Splitting Digital Cable

[IcarusAAA]

I recently upgraded my cable TV service to digital. I got the new Scientific Atlanta Explorer 4200 box and a premium package which includes HBO, Encore, Starz etc.
Movie channels I never had before. I have a total of 5 TV sets in my home and a cable modem for my computer. So far I can only get HBO, Encore etc. on the first TV set off the splitter on the street cable. The other 4 sets still receive the old channels but no new movies. We all remember the cable companies telling us that their analog signal could not be split and we would have to rent boxes for other sets....then we found out different huh? So might there be a way to split the digital signal without renting 4 other boxes?
First test - Street cable split once - one leg to Explorer box - output to TV then second leg from street cable to 4 other sets. Result - Premium Movies on Explorer output only. All other sets retain former channels.
Second test - Run the street cable direct into the Explorer Box then split the output to 5 other sets. Result - All sets display whatever channel is being shown on the first set (Premium Movies Included) but cannot display any other channels.
Suggestions appreciated.

[mike_sanfil]

Well the other tv's would have to be able to decode the digital cable signal. You would also need to use the special digital coax splitters.

[woodbutcher]

You have to have digital splitters to split the digital signal. The cable company should have provided these with the install.
Analog splitters typically run up to 600MHz or so. You need spliiters that run up in the neighborhood of 1000MHz+.
Keep in mind that with five TV,s you are going to lose quite a bit of the signal.
Also, make sure you are using a good cable connector such as Snap-n-Seal .

WB

[Siliconjunkie]

Not sure what you are trying to do...

Do you want to get all the channels on all the TVs?

If so, you will have to get a digtal box for each of them.

[woodbutcher]

Not sure what you are trying to do...

Do you want to get all the channels on all the TVs?

If so, you will have to get a digtal box for each of them.

That's true as well IF you need a box for the premium channels. Some cable companies are advertising Digital but only delivering some content this way.

If you need a set top box for the TV that is able to recieve the channels such as HBO etc. then you will have to have 4 other boxes for the other TV's as well.

IMO, cable sucks. Only good for high speed, and around here that's starting to get questionable.

Went Sat TV 6 years ago and never looked back. All Digital, all the time (even local channels which are not with cable).

WB

[Siliconjunkie]

Here you need digital to have any premiums.

[woodbutcher]

Here you need digital to have any premiums.

If you don't mind me asking who is your cable provider?

I keep looking for an alternative to Comcast here, blackmailed into purchasing there basic (local) channels for $11.00 + dollars a month to receive a pultry $5.00 savings. Here, if you do not sign up for any of there TV services you pay close to $60.00 a month, which has slowed down considerably since I first subscribed. I was one of the first to have it here when it became available in our area some 5 years ago. Back then it was $30.00 a month and there was 1 listing for cable modems on Pricewatch, $200.00 +.

WB

[Siliconjunkie]

Time Warner, I come in at just under $110/mo for Digital w/HBO, HD and Cable Modem (5mb), they provide all equipment.