cable/phone/internet providers

[Merrymeeting]

It's not exact, but every time you split the cable you cut the signal by approximately one half. This can also be affected by the quality of the splitter, connections, etc.

Broadhopper, it definitely sounds like your problem is not the Metrocast signal itself, but the wiring. If it were me, I'd start with fighting the battle over who is responsible for the wires underground in the association. (You would need to check deeds/docs, but in most instances, this is private property and therefore the responsibility of the association). Until you fix the signal quality coming from the street, you are wasting time and money and will continue to be frustrated.

I don't think Metrocast is the villain here.

[jtill75]

wow - so many replies....and I'm still not sure what is best

maybe i'll give the metrocast bundle a shot and if it sucks kill it and try the different providers option...

thanks everyone for piping up...now only if we could get the snow to melt without flooding my new basement any more...welcome to NH right?

[CateP]

Originally Posted by jtill75

wow - so many replies....and I'm still not sure what is best

maybe i'll give the metrocast bundle a shot and if it sucks kill it and try the different providers option...

thanks everyone for piping up...now only if we could get the snow to melt without flooding my new basement any more...welcome to NH right?

Direct TV $50
Metrocast Internet $55
Ooma Phone $13

If your Metrocast bundle ends up being more than this, consider these a la carte options.

[BroadHopper]

Metrocast high speed internet - $55
Verizon Wireless with 2 GB data - $54

I wish it would be under $100 total

[Rusty]

Just remember this about splitters:

On your splitters, the dB number shown is how much dB you loose every time you hook a TV to it. So, say you have 5 dB coming into the house and you hook a two way splitter (typically 3 dB loss on one leg) you now have 2 dB going to the TV. Now you have two more TV's you want to hook up. Well, you connect another two way splitter to the spare port on the first two-way splitter and you are now loosing 6 dB at TV number two which means you have -1 dB coming to that TV.

HD digital needs the most dB's that you can get from the cable company. If you split the db's up when it enters your house then be prepared to pay the cost of losing channels.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by Rusty

HD digital needs the most dB's that you can get from the cable company. If you split the db's up when it enters your house then be prepared to pay the cost of losing channels.

No, it just needs a signal within an acceptable range. You'll typically be around 0dBmv measured at your TV or set-top box.

The cable drop coming into your house is required to have enough signal level, and proper signal-to-noise ratio, to support a couple of splitters and TVs. This is actually regulated by the FCC, you are *entitled* to an acceptable signal quality as part of your subscription. This is measured where the cable drop initially terminates at your house, it is not the cable co's job to fix or deal with your *internal* wiring.

"The most dB's you can get" would actually over-drive many tuners and cause another set of issues, there is such a thing as too much signal level.

[Crusty]

I had a similar problem with 7 tv's and a bunch of splitters. Most of the sets worked fine, but the ones in the kitchen and bedroom would frequently have the picture freeze for a second. I figured it must be signal loss, since these two sets were the farthest away by cable length and were at the end of several splitters.

I solved the problem with two items purchased through Amazon. The first was an eight port distribution amplifier for about $35. This eliminated most of the splitters and provided a solid signal to each device.

The second item was a bag of "terminators". These are just a small resistor enclosed in a screw-on cap. You place one on each unused port of a splitter or amplifier. I was told that this prevents unwanted noise from entering your cable through the open splitter ports. They're cheap and do seem to make a small difference.

I also found a corroded splice in a damp spot. I replaced the two connectors and the barrel connector and used rubber tape to waterproof the whole thing.

My television wiring is now in top-notch shape and if they ever broadcast something worth watching, I'm ready...

[BroadHopper]

Originally Posted by Crusty

My television wiring is now in top-notch shape and if they ever broadcast something worth watching, I'm ready...

This what I paid for 'quality programming'. The only quality programming is NH public TV, the rest in mostly commercials. Why do I have to pay for commercials?

NH PTV is available to stream from the internet!

[CateP]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

Metrocast high speed internet - $55
Verizon Wireless with 2 GB data - $54

I wish it would be under $100 total

My cell phone uses the Verizon network, but I only pay $30 per month through Page Plus. (another incredible find thanks to this forum)

[Newcomers]

Originally Posted by CateP

My cell phone uses the Verizon network, but I only pay $30 per month through Page Plus. (another incredible find thanks to this forum)

Care to provide some additional details on your cell service. To date, we have only trusted Verizon but are paying $150 a month for 2 iphones with data packages. Reception in NH can be real spotty but Verizon has worked well for us - so I am reluctant to switch - can you share your experience?
Thanks!

[CateP]

Originally Posted by Newcomers

Care to provide some additional details on your cell service. To date, we have only trusted Verizon but are paying $150 a month for 2 iphones with data packages. Reception in NH can be real spotty but Verizon has worked well for us - so I am reluctant to switch - can you share your experience?
Thanks!

I have used Page Plus for the past year and it is excellent. You need a Verizon phone to use Page Plus because they use the Verizon network, which is the most reliable up here. I set up an autopay plan with them. You can "port" over existing numbers. Each number has it's own plan. You can cancel at anytime. Great customer service too.