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New Contributor
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Amplifier recommendation?
We have been at this location almost 11 years and have had pretty perfect COX signal levels, never below -4. Although after switching to HD /DVR and installing the Scientific Atlanta 8300 boxes...we are as of today on our FIFTH box. FOUR have failed. Anyway, the signal recently dropped to around -8 to -9 and both of our set-top boxes drop and tile, and even straight into the set, the digital channels freeze.
We did have COX service out here twice and since the signal into the house was (above -10) they are "within spec". I have a quad-shield RG6 going through the rest of the house with two taps in the path. Hence, the end of line is now below -10. (actually -14).
His answer was to replace all the cable in the house. This is where the visit went downhill fast. I was sleeping as I had worked all night from being called in. So he couldn't get in the back.
Since he didn't 'get his way' he will NOT come back here (good) and he threatened that if we called anyone from COX back out here we would be charged and they would take our equipment and disconnect us. Ok, go kick sand in someone Else's face.
My instinct says ditch COX and go dish, but overall, I am happy with the channels and internet speed.
I searched this forum for an answer to this question, but I see questions like this get diverted or quickly locked (censored) by the COX moderator. Any helpwould be greatly appreciated.
I am very familiar with higher end products (like Blonder Tongue) but am not familiar with consumer products.
Can anyone here recommend a good amp that can be used on a COX residential, drop with obviously NO return path change (don't want to alter ANYTHING going back into their system). Adjustable slope would be nice too. I don't think any consumer low-end product has slope trim. Their slope at the drop is also way off. Adjustable would be ideal, or something fixed around +6 to +10.
Thanks in advance everyone !
ChrisL
Former Moderator
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Domino
Valued Contributor III
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The SA 8300 is a VERY old model DVR with limited RAM and a slow processor. I recommend 1) checking or replacing all of the coaxial connectors associated with faulty equipment, and bypassing splitters with barrel connectors for test purposes, and 2) trade the SA 8300 DVRs in for 8642HDC DVRs (faster processors, more RAM, larger HDD.)
Your suddenly bad signal levels are more likely due to a failing coaxial connector or splitter and not on the need for an amplifier.
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Fletch85712
New Contributor
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Thank you for the reply,but like I said above, according to the technician that was just here, if we call COX back out here COX will take our equipment, disconnect us and charge us for the call. This does not sound too productive. From where you are sitting, you probably do see good readings on those end devices, but fail to understand the whole problem. We once had good drop signal, now we do not. And since I have two splitters in line (that once worked fine, with good drop signal) no longer do, but since COX it teetering just above -10 at the drop, it is all my fault. My only solution at this point is an amp. We will only be at this address for approximately 3 months. We are remodeling a house. I just need to get signal back up to where it was before, since COX can't deliver anything above -9 at the drop. At this point, I will probably just buy a Blonder Tongue.. Thanks again.
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Fletch85712
New Contributor
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The SA 8300 is what we are stuck with from COX. I wish I had another solution, as this is the FIFTH SA8300 that has died, but we keep getting (apparent refurbs) from COX.
The sudden bad signal is AT the drop. (That is where it enters the house) I oversee the CATV engineering where I work, and borrowed the spectrum analyzer to test the signal AT the drop. I know we once had good drop signal and now we don't. I had a horrible technician that blames us for everything, can't add, and doesn't appear to know what slope is. (The slope at the drop is also way off). All I was asking is if anyone had a suggestion for an amp (that doesn't cost $1000) , but I get two replys blaming me for my problem?? Well, thanks for the reply.
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Domino
Valued Contributor III
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Not blaming you. Just offering suggestions to fix the problem.
What makes you think you're stuck with the 8300 DVR? What area are you in?
About your amplifier, you say "Can anyone here recommend a good amp that can be used on a COX residential, drop with obviously NO return path change (don't want to alter ANYTHING going back into their system)." The amp must have an upstream path for SDV and VOD. I still disagree with the amp solution. It's like trying to mask the scent of a dead animal with an air freshener instead of removing the dead animal. If you insist on an amp, get one with a passive return path, like:
http://www.amazon.com/Bi-Directional-Amplifier-Splitter-Booster-Passive/dp/B001BMKNZI/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
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