cable splitter quality DOES matter

[mista ting]

my time warner cable internet has been slow as **** for years cable techs couldn't fix it and i tried every thing until today i switch my cheapo radioshack 16-2568, 40-2140mhz, 2 way cable splitter for a better quality RCA D180, 4 way splitter, 40-2140mhz and omfg let the results speak for them self




Radioshack 16-2568, 2 way, 40-2140mhz
Connection Download: 7356kb/s
Connection Upload: 441kb/s
Average file D/L speed: 450KB/s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/m00t/untitled-6.jpg





RCA D180, 4 way, 40-2140mhz
Connection Download: 9901kb/s
Connection Upload: 490kb/s
Average file D/L speed: 1112KB/s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/m00t/untitled-5.jpg

[zangler]

hmmm....very interesting

[gottcha]

I just checked mine and it says 5-1000mhz. its a two way splitter. Oh and it also say 3.6db per out bound connection. think i will get a faster speed if i switch??? mine has been really slow since i got it. rated at 8mb/sec and the best i can do is like 4mb/s and it is usally around 3mb/sec.

[jiggamanjb]

If I ever had problems I gave Comcast a call and had them come out and replace them for free. The also will tidy up any cable ends as well. They never charged me.

[redwraith94]

Both splitters that I have (radiocrap, and svi) both say -3.5db on the split ends.

Does it list a number on yours, and where did you buy it from?

[gottcha]

Anybody?? Know about the splitters before i go and buy one?? I think i will anyways.. I had timewarner out to check out the slow connection and he couldn't do anything. Then he asked how many T.V.s do i have and i only have one. Then he looked at me kinda shocked(big 4 bedroom house) and said SOOO you only have one two way splitter? then he installed an amplifier to help with my slow cable for my tv(the menu was slow. Had to hit the page up button like 3 times before the menu would move) the amplifier helped but it does nothing for the cable modem. So i'm really really wanting to know about the splitters. Thanks:beer:

[Dermen]

Somebody told me to stay away from splitters that do not have the backs soldered on as they are lower quality. Don't know how true it is, but I had enough soldered ones to replace the few that weren't in my house. I didn't notice any difference though.

[redwraith94]

Somebody told me to stay away from splitters that do not have the backs soldered on as they are lower quality. Don't know how true it is, but I had enough soldered ones to replace the few that weren't in my house. I didn't notice any difference though.

Heh, well if it helps anything Radiocrap's Gold plated splitter was about 12 bucks, and the back is attached with hot glue, it's astounding...quality :screwy:

[Xenocide]

cable tech told me NEVER to use gold platted splitters.....He really knew what he was doing too (rare), fixed all of my problems in one visit.

[gottcha]

I have googled the --it out of this but with no real answers. does anyone know??

[nd4spdbh2]

usually the best way is to have the modem on its own dedicated line... IE line from the street into a 2way high freq splitter... one out goes to the modem, other goes to a big splitter for the TV's thats how we have it at my house.... and how adelphia did it back in the day and never had a prob with bad connections.

[dark_15]

Just another anecdote:

I had Time Warner install the splitter outside my parent's house, and ever since then my signal was nominal at best for my TV's. The DVR stuttered constantly, and the picture on the other TV's weren't too great; I couldn't even get the modem to connect on any cable jack, except the one that was directly split off from the feed. I just got them to come back out and install a signal booster which covered the entire house.

After the signal booster, all the TV's look clearer, and I can move my cable modem from room to room without any problems. I would have done it myself, but I want my parents to berate Time Warner for problems instead of me :p

[middydj]

usually the best way is to have the modem on its own dedicated line... IE line from the street into a 2way high freq splitter... one out goes to the modem, other goes to a big splitter for the TV's thats how we have it at my house.... and how adelphia did it back in the day and never had a prob with bad connections.

That is the truth. Most of the time I have employed Timewarner service's for broadband, I have had a second line installed by the techs. Makes a HUGE difference on quality of speed and the techs have agreed.

[redwraith94]

Just another anecdote:
After the signal booster, all the TV's look clearer, and I can move my cable modem from room to room without any problems. I would have done it myself, but I want my parents to berate Time Warner for problems instead of me :p

I like that. It is nice to defer to the people who we actually pay for the service. :eek:

[mista ting]

Just another anecdote:

I had Time Warner install the splitter outside my parent's house, and ever since then my signal was nominal at best for my TV's. The DVR stuttered constantly, and the picture on the other TV's weren't too great; I couldn't even get the modem to connect on any cable jack, except the one that was directly split off from the feed. I just got them to come back out and install a signal booster which covered the entire house.

After the signal booster, all the TV's look clearer, and I can move my cable modem from room to room without any problems. I would have done it myself, but I want my parents to berate Time Warner for problems instead of me :p

do they install the signal booster for free?

[meionm]

What frequencies is you connection operation, upstream/downstream? It should in your modem config page. Actually that's what you shoud have done, look up singal stregth with each splitter seen by your modem. What's up with the satellite splitters?

[dark_15]

do they install the signal booster for free?

Unfortunately, no. :(
That mainly due to the fact that we have the signal split between 9 or 10 cable jacks. Either I could have them reduce the split (and deactivate half the house's cable drops) or pay for the booster. If my parents would ever need to rearrange the TV's in the house they would have to call time warner to move the jacks around for ~$20 each time. That's why I opted for the booster instead... besides, now that they own it they can take it if they ever move again.

[gottcha]

Unfortunately, no. :(
That mainly due to the fact that we have the signal split between 9 or 10 cable jacks. Either I could have them reduce the split (and deactivate half the house's cable drops) or pay for the booster. If my parents would ever need to rearrange the TV's in the house they would have to call time warner to move the jacks around for ~$20 each time. That's why I opted for the booster instead... besides, now that they own it they can take it if they ever move again.



Wow they made you pay for it?/!?!?!?! well i guess if you have that many splits it might not be there fault for a bad signal. I only have one split and they installed a booster for free. but i was told the booster would not help the modem.

[curtis1552]

I bought a splitter at radio shack and the sales guy mentioned to me that that splitter wasn't equipped for splitting cable lines, only broadcast signals. It didn't matter to me, cause I don't have cable but thought it worth mentioning.

From what I've read online the signal strength drops when you add splitter on the line, and you need to amplify it to maintain proper signal strength.

[hkgonra]

do they install the signal booster for free?

Yes they do after the 3rd visit in a month for signal issues. ;)
I have 8 tv's and 10 computers sharing internet.
Two dvr's as well.
Keep bugging them and act indignant when they ask you to pay for anything and you will get it for free.