Video Cable question...

jmzzz01 · « **on:** 7 Feb 2005, 06:32 pm »

I recently added cable TV wiring to the upstairs bedrooms by running two new lengths of cable from the splitter in the basement and through the heating ducts. The reception is decent on most channels, however the ones where there is a strong local broadcast on are unwatchable.

Is this due to signal loss because I added more outlets? Or should I have used a sheilded cable? The cabling is my guess but I'd like to hear from someone who knows before I go out and buy a bunch more cable and replace the existing stuff.

Thanks in advance- Jim

bubba966 · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Feb 2005, 06:42 pm »

Is the reception a problem only on the new lines, or did they all go downhill after the new lines were added?

If it's just the new lines, then yeah shieled (or better shieled) cabling is in order.

If it did effect all of the outlets, then a signal booster before the splitter should help out.

It's hard to guess though as I'm not sure what kind of problem you're experiencing. If it's a ghosting problem on the new lines only, then yeah the cabling is definitely a problem as it's not shielding the OTA broadcast out of the line.

If it's some other problem, an explanation of exactly what's going on would go a long way in trying to find a fix for 'ya.

jmzzz01 · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Feb 2005, 06:52 pm »

Quote from: bubba966

It's hard to guess though as I'm not sure what kind of problem you're experiencing. If it's a ghosting problem on the new lines only, then yeah the cabling is definitely a problem as it's not shielding the OTA ...

You nailed it, Bubba. It is ghosting big time, only on the new lines and only on the channels that share a strong OTA broadcast signal.

This is what I thought, but it's nice get some concensus. Now the next question:

What type of cable would you recommend? (I live in a suburban area, so the local bradcasts are pretty strong.)

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 7 Feb 2005, 07:07 pm »

Glad I guessed it right...

As for what cable to use, Belden 1695A should work great. I tried getting a direct link to info on it from the Belden site, but they've set it up so that doing so is virtually impossible. If you want more info on it, go to
http://bwccat.belden.com/ecat/jsp/Index.jsp?&P1=undefined&P2=undefined&P3=undefined&P4=undefined&P5=undefined&P6=undefined
and input 1695A into the search box and it will come up with the page will all of the tech info on it.

jmzzz01 · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Feb 2005, 07:14 pm »

Great! I've been thinking of buying some of this to make some IC's for my tuners (I've got a couple of old tube tuners, Scott and Dynaco) and I figured the sheilding would be good for them. Now I can just buy a bunch and take care of the video problem too.

Thanks again- Jim