Heads up for cable modem users

[Celvantes]

After weeks of slow internet, my connection finally crapped out for good during a Salvage run yesterday. Turns out the problem was that when the cable installer came out to activate a second jack in my living room (the one I was going to use for my modem), he put it down stream of the signal amplifier in my house. Like a radio transmitter trying to push a signal past a jamming device, a modem has a hard time sending data past a cable TV signal amplifier.

Splitting the jack to which my modem is connected prior to the amplifier's connection increased internet performance and decreased FFXI lag to almost non-existence.

TLR... if you have a signal amp in your house, make sure the line to which your cable modem is connected is split from the main cable line *prior* to the amplifier.

 

[Novolo]

Call them back and bitch them out to fix it, thats unacceptable in my book

 

[Pascal]

Call them back and bitch them out to fix it, thats unacceptable in my book

Since the amplifier does not seem to properly support reverse single suggests that it was end-user installed. In such a case unless he is paying for in-house wire maintenance he would be charged for the return service call, but really the tech should have still checked the single strength on the line which would have caught that. The issues that should be addressed by the cable company is, why he has and needs an amp to begin with.

 

[Warseth]

After weeks of slow internet, my connection finally crapped out for good during a Salvage run yesterday. Turns out the problem was that when the cable installer came out to activate a second jack in my living room (the one I was going to use for my modem), he put it down stream of the signal amplifier in my house. Like a radio transmitter trying to push a signal past a jamming device, a modem has a hard time sending data past a cable TV signal amplifier.

Splitting the jack to which my modem is connected prior to the amplifier's connection increased internet performance and decreased FFXI lag to almost non-existence.

TLR... if you have a signal amp in your house, make sure the line to which your cable modem is connected is split from the main cable line *prior* to the amplifier.

I dont get this at all. The installer screwed up in the install.

The basics to installing an amplifier (which only amps your tv signal) is after you get the homepoint ran (Drop line or underground) and splitter on the OPB(the grey box on the side of your house if you have one) or simply splitter on the siding... You run a separate line to the modem...total clean line to it..the second split should run to the amp then to the other splitter which runs to the rest of your outlets. Also the amp is wired to a power source and should be grounded to the grounding rod next to the power point..and all splitters.

Seriously most houses dont need amps depending on your tap output and location on your node. I can run about 6 tvs and my modem ..anything over that I am having too much signal loss due to splitting. Still the recommended house wiring for cable is 4 outlets anything more you "might" need an amp but testing the outlets with the meter would tell if you really needed it in the first place...

So your post kinda unclear..but did he just put the amp on the main line then split it off from there to all other outlets? Also did he bother bringing in a meter reader for each outlet and also verify your readings from your wallplate or atleast over 0... your modem can run at -4 but but horribly...you want positive readings at the least a 0. But still wtf was he doing? Must be a contractor...sheesh.

PS: Ok yep i had to read slowly. I see now he did put the amp on the main line. What dolt. A call back to the cable company would get them to come out and fix it for free.
OR you can always save yourself the time and just move some lines ...

main drop--->2-way split (1kmhz rated) One goes to modem...one goes to amp..from amp to another splitter to house tvs. Fin

But you may want to call anyway...you never know if that amp goes wonky or sends a charge through your cat5 and fry your tvs... If he half assed the install...who knows if he even properly grounded anything either.

PSS Ex cable guy =)

 

[Euphacent]

Basically the signal over cable degrades every time you split it, so for your internet connection to perform at its peak at your location, you need to split it as early in the line as you can.. ie, not with all the tv connections. I think it's ok to use it after using an amplifier, but only if the amp is almost at the top of the chain and the modem's connection is near it or coming off of it.

 

[Celvantes]

Yeah, it was the 2nd installer who caught it when he came out. I had no idea what was going on. It's now:

Main line > Modem
v
Amp > Cable TV x3

And no, I payed nothing for the fix.