Cable tv splitters


I have recently discovered that I have probably been using the wrong cable tv splitter for the last year or so. I kept getting a temporary scrambled signal and sound to my hdtv. I replaced my cable tv splitter today with a new one. Now the scrambling seems near gone. Can anyone give me any insight to a splitter? 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. I read that my signal is cut in half with a splitter. Is it true I could be getting better tv reception without the splitter? What is a amplfied splitter all about? Would this be better for me to use?
tlg
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.
I blew my 5 channel amp and my 5 speakers over a year ago and I could never figure out why. I knew it had to be cable tv related. I even bought a Furman power/surge protector. After buying the Furman it all blew again. I think I have just realized that the splitter was the problem because it wasn't passing the power through both ways. I don't understand this "power pass through" but the cable comes into my room and is split. One cable then goes to my computer and the other to my Furman then the cable comes out of the Furman to my cable tv box. Can anyone elaborate on my findings? Have I just opened Pandora's box and seen the light at the end of the tunnel after all this time???
Power pass-through, or lack of it, would have nothing to do with anything being blown. All it refers to is that some splitters will allow two-way communications between the cable box and the cable company, and some won't (just allowing signals to come in, but not to go out). Two-way communication is necessary to utilize interactive tv features, such as on-demand programming, and also obviously for internet use.

It's not clear from your post whether or not the ac power cords of the cable box, audio system, and tv are ALL plugged into the surge protector, so that they are protected against surges on the ac line as well as on the cable line. Also, is the computer connected to the audio system? If so, since it is not protected by the surge suppressor it would represent a path for surges to get into the audio system.

Regards,
-- Al
Riley804

You wrote, "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."

A seperate dedicated line ???? What are you smoking???

My Cable company ran an underground cable to my house about 300 feet and said if there is ever a problem with the signal they would have to put a telephone pole in my yard because of the distance.
No way would they just install a another dedicated line.

In fact, I cant even get through to the Comcast Cable company on the telephone or the internet.
I have some High def channels that pixalize and go out for long periods of time. After about a week of continusly calling they finally did get a Cable guy out to the house he cleaned the connections and left .
Problem persists.

Yes, I do have one of the cable companies amplifiers, but if the signal is weak to start those only do so much.

Satelitte TV is probably the best option .