Cable tv splitters

Hi, I am a cable technician. Anytime you split the signal with a 2way splitter you lose 3db. Also the signal is not scrambling. The reason your picture was pixelating is from a weak signal from your coax. If your old splitter was not rated at 5-1000 mhz or more that can affect signal quality. So if you have more splitters than you need remove them. If you need all the cable lines you have then you need an amplifier. If you want to do this yourself make sure the amplifier you buy is rated 5-1000 mhz or more. Also you need to install it before any splitters. It does no good to amplify the signal when it is already weak at the end of the chain. This also has the benefit of boosting the whole system instead of just one jack. I would just have the cable company install the amp for you because they only charge you $50 to do so and you own the amp afterward. Considering the amp will cost you $50 to buy yourself you can't beat it. Also if you have 4 or less outlets and need an amp Comcast will install it for free. I'm not sure what cable company you have but just ask them what their policy is.

Good luck
Sean

Having an amplifier installed only applies if you are in a house. If in an apartment it gets more complicated. Also if you don't own the house you will need written premission from the owner to have an amp installed as it requires drilling holes in the house. Sometimes it will be better to have the outlet rewired because the wire may be old RG-59. A tech can find out what is best for your system by useing a signal meter to test signal strength at different points in your system.

Hope this helps.
Sean

Another thing to consider is if you install the amp yourself it is possible to have to high of a signal for the internet modem. This is why doing some of this stuff yourself without the right tools and knowledge can be problemattic.

I have my cable line coming from outside to my listenig room where I split the signal to my cable hdtv box and to my computer modem

Why did you split the signal when you could have had your cable company run you a dedicated line for your HSD ? Which is the way it is suppose to be. Was the HSD in another room and you took upon yourself to move it someplace else ?

More than likely, the splitter that you are using is not allowing forward and reverse to happen which you need to have with HSD.

I would call your cable company and have them run a dedicated line to where you would like it, and sure they might charge you for this, but it is only a one time fee , but will be worth it.

I will add to the excellent information that you have been given. Always split before your modem,the modem should always be kept separate. It is hard to find at you local stores a splitter that has the specification of performance. Comcast in my area uses Antronix. If you go to www.3starinc.com you can read all the spec's and purchase what ever you need. The Antronix two way splitter is cmc2002h Also you could request information on amplifiers and how to set them up from sales@cabletvamps.com This company is very helpful, remember that the more output ports that you add to a splitter, the greater the return loss is back the cable company.