[mythtv-users] Consequences of splitting cable input for multipletuners

Mike Myers mikesm559 at yahoo.com
Thu Feb 5 13:12:24 EST 2004


I strongly agree with Tim's note on this subject.  Building CATV distribution in the house isn't that hard but it's easy to cause problems.  Using a splitter or directional coupler to tap off a feed for the cable modem right at the point of entry is a very good idea.  Then you can stick on a low pass filter (to make sure that any channels you manufacture in the home don't leave the house), and amplifier that feeds splitters to distribution in the home is the best way to do it.
 
Ideally, the system should be set for unity gain, that is, the signal level at the jacks should be balanced so that the same signal levels that the house is fed with is replicated to all the jacks.  Since the cable runs have different lengths, you sometimes have to use attentuators to make sure this is the case, even if you can control the gain at the amp.
 
Also note that the typical house amps available to consumers do not provide any gain in the reverse direction, and that every open jack can feed noise into the reverse.  Personally, I terminate every unused jack in the house, but you really need to do this only if you aren't filtering the reverse.  Too much noise in the reverse and you and your neighbors cable modems will start to have problems.  
 
A useful guide to doing CATV runs in the house can be found at http://www.hometoys.com/htinews/dec96/articles/moses/catv.htm and at http://www.hometech.com/learn/video.html.
 
Thanks,
Mike


---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Finance: Get your refund fast by filing online
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mythtv.org/pipermail/mythtv-users/attachments/20040205/a8b686e8/attachment.htm


More information about the mythtv-users mailing list