Question:
I've searched for ages, but can't find a definitive answer on this so will ask here again.
I want to have cable tv up in my room, but don't want to pay for another box. I understand if I do this then I can only watch what is on the box downstairs and that is fine.
Now....... I have broadband in my room, and that runs from the cable downstairs up through the floorboards and into a box attached to the wall in my room, and then into my cable modem.
Can anyone answer these questions for me:
Does the wire that carries the broadband also carry the cable tv signals or are they completely different?
If yes, then is there a some sort of splitter device that I can put before the modem that will allow me to connect to both my tv for cable channels, and my pc for broadband internet?
What type of connectors do I need to buy as the connector that goes into my modem obviously isn't a TV type connector?
If the wire doesn't carry the cable signal, is there a spliiter box thing that I can put downstairs that I can then run another wire from upstairs to link to my tv?
If anyone knows the answers, can you please also include links to places where I can get them, or see a picture of them to see what type of thing I will need.
Thanks in advance :thumbs:
You need a second cable decoder upstairs to use the exisiting wiring. The signal on the wire to your cable modem and cable box carriers your broadband and TV but the TV needs to be decoded by a box (and a second subscription).
The connectors are called 'F-type' and you can buy them from DIY stores, TV repair places and electronics shops - they are often described as satellite connectors (as Sky systems use them).
The wire is double screened co-ax which is essentially the same as the wire connecting your TV aerial, but it has double screening to make it less prone to interference.
The cheapest solution is to run a regular TV cable with normal connectors from the RF output of your cable box to the aerial input on your TV upstairs.
An easier but more expensive solution is to use a video sender plugged into the video SCART on your cable box and your TV SCART connector upstairs.
Be aware that infra red remote control extenders don't work with most UK cable systems as they remote signals use a different protocol to normal infra red remotes.
If you go down either route you'll need a remote/video sender which is cable compatible try http://www.letsautomate.com/
Thanks for the reply mate :thumbs:
I think I'll just run a normal rf cable upstairs and buy and irda remote sender.
I had one of the original Aei video senders, but the picture quality was awful due to the amount of interference from all the stuff I've got in my room so I sold it. Are the Philips ones any better - does any one have any experience of them?
Some cable franchises (like certain NTL areas) do actually carry terrestrial frequencies down the cable, and you can plug the cable into a TV and get channels 1-5 (plus QVC!). However, this may have changed as that was back in analogue days, and not all regions do this. It was used for analogue pass-through.
However, I know NTL do not like you plugging the cable into unauthorised equipment, especially non-Cable equipment. The reason being that you get some nasty feedback down the cable. As a cable modem customer I'd be pretty ****** off with any neighbours who do this as it screws up cable modems really bad, as it would be at MY cost to get an engineer out to look into it (trust me, I've been through it :mad: ). The same goes for unterminated connectors (you should use a terminating 'cap'), as this can screw with signal levels as well.
As for splitting to go into cable equipment (decoder boxes and cable modems), you need a specific kind of splitter device that splits the right frequency ranges. A TV splitter that you get in B&Q or wherever is not sufficient, especially with digital TV. I got mine from NTL who split the cable for me. I've got a picture of it somewhere.
Also, if you do have cable modem, consider carefully about splitting as it reduces the signal to the cable modem and those things are not very tolerant of borderline signals and start rebooting when they can't lock on properly (again, I've been through complete hell with that :mad: ).
Another option is to get a Freeview box for the other room. Limited to the free channels and will set you back something like £60 to £100, but it's a one off fee and at least lets you watch other channels.
Otherwise take the RF 'out' from the digibox and feed it to the other room, but you'll have no remote control over the box.
Video senders are okay, but watch out for frequencies with radio based ones as they might interfere with wireless LANs and other devices.
Thanks for the advice DeadKenny - I've just decided to use a normal tv aerial from the cable box and run it upstairs.
There should be no problems with that should there?
Originally posted by gazhowell
Thanks for the advice DeadKenny - I've just decided to use a normal tv aerial from the cable box and run it upstairs.
There should be no problems with that should there?
Sounds fine. That's just connected to the RF out on the box I assume (I've not got a digital cable box so I'm not sure what they have, I've got Sky as I got ****** off with NTL's TV, though I still have their cable modem and phone).
Yeah, I use the scart downstairs so the rf is unused
I want to have cable tv up in my room, but don't want to pay for another box. I understand if I do this then I can only watch what is on the box downstairs and that is fine.
Now....... I have broadband in my room, and that runs from the cable downstairs up through the floorboards and into a box attached to the wall in my room, and then into my cable modem.
Can anyone answer these questions for me:
Does the wire that carries the broadband also carry the cable tv signals or are they completely different?
If yes, then is there a some sort of splitter device that I can put before the modem that will allow me to connect to both my tv for cable channels, and my pc for broadband internet?
What type of connectors do I need to buy as the connector that goes into my modem obviously isn't a TV type connector?
If the wire doesn't carry the cable signal, is there a spliiter box thing that I can put downstairs that I can then run another wire from upstairs to link to my tv?
If anyone knows the answers, can you please also include links to places where I can get them, or see a picture of them to see what type of thing I will need.
Thanks in advance :thumbs:
Answers:
You need a second cable decoder upstairs to use the exisiting wiring. The signal on the wire to your cable modem and cable box carriers your broadband and TV but the TV needs to be decoded by a box (and a second subscription).
The connectors are called 'F-type' and you can buy them from DIY stores, TV repair places and electronics shops - they are often described as satellite connectors (as Sky systems use them).
The wire is double screened co-ax which is essentially the same as the wire connecting your TV aerial, but it has double screening to make it less prone to interference.
The cheapest solution is to run a regular TV cable with normal connectors from the RF output of your cable box to the aerial input on your TV upstairs.
An easier but more expensive solution is to use a video sender plugged into the video SCART on your cable box and your TV SCART connector upstairs.
Be aware that infra red remote control extenders don't work with most UK cable systems as they remote signals use a different protocol to normal infra red remotes.
If you go down either route you'll need a remote/video sender which is cable compatible try http://www.letsautomate.com/
Answers:
Thanks for the reply mate :thumbs:
I think I'll just run a normal rf cable upstairs and buy and irda remote sender.
I had one of the original Aei video senders, but the picture quality was awful due to the amount of interference from all the stuff I've got in my room so I sold it. Are the Philips ones any better - does any one have any experience of them?
Answers:
Some cable franchises (like certain NTL areas) do actually carry terrestrial frequencies down the cable, and you can plug the cable into a TV and get channels 1-5 (plus QVC!). However, this may have changed as that was back in analogue days, and not all regions do this. It was used for analogue pass-through.
However, I know NTL do not like you plugging the cable into unauthorised equipment, especially non-Cable equipment. The reason being that you get some nasty feedback down the cable. As a cable modem customer I'd be pretty ****** off with any neighbours who do this as it screws up cable modems really bad, as it would be at MY cost to get an engineer out to look into it (trust me, I've been through it :mad: ). The same goes for unterminated connectors (you should use a terminating 'cap'), as this can screw with signal levels as well.
As for splitting to go into cable equipment (decoder boxes and cable modems), you need a specific kind of splitter device that splits the right frequency ranges. A TV splitter that you get in B&Q or wherever is not sufficient, especially with digital TV. I got mine from NTL who split the cable for me. I've got a picture of it somewhere.
Also, if you do have cable modem, consider carefully about splitting as it reduces the signal to the cable modem and those things are not very tolerant of borderline signals and start rebooting when they can't lock on properly (again, I've been through complete hell with that :mad: ).
Another option is to get a Freeview box for the other room. Limited to the free channels and will set you back something like £60 to £100, but it's a one off fee and at least lets you watch other channels.
Otherwise take the RF 'out' from the digibox and feed it to the other room, but you'll have no remote control over the box.
Video senders are okay, but watch out for frequencies with radio based ones as they might interfere with wireless LANs and other devices.
Answers:
Thanks for the advice DeadKenny - I've just decided to use a normal tv aerial from the cable box and run it upstairs.
There should be no problems with that should there?
Answers:
Originally posted by gazhowell
Thanks for the advice DeadKenny - I've just decided to use a normal tv aerial from the cable box and run it upstairs.
There should be no problems with that should there?
Sounds fine. That's just connected to the RF out on the box I assume (I've not got a digital cable box so I'm not sure what they have, I've got Sky as I got ****** off with NTL's TV, though I still have their cable modem and phone).
Answers:
Yeah, I use the scart downstairs so the rf is unused
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