TV Tuner Card Question.

[Martin_89]

Hi ive got a Leadtek TV Tuner card that is Cable ready.

ive got Telewest cable downstairs and Telewest broadband up here in my room. my mate told me if i got a splitter then i could split the connection from the wall to the modem to go to the modem and the tv tuner card and that way i could pick up the free channels. has anyone tried this before? also what do i need to do it?

[insanityfell]

My Time Warner broadband line runs on the same line as my cable, so I'd assume your's would also. Check where your cable line enters the house (usually the basement). It should have a splitter that divides your broadband and cable lines. This would confirm it. All you would need is a simple cable splitter from your local electronics store, should be no more than a few bucks. Plugs straight into the tuner card from a line from the splitter. Check with Telewest, as they may allow you to add as many cable lines as you'd like without any problems. I know here with Time Warner, you own the lines that are inside of the house, and can change, add, rearrange the lines all you want without any breach of contracts. It may be listed on their website.

[Martin_89]

cheers for that.

the line comes through the front garden and then into a little box on the side of the house. their is a line goes through the wall to another little box behind the TV. Their is then another line that comes from the box outside up the wall and then through the wall into my room.

what type of cable is it that runs from the wall to my modem i got told it was coaxial cable?

[insanityfell]

Yup, coaxial it will be. They usually use a higher quality line for the modem and digital set top boxes. For basic cable, just pick up a coaxial line, one long enough for your needs. take your line to your upstairs room and modem and attach the splitter. Then use a high quality coaxial to run into your modem from one end of the splitter, and aonther coaxial line from the splitter to the tv tuner card (this doesn't need to be high quality).

[Martin_89]

ahh cool thank you very much.

so i should be fine with the following components?

2-Way F Splitter
Coaxial Cable
High Quality Coaxial Cable
F Type Crimp Plug
Metal Coax Plug (standard Aerials)

[insanityfell]

Yup, that's everything you'll need. Enjoy your new tv viewing experience!

[Martin_89]

i really cant thank you enough insanityfell, you have been a great help to me.

ill post back with my results!

[insanityfell]

Not a problem, hope it goes well!

[Mikie]

Just make sure you do not split it to many times. I ended up running a fresh split from the box outside.

It was because they (apartment) actually split the spit to go to each of the bedrooms (3) and that reduced the signal enough to cause itermiten problems.

May not affect you, but someting to look for.

[insanityfell]

Very good point. I always hated seeing apartment complexes do that. As long as there are only the three connections (downstairs cable box, upstairs tv and broadband) it shouldn't affect you. The cable company originally split our incoming line to three rooms. I added the one going to the second floor and the one in the basement for myself. Haven't noticed a change.

[Martin_89]

Ill look out for that then, cheers.

what sort of problems? just image quality?

[insanityfell]

If this is your first time splicing cable lines, you'll want to practice first. It took me several tries to get it right. Use this PDF guide. Also, cable lines are very picky about being bent. I've lost reception before just from a cable line that was bent too far. I loss some of both audio and video. Was like watching HBO from an antenna! If you're splitters cause problems, the first sign is usually video quality. It could hurt your audio as well though. Biggest thing to watch is the braided wire in between the insulation. Don't let it contact the coaxial line, that's where you start to lose reception. But, allow it to make good contact with the connectors. I had problems getting the right length out of my splice, the rest is pretty easy.

[Martin_89]

cheers, well hopefully the parts should be here by thursday/friday so ill try it then and post back my results.

[Richard R.]

couldn't he just get two already made up coax cables and one two way splitter, that way he doesn't have to worry about making up the cables?

[insanityfell]

Sure he could. But he may also be able to save some by buying the bare wire himself. Plus, those preconnected cable lines are not of great quality. He's using this to transmit broadband to his modem also, see he's actually better of doing it himself.