Authored by Phil Dotree in Communications
Published on 10-10-2009
You might consider buying a cable splitter if your home has less cable outlets (wall units that provide a cable connection) than it has cable devices. They’re fast to install, and can clear up your cable usage issue in a minute or so, splitting a signal to televisions, cable modems, and other devices. Here’s a look at how you can choose and quickly and easily install a cable splitter.
First, select a cable splitter that fits your needs. You can find a cable splitter online or at most stores that carry cable accessories, such as Radio Shack or Wal-Mart. The main difference between the different cable splitters out there is the number of outputs that the devices offer. Of course, the more devices you have that need a cable input, the more outputs you’ll want on your cable splitter. Buy a cable splitter with only the number of outputs that you absolutely need, as this will ensure that the signal remains strong.
Once you’ve got a cable splitter, you’ll need a coaxial cable to go into the splitter from the wall outlet that supplies your cable. You’ll also need a coaxial cable of suitable length for each device that you want to use with the cable splitter. Run the coaxial cable from your wall cable outlet into the splitter’s input (if you don’t have a wall outlet, you might have a single cable coming straight from a wall or floor). Run the other coaxial cables to your devices. If you’re running a cable signal from your cable splitter to an Internet modem, be sure to unplug the modem for thirty seconds and then plug it back in. This allows the cable modem to recognize the new signal.
If the splitter has an on/off switch, make sure it’s on, and then turn on a television to check the quality of the cable signal. The cable splitter installation process is finished, unless the quality of the cable signal is low.
If the quality’s bad, realize that using a cable splitter can reduce the strength of your cable. You may notice the reduced strength in the form of a lot of static or bad reception on certain channels after the cable splitter has been installed. If this is the case. you may need to consider buying a cable booster if the signal is too weak from the cable splitter. These are fairly inexpensive, and work by amplifying the cable signal so that when a cable splitter is installed, there’s still sufficient reception for all devices connected to the splitter. Some cable splitters may come with a booster, though these will cost a bit more money. You might also contact your cable company, as they may be able to help you out by increasing the strength of your cable. Remember that there’s nothing illegal about owning or installing a cable splitter, as long as you’re paying for cable service in the first place.
If you’ve got any questions about installing or using a cable splitter, please take the time to post in the comments section below this article.
