Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

How to split the incoming cable signal

Feb 2, 2005 6:49AM PST

so that I can view different stations on 4 different TVs at the same time? I realize that the signal coming in carries all channels, but how do I intercept the digital signal before it is isolated to just the TV near the cable box?
Can I split it by doing so from that short loop on the back?(RF in and RF out)
So far I can only view the digital channels on the Tube that it connects to. I tried to use the outbound signal but it controlled all TVs so I aborted.
What exactly happens between the two ends of that short loop on the back?
Sorry to rambl so much. Thanks in advance.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Cable Splitter

You can purchase a cable splitter for a couple bucks at Radio Shack, OSH, Rite Aid, etc. I used one back in college to run cable from my living room to bedroom. The other TVs need to be cable-ready or you need to rent more cable boxes. There might be a problem with signal degradation by splitting it so many times. Any cable installers out there that can speak to that issue.

- Collapse -
More Cable Splitter

Forgot to mention that you install the splitter before the cable box. The splitter I used had two out connections. Connect one to the cable box's IN and connect the TV to the OUT. The second line from the splitter would go to the other TV or VCR or cable box depending on your set up. Remember, no second cable box, TV should be cable ready.

- Collapse -
My bad
Feb 2, 2005 9:47AM PST

I actually needed to state my situation clearer.
I can and did split it before the cable box. The TV with the cable box can get both the basic cable and the digital package. All other TVs can only get basic from the incoming line that hooks to the splitter. It must be the cablebox talking with the cable feed source that draws the digital stations to the TV that is hooked to the box. I have 1 cable coming from the same splitter as the other TVs to this box. On the back of the box there is a short cable that loops right back into the box, and then out to the TV. I was wondering if I put a splitter in the path of the short cable( short cable out of box-to splitter-out to all TVs-and one cable back to the box) if I would get digital to all TVs that can watch different stations simultaneously.

- Collapse -
You got it.
Feb 2, 2005 10:31AM PST

Nothing wrong with your system and there is no way around what you want to do. Digital will need a separate box/s if you want to received different channels.