Digital Cable TV and Coax type! (1 Viewer)

[Jason_A]

Ok This maybe the wrong area for this but I do it anyhow!

I am thinking about getting Digital Cable and I was wondering what kind of Coax Cable should be used with this!

I have been looking in coax catalogs and stuff. RG-59 or RG-6? Digital RG-6 or Analog?

Also I was wondering what cable companies use for cable for the outside areas of houses! At my house some Goober cable installer installed coax that goes all the way around the front of the house and finally in! I believe more cable was used than needed also it has been in the weather since like the early 1980's. So, I think its time for a new cleaner wire and shielded from the weather!

Any suggestions appreciated!

Jason

 

[Michael_Lam]

Simply put..... RG-6 Quad Shield is the best way to go with everything considered.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

For years, RG59 was the stuff that was installed by CATV companies to your home. When those small satelite dishes started growing in popularity, RG6 became the standard as it has better shielding/properties for the microwave frequency signals. Since it does a great job at CATV frequencies as well, you may as well use RG6.

The cable companies also use something called RG11 for the feed to a node near your home.

Note: You need to be carefull in looking at catalogs. RG6 coax is used for indoor video cables, audio cables, as well as for outdoor use. Just because it's RG6 does not mean it's weatherproof/outdoor rated.

Call your local CATV company and complain of poor signal quality. They are usually cooperative about coming out and running a new feeder line.

Often, just cutting the ends off the CATV coax and installing new connectors with the fresh copper sticking out can do wonders.

 

[Jason_A]

Yea I understand! There are lots of RG-6 cables! So look for Cable Rated coax. Analog or Digital?

Thanks for the help.

 

[dougW]

Often Jason, cable companies use a copper coated steel conductor. Generally, the exterior sheath is very durable, and they use copper coated steel conductors for durability as well. Once you get to your house, your not so concerned about flex durability, as it isn't going to be flexed that much anyway, once installed. You very well might improve your picture by running new wire to the pole, or underground utilities as it may be. But of course, that generally is a job for the cable company.

At least from the house terminal, I would use a good RG-6 copper coax.

Lex

 

[Bob McElfresh]

Jason: Let your cable company install the coax. You should not be worrying about the outside of the house stuff.

(And there is not really any difference between coax for Analog vs Digital - this is just a marketing myth)

Are you talking about re-wireing the inside of your house?

This can become a lot of work.

What I did was pick a central location in my house (corner of a bedroom closet) and ran coax and cat 5 network cable in a star pattern to every room.

I moved my CATV feed here, and added a DSS dish system and ran dual coax to the central location. Add a high-quality splitter and a computer hub and you are set.

Then I discovered a company called ComCoast that sells a "Smart Home" cable: 2 RG6 (quad shielded) cables and 2 Cat 5 computer network cables all in a single bundle. Sells for about $0.60/ft