I am going to be running cable thru out my parents new house. Since I will be running homeruns I will need about 900 feet total. They will have digital cable from Cablevision/IO. They really don't care about upgradability.

I'm wondering if I should use RG6 Quad or Dual?

From what I've read, the opinion on this various greatly. Some people say it's only needed when you live close to an airport or military base or have any extreme amount of wireless gear/radio frequencies around you. Other people say it's a necessity in any house.

I don't know if my parents would notice the difference, they are currently happy with their old 27" TV's on regular cable.

So what is the real world difference between Quad and Dual?

FWIW, The longest run will be 80', all the rest will be quite a bit shorter. I will be terminating with PPC EX6 compression F connectors that work with both Dual and Quad shielded RG6.

Better shielding can't hurt. And, it's cost differential isn't too much, if you figure in something for the labor.

If you look out the window, almost anything you see can now be a transmitter. Even trees, billboards, light stanchions and power poles. It's all over the place. So, you don't necessarily have to be near any major installations.

The other problem is, the Digital Cable channels can be anywhere in the spectrum....actually, "most everywhere in the spectrum" is a better way to put it. So, your/their favorite channel might be sent in the same frequency band as a local TV station, an FM station, or a two-way radio or cell transmitter. Ingress (leakage of the signal in to the Cable) can be a problem.

Not to mention the usual array of inside-the-home sources of interference, like lights, refridgerators, microwave ovens, computers, digital musical instruments, etc.

Thanks for the response!

I'll have to check out the supplier to see what the cost difference is.

FWIW: Cablevision installers now use tri-shield here on L.I.
If it's close to the cost of standard RG6, then why not use it. Just remember to buy RG6 Quad ends too, as regular RG6 ends won't fit on quad cable.


The cable installer left 300' still in the 1000' box here last month because it was raining and he didn't feel like dragging the pullbox back to his van. My Digicon RG6 Snap & Seal (Blue) ends didn't fit on the tri-shield cable.
This was on the box: "Andrew Coaxial Cable A677TS-BVV "
http://www.andrew.com/catalog/product_details.aspx?id=1007


I've been very happy with CommScope cable, looks like the quad-shield is only $20 more/1000' roll than tri-shield. $129 for 1000' quad vs $109 for 1000' tri-shield.
http://www.yourbroadbandstore.com/products/coaxial-cable.php#indoor6

Really?

I thought that a 1K' roll was going to be over $300, I thought I read people talking those prices here.

If I could get 1K' of RG6 Quad for anything under $200 I will be very happy!

Buy two @ Home depot:
BICC
500 Ft. Black RG 6 Quad Shield Coaxial Cable

Model 92041-45-08

Price: $63.00/ea

I'd point you here - $95 - but they are out until early May:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10216&cs_id=1021604&p_id=2964&seq=1&format=2&style=

Skip the quad shield...

Belden's info tends to indicate their tri-shield with the Duobond Plus outer wrap is superior to quad shield. It has a shorting fold in the outer foil layer that effectively electrically "seals" the shield wrap.

Get Belden 7915A, it's RG-6 tri-shield with solid copper core and sweep tested to 3GHz. I've seen 1K' for around $110 at this place. (https://www.tselectronic.com/belden/7915a.html?tse_Session=118612dd9557c06ea16bb2fc0300bbfb) Maybe cheaper elsewhere...

This stuff has the DuoBond Plus outer shield configuration and with 3GHz rating, is more than enough for CATV, broadband, SAT, you name it. It's good stuff, Maynard....

Buy two @ Home depot:
BICC
500 Ft. Black RG 6 Quad Shield Coaxial Cable

Model 92041-45-08

Price: $63.00/ea
So Home Depot or Monoprice cable is just as good as the expensive brands?

This is some general information directly from the Belden website that describes their higher grade shielding configurations.

Duobond III (Tri-Shield)
Duobond III utilizes the Duobond II design (foil/braid) plus an additional surrounding layer of Duofoil. This extra layer of foil improves shield reliability and provides an additional interference barrier.

Duobond IV (Quad Shield)
Duobond IV adds a second layer of braid to the Tri-shield design (foil/braid/foil/braid). This extra layer of braid shield provides improved strength and durability.

Duobond Plus®
This shield features the same foil/braid/foil construction as Duobond III but with the additional of a shorting fold in the outermost foil. This fold prevents a slot opening from being created in the shield, thereby preventing signal egress or ingress. This unique feature creates the effect of a solid metal conduit, which improves the high-frequency performance of the cable.


To me, it's important to note that Belden basically says the outer braid of quad shield is for strength and durability, not increased shielding.

The Duobond Plus shielding (like on the 7915A cable) seems to claim the best ingress/egress protection due to the shorting fold on the outer foil shield.

Seems the better option in two ways - comparable in price or cheaper than Quad, and better ingress/egress protection.

']So Home Depot or Monoprice cable is just as good as the expensive brands?

Right up front, I'm not expert. But I used the Monoprice bulk quad shield when I finished my basement. I have runs up to 90 feet. And they all work fine for me.

Get Belden 7915A, it's RG-6 tri-shield with solid copper core and sweep tested to 3GHz. I've seen 1K' for around $110 at this place. (https://www.tselectronic.com/belden/7915a.html?tse_Session=118612dd9557c06ea16bb2fc0300bbfb) Maybe cheaper elsewhere...

The website listed above says to use standard RG6 Snap-N-Seal connectors on the Belden tri-shield.
FWIW, I couldn't get the Thomas and Betts standard (blue ring) RG6 Snap-N-Seal connectors, or Digicon (blue ring) standard RG6 connectors to fit on the Andrew tri-shield cable. Maybe Belden tri-shield is different, but I'd be certain it fits before I order 50-100 of the wrong ends.

I don't currently have any of the Belden, but I do have some Commscope tri-shield and am using Thomas & Betts Snap-n-Seal SNS1P6U connectors (red ring - if that matters) that fit just fine.

Hopefully this does not insult your intellegence, but I have to ask - you are removing the outermost foil shield before putting on the connector, yes?

I don't currently have any of the Belden, but I do have some Commscope tri-shield and am using Thomas & Betts Snap-n-Seal SNS1P6U connectors (red ring - if that matters) that fit just fine.
Funny, tri-state doesn't even list the Thomas and Betts SNS1P6U for use on the Belden tri-shield?



Hopefully this does not insult your intellegence, but I have to ask - you are removing the outermost foil shield before putting on the connector, yes?
Yes, I had to remove the outtermost foil shield to get the blue RG6 connectors to fit. The cable guy didn't do that with the black connectors he used.

Ok, I just went down to our equipment room (at my job) where our cable connections are. On the Andrew tri-shield coax cable- the technician from Cablevision used (black) PPC EX6XL connectors: http://dlsus10.chainreactionweb.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=629
So, it looks like with the tri-shield you really have to be specific w/the ends you use.

This is some general information directly from the Belden website that describes their higher grade shielding configurations.

Duobond III (Tri-Shield)
Duobond III utilizes the Duobond II design (foil/braid) plus an additional surrounding layer of Duofoil. This extra layer of foil improves shield reliability and provides an additional interference barrier.

Duobond IV (Quad Shield)
Duobond IV adds a second layer of braid to the Tri-shield design (foil/braid/foil/braid). This extra layer of braid shield provides improved strength and durability.

Duobond Plus®
This shield features the same foil/braid/foil construction as Duobond III but with the additional of a shorting fold in the outermost foil. This fold prevents a slot opening from being created in the shield, thereby preventing signal egress or ingress. This unique feature creates the effect of a solid metal conduit, which improves the high-frequency performance of the cable.


To me, it's important to note that Belden basically says the outer braid of quad shield is for strength and durability, not increased shielding.

The Duobond Plus shielding (like on the 7915A cable) seems to claim the best ingress/egress protection due to the shorting fold on the outer foil shield.

Seems the better option in two ways - comparable in price or cheaper than Quad, and better ingress/egress protection. Why does the triple shielded 7915A cost 3 times less than the dual shielded 1694A? What's the difference?

The website listed above says to use standard RG6 Snap-N-Seal connectors on the Belden tri-shield.
FWIW, I couldn't get the Thomas and Betts standard (blue ring) RG6 Snap-N-Seal connectors, or Digicon (blue ring) standard RG6 connectors to fit on the Andrew tri-shield cable. Maybe Belden tri-shield is different, but I'd be certain it fits before I order 50-100 of the wrong ends.
I was told that PPC EX6 XL was just about the best compression F-connector. A nice feature is that they work on both dual and quad shield so I bet they will surely work on your tri shield.

EDITED: I see by your next post that you already knew that, Oops :p

']So Home Depot or Monoprice cable is just as good as the expensive brands?

You bet.

']Why does the triple shielded 7915A cost 3 times less than the dual shielded 1694A? What's the difference?

1694A is billed as a precision video cable having very tight impedance tolerances and very low loss. It's not really intended for CATV/broadband use, but I'm not sure why it wouldn't work fine for that. I guess one would have to carefully study the tech docs in detail to know for sure. Belden makes it and is an acknowledged "expert" in the field so I trust their opinion/recommendation.

I would speculate the primary reasons for the increased cost are the tighter manufacturing tolerances and that 1694A has 95% copper braid shield vs. 80% aluminum braid shield.

Personally, even though 1694A looks better on paper in some specs, I would stick to the cable use recommendations of Belden and stay with the 7915A as a premium cable for CATV/broadband/SAT use.

Belden 1694a is a fine coax with a bare copper (versus copper clad steel) center conductor, a foil shield, and a 95% tinned copper braid. By all means a great coax, but overkill for CATV distribution in the home.

Elsewhere there is talk about tri-shield vs. quad shield. As with anything, it depends on the quality of the manufacturer. Assuming it is all Belden (very good quality), the tri-shield will get you almost the same shielding protection as the quad-shield, especially in the higher frequency range. Braid is generally best for low frequencies, foil for high. That having been said, quad is much, much more common.

Be careful where and from whom you purchase the quad-shield, however. Most of the no-name coax out there does not come close to true 60/40% braid coverage. Stick with reputable brands like Belden (mentioned here) Commscope, General Cable, Honeywell Genesis, and Coleman Cable (Signal Brand). You should be able to find General Cable at Home Depot, General or Coleman at Lowe's, and Coleman at Menard's.

Connectors are also important. Be sure to use a compression type that seals the end of the coax well, and pay attention to whether you are buying a dual or quad connector to match the coax you have installed.

Hope this helps.

Funny, tri-state doesn't even list the Thomas and Betts SNS1P6U for use on the Belden tri-shield?



Yes, I had to remove the outtermost foil shield to get the blue RG6 connectors to fit. The cable guy didn't do that with the black connectors he used.

Ok, I just went down to our equipment room (at my job) where our cable connections are. On the Andrew tri-shield coax cable- the technician from Cablevision used (black) PPC EX6XL connectors: http://dlsus10.chainreactionweb.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=629
So, it looks like with the tri-shield you really have to be specific w/the ends you use. Hello again, I had a question about what you said here:

Yes, I had to remove the outtermost foil shield to get the blue RG6 connectors to fit. The cable guy didn't do that with the black connectors he used. What did the cable guy do, just fold the foil back with the braid? I thought you were supposed to rip the foil off then fold the braid back (and of course leave the inner foil untouched around the dielectric)?



FWIW, I decided to go with the 7915A like whoaru99 recommends. I have 100 PPC EX6 connectors as well, it should all make for a good installation at my parents house.

']Hello again, I had a question about what you said here:

What did the cable guy do, just fold the foil back with the braid? I thought you were supposed to rip the foil off then fold the braid back (and of course leave the inner foil untouched around the dielectric)?
It looks like he just slipped the PPC EX6 connector over the foil, no other prep work? I couldn't really get a good look from my vantage point, but he didn't waste any time trimming or fooling with the braid/foil at all. It was- strip cable w/coax strip tool, seat end on coax, fix end on cable w/compression tool. About 10 seconds for the whole procedure.

Thanks for the response!

I have Cablevision too and a cable that was installed by them not too long ago is a tri-shield just like you explained. I found it easy to strip and clean the end, and my PPC-EX6 connectors went on without too much fuss, but held tight. It seems like the Tri-shield is the way to go for me, the 7915A seems perfect.

If anyone has any info on the proper way to strip tri-shield I would appreciate it. I assume you rip the outer layer of foil off, then fold the braid back.