Moving broadband connection to near TV Point

[Corns]

Hi,

I current have my broadband connection (formerly NTL) upstairs but want to move it to near the TV point downstairs. Removing the white covers on the internet point and TV point reveals a similar box. In both cases, the co-ax output comes from a socket titled "TV/data".

My question is this: is it possible to take what is currently the output from the TV point and split it two ways allowing me to run both the TV and broadband from the same socket? If so, can I just pick up a splitter from Maplins?

Thanks in advance.

[frogstamper]

Originally Posted by Corns

Hi,

I current have my broadband connection (formerly NTL) upstairs but want to move it to near the TV point downstairs. Removing the white covers on the internet point and TV point reveals a similar box. In both cases, the co-ax output comes from a socket titled "TV/data".

My question is this: is it possible to take what is currently the output from the TV point and split it two ways allowing me to run both the TV and broadband from the same socket? If so, can I just pick up a splitter from Maplins?

Thanks in advance.

Yes it is, I had a second stb in the bedroom and when I added BB to my package they gave me the choice of an engineer at £30, or do it yourself for free. They sent a modem with the wires in the post, you just attach the splitter to the original cable, add on the supplied white cable for the stb, then attach another white cable supplied, to splitter, then attach this cable to modem, then attach supplied ethernet cable to modem and PC, if I can do it anyone can, very easy.


PS By the way, welcome to CF corns.

[smarty]

Beware!!

If you split the feed to the TV as suggested, you will reduce the signal level by at least 3dB to each spur. This may cause problems with your connection, particularly the uplink from the STB.

[Corns]

Hi,

Thanks for the useful feedback and friendly welcome!

I've had a look in daylight now at what I've got, inside and out. It seems that my outside grey box includes a simple 3dB splitter. This then feeds the in-house "TV/Data Isolators".

How about this for a solution. I remove the 3dB splitter from outside and replace it with the isolator from the TV internal point (leaving a dangling cable to my existing upstairs internet point). I fit the splitter to the internal TV point, giving me two outputs, one I connect directly to the TV, the other I use as my new connection point for the internet.

This seems to solve all the problems, and I don't even need to go out and buy any kit either. It even sorts out the power level issues that Smarty kindly pointed out. However, what I'm not sure about is the function of the TV/data Isolators - do I need one local to each appliance (TV or computer)?

[Jonnymeg]

Originally Posted by Corns

Hi,

Thanks for the useful feedback and friendly welcome!

I've had a look in daylight now at what I've got, inside and out. It seems that my outside grey box includes a simple 3dB splitter. This then feeds the in-house "TV/Data Isolators".

How about this for a solution. I remove the 3dB splitter from outside and replace it with the isolator from the TV internal point (leaving a dangling cable to my existing upstairs internet point). I fit the splitter to the internal TV point, giving me two outputs, one I connect directly to the TV, the other I use as my new connection point for the internet.

This seems to solve all the problems, and I don't even need to go out and buy any kit either. It even sorts out the power level issues that Smarty kindly pointed out. However, what I'm not sure about is the function of the TV/data Isolators - do I need one local to each appliance (TV or computer)?

That will be fine.

The isolator is a bit like a fuse, it stops you blowing up the street if your electrics go awry and vice versa.

[the-cable-guy]

Originally Posted by Corns

Hi,

I current have my broadband connection (formerly NTL) upstairs but want to move it to near the TV point downstairs. Removing the white covers on the internet point and TV point reveals a similar box. In both cases, the co-ax output comes from a socket titled "TV/data".

My question is this: is it possible to take what is currently the output from the TV point and split it two ways allowing me to run both the TV and broadband from the same socket? If so, can I just pick up a splitter from Maplins?

Thanks in advance.

do it yaself it aint hard.

[smarty]

Originally Posted by Corns

Hi,


How about this for a solution. I remove the 3dB splitter from outside and replace it with the isolator from the TV internal point (leaving a dangling cable to my existing upstairs internet point). I fit the splitter to the internal TV point, giving me two outputs, one I connect directly to the TV, the other I use as my new connection point for the internet.

This seems to solve all the problems, and I don't even need to go out and buy any kit either. It even sorts out the power level issues that Smarty kindly pointed out. However, what I'm not sure about is the function of the TV/data Isolators - do I need one local to each appliance (TV or computer)?

Yes, that should be fine.

So long as you have an isolator between anything in your house and the outside network, then that is OK. So fit the isolator in the outside box and then split the feed from that to your TV / Modem. Your signal levels then will be little different to what you have now.

There is a lot of information on the forums about isolators and how they are there to protect against lightning etc. This is not the reason for them! Lightning would not care if you had an isolator or not - it can easily jump that small distance across the isolator. The reason they are fitted is to ensure that any fault that might develop on your STB or the interconnects to it, does not mean that dangerous voltages are sent back up the network. They are also a help when fault-finding as there is no DC path through any customer equipment from outside the house.

[Corns]

Work all done and I'm writing this from the computer's new, downstairs location.

Brilliant.

Thanks for your help everyone.

Corns