Cable splitter - recommendations?

[bimmerdom]

I have Rogers High Speed and Digital HD Cable along with 2 other SD televisions in my house. When Rogers installed High Speed, they had to plit my incoming signal due to signal loss caused by the splitter (IBM Home Director)

So, my cable comes in, split into 2 (one for Internet, one for TV), the TV split goes into the IBM Home Director where it is distributed to all TVs in the house (HD and analogue).

I checked signal strength on my HDTV, I'm running at -12 (med-low), if I connect to the 2 way splitter, I get -3 (good). I bought a better splitter, and same result.

Any Advice?
I may try a 3 way splitter - one for High Speed, one for HD, one going to the splitter for the rest of the SD TVs.
Are there any splitters that do not cause signal degredation?

[dc]

All splitters will cause a loss of signal. You are best to keep the internet off of the first 2-way split, as internet requires the best signal. If you are not having any picture problems with a -12db signal, then leave it alone. Digital should work down to around -15db and analog has been seen to work down to -20db. The best splitters to use are the ones that the Rogers technicians use. Next time you have a service call, ask the tech if he will give you one, they usually have no problem with that. Otherwise, any splitter rated for at least 5-900MHz will work with Rogers DTV & internet (caveat being don't buy the dollar store splitters). There really is no need to spend $40 on a Mon$ter splitter.

Also, there are two types of 3-way splitters available: ones that have an equal 5.8db insertion loss of all 3 outputs, and ones that are really two 2-way splitters put together that have 2 outputs with a 7db loss and 1 output with a 3.5db loss. If you want to boost your digital signal (at the expense of the analog signal), use the latter.

[57]

For more information on the various splitters and their losses, see the Digital Home FAQ "Cables/Splitters". Any splitter will have a loss and as dc said, the internet connection should be your first split off a two-way splitter, just like you have it.

What is "IBM Home Director"? Amp/splitter?

[Lobo]

Just curious but, if Rogers installs a splitter/signal booster inside your house where they come into does it belong to them? If you move and take it with you, can they come after you for it?

Lobo

[57]

Originally Posted by Lobo

If you move and take it with you, can they come after you for it?

That would be theft and yes they could, but they probably wouldn't. It may not even be on their "inventory". Would you take a rented STB with you?

[bimmerdom]

Originally Posted by 57

What is "IBM Home Director"? Amp/splitter?

They install IBM Home Director Starter kit in most new homes, it is basically just a CAT 5 panel with CATV splitter. My house is pre-wired with CAT5E to every room (standard feaure with my builder). If you buy additional components/services, you can do a whole bunch of stuff:
http://www.homedirector.com/products.php3

So, in your opinion, a -12 signal is not worth the worry?

[57]

Thanks for the IBM explanation.

You appear to be able to compare -3 and -12. If you notice a difference, then perhaps you might wish to consider an amp after the splitter (not before due to the internet.) If you don't notice a difference, then you should be fine.

[TG982]

Originally Posted by bimmerdom

They install IBM Home Director Starter kit in most new homes, it is basically just a CAT 5 panel with CATV splitter.

I can just see Steven Spielberg in your Basement working the Director kit!
talk about impressing your friends!

[CorSter]

Splitter One - Internet and Splitter 2
Splitter Two - HDTV and Splitter 3
Splitter Three - Other TVs

[bimmerdom]

What about a 3-1 splitter
1- Internet
2- HDTV
3- to SD TV Splitter

[bimmerdom]

Originally Posted by 57

You appear to be able to compare -3 and -12. If you notice a difference, then perhaps you might wish to consider an amp after the splitter (not before due to the internet.) If you don't notice a difference, then you should be fine.

It's hard to compare because I have to go change all the cables and come back to the TV, I'd like to see the difference in real time (ie. flick a switch) between -3 and -12.

For the cost of a splitter at $10, I might aswell get the Signal Strength up, regardless of whether there is much of a noticable difference...

[57]

1. Make sure you get a splitter rated at 5-1000 MHz minimum.

2. If you get a 3-way splitter, there are two models. One has less signal loss for one leg than the other two. One has the same loss for all three legs. You should get the former and connect the internet to the one with less loss.

This is basically the same as two two-way splitters...

[Lobo]

Originally Posted by 57

That would be theft and yes they could, but they probably wouldn't. It may not even be on their "inventory". Would you take a rented STB with you?

Thanks 57. Yeah, I wouldn't take a rented STB but this splittler I'm considering it only so I don't have to go through any hassles at the new home with Rogers in case I do need one.

Lobo

[57]

If it's with Rogers in the new home, I would not take issue with that.

[robtec88]

Where is the most likely place one could purchase these good splitters that are mentioned in this thread? For that matter, who makes and might sell the splitters that Rogers uses?

Thanks for the info.