Customer Reviews

2-Port Bi-Directional Cable TV HDTV Amplifier Splitter Signal Booster with Passive Return Path

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have a couple of the PCT Amplifier in my set up. They do a great job of keeping the DTV signals strong. I have one station that is 90 degrees from the other stations that with out a distribution amp, the signal degrades to the point where I'm lucky to get 20-30%. With these amps, i'm getting 80-85% signal. I'm also occationally getting out of market stations that I was not getting without them.

To be clear, these help keep the signal from degrading along the long runs from the antenna to the tv/reciever - they are not boosting the antenna power.

I have a Silicon Dust HDHomeRun dual QAM/ATSC tuner feeding a Mac Mini that is hooked up to a HDTV. The same cable feed is used for a cable modem and a direct connection to the HDTV. A passive 4-way splitter was doing the job for over a year, but the HDTV and internet performance was slowly declining. The cable guy replaced the drop cable to house, but unfortunately, the signal strength did not improve significantly. The signal going into the house was +10.5 dBmv (typical expected value), but after a fifty foot run and a final 4-way split, the signal was -8 dBmv at the cable modem (the signal typically varied between -9 and -7 dBmv). The HDHomerun tuners were detecting a signal strength of about 80%, which is at the extreme low end of providing a reliable QAM signal. In fact, many recorded shows were less than perfect. After doing some additional research and reading the reviews of all the PCT amplifier products here at Amazon, I decidied to purchase the 2-port PCT amplifier.

My final setup is a passive two-way splitter where the cable enters the house followed by the PCT amp followed by a fifty foot run, and finally, the original passive 4-way splitter (2 HDHomeRun tuners, HDTV, and terminator on fourth output). As it turns out, the cable modem should either be dirctly connected to the cable (impossible if you have a TV) or at the MOST, after a 2-way split. The outgoing (upstream signal) is often overlooked. Thus, the cable modem has a separate feed from the initial passive 2-way splitter. The upstream cable modem signal went from 53 dBmv to 48 dBmv (below 50 dBmv is great) and the downstream signal varies between -2 and 0 dBmv (-5 to +5 is ideal; note that the cable modem was NOT amplified). The HDTV has been spectacular! Both signal strength and signal quality register well above 95%, more often at 100%. And the bonus is that I have an unused amplified output, that currently has a terminator, that will eventually be used for future expansion of coaxial outlets in other rooms.

The no-brainer is to purchase an inexpensive PCT amp, but do your research on how much ampification is required and if necessary, how to deal with signals for both a cable modem and HDTVs. An excellent source is the supplier of the amps at CableTVamps.com.

Thanks to everyone who posted the previous reviews of PCT amps and inspired me so solve my cable problem.

I purchased this amplified splitter to amplify and split my coaxial cable TV coming from the wall to both an HDTV and a Media PC (with a built in TV tuner). The PC can record programs off the cable and route the signal back to the same TV thru a DVI-HDMI cable. Previously I was using a standard splitter and I was getting some channels with low signal strength on both the TV and PC. After I removed the old splitter and installed this amplified splitter, I rechecked the signal strength and WHAT A DIFFERENCE! Previous channels with a "1" or "2" (out of "10") signal strength jumped to a "7" or "8". All my digital and HDTV channels now have either a "7" or "8" strength and come in much clearer (no digital breakup) along with better audio. This worked much better than a model that I had purchased at a local retail store. You can tell the electronics in this item is very well made (very solid) and has a LED green light that indicates the power amplification is working. You will need to provide your own coax from the "wall wart" plug to the amp/splitter in the length you will need it. In this case, this coax carries the power to the product. I would recommend good quality RG6 quad shielded coax cable for all connections to keep the connection and signals strong. Good coax is not expensive, so don't try to do the "el cheapo" on your coax connections.

I bought this item b/c we had heavy pixelation and "snow" on several channels. I had also hoped that it would boost internet speeds, but I was not holding my breath. We live in a new home that seems to be situated at the end of Comcast's reach. Moreover, the location of the TVs in our house are almost at the extreme ends from the point of entry of the cable (2 upstairs, 3+modem downstairs). At our junction box where I planned to install this unit, the cable line gets split between upstairs and downstairs.

So does it work. YES! Even in my home theater where the signal gets split 4 more times (TV, HometheaterPC has 2, and modem), the cable TV signal is VERY strong. We even picked up several channels. Moreover, our internet speed has greatly increased. Using [...], our down/up load went from average 9 mb down and 1.5 up to 27mb download and 5mb upload (we have the most BASIC internet plan btw). These numbers are avg of 3 tests. The improvements are so big that I removed the booster and reinstalled the old splitter and ran the tests again. My numbers were accurate. Of course your improvements will vary

Some important notes. I have seen comments of the lack of a power (coaxial) cable. This is actually due to a VERY smart design. Most people do not have power at their junction cable box. Most consumer amps have a 10ft power cable which is ridiculous in 99% of these applications. If you do not have power in your cable box, check your telephone junction box since these typically do have power and are typically situated close to the cable box (this is what I had to do).

Second but most important point: try to install this booster or amp CLOSEST to the point that the cable runs into your house (hence cable junction box). That is BEFORE any splits or long runs. This unit cannot make a weak signal any stronger than what it is receiving.

Finally, DO NOT FORGET TO GROUND this amp (its that green screw on the bottom right of the pic). Most people have their TVs plugged into surge protectors, but if lightning or power arc hits your cable line, that is a straight copper wire shot to your TVs. This unit does have a surge protector, but it is still important to ground.

I recently bought a HDTV antenna and needed to split it between two TVs. The signal was not adequate without a booster. This is a good choice. I think its better quality and a cheaper price than other ones I saw at local stores. It has a power light which helps when trouble shooting. For some reason, connecting 2 coax cables together will not work for the plug in cable. There is a definite signal boost with this product, but I dont think these boosters are adequate for more than one split.

i got this to boost my signal for cable internet. it works very well and has also cleaned up the video quality as well.

the only thing is, if you want to be able to use this device as soon as you get it, you will either have to have an extra coaxial video cable available, or order one with the amplifier. while an ac adapter plug is included in the package, the coaxial cable needed to connect the amp and adapter is not.

Dramatically improved my broadband internet connection. I used to have so many drop outs that I replaced my router and was about to replace my cable modem. Now we have no connection issues. Bonus-- SD cable channels look a lot better.

Three years ago I bought a Motorola Signal Booster 484095-001-00 and it still is working well. Two months ago I needed another, but I saw this Channel Master model ant it was cheaper than the Motorola and included the splitter. Channel Master is a brand that I learned to trust, but two months later it doesn't work anymore. I found out by disconnecting it and putting the splitter that it replaced back in. The signal strength was stronger with the splitter than with the amplifier. I bought another Motorola Signal Booster 484095-001-00 and ran it through the old splitter and this works better than the Channel Master ever did. Maybe you get what you pay for? Maybe just bad luck? I'll stick with Motorola for now.

I have this hooked up to my Samsung 32" HDTV. In works in concert w/ the Samsung built in tuner. Using this equipment I was able to pick up additional cable channels, even some broadcating in various resolutions from 720p to 1080i. I used a RadioShack amplifier similar to this one that cost $52 and change, but it did not work as good as this one. The good news too is that you can get the PCT amplifier for less than half the cost.

My in-house cable system is 25 years old, and the run from the outside box is 75 feet. My new HDTV suffered from severe pixelation and favorite channel memory loss because of weak signal strength. Signals in the other parts of my home were snowy on analog sets. I replaced a basket of passive splitters with this 1:2 splitter/amplifier in front of my HDTV and then ran the other line from this unit to a similar 1:8 splitter/amplifier for the rest of the lines. This amplifier completely solved the HDTV pixelation/memory problem and the other signals throughout the house were markedly improved. I don't have a signal strength tester, but qualitatively I am pleased with the $75 investment. The cable company wanted a lot more money to install amplifiers.