How Do I Run a Cable for a TV and a Modem?
By Quinten Plummer
If you have only one coaxial outlet in the room in which you plan to use your television and cable modem, you don't have to decide which of the two is most valuable to you. Cable lines can support both your Internet connection and cable television programming without much of a noticeable loss in performance for either component. And with the help of a high quality cable splitter, you can run a single cable to the modem and television's convergence point.
Step 1
Measure the distance from your coaxial outlet to a suitable middle point between your modem and television. Follow the walls as you measure, as opposed to measuring the shortest distance. Select a length of coaxial cable that meets or exceeds your measurements.
Step 2
Connect a coaxial splitter to the coaxial outlet that's closest to your modem and television. Plug one end of a coaxial cable to the side of the splitter that has the single port. Connect the opposite end of the cable to the coaxial wall outlet.
Step 3
Connect a second section of coaxial cable to the splitter and your cable modem. Connect one end of the cable to the coaxial port on the back of your modem and connect the other end to either of the two ports on the other side of the splitter.
Step 4
Use a third section of coaxial cable to connect the coaxial port on the back of your television to the last coaxial port on the splitter.
Tips
- If you haven't set up your cable modem yet, connect its Ethernet cable and power adapter after you attach the coaxial cable. Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the modem's "Ethernet" port, and then plug the other end of the cable into your computer's Ethernet card. Plug the power cord barrel connector into the modem's "Power" socket, and plug the transformer at the other end of the cord into a power outlet.
- Use coaxial nail-in clips to secure the primary coaxial cable to the walls along its path to the splitter. Place the clips over the cable, space them about four feet apart and secure them to the wall or base molding using a hammer.
Writer Bio
Quinten Plummer began writing professionally in 2008. He has more than six years in the technology field including five years in retail electronics and a year in technical support. Plummer gained his experience in music by producing for various hip-hop acts and as lead guitarist for a band. He now works as a reporter for a daily newspaper.