[ZTWsquared]

(07-03-2011, 09:35 PM)paolo Wrote: 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.

Thanks ... I think. My plan is to split just after the ground, with one drop for the cable modem and one for the TV amp. I'm not worried about the TV side ... the amp I have in mind has 8 outs @ +4 db ea - so no splitters required, it will be a single run to each device.

The question I have on the cable modem side is this ... with 5 computers, Sony Bluray, NAS, and 2 VOIP lines all going through the one cable modem ... my plan was to use one of those special bi-directional active-return amps (amplifies both ways - 52-1000 hz coming in and >42hz going out) to maintain reliability (it doesn't increase speed, but minimized loss in either direction) ...

... but I've heard that the VOIP system doesn't like the amplification ... is this true or not ... does anyone have a VOIP line on the hot side of an RF amp.