I have an older splitter connetcted to my CRT tv. I am in the process of hooking up a Hd tv. Is this old splitter capable of handeling digital signals or do I need a "digital splitter"?

"digital" is the latest marketing buzzword. There ain't no such thing as a "digital splitter" nor "Digital / HDTV antenna" etc - it's all just the same old RF stuff we have been using for years on any RF issue.

try it and see if it works. most of the time, one split isn't that big of a deal. if it is, call your cable co to have the line tested.

You should not have any issues as long as it is a 5-1000MHz splitter...

Great, thanks for the help!

As I understand it, there are two characteristics of tuners that matter (and they may actually be the same characteristic -- someone hopefully will clarify this): (1) frequency range (generally, you want splitters rated for up to 1 GHz now), and (2) bi-directionality (cable boxes need to communicate back to the head-end, so splitters need to support transmission in the upstream direction -- though I've never seen this specifically mentioned on any of the splitters I've purchased).

As I understand it, there are two characteristics of tuners that matter (and they may actually be the same characteristic -- someone hopefully will clarify this): (1) frequency range (generally, you want splitters rated for up to 1 GHz now), and (2) bi-directionality (cable boxes need to communicate back to the head-end, so splitters need to support transmission in the upstream direction -- though I've never seen this specifically mentioned on any of the splitters I've purchased).


Power dividers (splitters) by design are 2 way passive devices the only concern is the frequency response, it will pass any frequency (within it's range) in both directions, in the forward (divider) direction you have a passive loss through the device and the action of splitting halves the power.
In the reverse (combining) direction you have the passive loss through the device.

For cable 5Mhz-1Ghz is wide enough, many cable systems broadcast as high as 870mhz in the near future you may see the upper frequencies up to 1Ghz.

Power dividers (splitters) by design are 2 way passive devices the only concern is the frequency response, it will pass any frequency (within it's range) in both directions, in the forward (divider) direction you have a passive loss through the device and the action of splitting halves the power.
Glad to see that written. However, I would change "the only concern" to "the main concern." As was written, some systems go up to 870MMHz, which means that if bandwidth is the only concern, a 900MHz splitter would suffice. Many 900MHz splitters are merely epoxied together, which is a huge source of ingress. Other specs, such as linearity, return loss, port-to-port isolation are in the toilet, and blocking capacitors are non-existent. Some don't even have a PCB -- just wires and some components soldered together.

Best to stick with a major CATV manufacturer.

Glad to see that written. However, I would change "the only concern" to "the main concern." As was written, some systems go up to 870MMHz, which means that if bandwidth is the only concern, a 900MHz splitter would suffice. Many 900MHz splitters are merely epoxied together, which is a huge source of ingress. Other specs, such as linearity, return loss, port-to-port isolation are in the toilet, and blocking capacitors are non-existent. Some don't even have a PCB -- just wires and some components soldered together.

Best to stick with a major CATV manufacturer.


Agreed quality is very important!!