active RF splitter for ATSC cable

For DTV (Digital TV), which is ATSC (Over the Air) a 54-1000MHz spliter is fine. Depending on the lengths of the cable runs, passive will be fine. If you have long runs, then use a distrubution amp.

just be aware ATSC is OTA only, so you will need an antenna and be able to get good reception from the local x-mitters.

idangazit, you are confused. Digital cable uses Quadratuture Amplitude Modulation (QAM) as its modulation scheme. Otherwise most of it parameters are the same as ATSC.

Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) is the group that put together the standards for off-air broadcasting that the FCC adopted for the US over the air standard. It uses 8 Vestigial Side Band (8VSB) modulation.

So, if you are going to receive a QAM signal, be sure that your TV receivers can handle a QAM signal.

Are you sure that there will be unencrypted QAM channels available?

As for an amplifier, look for a CATV type amplifier, good ones are Motorola and/or Electroline. You can get them with or without built in splitters. You may find that if the cable company is on top of things, there will be adequate signal level without an amplifier.

ChannelVision is a consumer product of dubious quality.

Mallego

Just to second what Mallego stated, you need QAM tuners and cable is limited to about 850Mhz, I would keep a few drop amps and attenuators handy because you don't know the level of the signal provided to your booth.
I have also done the tradeshow circuit for the cable industry, NCTA, Western, SCTE and a few smaller ones so a piece of friendly advice come prepared!!
If possible find out who is providing the signal and which channels are in the clear.

And, get there EARLY! You have no idea what problems you'll find, until you get there.

I'm assuming you are going to show off some TV sets or something, using Cable TV. A good choice for an amp, is the Scientific-Atlanta or Motorola (they are the same inside) 4-way Drop Amplifier, like this:

http://www.scientificatlanta.com/cus...ce/7000240.pdf

It will give you a little bit of gain to each output (+7 dB each, on a 4x). You might find something like it (Motorola-branded) at Best Buy or Circuit City, or ask the Cable company ahead of time. But, like I said, check things out early. Most hotels and Convention Centers have lots of problems.

Why not use an OTA signal, though (at least on one set), to show the good stuff?

Remember.....OTA is always ATSC/8VSB (and, all new sets must be able to receive it, if they have any tuners at all), and Cable is almost always QAM (which requires a QAM-capable set to get anything at all, and requires a CableCard or the Cable company's rented box to get anything other than the few local stations' HD channels....which are usually unencrypted. Most other Digital Cable channels, and all other Cable HD channels, are usually encrypted, and need their box or CC).