Basic Internet Connectivity And Modem Help

[crossi7]

Currently I have 1 connection coming into our condo. It goes to our living room and I have a splitter connected to the end of this cable. One goes to the cable modem and the other the HDTV(Directly. No cable box). Everything works fine and we have no internet problems. I recently added a TV in our bedroom and so added another splitter where it comes in at the wall. The TV in the bedroom works fine as does everything else. At some point usualy within 24 hours the internet will drop out. It is not immediate. When this happens I disconnect the splitter and the internet is back up and running.  

I know the wiring for these condos can be screwy but I figure I should atleast be able to add another splitter without issues.  Here are my modem stats without the extra splitter and with.

WITHOUT SPLITTER

Frequency 723000000 Hz

Signal To Noise Ratio 38.6 dB

Power Level -3.2 dBmV
The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading

Upstream

Upstream ValueChannel ID 8 Frequency 29400000 Hz

Power

54.0 dBmV

WITH EXTRA SPLITTER

Downstream Value Frequency 723000000 Hz

Signal To Noise Ratio 38.7 dB

Power Level -5.4 dBmV
The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading

Upstream

Upstream ValueChannel ID 8 Frequency 29400000 Hz

Power 54.0 dBmV

Any suggestion? Comcast tech support is a pain and when they come out they never fix any problems. Was wondering if I should just buy a Motorola Amp from Amazon. 

Any help is appreciated.

P.S The way the house is set up there is no way for me to give the modem a dedicated line.

[EG]

Seems that your upstream power is too far out of spec to allow for an additional split. Amping a cable modem is not recommended and can add even more problems. That would be a band-aid and not a proper fix. Perhaps a tech visit is in order to investigate and correct the issue.

[i-am-nerdburg · Accepted solution]

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crossi7 wrote:

P.S The way the house is set up there is no way for me to give the modem a dedicated line.

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EG and I disagree on this. IMO there is no reason you can't amp a clean signal. In fact, my personal internet connection has been on an amp for years. It is preferable to run a dedicated line, but that isn't always possible. Since your SNR is fine, I don't foresee an issue with using an amp.

If you wanted to go with an amp you want a bi-directional amp. Amplifying your downstream alone won't help you. This one would put your upstream at 44 dBmV and your downstream a 10 dBmV. Put the splitter between the amp and the modem.

[EG]

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i-am-nerdburg wrote:

EG and I disagree on this.

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We will agree to disagree. Why should a customer have to pay for an amp when CC should be able to supply an adequate connection in the first place ? If an amp truly is the only way out then that should be determined by a CC tech and supplied at no charge.

[i-am-nerdburg]

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EG wrote

We will agree to disagree. Why should a customer have to pay for an amp when CC should be able to supply an adequate connection in the first place ? If an amp truly is the only way out then that should be determined by a CC tech and supplied at no charge.

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As far as I know, Comcast does not supply techs with bi-directional drop amps. There is too much potential for noise getting fed back upstream. Techs would be slapping these amps all over the place rather than fixing the problem ( I know I would!). I agree an amp is not an idea solution, but I think it's okay in some situations.

[EG]

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i-am-nerdburg wrote:

As far as I know, Comcast does not supply techs with bi-directional drop amps.

I'm not certain of this either.

There is too much potential for noise getting fed back upstream. Techs would be slapping these amps all over the place rather than fixing the problem ( I know I would!).

"Whomp, there it is" !

I agree an amp is not an idea solution, but I think it's okay in some situations.

Can't really disagree with that. Every individual environment is indeed unique. 

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I

[crossi7]

I appreciate both your opinions. I agree that the customer shouldn't have to put any money out for equipment. However, the real question is how hard would it be to get Comcast to supply one for free? I know whenever we call for a tech we usually get someone that really doesn't know what their doing. I am pretty good with computers and usually can fix my own problems, but this time I feel they would have to work on something outside and I know it won't be easy getting this done. I just feel like paying for an amp just so I don't have to deal with all the aggravation. I was thinking I could try an amp and if it doesn't work just return it or sell it?  I could put my modem in the room where the line comes and use a total of only 1 split, but then I would either be forced to use wireless interent for all devices, or drag ethernet cables all over the place.

P.S

We are in row condos with second floor units. We also have boiler rooms. I tried to follow the cable as best I can. It seems to go up to the roof of the building and then connect somewhere. I can only imagine how many twist and turns the cable is going through these buildings. I am suprised we even get a decent internet connection.

[i-am-nerdburg]

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crossi7 wrote:

 However, the real question is how hard would it be to get Comcast to supply one for free?

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Comcast isn't going to give you one. Ever. Sorry.

[crossi7]

Would I want a passive return or active?

[Iceman1]

You want this Motorola drop amp if you have the ability to supply remote power (12 v DC via coax). Do not get cheap RCA or RadioShack amps.

I have tons of splitters downstream of this amp. My signal is probably split 12 times. This amp, installed where the cable enters my house, really helps.

Last year, I had an Internet outage. After 4 hours of trying (and failing) to prove that my in-house wiring was at fault, the technician agreed that the Motorola drop amp was helping and not hurting. (The problem was found to be a neighbor injecting noise into the whole neighborhood. That's neither here nor there. But the tech measured everything and declared the amp a win.)

[i-am-nerdburg]

No. That moto amp is not the right amp for the job. It has a passive return. Due to insertion loss, it will make the return path signal even worse than it is.

[crossi7]

I figured I would need an active. How is this amp?

http://www.amazon.com/Bi-Directional-Splitter-Booster-Amplifier-Telephone/dp/B003UHRVA2/ref=wl_it_dp...

[i-am-nerdburg]

Nah, that's just a "lossless splitter". You want to improve the signal, not keep it the same. You want one like this: http://www.amazon.com/Pico-Macom-CDA-1A-Bi-Directional-Amplifier/dp/B0029AUHQQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qi...

[crossi7]

I saw that one earlier after I followed your link. Is that a good brand? There are no reviews and its not sold by Amazon so I am a little hesistant.

[i-am-nerdburg]

Pico Macom makes head-end equipment for the telecommunications industry. It's good stuff. Motorola makes a similar drop amp with an active return if you are more comfortable with a brand you know. http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Signal-Booster-1-Port-Amplifier/dp/B003T2RY7I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=...

[crossi7]

I will try the Motorola one. I believe you when you say the other brand is top quality but the other is offered by Amazon with free shipping. I think it might even be cheaper.  If it doesn't work right it is going back anyway.

I will let everyone know what happens. I should receive the item pretty quick.

I appreciate everyone's advice.

[crossi7]

After attaching Motorola Amp these are the cable modem stats. So far I have not had the internet drop out on me. I will post again in a few days letting everyone know if the Amp fixed the problem.

Frequency 651000000 Hz

Signal To Noise Ratio 40.5 dB

Power Level 12.3 dBmV
The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading

UPSTREAM

Upstream ValueChannel ID 8

Frequency 29400000 Hz

Power 45.4 dBmV                    

[crossi7]

I just want to say that  my problem has been fixed. I have not had any drop in the internet and all TV's look great. My stats are even better now as well. Much thanks to everyone who helped me out.

[i-am-nerdburg]

Good deal!

[maifun]

I found this thread after Googling my similar problem with my Comcast cable internet. I also bought the Motorola amp listed in the post above and it's been working perfectly. Thanks to i-am-nerdburg for your help!