View Full Version : Splitters .. 5-900mhz ? or higher
Toaster
02-22-2005, 09:34 PM
I'm trying to get my local cable feed into my HDTV's built in tuners. So I needed a splitter - actually a 4 way splitter but lets concentrate on the specs at this point, not how many connections yet.
So looking at your basic standard 2-way splitters, I noticed a couple of things to look for.... Most of them are rated at freq's 5 to 900mhz. These are cheap and can be had for about $1.99 (on up). :overclap:
Then I noticed, like everything else that has to do with cabling for home theaters, they have splitters that go up to $20+. One of them was even rated as high as 2300mhz ... It looked to me like the jump from 900mhz to 1ghz (1000mhz) or high was $9.99 or more. Is there any difference between a $2 splitter (5-900mhz) vs a $19.99 splitter at 5-2300mhz or a $9.99 splitter at 5-1000mhz
THANKS.
Splicer
02-22-2005, 09:42 PM
A 900 mHz splitter will work fine provided it is not a cheapie and is a quality built splitter. The cable co uses 5-1000 but most systems are only running 860 maximum and even then they are not using the full bandwidth yet.
Yeah, get a splitter rated for 1GHz (1000 MHz). They're fairly cheap. See the FAQ on "Cables/Splitters". The cable company usually supplies these for nothing and may even put in an amp if necessary (with 4 splits it may be due to signal loss).
Toaster
02-23-2005, 04:11 PM
Well the reason I need 4 connections: Comcast STB, Home theater PC, and 2 tuners in the TV.
I couldn't believe how much the price jumps. I mean from $2-$3 upto $20 or more... and they look and feel about the same.
Toaster
02-23-2005, 04:12 PM
OH... I have 1 more question... how would I know if a 900mhz splitter (for example) doesn't work?
Splicer
02-23-2005, 04:21 PM
A 900 WILL work. As for the 2 tuners in the TV, 1 cable feed should suffice as the TV should be splitting the signal internally to feed both tuners.
Ratman
02-23-2005, 04:22 PM
Here's a frequency chart:
http://www.picomacom.com/specs/pico/APPENDIX.pdf
tcrews
02-23-2005, 04:22 PM
The two tuners in the TV only needs one cable input, it'll use one tuner to decode a channel and the other tuner to decode another channel off the same cable input.
I'm using a 900mhz splitter on a three way split (TV, Cable Box, VCR) with no problems.
-Tom
oman321
02-23-2005, 06:14 PM
3 and 4 way 1gz splitters pretty cheap at Home Depot.
Toaster
02-24-2005, 04:18 PM
A 900 WILL work. As for the 2 tuners in the TV, 1 cable feed should suffice as the TV should be splitting the signal internally to feed both tuners.
The two tuners in the TV only needs one cable input, it'll use one tuner to decode a channel and the other tuner to decode another channel off the same cable input.
I'm using a 900mhz splitter on a three way split (TV, Cable Box, VCR) with no problems.
WHAT!? :wow: Mine doesnt seem to work that way. I have 2 cable feeds on the back (ant1 and ant2) .. if nothing is connected to ANT2 input, and I try to scan for channels I get nothing.
Are you guys sure about this claim? 1 feed will supply both internal tuners? on a mitsubishi wd-62525 ?
Ratman
02-24-2005, 06:21 PM
Are you guys sure about this claim? 1 feed will supply both internal tuners? on a mitsubishi wd-62525 ?
IMO... they're both smokin' from the same crack pipe.
I've never heard of a TV with two antenna/cable inputs where you only need to use one.
They may be confusing dual tuner STB's that may be provided by some cable companies.
For analogue cable, I only need to feed one cable to the back of my TV. The "dual analogue tuners" can then tune two different channels just fine. (Same as a cable STB)
I would expect QAM tuners on HDTVs to work the same way...
Now pass that pipe. ;)
tcrews
02-24-2005, 06:25 PM
WHAT!? :wow: Mine doesnt seem to work that way. I have 2 cable feeds on the back (ant1 and ant2) .. if nothing is connected to ANT2 input, and I try to scan for channels I get nothing.
Are you guys sure about this claim? 1 feed will supply both internal tuners? on a mitsubishi wd-62525 ?
I'm positive (on my tv and everyone I used to sell when I sold TV's). I have two antenna feeds on the back as well (Ant-A and Ant-B) but I only use Ant-A. With it on Ant-A I can tune one channel on the main screen and a different channel on the PIP screen. That's dual tuners right there (no cable box involved, just cable and the TV).
We didn't carry Mitsubishi so maybe they don't??
-Tom
Ratman
02-24-2005, 08:40 PM
Then why have two inputs?
One for cable, one for antenna, one for home security camera (Ch 3 output), etc.
Ratman
02-25-2005, 08:34 AM
So in reality, sets with this capability have three tuners?
(ant a, ant b and pip)
On my set... antenna A and B must be connected for PIP.
They only have two tuners as far as I know. I assume that somehow the inputs appropriately get connected to the tuners, for regular viewing and PiP.
A lot of TVs used to require an external tuner (like a VCR) to view PiP. This is not necessary for TVs with two internal tuners, but as to how the two inputs and two tuners function, that's something I haven't thought about. I just know I've only got one input connected (cable) and I get PiP (analogue cable channels).
Splicer
03-01-2005, 12:35 AM
IMO... they're both smokin' from the same crack pipe.
I've never heard of a TV with two antenna/cable inputs where you only need to use one.
They may be confusing dual tuner STB's that may be provided by some cable companies.
So because YOU have never heard of it, WE are smoking crack!?!?! Just who do you think you are? I get back in town to look on this board and find your defamatory statement? Change your name to WANNABE cause thats what you certainly make yourself out as :mic: . What a way for a moderator to express himslf. The Admin must have a pretty low standard having you as a moderator. IMO...
Yes, only ONE CABLE is needed on ANY TV that has dual tuners BUILT-IN, to receive both your primary picture AND PIP or POP.
The ONLY reason for an additional RF 75 ohm input (ANT 2 on most TV's) Is to connect an additional source such as a VCR, or OTA antenna, or old game system RF switches. Regardless, BOTH inputs WILL internally split the incoming signal (when talking OTA or cable TV ONLY), for any PIP or POP feature.
Ratman
03-01-2005, 09:45 AM
Depending on the TV...
Just because your TV does it, doesn't mean all TV's do it.
I apologize that I am not as 'informed' as you think you may be.
Splicer
03-01-2005, 11:18 AM
I will reiterate.
ALL TV's that have DUAL BUILT IN tuners and utilize PIP or POP, only needs ONE input connection to feed BOTH internal tuners. ALL TV's.
IF a TV has PIP or POP capabilities, but only has ONE BUILT IN TUNER, then, and ONLY then, is a second outboard tuner (such as a VCR tuner) required and that then needs to be connected to the second input (ANT 2). End of story...
Toaster
03-27-2005, 05:26 PM
I hate to bring back this thread, but since I havn't checked on it in some time, and I now have additional information about the topic, I thought I'd chime in.
First, a 900mhz splitter does NOT work on Comcast cable here in Arlington Tx. At least not the several that I tried. When using a 900mhz splitter, the STB (Motorola 6214) will not function with ON DEMAND programming, and none of the HiDef channels come in at all (This is on the STB itself) On Demand and HiDef channels all say "This channel will be available shortly" and the never actually come in. I got this result from many different 900mhz splitters... Switched to a 1000mhz splitter and BINGO: You're in business! They tune in instantly first try.
As for the split signal from a 900mhz splitter going into my built in tuners of my Mits 62525 dlp set... Bad results there too... With a 900mhz splitter I can only pick up the ANALOG channels (<99) and none of the Hidef channels (even on the lower freq's), or none of the digital music channels.
With a 1000mhz splitter I get some of the non-scrambled digital channels (>100) these are the channels you usually need a STB to receive, so thats cool... and I get all of the digital music channels (They tune in strange like channels 113-1, 113-2, 113-3, etc... I get like 51 of them or something like that).
So without a doubt, IN MY AREA a 1000mhz splitter IS required to get the most from your cable feed. Plain and simple.
Now, as for the dual tuner issue... I can't speak for "all tv's" as one of the posters did here... since I have personally not owned ALL tv's ... and since I never worked in a TV retailer and made $6.50/hr selling them either- I guess I'm no expert on ALL TVs like some here :rofl2: ... The Mits DLP WD-62525 which does have dual built in tuners, and 2 coax ant inputs will NOT split the signal from 1 feed for tuning 2 seperate channels, regardless if its on PiP or the second tuner all together... That is NOT how it works on MY tv... I don't know about yours. My STB only has 1 feed going into it, and it does exactly that... splits the signal inside for both tuners from 1 feed... The TV SET does not.
So we've learned alot here today. 900mhz splitters and 1000mhz splitters are different. and not all tv's are the same... regardless of what you think you know :whistle:
