Electroline EDA-FT08300 8-Port TV Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Path (Retail Package with 5-Year Warranty) Review

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(More customer reviews)NOTE: ELECTROLINE RECENTLY DISCONTINUED THE Electroline EDA FT08100 8-port TV Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Path AND REPLACED IT WITH THE Electroline EDA-FT08300 8-Port TV Signal Booster/Amplifier with Active Return Path (Retail Package with 10-Year Warranty), AN UPDATED MODEL.
The Electroline EDA-FT08300 is the NEW workhorse of the Electroline product line. It provides bulletproof performance and reliability with GUARANTEED compatibility to all cable services.
How does it work? The EDA-FT08300 incorporates two high quality amplifiers inside one package. One amplifier boosts the forward path (for TV reception and modem downloads) while the other amplifier boosts the Return Path (used for interactive services and modem uploads). By having both high quality amps in one package it becomes the perfect solution to problems with cable modems and TV reception inside your home. It is the only product on the market that can handle the full power required to support cable modems, and it's design (inherited from the EDA-FT08100) has a proven track record of over FIVE years of favorable operation and reviews.
This is not so much of a review as some guidance to understanding whether or not this product is for you. CableTVamps has sold the EDA-FT08100 product since it was first introduced by Electroline back in 2005. We are Electroline's longest running retailer, so we have a lot of experience with the use of Active Return amplifiers.
First, if you are using a Satellite system - just walk on by. None of Electroline's products are for use with satellite TV, and you should not expect it to work when hooked up to your satellite system. The product will get damaged if connected to satellite, and will block the satellite signal.
Second, if you have an ANTENNA and are looking for an HD amplifier, this is not a good choice. The FT08300 should only be used for Cable TV. There are lower cost options for pure HD amplification like the Electroline EDA-2800 Eight Port Cable TV HDTV Signal Booster/Amplifier (Retail Package) or Electroline EDA-2400 Four Port Cable TV HDTV Signal Booster/Amplifier (Retail Package). In addition an Active Return amplifier should never be used with an antenna.
Third, Active Return is generally only needed when you get up past 4 connections. When you have fewer connections, the Return Path Insertion Loss (which is your cable modem's enemy) is generally not a problem. Cable converter boxes and TVs are not as sensitive to return path problems, so in general you can get by with a less expensive product unless you already have problems with your interactive services (pay per view, On Demand). When you have a cable modem and a bunch of other connections, The FT08300 provides a guaranteed way of resolving TV picture problems and keeping your cable modem happy.
We always suggest to our customers to do a little homework and see if they need The EDA-FT08300. The way to find out if you need EDA-FT08300 active return is to get your cable modem's signal levels. We can't share any links in our review, but if you Google CABLETVAMPS CABLE MODEM you can find our User Forum page with detailed instructions on finding out the health of your cable modem. If your cable modem signal levels are healthy without this amplifier installed, you will probably not notice any major improvement in internet speeds or reliability.
The FT08300 is safe to use with all of your cable services - you just take out your splitters, hook up everything to the amp, plug it in, and enjoy faster Internet and a better TV picture.
Lastly you need to keep things in perspective. If the picture or cable modem problems are caused by cabling issues inside your home, an amplifier might not help. In order to achieve the best results the amplifier must be installed as close as possible to where the cable comes into the house - before splitters and cabling have a chance to degrade it. We have generally found that amplifiers help in most situations - but if your purchase does not help resolve your problems we can help you - just email us.

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3Com OfficeConnect External Cable Modem Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the 3Com 3CR29210. A sticker on the modem says to use the 3Com 3CR29220 settings for @Home service. 3Com has discontinued all their consumer cable models but they are still honoring the 5 year warranty according to their website.
This modem uses the Broadcom chip used in high-end models like Motorola, Nortel but it's half the price.
I read a review saying that there are still engineers in 3Com who are still working on their discontinued cable modem products and these should not go outdated any more than the other cable modems.
It "locked" in about 3 seconds the first time I plugged it into my cable outlet, which is probably really good because the cable guy was telling me to wait for 15mins to an hour. I get a max downstream bandwidth of 3800 Kbps with it and my ATT Broadband service.
(...)

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3COM 3CR29210 Modem 3 Mbps 10 Base-T RJ-45 USB External Office Connect Cable Modem

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Toshiba PCX2200 DOCSIS 1.1 Cable Modem with USB Cable Review

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(More customer reviews)I am currently using a PCX2200 to connnect to my RoadRunner service. The Modem has been working without any problems. It has connections for USB and RJ45. The power supply cable has the transfomer in the middle of the cable which makes it easy to plug into an outlet strip unlike some that have the plug built into the transformer and hog space. I am using it with a D-link DI-604 router to share my high speed access with two computers. Overall have had no problems and reliable broadband service with it.
Update - I have been using this modem in my basement since March. The temp in the basement runs around 65 in the winter and spring. Recently it has gotten up to 78 degrees in the basement and my Roadrunner service was slowing and sometimes stopping all together. Finally realized that the modem was hot. If I took a file folder and fanned it for 30 seconds to cool it down my service would be back up until the modem got hot again. Looked at documentation on Toshiba web site and they have many warnings about keeping this unit cool and well ventilated. Called Time Warner for replacement and they gave me a new one that is now working fine. The one I had before had something spilled on it when they installed it and that may be what contributed to its heat failure. Keep it cool!!!!!

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Toshiba's new PCX2200 offers the highest performance in cable data modem technology, providing residential and business users with one of the fastest two-way interfaces to the Internet. The PCX2200 is small--3.5 inches wide by 6.8 inches deep by 6.6 inches high, and weighs less than a pound--and comes with the high level of quality you have come to expect from Toshiba.
The cable modem is easy to install and connects to your PC or network hub through dual-mode USB and Ethernet interfaces. The PCX2200 is enhanced with support for up to 16 PCs running Windows or Macintosh computers. The Toshiba PCX2200 cable modem is ideal for any small office or home office environment where fast, secure, shared Internet access is a requirement.

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Motorola DOCSIS External Cable Modem (SB4100) Review

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(More customer reviews)This was standard issue for the now defunct Excite@Home. I received this cable modem when I signed up for Excite@Home and still use it now that I'm on another cable service.
The small form-factor leaves a narrow, tiny footprint on a desk and the base is wide enough to make it stable and balanced.
The LEDs flash to show activity and a combination of different lights (read the manual) helps when trouble-shooting connectivity problems with your ISP. I've been using this for over a year and it functions great and hasn't let me down.

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The Motorola SURFboard SB4100 cable modem, which is DOCSIS 1.0 CableLabs Certified and Excite@Home Level 2 approved, features both Ethernet and USB interface connectivity to help ensure compatibility with almost any PC or Macintosh network-ready computer system. What's more, a front-panel standby switch has been added for additional end-user security. It disconnects the USB and Ethernet connection to the computer without disconnecting the cable modem from the network, providing security, flexibility, and performance.
The SB4100 is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, and NT, as well as Mac OS and Unix platforms. It supports up to 32 users (1 USB and 31 Ethernet) and is ideal for home and small businesses. Its vertical design requires minimum desk space.
The SB4100 comes with a one-year warranty.

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Motorola SB5120 Surfboard Cable Modem Docsis 1.1 and 2.0 Certified USB Review

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(More customer reviews)Recently I started looking for a modem to replace my aging Motorola SB4100. Based on the good reviews, I decided to buy the Motorola SB5120. Unfortunately, I found the SB5120 extremely hard to find (Amazon did not have it in stock at the time). The SB5101 however was in stock everywhere for about $50. Out of frustration, I contacted Motorola to ask about availability and the significant differences between the 5120 and the 5101. The Motorola technician that I talked to told me that the reason the 5120 is scarce is that it is no longer manufactured. He also explained that the difference between the two modems is the internal chipset. The 5120 is a TI and the 5101 is a Broadcom. He also said that there is no difference in performance; both are capable of 38 Mbps downstream and 30 Mbps upstream (limited by the cable company's tiers and number of users on the net).
Finally, I asked him which he preferred (since I could still track down a 5120 if I was willing to pay enough...). He stated unequivocally that he preferred the SB5101 and the Broadcom chipset. He also stated that the speed on the modems is artificially capped by the cable companies so that they can sell tiers of service. This modem, he said, has a lot of available overhead so as the broadband companies compete and raise their level of service, this modem can handle it. Finally, he told me that there is a new DOCSIS standard (3.0) recently approved; the 5101 modem is upgradeable to DOCSIS 3.0 should the cable company choose to do so.
That said, I followed his recommendation and bought a 5101.


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