Cable Connection

[Brains_Behind_Operation]

This is the wierdest thing. I've got cable in my basement, which works fine on most of the channels except for anything below channel 10. It gets really bad the closer you get to 0. I've got my TV hooked up to an extra long length of cable because it is the only one that is long enough. Generally the only thing I watch that is ever a real problem is The Price is Right - Channel 4. The picture is often hard to make out and there is so much fuzz in the sound that you can't tell what is going on. Except, when I make contact to the cable with some part of my body the reception clears up. The more points of contact I have and the closer they are to the TV the better the reception gets. I don't want to be standing right next to the TV for an hour while I watch the show, but if I want to watch it I really don't have any other choice. What the hell is the deal with that?

[this_is_bullshit]

Signal leak, too long of cable, not enough signal for the long run of cable... Etc. I am an installer & you've gotta figure it this way, +20 dBmv will only travel 200 feet on RG-6 cable (standard interior cable) & even less if the cable is low quality, or ran through splitters, or has bad connectors.

My advice: Find the splitters in your house, if you have a 3 way hooked up & use only two, get a two way splitter, if you have a 3 way hooked up & use all three, look on the splitter, see how two outputs say -7 dBmv, & one says -3.5 dBmv, hook the basement line into the -3.5 dBmv, same would be true if you have a larger splitter, like a 4 way using only 3, go to a 3 way, etc. Get a GOOD quality shorter length of cable for the TV, get a GOOD quality splitter in place of what you got, remember, gold isn't good, it's cheap Wal/K-mart crap. Remember, gold connectors on cable is crap. The best thing you can do is call your local cable company & ask them to come fix it, as you may need a house amplifier for the lines.

You may also have a bad tuner, or bad connection within the TV input, it could be a bad drop from the cable feed to your place, it could be a number of things, call your cable provider & ask them to come fix it, most companies will, & so long as it is the cable lines or whatever, they shouldn't charge you, as you are a customer & are not getting what you pay for.

If it is your TV or something you own, they may charge a service fee.

Good luck!

Edit: You may also have bleeding signal or a short in the electrical circuit causing bleed through onto the cable lines, you may want to tell your cable provider asap.

[Brains_Behind_Operation]

The initial explanation was pretty much what I was expecting. I don't have any extra splits in the line that aren't getting used, but the cable is much longer than it needs to be, the problem is that I don't have any other cable that is long enough. I suppose that it would only cost a couple bucks to go out and buy a cable that's the proper length.

What I was really wondering though was why does the signal get better just from me grabbing the cord? Why can't I duplicate this effect with some inanimate object? Or maybe I can but I haven't figured out what that is yet....?

[this_is_bullshit]

The initial explanation was pretty much what I was expecting. I don't have any extra splits in the line that aren't getting used, but the cable is much longer than it needs to be, the problem is that I don't have any other cable that is long enough. I suppose that it would only cost a couple bucks to go out and buy a cable that's the proper length.

What I was really wondering though was why does the signal get better just from me grabbing the cord? Why can't I duplicate this effect with some inanimate object? Or maybe I can but I haven't figured out what that is yet....?
Maybe it blocks some of the signal leakage. Unsure though, however, buying that cord from a store solves nothing, it is junk wire, call your cable provider.

[Brains_Behind_Operation]

What makes the stuff from the cable provider so much better? How do you know that every cable provider will be so perfect?

[this_is_bullshit]

I know that the splitters & cable you buy from stores is absolute & total crap, all of it, gold fittings & all. Also, as there is an industry standard set by the FCC that ALL TV program providers MUST adhere to. Believe me, it's alot more of a strict setup than most people know. If you think your provider has done wrong, contact them & such. You are a customer paying for quality, if you are not getting it, act on it. However, make sure you take the proper steps through the chain, not just jumping straight to the top. GL.

[Brains_Behind_Operation]

My cable provider has done no wrong in this aspect. My problem is simply that I had them install the outlet on one wall and my TV fits best on the wall half way across the room. For that I need a longer cord than what they left me for that outlet, but not nearly as long a cord as what I am currently using. It's just that I have no other options. How much do you think the cable company will charge for a cord that is about 15 feet long?

[this_is_bullshit]

That little extra cord (little in my opinion) isn't going to cause THAT much signal loss, this sounds to me like a signal leak, the cable company, as it is a signal problem, will come troubleshoot, repair & replace the cable, more than likely for free, it is what we do as an industry to ensure our customer base has the best signal possible.

Trust me, just call them, they won't just sell you 15 feet of coaxial cable (RG6) outright. It's what we do, just give them a call.