That 7db label means that the splitter is reducing the signal by 7db. As
you add more splitters down the line you further reduce the signal. Try
the 4 port splitter and see how your picture looks. At that point you'll
have a 14db signal loss but if the picture is good that's all the
counts. If it's grainy you may need to use a 4 port drop amp. You can
get good ones (Electrohome, Scientific Atlanta, etc) on ebay for about
$20.

From:Jerry


A question from a lay person. I'm looking for information on what kind
of CATV splitter to buy. I have Time-Warner analog CATV and don't use
any cable box. All my devices use coaxial RF cable as input. Here's my
setup...

Cable comes into my house's outside junction box into a 4-way splitter
with each output saying 7dB (whatever that means), then goes to four
rooms.

Room 1: Bedroom without any TV. Coax not terminated.

Room 2: Office with cable modem and TV. Cable company used a 2-way
splitter with each output saying 3.5dB.

Room 3: Bedroom with a TV.

Room 4: My main media room. Here's where I need the right coax
splitter. I currently have a 2-way splitter connected to a VCR and a
TiVo. I'd like to add a DVD recorder with a cable-ready tuner. All 3
devices would have coaxial RF cable input.

My two questions:

1. Should I get a 4-way coax splitter with each output at 7dB and
terminate the unused output? This would leave an output free for
future expansion in Room 4. I saw such a splitter at Radio Shack. Is
there a better brand?

2. Should I terminate the cable in the unused Room 1?


Thanks for any suggestions.

Jerry