Query over pre-installation prep

[PhlangePhace]

I already have VM installed at my home, but it isn't the most tidiest setup as the original entry point was 'inherited' and my broadband point was 'added-on' at a later date. (So it's evolved rather than being a dedicated install to suit the room locations as currently used).

Entry point on front of house where cable is 'split' externally... one feed straight into my lounge that is routed round the room to the far side for TV.

The other branch is routed (externally) round the side of the house and into a front bedroom/office where my modem is located for BB.

I am currently booked in for a BB upgrade to XXL and also planning ahead for a TiVo install (to replace existing TVDrive in lounge) and I'll be having my existing TVDrive setup in a back bedroom.

Now as the XXL upgrade will be replacing my modem with a superhub, the location of my existing modem feed is unsuitable (as, more importantly, I guess, the superhub will be replacing my current wireless router, which is NOT where the modem is located).

So essentially I will be wanting new cabling run to suit the new setup.

So I have a few questions that may help me doing a bit of prep work, if necessary, as ideally, to make the installation more tidy, I'd like to route some cabling via the loft (to get from front of house to rear rooms);

Does it matter where the main feed is 'split' to provide the 3 new points?

Can I have two splitters in series?
(I am thinking along the lines of having one single main feed to the loft,... that feed 'split' to the rear bedroom for TV point 1, the other branch carrying on down feeding my lounge which is then split to give TV point 2 and the broadband point) ?

If I were to pre-run some of this cabling myself (as I don't expect VM engineer to be crawling around my loft, for example), what spec co-ax should I use?

I'd appreciate some feedback by an installation engineer, please, if possible.

[Rob]

You face a bit of a challenge as normally the modem to superhub is a simple swap over, and test by the installer that the signals and stuff like that has picked up correctly. They won't be expecting to re-run / route cables.

Rarely will you get an installer going through roofspaces. They are often even reluctant to drill through floors/ ceilings for fear of hitting something vital.

The spec of the cable used by VM is not standard TV aerial, or even satellite grade co-axial that you can get from DIY shops. Even if you were to run cable yourself, the installers could be unwilling to make use of it.

Unfortunately with the amount of changes you are considering you might find it easier to bite the bullet and pay the fee for the installer team to properly move your connection points about.

[PhlangePhace]

Firstly, thanks for the response.

Originally Posted by Rob

....They won't be expecting to re-run / route cables.

Rarely will you get an installer going through roofspaces. They are often even reluctant to drill through floors/ ceilings for fear of hitting something vital.

Thats why I was prepared to do a fair bit myself, at my own cost.

Originally Posted by Rob

The spec of the cable used by VM is not standard TV aerial, or even satellite grade co-axial that you can get from DIY shops. Even if you were to run cable yourself, the installers could be unwilling to make use of it.

I wasn't planning on getting it from my local DIY store, necessarily.... that's why I wanted to know the official spec, so I could get the right co-ax from a specialist supplier.

Originally Posted by Rob

Unfortunately with the amount of changes you are considering you might find it easier to bite the bullet and pay the fee for the installer team to properly move your connection points about.

Well most of the change is related to the TV points, which would possibly come under the TiVo install.... I'm therefore just thinking ahead.

The BB aspect is, theoretically, a simple change of connection point as the current location isn't the most suitable as VM are forcing their own router/wireless point rather than providing a seperate modem.

Surely 'installation fees' are already accounted for anyway, albeit 'waived' on their current XXL-upgrade offer.


It appears that I will possibly have to let the untidiness escalate with a further 'evolution' of the original install.

[weesteev]

As far as im aware, the triple shield coax that Virgin use is not available for sale outwith the commercial market. Coax purchased from any DIY store will be double shield at best and probably a poor quality core.

(very long) link attached below to the triple grade version used by VM for external distribution (RG6)

http://www.timesfiber.com/drop_coaxi...eels_-_1000_ft

[Matth]

If you could provide a conduit with drawstring, that might be one solution - we have a lovely underfloor run which was installed that way.

[PhlangePhace]

Originally Posted by Matth

If you could provide a conduit with drawstring, that might be one solution - we have a lovely underfloor run which was installed that way.

May possibly be a little impractical in my case, but you've given me something to think about, thanks.

I'll get my thinking cap on.