago in "Lowes", my local home center superstore, I spotted this 4-way splitter (1 in, 4 out) that's specifially marked for use with digital cable/satellite system.
It's rated from 5 to 2300mhz, which I guess makes all the difference. I swapped out the amplified splitter for this passive one with no problems, and have 2 available ports as a bonus. Not bad for $12.
mine is on a standard splitter, but then there is a filter of some type between the splitter and modem. I assumed this was necessary to get the tv signal out of there or something.
but just because your area supports cable modem, it will not work if they have not switched it on for you. ours can be switched on and off right from the help person on the other end of the phone.... i've seen them do it for me.
Also, some systems have a special filter in the box outside the house/apt without which the internet does not work. What AT&T and comcast does.Quote:
Originally posted by Daneph2
mine is on a standard splitter, but then there is a filter of some type between the splitter and modem. I assumed this was necessary to get the tv signal out of there or something.
but just because your area supports cable modem, it will not work if they have not switched it on for you. ours can be switched on and off right from the help person on the other end of the phone.... i've seen them do it for me.
Howdy:
Man.. you can't just hook up a modem to a cable outlet and expect broadband just because you are getting cable.. The cable provider would have to assign you a username and passweord as well as a tcp/ip and dns that you would need to install on your connection. And, you only get that when you sign up for a broadband connection through them..
Get serious.. if it were that easy, who would ever PAY for cable broadband !!!!
Murray
You guys didn't understand me right :(
I already subscribe to cable internet.
I already subscribe to cable TV.
I want to run one wire to the room that has a TV and a computer, then split this one wire to both the TV and the cable modem.
Thanks again!
Okay.. so how does your connection work??
Cable wall jack>coax cable>Splitter>one coax cable to modem and then cat5 cable from modem to nic on computer??
Murray
How it works now:
Wall jack -> coax wire -> cable modem
How I want it to work:
Wall jack -> coax cable -> coax splitter =>
coax splitter[output A] -> TV
coax splitter[output B] -> cable modem
When doing this setup the TV works, but the cable modem does not receive a valid signal. What splitter do I need?
burfo:
Have you checked with your cable supplier??
Murray
Hello, first off, if you have Comcast, for the most part, if you have Cable Internet, the line also carries basic cable. That is one of the reasons they charge 15 dollars more if you don't have Cable TV (because they can't prevent you from plugging in an 'analog' TV tuner to it).
Second, I have about 5 splitters in my house. Repeaters and amplifiers don't work at all with digital signals (according to my experience). Since Cable Internet is TWO WAY, it is recommended that filters be applied to all cable connections that are NOT hooked up to a cable modem (thus, the signal to the modem is unimpeded).
Most splitters do add 'attenuation' (signal loss). Therefore, it is best to have, say 1 five way splitter than 5 two way splitters. Because eventually, the cable modem won't pick up the signal any more.
You will see better results splitting the cable once at the source (or if you want the computer an TV togather, put in a splitter AND a filter on the TV's coax run (not before the split).
Interesting enough I am having problems again with my connection as well!!! I am going to be calling Comcast for the 5th or 6th time this year (Since April) because my internet service keeps going in and out...They have replaced the cable modem and a splitter. They have been out 4 times so far, and each time they got it working for about a week before I started having the same problems. I think it is the coax itself...Anyways, I have the following setup at home...
Main Coax from Pole to house has 1 splitter that divides teh TV and the internet.
the TV line has 4 splits after that, the internet has none.
This setup has been around my house for years now, just started having problem this year though.....I will be calling Comcast today.
My Internet has been flaky since Comcast took over sometime in June/July :(.
Luke,
I suspect (though I can't confirm) that the total number of splits is the issue, not necessarily where they are. I think its like the REN (ringer equivalence number) on phones. If there are 5 splits on the line, each one gets 1/5th the signal strength. The total "bandwidth" coming into the house from your single connection is what gets split. So splitting into 2 lines, then splitting one of those into 4 is no different that just splitting the first line into 5. The overall signal is degraded with every split, regardless of the physical location of the splits.
Did any of that make sense?
Tell to run the trace, bet they have a line amplifier going bad.
I got a free month of internet and TV because the tech would not listen. Besure to get the who, what when and where down in writing. So you do not forget.
I have both cable tv and cable internet. There is a splitter under the house to send tv to each of the bedrooms and family room. One of those cables goes into the bedroom where the internet modem and router are located. Everything works fine.
The splitter has 1 in port and 4 out ports, no amps in the system. All 4 out ports are in use and have a tv on each one plus the modem and router in 1 room.
AT&T was better here on the peninsula, SF bay area, but comcast has only had 2 outages since it took over in this area.
Make sure the splitter you have has at least 2 out ports. The picture showed 2 inports and only 1 out port. Not knowing how they are wired inside, could be the problem.
gl mac :(
I think you could get a better splitter but I'd think it would work
you might want to think about the coaxial
also the coaxial that's running thru the walls was it installed with the internet ? or is it old coaxial cable meant for tv.
also check your coaxial connections
I got some shielded cable at radio shack that had really crappy connectors on it.
they just slipped over the coaxial and kinda twisted on
which could become loose real easily.
I really need to get those tools like the cable guy
radio shack - they push the gold colored crap
They said I wanted the gold colored splitter
and I show them the little numbers on the label
The gold contacts are better conductors. Also, coax wire comes in varying degree of quality. The twist on connectors are flaky with a capital 'F'. The left split usually is rated lower than the other splits (they may be marked), use the lower rating for the Cable modem (50 Ohm, the others may be 75 Ohm). Also, you can get a male to male extender just to test the line without the splitter to see if it is the length causing trouble. I have gone 100' through a splitter with no problems. If you go out that far and extend further, you may have trouble.
Try disconnecting the TV's cable on the splitter (but leave the splitter) and see if you get up then.
as far as my setup is concerned (adelphia cable - east coast)
YOU CANNOT USE A POWERED SPLIT INTO A CABLE MODEM
attached is a diagram of how my cable is split
ive got my line split 7 times but the kicker is its split initially where the signal enters my garage by a non-amplified splitter and then again by another non amplified splitter
the only times i amplify the signal is when the cable line goes into a tv or a capture card
ill take a picture of the splitter when i get home
A 'powered' splitter is a repeater (or amplifier, or signal booster). Are all of the splits in the Garage?
I spoke with a cable guy, and he suggested (which defies logic) that all the runs go back to a single split in the garage. Each physical split causes signal loss through the entire network. I found that I was able to remove ALL of the amplifiers and the signal was fine. Try this, unplug both amps and see where you are at. It is time to troubleshoot and see how far you can go. The filters are critical to isolate the cable modem.
trueQuote:
gold contacts are better conductors
but do you really think those splitter are a plated with gold ?
not just the contact mind you but the whole thing
ATTBI aka Comcast here in Orygun installed a simple 3-way splitter when my cable was installed. I then bought an ATI all in wonder vid card and wanted to run TV straight to it. scrounged up a splitter from my hardware box. Installed it and ran cable to PC. No problem.Keep in mind,my internet cable was still on original connector. Then i wanted to connect VCR to PC and also have it receive signal for TV reception Besides the fact I wanted my other VCR to be connected to TV cable source. What i finally did was buy a powered splitter from Radio Shack(yeah,,i know,but it was the only place i could find one:rolleyes: ). It was specifically for cable TV 'and' internet connection. Which meant it was a 2-way throughput critter. It also has an adjuster for fine tuning the gain. Was not cheap, usd$50.00. I now run all units including cable modem off it with no problems. Played with the gain control a couple of times and actually improved internet scores. Took the original 3-way splitter from comcast and split the line at PC for VCR connection. Main thing is that splitter must have "two way" feed for internet use and the 'input' connector 'must' be used for input, 'not' output...
Each time you split the signal with a passive splitter it drops by 3db. A 3db drop is half power. Split it twice or use a 4 port splitter and you end up with 1/4 of the original signal at the output ports. Keep running through splitters and you end up with 1/8 then 1/16 etc. It starts to drop pretty fast. If you do use an amplifier you may want to check and see if it's bidirectional, amplifies both ways. A lot of the older cable TV (non digital) amplifiers only amplified the upstream signal. You want to amplify the signal both ways. Actually in reality you don't want any amplification, all you relly need is unity gain. :D