Centrally installing 2 units question

[golubian]

I'm getting ready to upgrade my house to HDTVs with a pair of S3s distributed (along with other sources) throughout the house using a matrix swticher.

Since the S3s will both be installed at a single, centralized location, is it correct that I'll need to have two separate coax runs to get the cable TV into the S3's? Is there any way to split the signal from one run, or does it have to be 2 (or 3 if I want to have a basic cable company box to have access to PPV and VOD, as well)?

Thanks.

[Darthnice]

I have a single cable from the wall going into a 3 way splitter feeding 3 tivos in one location.

[golubian]

I have a single cable from the wall going into a 3 way splitter feeding 3 tivos in one location.

Any loss of signal quality doing it that way?

[Jim M]

There should not be any if you split it rught before the TiVo as opposed to splitting it outside and running three log cables. Even doing it that way wouldn't hurt much at all.

[squirrellyman]

Every time you split the signal 2 ways, you lose 3.5dB of signal strength. It doesn't matter where the split is, it will always be the same. You should be fine with only one split if your signal from the cable company is at all decent. Even 2 splits (or 1 4-way splitter, 2*3.5=7dB) should be fine.

Three splits (or a 1 8-way splitter, 3*3.5=10.5dB) or more seems to be where you start hearing about signal strength problems cropping up. But this completely depends on the strength of the signal you are getting from the line. (For some people, 5 splits will be fine, for other 1 split will be too many... it depends on the strength of the signal coming into your house.)

[Darthnice]

Any loss of signal quality doing it that way?
Not that I can tell. I do have an amp installed where the cable comes into the house though, primarily because I know I'm splitting the signal more than a "normal" person would.

[ah30k]

I just split again for the kids TV in the basement. I'm surprised things are still working...

Cable feed split 4 ways --> two of those 4 feeds are split again (one of the double splits goes to my cable modem & media center and the other double split goes to my S3 & S2).

I realize that I have my two most sensitive devices (to signal strength anyway) devices on a double split but not much I can do.

[BruceShultes]

With a simple two way splitter, my S3 was having problems while my cable box continued to work fine.

I just changed the splitter to an amplified splitter and now both work.

[golubian]

I'm getting ready to upgrade my house to HDTVs with a pair of S3s distributed (along with other sources) throughout the house using a matrix swticher.

Since the S3s will both be installed at a single, centralized location, is it correct that I'll need to have two separate coax runs to get the cable TV into the S3's? Is there any way to split the signal from one run, or does it have to be 2 (or 3 if I want to have a basic cable company box to have access to PPV and VOD, as well)?

Thanks.

Another question:

Will I need multiple network connection jacks in the equipment cabinet since both Tivos will be centrally located?

Thanks.

[ah30k]

Yes, you will need either two direct wires to your router or run a single wire and put a mini-hub (like a 5 port hub for around $30) where your S3s are