Question about coaxial cable for TV

[Reba]

I have a question about coaxial cable for cable TV connection.

My TV cable connections in my house are built into the walls, and connect at wall plates. I connect the RG-59 cable from the wall to a surge protector, then from the surge protector to the TV. The problem is, by connecting thru surge protectors the signal is degraded, and the reception is lower quality. But if I don't run the cable thru the surge protectors, then I risk losing the TVs in a surge or indirect lightning strike.

This happened to me before. Lightning hit the ground near our house. The items that were connected thru surge protectors survived. The items that did not have surge protection were damaged and had to be replaced.

I want to protect the TVs but I don't like how the picture is a little fuzzy when I do that.

The Roadrunner technician came to our house and replaced the cable (no cost) to be sure that it wasn't a cable problem. I also tested it by running the cables with and without the surge protector. It does seem to be a problem.

I also read online that every time the cable goes thru another connection, the transmission is effected in a bad way.

Does anyone have a solution?

Would it help to switch to Cat-6?

Also, for TVs with digital tuning and digital service, should they upgrade their cable also? My elderly neighbors have digital service for their new digital TV but they're still using the original cable in their house from about 20 years ago.

 

[purplecatty]

I have a question about coaxial cable for cable TV connection.

My TV cable connections in my house are built into the walls, and connect at wall plates. I connect the RG-59 cable from the wall to a surge protector, then from the surge protector to the TV. The problem is, by connecting thru surge protectors the signal is degraded, and the reception is lower quality. But if I don't run the cable thru the surge protectors, then I risk losing the TVs in a surge or indirect lightning strike.

This happened to me before. Lightning hit the ground near our house. The items that were connected thru surge protectors survived. The items that did not have surge protection were damaged and had to be replaced.

I want to protect the TVs but I don't like how the picture is a little fuzzy when I do that.

The Roadrunner technician came to our house and replaced the cable (no cost) to be sure that it wasn't a cable problem. I also tested it by running the cables with and without the surge protector. It does seem to be a problem.

I also read online that every time the cable goes thru another connection, the transmission is effected in a bad way.

Does anyone have a solution?

Would it help to switch to Cat-6?

Also, for TVs with digital tuning and digital service, should they upgrade their cable also? My elderly neighbors have digital service for their new digital TV but they're still using the original cable in their house from about 20 years ago.

I wouldn't bother using surge protector cuz being struck by lightening is like winning a million dollars lottery, It's best that you list your TV and video equiptment on your house insurance. If it happens. Your tv will be replaced by Insurance as insured. You don't need to upgrade cable for digital TV. I have Time Warner too and am using Digital channel too. It is clear and sharp. I don't even use surge protectors for it. If the picture seem blurry or "digitalized", Call Time Warner to reboot the cable converter. It took me few min to have them reboot my cable converter to clear up the problem. So As long as the cable connectors are tight, you shouldn't have problem.

Catty

 

[Reba]

I wouldn't bother using surge protector cuz being struck by lightening is like winning a million dollars lottery,

Maybe I should start playing the lottery.

Lighting struck our house and zapped my Mac and PC ethernets, the Roadrunner modem, the router, one TV, the garage door opener, and the phone answering machine because those were the only items not run thru surge protectors. The two TVs that were run thru surge protectors were OK.

It's best that you list your TV and video equiptment on your house insurance. If it happens. Your tv will be replaced by Insurance as insured.

They were covered by insurance but because of the deductible it wasn't worth making a claim. So we replaced everything out of pocket. (Roadrunner replaced the modem and ethernet in the PC for free; unfortunately, the iMac had built-in ethernet so it couldn't be fixed.)

You don't need to upgrade cable for digital TV. I have Time Warner too and am using Digital channel too. It is clear and sharp. I don't even use surge protectors for it. If the picture seem blurry or "digitalized", Call Time Warner to reboot the cable converter.

I don't have digital service. My neighbors do. They still use the original cable from 1988.

But we did have the TW technician come out because we had some fuzzy channels. He gave us all new inside cables (no charge). He also told us that the surge protectors were part of the problem.

 

[Reba]

Yikes! I just found out that one of my local friends had lightning strike her house last week! This is spooky. She lost all their house wiring, TVs, computers, home school satellite, etc. It destroyed all electrical. She has a $5,000 deductible, so essentially she has to pay for everything out of pocket. They really can't afford it.

Their next door neighbor got worse. The house caught on fire. The fire department came and put it out, and then left. Later, during the night, the fire started up again and destroyed everything that was left.

 

[Foxrac]

Maybe I should start playing the lottery.

Lighting struck our house and zapped my Mac and PC ethernets, the Roadrunner modem, the router, one TV, the garage door opener, and the phone answering machine because those were the only items not run thru surge protectors. The two TVs that were run thru surge protectors were OK.



They were covered by insurance but because of the deductible it wasn't worth making a claim. So we replaced everything out of pocket. (Roadrunner replaced the modem and ethernet in the PC for free; unfortunately, the iMac had built-in ethernet so it couldn't be fixed.)



I don't have digital service. My neighbors do. They still use the original cable from 1988.

But we did have the TW technician come out because we had some fuzzy channels. He gave us all new inside cables (no charge). He also told us that the surge protectors were part of the problem.

If your iMac has damaged ethernet then just take to Apple store, also make appt to see them.

I think that most ethernet built-in are usually soldered to motherboard, that make more difficult to replace for average users.

 

[Reba]

If your iMac has damaged ethernet then just take to Apple store, also make appt to see them.

I think that most ethernet built-in are usually soldered to motherboard, that make more difficult to replace for average users.

I did ask the Mac repairman, and they said it couldn't be replaced.

Finally, I got a newer one on eBay, that still has ethernet. I transfered my files and programs from the old one to the newer one.

 

[Foxrac]

I did ask the Mac repairman, and they said it couldn't be replaced.

Finally, I got a newer one on eBay, that still has ethernet. I transfered my files and programs from the old one to the newer one.

Oh ouch, it should be too older to repair it, G3 iMac was came out in last 10 years ago.

You means order new iMac from ebay to replace damaged iMac?

 

[Reba]

Oh ouch, it should be too older to repair it, G3 iMac was came out in last 10 years ago.

You means order new iMac from ebay to replace damaged iMac?

It was a used one but had a newer OS than the old one that I had.

So I connected the old one and newer one together and transferred the files and programs from the old one to the newer one. The older one actually had more graphics programs on it than the newer one but the newer one had a better OS and working ethernet (Safari). So I put everything into the newer one, and then got rid of the old one.

You would probably laugh at my "new" iMac--it's the blue and white "dalmatian" style. But it works for me.

 

[webexplorer]

First of all, I think that the copper wire for outlets could be a problem due poor connection to the ground. That's what you need to find out. Probably, the copper rod is rusty that needs to be replaced.

Does your house have lightning rods on the roof? I also think that it is something wrong with your fuse box.

For the coaxial cable, there is a special device to prevent the surge. Check this link: APC Product Information for Surge Protection and Power Conditioning

I may think that you need a newer surge protector(s). Make sure that the model should be new especially higher the joules.

My friend told me that it is not worth to have a main surge protector box for my house because I have an underground copper rod. He knows all about electricity stuff. He could be wrong.

No, you do not need a CAT-6. Most towns have CAT-5e. It is quite not ready for CAT-6 yet. I don't know whether it is going to be CAT-6e.

 

[Reba]

First of all, I think that the copper wire for outlets could be a problem due poor connection to the ground. That's what you need to find out. Probably, the copper rod is rusty that needs to be replaced.

I don't know. It's only effecting one of our three TVs. Maybe it's the one cable outlet in that room.

Does your house have lightning rods on the roof?

No, that's old-fashioned. We have a grounded post in the ground for the cable and electricty.

I also think that it is something wrong with your fuse box.

We don't have fuses. We have circuit breakers.

For the coaxial cable, there is a special device to prevent the surge. Check this link: APC Product Information for Surge Protection and Power Conditioning

I'll check that later.

I may think that you need a newer surge protector(s). Make sure that the model should be new especially higher the joules.

I bought new ones last year, and they were highly rated.

 

[webexplorer]

Reba

We don't have fuses. We have circuit breakers.

Oops - my mistake. Yes, I mean the circuit breakers.


I'll check that later.
I believe that you are looking for this one.


I bought new ones last year, and they were highly rated.
Oh, that's good. I guess that it should not be a problem as I hope.

 

[Foxrac]

It was a used one but had a newer OS than the old one that I had.

So I connected the old one and newer one together and transferred the files and programs from the old one to the newer one. The older one actually had more graphics programs on it than the newer one but the newer one had a better OS and working ethernet (Safari). So I put everything into the newer one, and then got rid of the old one.

You would probably laugh at my "new" iMac--it's the blue and white "dalmatian" style. But it works for me.

Oh, got it.

Most recent iMac has WiFi built-in, you can use WiFi instead of ethernet, not worry about lighting would zapping or not.

For me, I rather to use ethernet because of not like to work out with wireless.

 

[purplecatty]

Maybe I should start playing the lottery.

Lighting struck our house and zapped my Mac and PC ethernets, the Roadrunner modem, the router, one TV, the garage door opener, and the phone answering machine because those were the only items not run thru surge protectors. The two TVs that were run thru surge protectors were OK.



They were covered by insurance but because of the deductible it wasn't worth making a claim. So we replaced everything out of pocket. (Roadrunner replaced the modem and ethernet in the PC for free; unfortunately, the iMac had built-in ethernet so it couldn't be fixed.)



I don't have digital service. My neighbors do. They still use the original cable from 1988.

But we did have the TW technician come out because we had some fuzzy channels. He gave us all new inside cables (no charge). He also told us that the surge protectors were part of the problem.

Which state you live in?

Are you living out in county (rural area?)

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

Yikes! I just found out that one of my local friends had lightning strike her house last week! This is spooky. She lost all their house wiring, TVs, computers, home school satellite, etc. It destroyed all electrical. She has a $5,000 deductible, so essentially she has to pay for everything out of pocket. They really can't afford it.

Their next door neighbor got worse. The house caught on fire. The fire department came and put it out, and then left. Later, during the night, the fire started up again and destroyed everything that was left.

Ouch!! that's bad!!

Catty

 

[Banjo]

Yikes! I just found out that one of my local friends had lightning strike her house last week! This is spooky. She lost all their house wiring, TVs, computers, home school satellite, etc. It destroyed all electrical. She has a $5,000 deductible, so essentially she has to pay for everything out of pocket. They really can't afford it.

Their next door neighbor got worse. The house caught on fire. The fire department came and put it out, and then left. Later, during the night, the fire started up again and destroyed everything that was left.

You know, you should really think about investing in an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for your electrical equipments. It also protect them from under-voltage and the computers will stay on so you can turn them off properly with time to spare. Yes, under-voltage is a bad thing and it is a problem in many, many households. Some UPS will regulate the voltage and keep it to a safe level.

Basically, it's a small price to pay to protect your valuable properties that relies on electricity.

 

[Reba]

Which state you live in?

Are you living out in county (rural area?)

Catty

South Carolina.

I live in the congested suburbs.

 

[Reba]

You know, you should really think about investing in an UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) for your electrical equipments. It also protect them from under-voltage and the computers will stay on so you can turn them off properly with time to spare. Yes, under-voltage is a bad thing and it is a problem in many, many households. Some UPS will regulate the voltage and keep it to a safe level.

Basically, it's a small price to pay to protect your valuable properties that relies on electricity.

I've been thinking about that. I need to do a little more research.

I wish my Dad was still alive. He could tell me what to do. He was an electrical engineer, and he set up the emergency backup power supply for Merril Lynch in NYC. Of course, I don't need a system that big, heh, heh.

 

[Reba]

Ouch!! that's bad!!

Catty

Yeah. Our friends have 5 adopted children so they don't have any extra money. We just got home a few minutes ago from their house. We gave them our old 20" TV, DVD player, a surge protector power strip, and some coax cable sections. They have to wait for Comcast to replace the outside cable and some other stuff but at least they can watch DVD movies until then.

Hubby's trying to find some extra work for the teenage son so he can earn some money.

We found out that the neighbor's house that burned up had just recently been totally remodeled inside. That's very sad for them.

 

[purplecatty]

Yeah. Our friends have 5 adopted children so they don't have any extra money. We just got home a few minutes ago from their house. We gave them our old 20" TV, DVD player, a surge protector power strip, and some coax cable sections. They have to wait for Comcast to replace the outside cable and some other stuff but at least they can watch DVD movies until then.

Hubby's trying to find some extra work for the teenage son so he can earn some money.

We found out that the neighbor's house that burned up had just recently been totally remodeled inside. That's very sad for them.

Yup that's hard for them. Natual disaster does affect them. Glad that you and your neighborhood help them out. I would do the same tho.

Catty

 

[purplecatty]

South Carolina.

I live in the congested suburbs.

Ummph interesting! Cuz Florida have highest lightening strikes than any states in USA. Freak weather do happens sometime.

My deaf friend who live in Gardner, KS, (It's a small semi-rural town 10 miles south from Olathe, KS) had his house struck by lightening. He said it fried his computer, house wiring in basment and damaged basment TV set. The sheetrock showed burnt mark print left by lightening. His insurance covered the damages. He said the lightening struck behind the house. Luckily his house didn't burn down.. Next year, he told me his next door got their turn on same thing. Then next following year, the neigbor's next door house too was hit by lightening. It's pretty odd coindinace!! Backyard of his and his neighbor's house are simply a field, no house out there.

I live in out in surban far away from Kansas city. My area are Tornado prone tho. I dind't care tho. Lightening strike does happen in my area but not often.

Catty

Catty