[crzygrndpa]

I'm in the Newton, MA area with Comcast cable. The lower channels are grainy and not coming in clear the way I expect cable to. The higher channels, On Demand and the HD channels come in great... but not the CATV channels. I would have Comcast come out and fix it but that would cost an additional $25 and they can't get here for another week.


So, I know that the problem is probably because of a weak signal. I picked up the Radio Shack Sat/TV/FM In-Line Signal Amplifier but it didn't make a difference. (50 - 2,200 MHz @ 10 dB MIN) Is there a way I can find out why this signal is coming in weak? Wouldn't the HD cable box automatically boost the signal? Is this not a matter of a weak signal but something else?


If someone could point me in the right direction or help me out that would be great.


- Brian

 

[kenglish]

First of all, the Cable company should not charge anything for a service call, unless the customer has screwed something up. Even then, they shouldn't be too nasty about it, in the interest of "customer retention" .


Your lower channels, even on "Digital Cable" are still analog channels. So, those will be where the problems show up. On Demand and the HD channels are all in the Digital tier, so they either work or don't.


Are all of the analog channels grainy, or just some? If the 2-6 and 14-22 channels are where the majority of the noise and graininess are, it may be a line problem called "suck-out", where the center conductor of their big cable has loosened from the connector. This causes roll-off of the lower channels, because the only signal that's there is capacitively-coupled through the bad connection. (Normally, higher channels get progressively snowy, since cables roll-off higher frequencies more than lower ones. Cable uses a funny numbering system as well....2-6, FM+9-99, then 14-22, then 7-13. Finally, 23 and up. So, you would normally see roll-off progressing up in that order.)


See if your neighbors have a similar problem. If so, it's definitely a Cable company system problem...have the neighbors call it in, too. If not, make sure you only have a direct connection from the Cable to your box (no "customer owned" amps, splitters, wiring in the hookup), and see if it gets better. If it is still bad, then it's in THEIR stuff, and they gotta fix it. If it is OK, then you need to ask them for some help with your own equipment.

 

[crzygrndpa]

The lower channels are grainy... I'm at work now so I don't have the range of grainy channels... but I know that the movie channels (HBO, Starz, etc...) up in the 300s are not grainy. I do know that it is grainy through channel 61 but not certain what the cut-off is.


It could be an issue of the cables, I cut and crimped two of them and they're nothing to write home about. I was using crummy tools from Radio Shack but I suppose I should cut and recrimp them properly? Do you have any recommendations on tools that I can use to get the job done easily?


(the reason I am crimping and not buying new ones is because the main cable wire I needed to cut and crimp is actually cemented through the foundation of the house and not going anywhere...)


All help/suggestions are appreciated!


- Brian

 

[crzygrndpa]

Also,


As far as the neighbors having the problem: they're not. I know the people on the floor above me and their cable comes in just fine. (Digital Comcast... no HD)


- Brian

 

[jb2002]

I have the same problem, with my CableVision service, even the high up digital channels get the grainy thing going a little bit, if it is indeed a Cable Company problem...can this be fix by them??..Can they improved the power of the signal coming into my house??

 

[crzygrndpa]

Well, I know that my problem isn't a matter of getting the signal boosted. As you can see from what I wrote above, I tried an AC signal amplifier and had no luck... infact there was no change in the picture quality whatsoever.


I would like to try re-crimping the coax with better tools but I'm reluctant to go out and buy the tools if this isn't the problem.


If there is some sort of filter I can put on the coax or do I check the splitters to see if they're in the correct range (I believe that the splitters have to go up to 1,000 MHz) or have enough dB output (but if that was the case then the signal amplifier should have worked...)




- Brian

 

[optivity]

If you have a TV that supports 480i/1080i and a Digital Box from Comcast try using either the component/dvi/ or hdmi interface only for both SD & HD channels.

 

[Ratman]

Quote:

Originally posted by crzygrndpa I would have Comcast come out and fix it but that would cost an additional $25 and they can't get here for another week.

Why would it cost you $25?

You pay for a service. You are not happy with the service. It should not be a 'billable' service call.


Have them come out and check signals/levels and perhaps even replace coax and connectors.

 

[crzygrndpa]

I don't know... that is what I was told when I called them.

 

[kenglish]

Might be worth the $25 to have them rewire everything themselves. They do that often, since each service call costs them about $150. It's better for them to "shotgun" a problem, than to make additional truck rolls.