Cable Modem splitter

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

This is slightly off topic, but you guys/gals are great, so I thought I
would give it a try. Time Warner used a special splitter to split the cable
between the TV and cable modem. Does it give more power or less to the
modem? Cablevision told my brother the modem needs fully half the power, so
they split my brother's with a regular (3.5/3.5) splitter. Is there a right
or wrong way? How much power does a cable modem really need, as opposed to
a HDTV tuner? Also, do Monster splitters really have lower losses? Thanks.

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Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

S.P. wrote:
> This is slightly off topic, but you guys/gals are great, so I thought I
> would give it a try. Time Warner used a special splitter to split the cable
> between the TV and cable modem. Does it give more power or less to the
> modem? Cablevision told my brother the modem needs fully half the power, so
> they split my brother's with a regular (3.5/3.5) splitter. Is there a right
> or wrong way? How much power does a cable modem really need, as opposed to
> a HDTV tuner? Also, do Monster splitters really have lower losses? Thanks.

You should always use a high bandwidth splitter with digital cable, but
it needn't be any particular brand or price. There's no reason for a
GHz splitter to cost much. I certainly wouldn't pay extra for a "brand
name".

The splitter is a passive device, it doesn't favor one connection over
another. The amount of signal that goes through either side of a
splitter is determined by the overall impedance that is seen at the
connection. That's a function of what's connected to it, not a function
of the splitter itself.

I do prefer to avoid putting too many splitters into the path that
reaches my cable modem. I do that to insure reliability, but frankly I
doubt that I'd have any trouble even if I placed it somewhere farther
down the line.

Cable installers are full of folk wisdom. Much of it is vaguely based
on good advice, but I wouldn't put much stock in the specifics. <g>

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

"The splitter is a passive device, it doesn't favor one connection over

another. The amount of signal that goes through either side of a
splitter is determined by the overall impedance that is seen at the
connection. That's a function of what's connected to it, not a function

of the splitter itself"


That's not true. If you look at splitters, you will find there are
some
where the signal is split equally among the outputs, while on others
the signal output is not divided equally.

Usually, the preferred method is to split the cable equally when it
first
enters the home. One side feeds the cable modem, the other serves for
TVs, and get's split as necessary. If you need an amp for the TVs, it
should go after the first 50/50 splitter.