[paolo]

(07-03-2011, 02:47 PM)ZTWsquared Wrote: So a while back I was complaining about slow internet and it turned out the problem was the return signal loss going back through my drop amp which was in the process of failing.

So I moved my cable modem and router into the basement and basically split them off before the amp and left the drop amp to deal with just the tv runs.

So two new things now - the drop amp is on its last legs and I'm rebuilding my CATV system ... and I scored a deal at Sams Club in the US ... a Sony 3D Blu ray player with ethernet AND wireless for just 138 USD (a price labelling error, normally 168 - still not too shabby.

So I'm thinking my new system should have a couple of drop amps, a one-outlet with active return to power the internet side of things, and a 8-way to feed the TVs ... but I'm now reading about another potential problem ... VOIP.

I have two VOIP lines now and some blogs I've read says they do better with no amplification whatsoever. They are currently connected to a gigabit switch which is ethernet to the router ... but my current amp is relatively low power and no active return.

So ... my new amps will be more powerful, and with two of them so fewer runs per amp ... do I need a third split and another router just for the VOIP - or will 4 computers, a NAS, the Sony Blu Ray, a wireless printer and two VOIPS in fact require two-way amplification?

The recommended connection method is as follows, give this a try:

If you have just CATV and Internet, then you would have a single drop coming into your basement to a grounding block, From there, you would need to put a good quality 2-way splitter, (or 3-way depending on your signal strength and distance from the street pedistal) the first leg of the Splitter, should go directly into your Cable modem do not put any amps on this line and try not to splice this line either.

The second leg of that 2-way, will go into your drop amplifier, then will go into another splitter. try to use a splitter consistant with how many TV outlet drops you will have, but also try to keep the number even because if you use a 3-way splitter, for your TV runs, you will have -3 db loss on one leg, and -7db loss on the other 2 legs causing your TV's to have inconsistent signal. try to keep it consistant. use 4 or 6 way splitters.

Now, you will want to log into your cable modem and check the Signal level values to make sure you are within limits. Here is some guidelines to make sure your cable modem falls within these limits:

Downstream Power (-15dbmV to +15dbmV)
Most modems are rated from -15dB to +15dB, however it's best to have it between +8dB and -8dB. Anything less or more than that and you may have quality issues.

Upstream Power (37dbmV to 55dbmV)
The lower this number is, the better. Above 55dB will most probably cause problems, over 57dB and you probably won't be able to connect.

Signal/Noise Ratio (>30dB)
SNR is best over 30, (the higher the better, might work well with as low as 25 at times). Anything less than 25 will cause dropped connections, packet loss, slow transfers, etc.