Run cables thru outside cable box

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lordstanlee

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I'm thinking of switching to EV from Shaw and keep Shaw for Internet only.
When I have the dish installed, can the installer use the cable box outside the house to feed the signal in? The cable box requires a special key to open it and I'm told that EV installer have full access to the box... is this true?

Thanks
 
Most installers will have the key
Technically, they are not allowed to access it, but usually do, to save their time and money on cable
Hopefully it is RG6 cable, as mentioned before
It will work with RG 59, but the copper is significantly thinner, and you may have issues with signal strength because of this, so if possible, run a new line
Good Luck
 
Then simply use all but one wire. The existing wire can be used for internet :)

Really? Every free install that my friends/neighbours had done tied into existing wiring. Some were given the option of having cables across the floor or use existing cable. Most were not. Including one right next door to me. I believe you, but it makes little sense.
 
There MAY only be one wire going into the home from the (outside) cable box with the splits for internet, etc done inside the home at the "panel". The SAT installer should NOT tie into the cable box - it is the cable company's property, but rather route new cable or tie into the cabling inside the home (if allowed).

We're not talking about what CAN be done, but rather what SHOULD be done in a proper installation.

I'm sure that a SAT installer wouldn't like it if a cable installer tied into SAT connections and screwed up the signals for SAT. The connections need to remain separate just to prevent that happening.
 
I'm not trying to start an arguement here and I'm not sure why you seem argumentative over this. I don't personally have it wired that way, just pointing out in some cases it may makes sense to do it that way. There isn't any reason why the existing wiring can't be used if it meets the specifications as it belongs to the home owner in most cases and not the cable or satellite company. Just pointing out some options. Up to the customer/installer to decide what is the best for their particular implementation. The wiring can easily be kept separate and I see no logical reason to run a new line right beside an existing one that isn't being used in most cases. Most cable installs have the splitter inside the cable box, but if there is only one wire there, then obviously it make little sense to use it. If the cable feed/splitter is located anywhere nearby, it makes sense to similarly run the wires from the dish to that location and install the switch there. Just my opinion.
 
If you're keeping Shaw for internet only, they may wish to add a filter to prevent you from viewing TV. Since the box is theirs, Shaw MAY cut some cables if they find "unauthorized use" of the box.

So, you may need to ensure that Shaw do their work first, then have BEV do the remainder of the work, or better still, especially if you have RG-59, use separate runs.
 
Good advice 57.

I would actually go one step further and insist on a NEW run from the Dish right into the receiver if possible, to avoid any problems in the future.

57 & ihatetv are both correct about the box, Express Vu are not permitted to open it for any reasons.
 
I've checked the cable inside the house, it is 18AWG. I believe this makes it RG6. The house is only 1 year old and when I had shaw installedlast summer , they charged me $40 for the box. I rather not have holes drilled to run new cable. Shaw technician told me that EV installers have access to the box. I think keeping Shaw internet complicates things.

The really question is can Shaw and EV co-exist in the same box?

Thanks to everyone for their help.
 
Although it does not seem to be the way it is supposed to be installed, yes, at least partially. It mainly depends on where the cable splitter is located. If it is currently in the box, then it is simply a matter of finding the wire you want for cable and leaving it alone. The rest of the wires (assuming they are run direct - they likely are) can be used for satellite. It also depends on the type of switch and other factors such as the number of receivers.
 
Definitely tell the satellite installer to run new lines. If they don't, kick them off your property and file a complaint with the satellite company. If the installer tampers with the cable companies lines, the cable company has the right to bill you for repairs to their lines. This can sometimes cost you, not the installer, $150. :eek:
 
I'm sorry if I seem argumentative. What I'm trying to point out, as is Nimiq1, is that there is a prescribed way of doing things so you don't end up with screwups. Although there are homeowners and cable and satellite installers who could do a fine job of this using existing cabling, the fact that some installers (and some homeowners providing incorrect information) are not very good, leads to screw-ups that can be avoided with the correct procedures.

I recently saw a programme of an explosion at a Texas BP oil refinery where no one operator was to blame, but had the appropriate procedures been in place, the explosion would not have happened and 15 people would be alive today.

No one is going to die from an improperly installed satellite connection (I hope), however, improper (non-prescribed?) installations can lead to problems with diagnoses (today and in the future) by the various service providers and by existing (and future) homeowners.

Installs in older homes with cables run on the outside of houses may be that way, however, I would think that in all new construction all of the splitters would be at the panel with all cables running properly inside the home with only one wire running into the home.

This assumption may not be true for this case and is unlikely to be true for any new construction, as I mentioned above. The OP could advise if there's more than one wire coming in from the outside cable box.
 
Isn't this discussion a little moot if you want to have MORE than 1 sat receiver or use a 2 tuner PVR?
Then you'd need separate lines, right?

Too many people think that satellite can be split and run like cable TV does, very seldom is that the case.

To avoid an extra run to a difficult spot, I diplexed a sat feed onto cable and then split it back out.
This may also work for cable Internet as well.

There has certainly been some litigation between cablecos and satcos, particularly in MDU's, over right of ownership and access, depending on who installed the cables.
 
It appears that we have a couple of installers, with an attitude, that like to cut corners instead of looking after the customer's best interests. It was once common practice for satellite installers to hack into cable installations or for cable installers to sabotage satellite installations and make them unusable. That is not in the customers' best interests and is libelous, often illegal, conduct.

I would hardly construe, "Please do as I ask or leave my property" as verbal abuse. In this case, leaving the CATV cable installation intact and running new satellite cable is a customer request. Refusal to do so is improper conduct on the part of the installer. I will ask the same of any CATV installer. If the customer wants the installer to use existing cable instead of installing new cable, then that is their right as well, as long as it is technically feasible.
 
I take it you just got ripped off by Express Vu....lol

You would have to take your complaint to Express Vu, NOT the Installation Company, they will then get the Installers involved but I do not see it being an issue, all NEW installations should have NEW lines anyway.
 
All we will do in that case is fill out an installer complaint...and the installation compagny will call back and make arrangement with the client on the actions to be taken
 
As you point out, installations can be diplexed, even triplexed in the case of Dishpro Plus equipment and CATV. In any event, the customer needs to be advised of the options and given a choice. In no case should the existing installation be sabotaged in order to save the installer a little time and money.
 
I don't consider using an existing cable that would otherwise be unused as "sabotage". When I had my house built, I had good quality cable & wall plates installed at locations of my choosing. All wires were run to the electrical panel. From there, I decide which provide cable (which I don't have but did for a month when i first moved and also had internet as dsl was not available for a year) or satellite. I can feed by splitting and distributing the cable from the street or satellite as I ran the lines from all my dishes to the same location and this is where I installed my 3x8 multiswitch and SW44. While I did not use the "cable box" (I had it removed as the wiring goes underground into the house direct) this is the ideal setup for me. It give me complete control over what service goes where. I can't see how this is a "bad" install other than using existing wiring which is of acceptable grade.
 
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