Showing posts with label coax booster. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coax booster. Show all posts

7/20/2012

Open House H816BID Bi-Directional Whole House Video Distribution Amplifier Review

Open House H816BID Bi-Directional Whole House Video Distribution Amplifier
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I was going to replace a cheapie Radio Shack amplifier and several splitters with this one splitter/amplifier. Well, the reception as worse that the original configuration. I ended up returning to the original setup. In that application I was hoping to use it just didn't work. I would thick twice before purchasing one.

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6/11/2012

Open House H816BID 1 X 6 Powered Video Amp Review

Open House H816BID 1 X 6 Powered Video Amp
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Once I plugged this in, I noticed a definite improvement on my analog cable signal (signal that doesn't come through a box). And since that was my greatest concern, I would have been happy there. But I also noticed a significant difference with how digital and HD looked afterward as well. What I noticed most was the lack of 'blockiness' that tends to occur with fast moving video images. While there is still some, I think this device eliminated any blockiness that existed due to the signal being split out.
I cannot speak to the long cable runs as my longest run is only about 50 feet, but that run does look great.
My only hangup is that it's pretty clear the manufacturer wants you to use their utility boxes for wiring. Anything else will require some imagination. So if you keep all your RG6/cat5 hubs in a cabinet, you may find this a little frustrating to mount.
Otherwise a great piece of equipment.

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5/31/2012

Channel Vision Coaxial Tap Splitter - 6DB Line Tap - 2 Way Review

Channel Vision Coaxial Tap Splitter - 6DB Line Tap - 2 Way
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I bought this tap to replace a 9dB PDI "Mega Tap".
Unfortunately with this splitter installed the SNR on my cable modem, installed on the -6dB leg, swings wildly by at least 4dB (38 to 34). Before with the PDI tap the SNR was very stable and higher (38.8 to 39). A back and forth comparison today confirmed these results.
I think the advertised attenuation values are pretty close. I was at about 8dBmV with the -6 tap and now 5dBmV back on the PDI tap.


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4/27/2012

Channel Plus DA-520A 20 dB Bidirectional Cable Amplifier Review

Channel Plus DA-520A 20 dB Bidirectional Cable Amplifier
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I purchased the Channel Plus DA-520A 20dB signal booster in order to boost my cable signal due to significant (-19dBmV @ 700MHz) attenuation caused by a 6-way splitter at the ingress junction point of my house.
I found that this booster performs exactly as advertised. It brought my signal up to right around 0dBmV - the perfect level. However, I found that it also appeared to introduce a significant amount of noise; some RF-sensitive equipment I had in the vicinity of the device started showing signs of interference. I also found that my SNR dropped by 4dB (from 34dB to 30dB) when comparing the signal against a competing 15dB device. I am not certain whether this may have been due to my overdriving the line at the lower frequencies, but if so, an adjustable gain control would have been a handy and eminently useful addition.
So, in a nutshell, this device does exactly what it's supposed to: it boosts the input signal (and perhaps the input noise too). However, I found the device to emit more RF noise than a comparable 15dB booster, both on the wire and off it.

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4/23/2012

RF AMPLIFER BI-DIRECT Review

RF AMPLIFER BI-DIRECT
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This amp helped my tv reception and made my modem work faster. The TV stopped pix elating on the weaker TV channels. It also increased the power levels for the modem so the noise to power ratio levels were better and it didn't drop the internet any more.
I am running 6 Comcast cable on demand boxes, and one cable modem (a SB5100 modem)
I am happy with this product and will be buying another one to help one of my friends system out.

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2/08/2012

8-WAY Coax Cable Splitter Review

8-WAY Coax Cable Splitter
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NEGATIVES:
The quality of the video when using the splitter was a bit more degraded than I expected. I switched back to 2 4-way splitters which produced a better picture.
POSITIVES:
I liked that it is an 8-way splitter and that the feeds are pointing straight out from the splitter making for easier connections.

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1/21/2012

Electroline EDA-2400 Four Port Cable TV HDTV Signal Booster/Amplifier (Retail Package) Review

Electroline EDA-2400 Four Port Cable TV HDTV Signal Booster/Amplifier (Retail Package)
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Now I get all channels with my Comcast digital-to-analog converters. Every time I called Comcast about the missing channels, their answer was updating or reseting the box remotely; this was never solved the issues (end of their customer service script). My Internet research suggested a signal amp was the problem. Worked like a charm.

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10/28/2011

Electroline EDA-FT08300 8-Port TV Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Path (Retail Package with 5-Year Warranty) Review

Electroline EDA-FT08300 8-Port TV Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Path (Retail Package with 5-Year Warranty)
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NOTE: ELECTROLINE RECENTLY DISCONTINUED THE Electroline EDA FT08100 8-port TV Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Path AND REPLACED IT WITH THE Electroline EDA-FT08300 8-Port TV Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Path (Retail Package with 10-Year Warranty), AN UPDATED MODEL.
The Electroline EDA-FT08300 is the NEW workhorse of the Electroline product line. It provides bulletproof performance and reliability with GUARANTEED compatibility to all cable services.
How does it work? The EDA-FT08300 incorporates two high quality amplifiers inside one package. One amplifier boosts the forward path (for TV reception and modem downloads) while the other amplifier boosts the Return Path (used for interactive services and modem uploads). By having both high quality amps in one package it becomes the perfect solution to problems with cable modems and TV reception inside your home. It is the only product on the market that can handle the full power required to support cable modems, and it's design (inherited from the EDA-FT08100) has a proven track record of over FIVE years of favorable operation and reviews.
This is not so much of a review as some guidance to understanding whether or not this product is for you. CableTVamps has sold the EDA-FT08100 product since it was first introduced by Electroline back in 2005. We are Electroline's longest running retailer, so we have a lot of experience with the use of Active Return amplifiers.
First, if you are using a Satellite system - just walk on by. None of Electroline's products are for use with satellite TV, and you should not expect it to work when hooked up to your satellite system. The product will get damaged if connected to satellite, and will block the satellite signal.
Second, if you have an ANTENNA and are looking for an HD amplifier, this is not a good choice. The FT08300 should only be used for Cable TV. There are lower cost options for pure HD amplification like the Electroline EDA-2800 Eight Port Cable TV HDTV Signal Booster/Amplifier (Retail Package) or Electroline EDA-2400 Four Port Cable TV HDTV Signal Booster/Amplifier (Retail Package). In addition an Active Return amplifier should never be used with an antenna.
Third, Active Return is generally only needed when you get up past 4 connections. When you have fewer connections, the Return Path Insertion Loss (which is your cable modem's enemy) is generally not a problem. Cable converter boxes and TVs are not as sensitive to return path problems, so in general you can get by with a less expensive product unless you already have problems with your interactive services (pay per view, On Demand). When you have a cable modem and a bunch of other connections, The FT08300 provides a guaranteed way of resolving TV picture problems and keeping your cable modem happy.
We always suggest to our customers to do a little homework and see if they need The EDA-FT08300. The way to find out if you need EDA-FT08300 active return is to get your cable modem's signal levels. We can't share any links in our review, but if you Google CABLETVAMPS CABLE MODEM you can find our User Forum page with detailed instructions on finding out the health of your cable modem. If your cable modem signal levels are healthy without this amplifier installed, you will probably not notice any major improvement in internet speeds or reliability.
The FT08300 is safe to use with all of your cable services - you just take out your splitters, hook up everything to the amp, plug it in, and enjoy faster Internet and a better TV picture.
Lastly you need to keep things in perspective. If the picture or cable modem problems are caused by cabling issues inside your home, an amplifier might not help. In order to achieve the best results the amplifier must be installed as close as possible to where the cable comes into the house - before splitters and cabling have a chance to degrade it. We have generally found that amplifiers help in most situations - but if your purchase does not help resolve your problems we can help you - just email us.

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9/09/2011

2-Port Bi-Directional Cable TV HDTV Amplifier Splitter Signal Booster with Passive Return Path Review

2-Port Bi-Directional Cable TV HDTV Amplifier Splitter Signal Booster with Passive Return Path
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I have a couple of the PCT Amplifier in my set up. They do a great job of keeping the DTV signals strong. I have one station that is 90 degrees from the other stations that with out a distribution amp, the signal degrades to the point where I'm lucky to get 20-30%. With these amps, i'm getting 80-85% signal. I'm also occationally getting out of market stations that I was not getting without them.
To be clear, these help keep the signal from degrading along the long runs from the antenna to the tv/reciever - they are not boosting the antenna power.

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8/19/2011

8-Port Bi-Directional Cable TV Splitter Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Zero Signal Loss and VoIP Telephone Bypass Feature Review

8-Port Bi-Directional Cable TV Splitter Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Zero Signal Loss and VoIP Telephone Bypass Feature
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For quite a while I had been contemplating getting an active return amplifier. I have cable modem issues from time to time, but a very good TV picture due to a previous amp I purchased. I read that the Electroline is the best out there, but after taking a look at the $120 price tag I had to think twice. There are a number of other products with an Active Return label on them, but I wanted to be sure I got a good one, and that it worked as expected. Taking full advantage of Amazon's return policy, I decided to buy both and compare them.
Both amplifiers are solidly built. The Electroline is quite large compared to the other amp I have 4 PORT CABLE TV / HDTV / DIGITAL AMPLIFIER INTERNET MODEM SIGNAL BOOSTER INTERNET AMP, but it looked very solid with a nice grey matte finish. The PCT VC-9U is slightly smaller with a glossy white finish. It has 9 output ports, and I will get into those in a minute. For mounting, The PCT does have a neat advantage that the Electroline does not, which is the ability to mount it vertically or horizontally. The PCT has 2 sets of mounting brackets (I will try to post a photo later), and this made it easier for me to mount the amp on the cieling of my garage, with 2 screws into the bottom of the joist.
I hooked up the Electroline first and connected it up to my cable plant. Everything worked just fine. My picture was just as good as before, but now my cable modem synced up faster and seemed to be quicker, or maybe I was just expecting it to be faster :). When I pulled the power to see what would happen, I lost everything - cable modem and my TV picture. I left it installed for a couple of days, and during that time I had a problem where the picture got some white bars in it. After contacting the seller, I was told that I probably had a bad power supply and that it was a common problem. I would have to return the amp for replacement. How convenient.
When the electroline broke I put the PCT in place. The difference here was that I had a choice of where to connect my cable modem. The PCT comes with 9 ports, not 8. The 9th port is a non-amplified port labeled MODEM. First I tried the MODEM port. The cable modem actually worked a bit better than with my old amp, and I think this had something to do with the return path. My old amp had a 7dB return path loss, while the modem port on the PCT has a 5dB loss. The modem did seem to connect without a problem. Since they advertise that everything will still work if the power fails, I pulled the plug on the amp - and my modem did not miss a beat. It stayed connected. Of course if the power is out, who is going to be surfing the internet? It was a nice test though, and if I had a VOIP phone I guess it would have kept working. With the amp unplugged, the TV got very fuzzy and the digital cable went out altogether.
I did not see any performance difference between the electroline and PCT. My only measure was simply looking at the picture and judging how it looked, and seeing how the cable modem reacted. No real difference between the amps that I could tell. Because the Electroline was broken I had to return it. The PCT at half the price was working great, so I just decided to keep it. I ultimately decided to connect the cable modem to one of the other ports that were amplified. A power failure will knock out the cable modem. No big deal. I don't have a VOIP phone, so I am not worried about the power thing. The TV picture was great, and the cable modem worked fine either way. I still have a couple of ports available for expansion.
SO my take on this - if you can spare the money, the reviews say the electroline is the way to go. Since the PCT is a new product no one else has commented on it yet. But at half the price and the same performance (along with the 9th port) the PCT VC-9U seems to be a slam dunk on the bang-for-the-buck side.

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7/27/2011

Motorola Signal Booster 4-Port BDA-S4 Cable Modem TV HDTV Amplifier Review

Motorola Signal Booster 4-Port BDA-S4 Cable Modem TV HDTV Amplifier
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This amplifier is well made, durable and meets all of the requirements for professional use. It's is widely used in the cable industry (contrary to some of the reviews here). There are several companies that make these and they all meet the frequency requirements (5-1000 MHz) for modern HFC cable systems. It is provided and installed by cable guys and it costs $40-$50 on average.
First of all this device should only be used for your TV service. Do NOT amplify the modem line. You need to use the splitter to split one line to the modem and the other should feed the amplifier and the rest of your outlets. This amplifier will increase your modem upstream return level. Read the print on the amplifier : RTN(return) -8 dBmV. Your upstream power level will increase and your modem will have to work harder to communicate out. Also it will sometimes decrease your upstream signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
The amplifier is not a do-it-all miracle device that will solve all of your problems. It simply amplifies the incoming signal. It does not filter the noise. This means your incoming signal needs to be clean and at acceptable level before the amplifier. So if you have 4 or more TVs (on average, but this may vary) you will most likely benefit from this purchase. If you have more than that you should buy the single port version (cheaper) and use an 8 way splitter. In fact if you buy a single port version and use a 4 way splitter you will get the same signal levels.
However if you have problems I strongly recommend calling your local cable co and get a tech out. If you are a DIY person, make sure you do some research first and use quality equipment (like this amplifier), RG6 60% braid shielded or better cable (quad shield is better), compression fittings (like PPC, Thomas&Betts) and not crimp fittings (don't apply pressure on the coax), splitters that do not have glue on the back cover and are rated 5-1000 MHz. By investing more money and getting quality equipment it will help you have trouble-free service and will most likely save you some money in the long run.
PS If you can get a power inserter (it looks like a regular splitter but it's not) you can use it to back feed the power on one line so you don't need to have a power outlet right next to the amplifier (make sure you connect it to the "REMOTE POWER" (sometimes "DC IN/RF OUT") port on the amplifier).

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7/24/2011

4 PORT CABLE TV / HDTV / DIGITAL AMPLIFIER INTERNET MODEM SIGNAL BOOSTER INTERNET AMP Review

4 PORT CABLE TV / HDTV / DIGITAL AMPLIFIER INTERNET MODEM SIGNAL BOOSTER INTERNET AMP
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I'm very happy with this device. Looking at the reviews, I think those who are unhappy with it do not understand what it does:
An amplifier like this is not a magic box that will convert an unusable signal (say from a digital TV antenna) into a usable signal; rather it solves a very specific problem.
Suppose you have an signal that is usable at the point of the antenna, but is NOT usable at the point where you want to use it. This might be because you have a long run of coax cable between the antenna and your TV/converter box/tuner/whatever; or it might be because you want to split the signal to feed it into multiple TV/tuner boxes/etc. If this is you situation, the device works very well.
If your problem is that your signal is too weak to be useful directly at the point it comes out the antenna, even before it goes through any long runs of coax or splitters, then no amplifier in the world is going to help you out. What you need is to acquire a better signal. Depending on your circumstances, this might be done by
- changing the angle/orientation of your antenna
- moving it around the room (so it's nearer windows or away from metal or whatever)
- moving it higher (if necessary going outside the house and onto the roof)
- or getting a larger antenna with a larger collecting area.

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