kludge
join:2003-01-04
Plano, TX
kludge
Member
2024-May-18 3:54 pm
Cable box interfering with TV signal?
After the March plan upgrade to Spectrum 100, I started getting intermittent pixelation of TV channels. When this happened before it was due to low signal, somewhere outside, upstream.
I had a service appointment, but I seemed to get better so I canceled it. But there's definitely still a problem. Appt is back on for next week. But meanwhile...
On Friday I noticed I was getting heavy pixelation, but 10 minutes later it was fine. It occurred to me that I had just updated a lot of compressed files on the computer, which were then being backed up to the cloud. I know from previous experience that this can stress the network. (Because the files are already compressed, the backup is only limited by the network bandwidth.)
So I wondered: is it traffic on the cable Internet that is causing the signal disruptions on the cable box? Both cables are connected by a splitter to the outlet.
I tried testing this: when I saw some pixelation, I turned off the computer's Ethernet interface. No pixelation. I tried that twice, but since it wasn't during periods of heavy pixelation, it could be a coincidence.
My question is: Is this possible? If so, how? I thought the cable modem had its own channels, separate from the channels used by the set top box.
The cable modem is a Technicolor ET2251. The set top box is a DCX3510.
DocDrew
How can I help?
Premium Member
join:2009-01-28
SoCal
Technicolor TC4400
Linksys EA6900
DocDrew
Premium Member
2024-May-18 4:40 pm
If the area was updated to high-split, which that model modem can handle, yes it's very possible. High split uses upstream channels from 50-204Mhz which that cable box is designed to use as downstream channels, so your modem might be injecting upstream signals into the receiver of the cable box.
What is your upload speed right now from a speed test?
Sometimes a better splitter will fix it, but if the difference between downstream and upstream channels is big enough, a filter or different cable box may be needed.
kludge
join:2003-01-04
Plano, TX
kludge
Member
2024-May-18 4:54 pm
Ookla Speedtest right now is 116.48 down, 10.43 up. I've been getting ~11.5 since the upgrade, except it was 8.24 on 5/14.
Before the upgrade I was on a legacy Time Warner plan, with ~5.5 up. The upgrade doubled the speed.
I wish I could see the cable modem's logs, so I could see the channel bonding. But there's no user accessible interface.
If they replace the set top box I'll lose the DVR recorded shows. And I really wouldn't want a Xumo box.
kludge
join:2003-01-04
Plano, TX
kludge
Member
2024-May-18 5:39 pm
What make/model of splitter is installed?
You should still be able to get a Worldbox, but you'll still loose your DVR recordings.
Looks to be a PCT Genesys Mini Two-way splitter PCT-NGN2M-25 (or maybe -2S).
I think they put that splitter in when working on signal levels in 2022. They did cable connection changes inside, before they checked the tap outside.
kludge
join:2003-01-04
Plano, TX
kludge
Member
2024-May-18 8:08 pm
Thanks for the info. I'm now sure that the upload is interfering: I tested uploading a 1 GB disk image to Google Drive. As soon as I start the upload, pixelation starts. End the upload, everything is back to normal.
DocDrew
How can I help?
Premium Member
join:2009-01-28
SoCal
Technicolor TC4400
Linksys EA6900
1 edit
DocDrew
Premium Member
2024-May-18 8:22 pm
You should make another service appointment. Have the techs check out your home wiring. It could be high-split frequencies, but a few other things can cause it too related to a big difference between modem upstream transmit levels and cable box downstream receive levels.
motorola870
join:2008-12-07
Arlington, TX
motorola870 to kludge
Member
2024-May-18 8:46 pm
After the March plan upgrade to Spectrum 100, I started getting intermittent pixelation of TV channels. When this happened before it was due to low signal, somewhere outside, upstream.
I had a service appointment, but I seemed to get better so I canceled it. But there's definitely still a problem. Appt is back on for next week. But meanwhile...
On Friday I noticed I was getting heavy pixelation, but 10 minutes later it was fine. It occurred to me that I had just updated a lot of compressed files on the computer, which were then being backed up to the cloud. I know from previous experience that this can stress the network. (Because the files are already compressed, the backup is only limited by the network bandwidth.)
So I wondered: is it traffic on the cable Internet that is causing the signal disruptions on the cable box? Both cables are connected by a splitter to the outlet.
I tried testing this: when I saw some pixelation, I turned off the computer's Ethernet interface. No pixelation. I tried that twice, but since it wasn't during periods of heavy pixelation, it could be a coincidence.
My question is: Is this possible? If so, how? I thought the cable modem had its own channels, separate from the channels used by the set top box.
The cable modem is a Technicolor ET2251. The set top box is a DCX3510.
There was a notice on the my services page that they had an intermittent tv service issue not sure if this was affecting all of the legacy TWC areas fed out of the Dallas headend or just localized to my area saw the message this morning and it went away later today. I have been having pixelation intermittently and correcteds on my modem and the OFDM channel has been throwing up thousands of uncorrecteds.
