Splitting Cable Signal Causing Problems

[bstempel]

So I've got a single PVR-150 and a MediaMVP, and everything finally seems to be working great. Because I'm greedy, I wanted to put another PVR-150 in my machine, but I was concerned about splitting the cable signal yet again. Sure enough, when I split it, I started encountering difficulties. GB PVR had a debug assertion fail (atlcomcli.h line 150, p != 0), and some channels had audio problems. Taking the splitter off again seemed to fix those problems. This is unfortunate, but I suppose I can live with just one tuner. So my question is, has anyone else experienced anything like this?

[stefan]

You could try a signal booster. I don't think they cost much.

[podrik0]

Ya had same problem with splitter a year back! Its definitly lack in strength of the signal after its split I think

[colin]

I split the signal coming into the house for my high speed and cable tv. I put this through a surge control power strip and this has solved any of my picture issues.

Cheers,
Colin.

[jsteele]

I had read that the Happauge cards were finicky about signal strength. I had a test setup with two PVR150MCE's in it a a single feed from the wall split with a standard splitter at the PC. The cards had a real hard time tuning some channels. I wasn't too worried though, the actual installation location has long had a 10dB RF amp to feed the TV and VCR so I figured the signal would be fine.

Others have reported similar signal level problems and have fixed them with inexpensive RF amps - RadioShack and others.

I'd be a bit concerned however at your report of GBPVR problems. Frankly I'd be surprised if a low signal condition could cause that --- more likely it would cause hash, snow or no display. If you are getting program problems I'd look for a low signal-to-noise ratio problem first --- the noise on the line swamping the card receiver and causing spurious outputs from the card. Colin's surge-control power strip idea might help by killing some line noise.

[krys]

All passive splitters attenuate your signal by ~40% per split. For multiple tuners use a signal booster placed as close as possible to the source of your cable signal to avoid amplification of noise.

Krys