Digital Coax

[Agent Eagle]

This might sound like a dumb question, but can digital coax be split from the source ? The reason I ask, is that my 'Dish Network' HD STB only has one digital output, and I want 2 (one for TV viewing, one for music). That way, I don't have to constantly keep switching parameters on one input, I could just switch between two inputs on my receiver... Thanks again !! You guys are awesome !!!!!

[Guest Anonymous]

you could split digital co-ax with a 75 ohm male to 2 female composite, it should be ok.....

[PAR69]

Although not recommended (read as "to be avoided at all possible costs")you can split a digital video signal with a splitter or a "T". The problem with doing this is that if you have a level difference of 1 between the digital 0 and 1 and you split the signal in half then the level difference drops to 0.5. The receiver will be expecting a signal change of 1 unit to signify the change from one to zero (or vice versa) but it if only senses a change of 0.5 it may dismiss it as not a valid change and thus ignore the change. Think about it like this...1010010001 is transmitted, but the receiver decodes 1000010001.

In the video it should not pose a problem as each line of active video contains CRC error detection and it should correct for missed changes, but the audio I don't know about...

But now I wonder - your HD STB has "digital output" on a coax that feeds your tv - does this mean you set your digital tv tuner to channel 3 (or something similar)? Usually the HD STBs have DVI or HDMI output connection and that connects to your monitor.