You mentioned that Comcast technicians measured the incoming signal to be at "well below the adequate level required to activate the cable boxes". Since you are paying for their service, they are required to provide an adequate signal to your building; otherwise, how in the world would you expect to be able to use their services (i.e. watch TV)? They should provide a cable amplifier that will boost the signal to a suitable level. If you feel so inclined, you can purchase these yourself from many online merchants.
Don't confuse these baluns to be networking devices. The baluns do not convert the signal to ethernet (a networking protocol), it only allows the video signal to travel over twisted pair on Cat 5 cables. So, an ethernet repeater/switch or other network device will do nothing for you.
First, you need to get an adequate signal to the building. Then you can try these baluns and perhaps you will be able to get a useable signal to the rest of the building. Don't expect miracles with them though, because you may be disappointed. I would follow Bob's advice and have a good electrician professionally install some quality RG6.
<div id="post_message_21284849">I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong
forum...
Im looking for a little advice regarding a project I have been
assigned to.
We have recently moved into a building where the construction
and layout prevents us from easily running Coax cable up from the basement
(where the TV service comes in) up to the offices where the TV's and tuners will
exist (Ground Floor). The office building is an old rehabbed house with very
clean, and newer data runs coming up from the basement connected through your
standard patch panel. What I was hoping to do was to use converters at each end
of the Cat5e drops to convert the Video signal using MuxLab CATV Balun II's .....
Comcast Install team (TV provider) was out the other day and had their testing
equipment with them. They mentioned that the Video signal was well below the
adequate level required to activate the cable boxes let alone produce a good
signal on the TV's
My question is - is there anything I can do/buy to
boost the signal (Ethernet repeater, etc...) at the network level to perhaps
increase the levels to and adequate video signal strength?
The distance
between where the service comes in at the basement to where the offices are, is
not that far. However since its not a home run, I do not know exactly how far
the data cable has to travel....
Also please feel free to ask any questions if
you think I missed some detail trying to explain my issue.
As always thanks
for your help in advance..
- Chad</div>

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