I recently added a TV in my house, and splitting the signal caused my primary TV to begin pixellating on a number of channels (e.g. ESPNHD), and completely drop out on others (e.g. Sprout). Adding a (so-called) bidirectional amplifier to the line fixed this issue, but at the expense of the program guide and VOD features - come to find out it's not really bidirectional with FIOS' technology. I don't use VOD that much (although my wife kind of likes it), but we *really* use the program guide.
Does anyone know of a bidirectional amp that *does* work with FIOS signals? My understanding is that FIOS' reverse signal goes out at >1 GHz, and most bidirectional amps cut off in the low MHz range (5-42 IIRC). I'd also appreciate other thoughts on how to remedy this issue. I'm driving 2 STBs, 2 digital TV's and my internet connection off the FIOS connection.
If your FiOS signal is too weak, that suggests to me that there is an issue with your installation (ex: defective splitter) or the cable connections. Most picture problems on FiOS are due to the signal being too strong, not too weak. FiOS ONTs output at anywhere from +16 to +24dB (or thereabouts), depending on the model. Many TVs, STBs, and DVRs will exhibit dropped frames or intermittent pixelization with signals much higher than +6dB. IIRC, the recommended operating range for Motorola STBs is roughly -6 to +6 dB.
When you consider that the typical splitter attenuates a signal by -3dB to -5dB, it's not clear to me how your installation got from +16 to +24dB at the ONT, to sufficiently below -6dB so as to cause problems for the Motorola box.
I have one of the original Motorola 610 ONTs. My Motorola DVR exhibited occasional pixelization and frequent stutter (dropped frames) on some channels until my FiOS signal was attenuated (reduced) by 7dB, through an added splitter and -3dB attenuator. I've since replaced the -3dB attenuator with a -10dB attenuator (for a total -16dB to -18dB after splitters), as necessary to eliminate pixelization on my TivoHD, which is more sensitive than the Motorola box.
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