Our building uses Comcast and, as a group, we receive a basic digital service using coax cable that is brought to about 40 units through 6 conduits from the roof. I think they used the old main antenna lines when it was first installed. Comcast won't offer services like On Demand or Menu or Internet and keeps us limited to basic digital. A few units have ordered DVRs and get like an expanded basic digital and can watch HD channels but no one gets Internet, On Demand or Menus. The thought is that our wiring may need to be updated to a "homerun" design in order for Comcast to fully turn on more advanced digital services. Comcast has equipment in the top of the building
(7th floor) and maybe 6-7 units on one (of 6) length of coax cable. We don't think 6-7 cables will fit in a single conduit line but we'd like to keep the wiring internal and in existing pipes if at all possible. We're also not sure who pays for this re-wiring and what is the best design, wire type or any other needs that will position us for advanced digital relationships with Comcast or anyone else, especially if we need to pay for the re-wiring. Has anyone had expereince with re-wire situations or dealing with Comcast? Any recommendations from a technical perspective? Thanks in advance.

Sounds like a good size MDU building. The best way to handle your situation is to go to your local cable office, and explain what you would like to do (like you did here). They have people that handle this sort of thing, and will come out and survey the project for you, discuss what needs to be done and what materials to use, let you know if it's a project that the cable company can do, and what the cost will be (if any).

They will want to help, so that they can install the more advanced services that they offer.

- Cable Tech

Thanks, Cable Tech, we are trying to get a meeting with our rep as we speak.
I was just trying to understand what prevents Comcast from just turning on an Expanded Digital service and use the existing wiring. Maybe it's a control or billing issue, I'm not sure. but your input is appreciated and we'll see what the meeting produces.

They definately want the revenue. Since there is no On Demand or internet I have to assume that building is looped through. Meaning one line down, each unit has a splitter in their wallplate, one leg to them, the through leg to the unit below and so on.

If this is the case then the return path will have too much loss for any advanced services to work. Getting HD is a pretty amazing feat as well since those services are usually placed at the end of the spectrum and roll off first.

The issue is the existing wiring is the buildings wiring. It was provided by the building and the expectation would be that the building would update it.
For Comcast to bring that building up to spec, with the amount of units, your heading into the 50-60k mark for the contractors, time, permits etc.
The cheaper route would be allowing them to run channels or moulding on the exterior of the building.
In some larger cities you may get them to rewire it for free if you sign an exclusivity agrement.
Im not sure of the status of the last option as I believe a law was tossed around not too long ago to quash such agreements in the interest of providing options.
However this is one of the best cases of why it is a pretty crappy law. Its hard to get them to spend that cash to have a competitor come in and take the building and use the lines Comcast just installed.

Best of luck in any event. I know its frustrating haveing the service but not being able to get what the building next to you is getting. :(

Great input and sounds like it's right on.

The HD service that I came across is closest to the top (8th) floor where Comcast has its' equipment. The units on our 7th floor may have direct feeds while the units below do not. So the signal strength may be best at that level. Our engineer thinks that Comcast may have offered to split the cost of re-wiring in the past but I haven't found any detail on that offer. I think my best bet is to see what Comcast can do or offer.

Does it make any sense to investigate competitors like DISH? Perhaps they would be more agressive to get a contract for the building? Just a thought.
Again thanks for your help and Happy Holidays.

Great input and sounds like it's right on.

The HD service that I came across is closest to the top (8th) floor where Comcast has its' equipment. The units on our 7th floor may have direct feeds while the units below do not. So the signal strength may be best at that level. Our engineer thinks that Comcast may have offered to split the cost of re-wiring in the past but I haven't found any detail on that offer. I think my best bet is to see what Comcast can do or offer.

Does it make any sense to investigate competitors like DISH? Perhaps they would be more agressive to get a contract for the building? Just a thought.
Again thanks for your help and Happy Holidays.

What Comcast system are you in? I know a building similar to yours, and they get digital and internet.

Going with a company like Dish can get even more expensive, because everyone would need a receiver for their TV, and Dish requires a homerun cable outlet from the receiver to the reflector or 34/44 switch (no splitters allowed). You'd still be without internet services, if you went with Dish (unless you used dial-up or maybe DSL). Dish has a partner (Wild Blue) that offers internet via satellite, but it's a lot slower than cable and cost a lot more than cable.

- Cable Tech

We're located in the near north side of Chicago. I'm working with our mgmt agent to set up the Comcast meeting as we speak. I guess I'll get a better picture once we begin discussions. I have to think re-wiring is inevitable for either party because tenants want more advanced services like the Internet, HD and Expanded Cable and Comcast is losing business because AT&T is quick to offer DSL as an alternative. I'm not sure who else can offer digital cable in the area.

Can amplifiers be used in a looped through wiring scheme if there is a concern for signal loss upstream? In other words, can you avoid having to re-wire for HD or Internet by amplifying signals where required?

Can amplifiers be used in a looped through wiring scheme if there is a concern for signal loss upstream? In other words, can you avoid having to re-wire for HD or Internet by amplifying signals where required?
Yes, but the system needs to be designed properly. You can't just indiscriminately throw in an amplifier because it seems the right thing to do.

The upstream path loses much less signal strength than does the forward path. Amplifiers that amplify the return path generally have a much lower gain on the return path than the forward path.

Has anybody checked the passives (taps, splitters) to make sure of the bandwidth. It's entirely possible that some or even all of the taps and splitters only go down to 40MHz. They need to be 5-1000MHz.