I want to re-wire my house for digital cable for tv. What is the best type of cable to use? Old cable is RG?

Answer 1

RG-6 is the current standard for digital cable. RG-59 was typically used until the mid-to-late '90s, and it -can- be used for digital cable, but high-frequency signal suffers quite a bit of attenuation over distance through it. Since digital cable typically uses only frequencies over 500 mHz for its programming (though interactive content is often an exception), RG-6 is much better.

Many people will tell you that quad shield cable, which has two layers of foil and metal braid between the white dielectric and the (usually) black plastic jacket, is better at preventing stray broadcast signals from interfering with the cable signal. While this is true, you'd have to be living next door to a supercharged TV broadcast antenna for it to make any difference. For almost any home, the quad shield is just a waste of money, and it's absolute hell for technicians to work with (the highest-quality fittings don't fit it properly, it's twice as likely to cause the signal-bearing conductor to ground out, and manufacturers usually cut down on quad shield diameter by reducing the amount of dielectric in the cable, which compromises the standard 75 ohms of resistance). We usually replace it with typical dual shield cable whenever we can.

Instead of worrying about redundant cable shielding, pay special attention to the fittings. The type that install onto the cable by twisting or crimping are absolute garbage, and will allow ingress to interfere with your reception. Don't even think about getting unthreaded "push on" fittings that just slide onto the coax connection on the converter or television. Compression fittings are well worth the extra investment.

Neil: As far as I've ever seen, HDMI cables are for attaching HD devices to HD TVs/monitors only. They have no practical application in distributing wide-spectrum signal throughout a home. Even if you could, they're designed to have a maximum effective reach of less than 50 feet before amplification is needed. Since an economy-class HDMI splitter/amplifier is over $350.00, and even a 20 foot HDMI jumper is another $250.00, I'd like to know exactly who is wiring their homes with this stuff and what media provider will support it.

Answer 2

RG-6 Quad Shielded.

Answer 3

Also consider installing CAT-6 network cabling. Some new home mulit-set distribution systems will be using that. That should be in addition to the RG-6

Answer 4

rg-6 quad shield would be the best bet to use. run all of the cables to outside though if you are going to have the cable co. hook it all up for you. or at least to the elctric panel.
DONT BUY RADIOSHACK CABLE

Answer 5

what u choose for is a repeater. u might desire to purchase one, even even though it relatively is extra value-effective to get an previous router and reflash it with dd-wrt firmware. (I did purchase a prrtable one for $15. on sale -- i think of the traditional value grow to be approximately $30.-$40 5.) u can the configure it as a repeater. in certainty what that does is to rcv the main router sign and rebroadcast it. I even have on connecting to a associates router over 150yds away - she is totally conscious of it.

Answer 6

Just food for thought.... many people are beginning to install HDMI cable throughout their homes.