Cable specifications

[Sparky-Steve]

Hi all,

I'm having TV Drive installed on Thursday this week; I already have a standard box which is remaining; the TV drive is going into the new position, and Sky+ is being dumped.

The external CATV point couldn't be any further away from my lounge; Also, I rebuilt the house in 2003, and really don't want cables run externally.

When I build it, I installed a network of CT100 and Cat5e cabling throughout; I can easily provide an internal CT100 path from the existing cable box splitter (I have broadband, too) to the rear of the television.

Will the engineer accept this, or should I bail out and cancel the installation before he even arrives. (The wife will not accept cabling round the house at any cost) ?

Thanks for any advice.

(NB: I'm a sparky by trade, and as such have a good knowledge, but with respect who knows whether or not the engineer will be able to work ad-hoc if it doesnt match what he's expecting.)

Steve

[handyman]

They might test it each end and see what its like, To be honest sounds like if your cable is up to it, it could reduce the install by 30 mins for them ;)

Depends on the tech you get.

[Stu038]

CT100 isn't generally up to spec, the shielding having been designed for a different frequency range, so the installers should refuse to connect to it, though as Handyman says it depends on the installers you get on the day :erm:

Whats more reassuring is that you say your a sparks so will have ensured that your "network" is clean & tight, also generally speaking its only your own signals affected by useing it, so personally I would take the chance with the caveat that if you start to suffer from poor TV or BB performance as a result theres probably not going to a lot ntl can do about it.

At least its not a B&Q special coax :td: any installer connecting up to that filth needs a drum of it ramming somewhere painful before being sacked :mad:

[PS1]

id use any sort of exsisting cables a customer wanted me to providing they were up to the job.Whatever the customer wants, they can have as long as they sign my little bit of paper to say it was they re request and not just me trying to cut corners.:tu:

[Sparky-Steve]

CT100 isn't generally up to spec, the shielding having been designed for a different frequency range, so the installers should refuse to connect to it, though as Handyman says it depends on the installers you get on the day :erm:
hrmmmm this surprises me, as I've seen CT100 mentioned on CF. http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=42581&highlight=CT100

That said, I'm not arguing the point, as I simply dont know, hence the original question.

Whats more reassuring is that you say your a sparks so will have ensured that your "network" is clean & tight, also generally speaking its only your own signals affected by useing it, so personally I would take the chance with the caveat that if you start to suffer from poor TV or BB performance as a result theres probably not going to a lot ntl can do about it.

At least its not a B&Q special coax :td: any installer connecting up to that filth needs a drum of it ramming somewhere painful before being sacked :mad:
;) It's all good quality CT100, at that. My firm only uses the top branded stuff for obvious reasons. I've just been in the loft, checking the cabling; It's all good.

I guess I'll wait till they arrive on Thursday, tell them that they either use my cabling, or run some of that new invisible cabling :monkey:

Seriously, though, if CT100 is going to be a problem, then I'll need to arrange to lift some flooring internally. Hopefully, if this is required, the engineer(s) would leave me enough of their own cable to run.

Thanks!

Steve

[James Henry]

Ah jrhnewark (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/member.php?u=5313) isn't really a cable expert type chappy, Stu038 (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/member.php?u=69) on the other hand is a God ;)

[Stuart]

Sparky-Steve, :welcome: to Cableforum!

[Chris]

Ah jrhnewark (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/member.php?u=5313) isn't really a cable expert type chappy, Stu038 (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/member.php?u=69) on the other hand is a God ;)

As are you of course. ;)

[Sparky-Steve]

Thanks for the welcome guys; I'll be sticking around :)

I bow to the wisdom of stu038, and have worked out a route through the house for the correct cable, and ok'd it with the missus to run it loose around the outside of the (new) house until next monday when some other sparkies are helping me trash the place :cool:

Now all I have to do is convince the engineer to run the cable loose, and leave me enough to run under the floors................

They just called... (8.30pm) to confirm tomorrows appointment.

Laters

[jrhnewark]

Ah jrhnewark (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/member.php?u=5313) isn't really a cable expert type chappy, Stu038 (http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/member.php?u=69) on the other hand is a God ;)Grrrh arggh grr raah! :p:

No, I'm no expert. I do transmissions, not reception. :rolleyes:

As Stu038 says, as long as it's clean and tight, there shouldn't be any massive problems - assuming the signal strength is high enough when it crosses the threshold.

[James Henry]

As are you of course. ;)

Let me know which planet you're on it sounds good :)

[Sparky-Steve]

All installed; Installer said CT100 was perfect for the job; They use RG6 usually, but they are aware of CT100 and fine to use it. The signal strength difference between the main incomer and the TVDrive (approx 35m of CT100) was, in his opinion, negligable.

All that said, it was a good quality branded CT100, not the cheap stuff commonly available today.

Incidentally, he also said he'd seen installations on bog standard tv coax.

Anyway, thought I'd pass the info back.

Finally, the engineer was fabulous. very friendly, knew what he was doing, and got a well deserved cuppa :angel:

Thanks for the comments.
Steve

[Graham M]

Incidentally, he also said he'd seen installations on bog standard tv coax.

That's quite scary to be honest it's really not up for the job and "leaks" terribly

[Chris]

Let me know which planet you're on it sounds good :)

The planet Balamory, mate. ;)

[Sparky-Steve]

If only I knew the "real" cable specification, I'd have it installed; I'm by no means trying to "get out" of using the right stuff - just cant find out; Given the feedback in here and reading elsewhere, I'd probably be foolish to take the "RG6" comment at face value.

Does anyone here actually know the real cable spec for CATV?

Steve

[Graham M]

here:

http://www.monstercable.com/custom_install/productPageCI.asp?pin=292&LastPage=Video%20Interconnects

is what NTL usually install

[jtwn]

They don't install 'twin-lead' cables AFAIK.

My house is wired up with regular RG6.

For cable television it is important to use the correct type of coaxial cable. RG-59/U should be avoided, and only RG-6/U, or in cases of severe interference, RG-6/UQ (quad-shield) used. Many consumers have purchased the cheaper RG-59/U to use as an extension for cable television, only to find it causes severe interference.

[Graham M]

Yep you're right, there links are acting up or something because I saw that one but linked to a single core one :)

[jtwn]

Yeah, right ;)

[James Henry]

The planet Balamory, mate. ;)

What's the story, I'd like to know? ;)