TwoCybers
09-29-2006, 09:26 AM
Previously I posted asking about Cable signal strength and was directed to Bidirectional Drop Amplifiers -- that may be what I need, but before spending the money I want to make sure. (see http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4407627 )
The Cable company (Comcast) sent out a tech who agreed I had a problem, but was certain the problem was not cable signal strength. He used a meter and measured at a box behind my house (sends signals to 3 different houses), at the lightning ground on my house, and at the outlet where my Tivo is. He got two values at each location which I think were dB readings. (I did get a new Set Top Box and the only difference is the specific channels I can not get changed.)
Generally speaking I have no trouble with getting cable TV -- however there are a few specific channels (all digital and also the less commonly used channels) that I can not get. I get a message saying the channel will be available in a moment. I do get these channels at the non-Tivo location in my house. I have swaped Set Top Boxes between the locations. There is some difference in the sensitivity of the two boxes, but in all permutations, I get all channels at the non-Tivo location.
As we know the installation of the Series 2 Tivo does use a splitter which indeed does decrease the signal strength - and the meter readings show that.
So I guess/think my questions are: --
#1 Does a Drop Amplifier increase the signal strength of individual weak channels within a cable package? i.e. should the drop amp solve my problem
#2 Additionally are there any issues or problems some channel signals "too strong" in a cable package? -- this seem like possible point since the vast majority of my channels right now are just fine.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Gordon
Atlanta
The Cable company (Comcast) sent out a tech who agreed I had a problem, but was certain the problem was not cable signal strength. He used a meter and measured at a box behind my house (sends signals to 3 different houses), at the lightning ground on my house, and at the outlet where my Tivo is. He got two values at each location which I think were dB readings. (I did get a new Set Top Box and the only difference is the specific channels I can not get changed.)
Generally speaking I have no trouble with getting cable TV -- however there are a few specific channels (all digital and also the less commonly used channels) that I can not get. I get a message saying the channel will be available in a moment. I do get these channels at the non-Tivo location in my house. I have swaped Set Top Boxes between the locations. There is some difference in the sensitivity of the two boxes, but in all permutations, I get all channels at the non-Tivo location.
As we know the installation of the Series 2 Tivo does use a splitter which indeed does decrease the signal strength - and the meter readings show that.
So I guess/think my questions are: --
#1 Does a Drop Amplifier increase the signal strength of individual weak channels within a cable package? i.e. should the drop amp solve my problem
#2 Additionally are there any issues or problems some channel signals "too strong" in a cable package? -- this seem like possible point since the vast majority of my channels right now are just fine.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Gordon
Atlanta