Using a Coax Splitter
Coaxial cable splitters are a mainstay in countless home theaters. Since most rooms only have a single cable port in the wall, using a splitter is necessary in order to send a signal to multiple devices. Components in a home theater which use a coaxial cable can include televisions, cable boxes, high-speed internet modems, and various disc players. Every coax splitter has a single input and up to about five outputs, each of which can be connected to a device. Coax splitters cost only a couple dollars each yet are extremely helpful.
Using a Coax Splitter:
Before seeking out a new splitter, you must determine how many devices need coax connections. Once you know the amount, picking a splitter is easy. Splitters are available ranging from one to five or more outputs. It can help to use a very short coax cable between the splitter and the wall, eliminating a bundle of messy wires behind the entertainment unit. The wall cable should screw into the splitter port labeled “input”. Each device receiving the coax signal should be connected to any of the “output” ports. For a sleek installation, mount the splitter to the wall using a couple long screws placed through the mounting holes on the splitter.
Different Frequencies:
It is important to pick a coax splitter which can output the proper frequency for your device. For example, cable modems run on about 860 MHz. Picking a splitter which can output at least 860 MHz is essential in assuring proper operation.
Signal Loss:
Perhaps even more important than the frequency rating is the amount of signal loss of the coax splitter. When the signal from the wall passes through the splitter, some of the signal quality is lost. This happens with every single splitter; however the signal loss can be reduced by simply choosing a higher quality splitter. Higher quality units use gold plating and printed circuit boards to ensure minimal signal loss. Signal loss is rated in decibels (dB), and the lower the better.
Tip: Use as short of cable as possible between your coax cable splitter and your components. The longer the cable, the more likely it is that some of the signal will be lost. You can either buy a pre-made cable of an approximate length, or build your own by cutting cables and adding adapters to the ends.
- Using an VGA to HDMI converter.
- Get a PS3 HDMI cable.