How do I set up my new LCD to my cable box that is already being used by another TV?

Question

So I live with roomates and we have a regular old Sony Trinitron hooked up to our Comcast DVR cable box in the livingroom. I just purchased a smaller Samsung LCD tv for my bedroom. My question is what is the best way to set up my new tv to our existing cable if we only have one cable box?
I imagine I will use a splitter to split the cable line... one to our cable box and the other to my new tv. Is this correct. If so, will I still receive digital cable (minus the dvr capabilities) on my new tv?

Answer 1

The way you decided to do it, is the BEST way......


The main RF cable line should be attached to the splitter, then the split signal sent to the cable box and the other side of the splitter should be wired to your TV.....

THEN you can watch TWO separate TV stations....BUT you will not get the Digital Stations.
You can fix that shortcoming by getting another Cable box and attaching it to the 2nd cable going into your room.....all you have to do is get another box and rent it.....

Answer 2

By using a splitter on the cable line you will be restricted to analog cable only. Your cable box may have more than one audio/video output; many have both composite (yellow, red, white) connections and s-video (small 4-pin, with red and white audio). If you don't need HDTV, you can use one for the Sony and the other for the Samsung. You could possibly have one TV get HDTVl and the other non-HD if the box allows you to output both component/HDMI and 480i on the s-video or composite output at the same time. Some DVRs don't allow that.

Both sets will have to be watching the same thing. You may have a problem running the wires, and you could lose quality with very long cable runs (more than 25'). Whichever set uses the composite connection will have a poorer connection. If either or both your sets are HDTV, you will have to order another cable box to get HDTV on both. There are distribution boxes for component and HDMI cables available, but they are expensive and you will still have to watch the same programs on both TVs and run long cables.

See http://www.smarthome.com/_/ProductResults.aspx?Ntt=Component+distribution&x=8&y=10
and
http://www.ehdmi.com/switch.html

Answer 3

if you split the output from the cable box you will only be able to watch what is being watched on the cable box at that time if you split the input to the cable box you will be able to receive the basic standard channels you will not receive any digital channels or premium channels basic standard are usually about the first 78 channels

Answer 4

HD tv, they are the most versital for the price the TVS have all the inputs you can ask for. HD TVS can actaully become moniters with the s-video cord. most of the LCD hd tvs come with a built in VGA port. i think the plasmas do to. but im not postive