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Is a amp necessaary?

675 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  kenglish, 
G
My cable line is split twicw from the main, one line going to my internet/phone and the one going for my cable where it is split three times, 2 going to digital/hd boxes and one going to and analog set....there is a amp in my basement from the previous owner that plugs in the wall and has one in and 4 outs...its by gemini and it says its 10dbs, 50-450mz. Is it even worth using?
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M
Are you having any reception or picture break up problems?
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Quote:
its by gemini and it says its 10dbs, 50-45-mz. Is it even worth using?
75% or more of the amps out there are cheap imports from no name manufacture in China that will probably do more harm than good.


Feeds going for digital channels need the least amount od signal (or should), feeds going to cable maodems would be next and last would be feeds for analog channels. They need the most for the best picture (as long as it is at least 0 dbmV, though I perfer to run +5 dbmV).
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M
There's also another problem with cheap import amps. They only amplify the incoming signal, which is ok for analog cable, but cable modems and digital cable boxes are two way devices, s you'll need a push-pull amp (available from reputable manufacturer like Winegard).
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What happens in March?? I love your sig. :D



I failed to take that into account since 2-way cable is a non issue with me. The the % would go up to 90%.

I pretty much only buy amps from CM or Winegard with few exceptions.
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since the they spit the main cable twice...one to internet/phone....one too the tv, could i amplify it after the split on just the cable line?

also, is there a link where to buy the amps your are speaking of?

thanks
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M
I'll ask again, any reception issues? If not, forget the amp.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mjones73
I'll ask again, any reception issues? If not, forget the amp.
Since i had an additional hd set hooked up, the picture has degraded a bit.
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An amp that says 54-450Mz amplifies cable channels 2-62 and 95-99 only, and does not pass the return signal from the cable box.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AntAltMike
An amp that says 54-450Mz amplifies cable channels 2-62 and 95-99 only, and does not pass the return signal from the cable box.
What amp would u reccomed and where can i get it?

Thanks
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There are usually some good deals on Electroline amps on eBay. Most people who do need a little signal boost are best served by a low gain amplifier that goes up to 860Mz and has a passive return circuit. Generally, if you buy such an amp retail, it will cost $40 to $50. For that amount of money, you might as well have the cable company come out and make sure that you are getting enough signal. A healthy cable input signal level should be able to drive the TV load that you have.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AntAltMike
For that amount of money, you might as well have the cable company come out and make sure that you are getting enough signal. A healthy cable input signal level should be able to drive the TV load that you have.
Arghhh. In my case that's wishful thinking.


DirecTV's HD strategy is IMO a disaster, so I recently had Comcast re-connect my cable so I could receive local HD.


The Comcast tech's idea of checking signal level was to stand beside me to observe the analog channels on my TV. I specifically asked about him checking the signal level and he said that he didn't carry a meter with him. Phooey.


But I suppose that if you called with a specific request to check the level, they might be able to send out a tech with a meter! :)
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K
Lots of people have had success with a Motorola amp that sells at Best Buy and other similar stores.

http://broadband.motorola.com/consum...ignal_booster/


I've been using one just like it, except it has 4 output ports (same case, just the extra holes are drilled out and filled with connectors). It is made for Scientific Atlanta. It comes with a power inserter, so you can power it from a more-convenient outlet via one coax. It has +7 dB of gain per output, and is Bi-directional. Your Cable company might even stock these, and sell/give you one if you pick it up.

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