F$%^ You, Time Warner Cable

AlNipper49 · Oct 1, 2012

No DSL? Being in NY you probably have some superb options since the variety and available size of DSL options is typically limited to how far you are from their "central office" (usually a ratty looking cage somewhere underground full of equipment)

glennhoffmania · Oct 1, 2012

zenter said:
Got a little easy-to-lose / easy-to-miss postcard in the mail last Friday. Time Warner Cable NYC has decided to charge us $3.50/month for cable modem rental. These are the same people from whom renting a CableCard without a cable box is more expensive than cable box + CableCard. Riddle me that. And these are the same people whose service is complete and utter horseshit. If it weren't - and I got what I paid for in the first place - I might not be so pissed. But we routinely get ~1 Mbps when we're paying for 5 Mbps (w/Turbo up to 10Mbps). Part of the reason we don't pay for more is that they can't deliver 5 Mbps, I have no reason to pay for 20 Mbps.

If I had the choice and they didn't have a local monopoly, I'd leave in a hot minute. Additionally frustrating that VZ has stopped FiOS rollout after promising to come to my building.

So... TWC has a list of 5 approved cable modems (2 of which are DOCSIS 3.0). A couple questions for you smarties...

Should I get a cheapo DOCSIS 2 modem (~$50) since I'm not getting 3.0 service, or should I pay $80 for the DOCSIS 3.0 device for future-proofing?

Has anyone gotten their cable company to support a cable modem that's not on their approved list?

Are there any alternatives I can implement right now? I've tried CLEAR, and it has awful pings.

I was furious when I saw this too. The service is awful and from what I can tell it's on the expensive side as well. If/when my building ever allows DTV I'm switching that day. My modem is 3 years old and now they want to start charging me for it? How about providing a new, working modem if they want to make it more expensive all of the sudden.

Soxy · Oct 1, 2012

zenter said:
Got a little easy-to-lose / easy-to-miss postcard in the mail last Friday. Time Warner Cable NYC has decided to charge us $3.50/month for cable modem rental. These are the same people from whom renting a CableCard without a cable box is more expensive than cable box + CableCard. Riddle me that. And these are the same people whose service is complete and utter horseshit. If it weren't - and I got what I paid for in the first place - I might not be so pissed. But we routinely get ~1 Mbps when we're paying for 5 Mbps (w/Turbo up to 10Mbps). Part of the reason we don't pay for more is that they can't deliver 5 Mbps, I have no reason to pay for 20 Mbps.

If I had the choice and they didn't have a local monopoly, I'd leave in a hot minute. Additionally frustrating that VZ has stopped FiOS rollout after promising to come to my building.

So... TWC has a list of 5 approved cable modems (2 of which are DOCSIS 3.0). A couple questions for you smarties...

Should I get a cheapo DOCSIS 2 modem (~$50) since I'm not getting 3.0 service, or should I pay $80 for the DOCSIS 3.0 device for future-proofing?

Has anyone gotten their cable company to support a cable modem that's not on their approved list?

Are there any alternatives I can implement right now? I've tried CLEAR, and it has awful pings.

I have Time Warner down here in SC. If my experience is any indication of what the norm is (of which I honestly have no idea) then I would buy a new modem and I wouldn't worry about the approved list. It will pay for itself over time in the money you save on monthly fees, plus it's likely to be a better quality modem than what they give you.

My modem is not on the approved list (I use this) and it works fine. It wouldn't work at first, but the install tech couldn't figure out why. I mentioned that it wasn't on the approved list, but he said that it should work with their service since it's DOCSIS 3.0 (which makes me wonder what the "approved list" really means). The guy gave me a phone number to call to help get my modem on the service, and then gave me one of their modems in the meantime. It seemed way slower than it should be (which speed tests confirmed) and it dropped service a couple times. SSS, sure, and maybe it was something in the service and not the modem, but it seemed like a POS.

The next day I called Time Warner and told them I had my own modem that I wanted to use. I had the same problems with it not working at first, but after 10-15 minutes on the phone it finally got up and running. Again I mentioned that it was not on the approved list, thinking that might be the reason why it wasn't working, and again they said that it should work fine since it had DOCSIS compliance. They were super pleasant the entire time and I didn't really have to do anything. I basically sat on the phone while they asked "Does it work now?" until it finally started to work. I have no idea what they were doing on the other end, but it's worked without a hitch since. I'm on a 10Mbps down, 1 Mbps up plan. I usually get speeds a little bit lower than that when I test, but nothing that's affected my usage. I can't recall ever having a problem using Netflix or downloading something.

amlothi · Oct 1, 2012

See if you can find a used cable modem on Amazon. I got the same one that Comcast was renting me for $14 and it works just fine.

AlNipper49 · Oct 1, 2012

You can also check a lot of stats once you plug it in (for troubleshooting purposes) by typing in 192.168.100.1 . I know it works for Surfboards and a few others. Anyhow, good address to keep around.

glennhoffmania · Oct 2, 2012

amlothi said:
See if you can find a used cable modem on Amazon. I got the same one that Comcast was renting me for $14 and it works just fine.

This is what I'm going to do. I called TWC and their position was basically that they've been eating the cost of the modems for a long time and they decided that they can't afford to do that anymore. If someone has a problem with that they can buy their own modem or submit a complaint through the web site. What a great company.

glennhoffmania · Oct 2, 2012

The web site says they approve two Motorola DOCSIS 3.0 modems. One of those would seem to make the most sense, no?

ifmanis5 · Oct 2, 2012

Just got my notice today on this. TWC blows ass dicks. I don't feel like shelling out for a good modem since their service sux but if I do nothing I'll be getting ripped off.
Thanks for this thread at least.

Update: I'm going to get the 3.0 Moto. Tried to use the TWC website to do this, and it's locked up. Thumbsup, TWC. About the same as my subway experience this morning. Love ya, NYC.

johnmd20 · Oct 3, 2012

ifmanis5 said:
Just got my notice today on this. TWC blows ass dicks. I don't feel like shelling out for a good modem since their service sux but if I do nothing I'll be getting ripped off.
Thanks for this thread at least.

Update: I'm going to get the 3.0 Moto. Tried to use the TWC website to do this, and it's locked up. Thumbsup, TWC. About the same as my subway experience this morning. Love ya, NYC.

I love the fact that Time Warner Cable promotes their website to program your DVR and, yet, the website NEVER works. It is the most consistently horrible web experience on the internet. It simply does not work. How does a media and communications company have a website that doesn't allow you to do anything?

"We cannot retrieve your DVR Manager information at this time. Please try again later." Ok then.

I will say I just ordered the Boost internet and I feel like it's not bad. It's worked well thus far. I'm not a Time Warner hater, I think they do ok and most cable companies are horrible, Direct TV and Cablevision among the worst offenders. But they are definitely nuisances. I'm simply grateful my TV works and isn't pixelated. In my last apartment, it was always pixelating the screen. Something as basic as a nice picture is often beyond the purview of the cable companies. They are all top notch.

ifmanis5 · Oct 3, 2012

johnmd20 said:
I love the fact that Time Warner Cable promotes their website to program your DVR and, yet, the website NEVER works. It is the most consistently horrible web experience on the internet. It simply does not work. How does a media and communications company have a website that doesn't allow you to do anything?

"We cannot retrieve your DVR Manager information at this time. Please try again later." Ok then.

So true.

The two approved options are the Moto SB6141 which would need to be paired w/a wireless router, or the Moto SBG6580 which I've read wildly mixed reviews online about. Anybody here have experiences w/ these devices?

Also, I was on chat hold hell for over 90 minutes last night before I got the answer of- just return the old router. No paperwork, no forms, just bring it in. I had to wait 90 minutes for that???

glennhoffmania · Oct 3, 2012

johnmd20 said:
I love the fact that Time Warner Cable promotes their website to program your DVR and, yet, the website NEVER works. It is the most consistently horrible web experience on the internet. It simply does not work. How does a media and communications company have a website that doesn't allow you to do anything?

It really is the worst web site I use. Just trying to get to the billing area is now a project with their new system. They're the worst company in terms of causing problems and resolving issues I've ever dealt with. I'd rather deal with my insurance company. I may look into switching to Verizon.

glennhoffmania · Oct 3, 2012

Here's some potentially good news for TWC customers. I called Verizon to see about switching to them for phone and internet (they don't offer tv in my building yet) and then I called TWC back to ask what it would cost just for tv if I cancelled the rest of my services. As a result of this call, I got my second tv for free for 12 months, and one of my premium channels free for 12 months, for a savings of about $30 per month. Apparently these are secret specials they have going on right now but if you ask about them and hint that you may be switching because of the new modem fee, they'll give it to you. So while I'm still paying for the modem, my bill is going down $26 per month for the next year.

glennhoffmania · Oct 3, 2012

I was on a special bundle package rate too (not a student discount though) and I asked if these offers affected that. She said no. Basically I got the same package extended for a year, with the second tv and Showtime free. If you want to compare, I have 2 tvs, modem, phone with unlimited long distance including Mexico and Canada, 2 DVRs, and 4 premium channels and the total bill with taxes and fees is now about $160 per month.

ifmanis5 · Oct 3, 2012

zenter said:
No experience. But why get only one of the two approved devices when they will allow you to use any device? The only upside of the two devices is if you plan on using TWC for troubleshooting when things go wrong. I think the 90 minute hell you describe is a reason why you should expand your search.

In my searches so far the best DOCSIS 3.0 compliant modem that also hosts Wifi is the Moto 6580. I would prefer the modem and Wifi in one box rather than 2 since I'm short on space. I've read a few horror stories about it though.

Saints Rest · Oct 3, 2012

Just saw this article on Gizmodo:
http://gizmodo.com/5948616/how-to-beat-time-warners-bullsht-modem-rental-fee

ifmanis5 · Oct 3, 2012

Final answer: going with the Motorola SB6141, which by all accounts is a boss modem, and pair it with a good wireless router. End of line.

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa · Oct 4, 2012

would a Motorola Surboard SB-5120 work on TW's 20MB plan?

jaba · Oct 8, 2012

Wanted to see what those of you who have better knowledge about this stuff would do. I bought a used Motorola SB-5101 for $25 off Amazon. It's on TWC's list of supported modems. I went for DOCSIS 2.0 (older technology) as the speeds I was getting with my internet package weren't high enough for the 3.0 technology.
I then called TWC to complain about the new fee and threaten to leave (really to get a better deal, as I can't get FIOS in my building) and they offer me the $99 triple play deal which includes their faster EXTREME internet (and something else they call "WIMAX 30"). The modem i just bought doesn't support the EXTREME speeds. A used Motorola SB6121 (which is 3.0 and does support the higher speeds) costs about $70.

MentalDisabldLst · Oct 8, 2012

mini-hijack:

I'm a TWC NYC customer as well, and on top of the issue in the thread, I've discovered that my DVR's space has gone down by either 50% or 75%. Has anyone else noticed this? we tend to keep a handful of movies on hand for when guests/S.O.s come over, and churn through a steady set of recorded shows. Lately, instead of the usual "30-50% Full" status, we've been clicking up near 70-90% and even lost a few things. It was fine to store 50+ hours of video as recently as the Olympics, but now we're getting less than 20 available. I can think of only three possibilities:

- TWC has sent a signal that cut in half (or more) the amount of storage the DVR chooses to keep on-hand (isn't it stored locally in my hardware though?) so that they can up-sell me the right to use the rest of the storage for more dollars. Same service, more cost! Yay!
- There's a hardware problem on my box and somehow it works OK but the device has roped-off a bunch of bad sectors on disk
- Despite being set to record normal-definition shows, it's storing them using the same amount of space required for HD shows. I have no idea if this is even technically possible, I'm just brainstorming.

Does anyone have any information on this, or suggestions?

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa · Oct 8, 2012

zenter said:
Typically, TWC markets its DOCSIS 3.0 offerings as "Wideband" or "Business Class". If you have RoadRunner or equivalent, 99% chance it's DOCSIS 2.0.

Ok, thanks for the heads up. Yeah it is just the regular RoadRunner service I think, I have the 20 M plan and an old DOCSIS 2.0 modem collecting dust, so I will give it a shot. Do I hook it up and just call up TWC and ask them to activate it?

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa · Oct 8, 2012

MentalDisabldLst said:
mini-hijack:

I'm a TWC NYC customer as well, and on top of the issue in the thread, I've discovered that my DVR's space has gone down by either 50% or 75%. Has anyone else noticed this? we tend to keep a handful of movies on hand for when guests/S.O.s come over, and churn through a steady set of recorded shows. Lately, instead of the usual "30-50% Full" status, we've been clicking up near 70-90% and even lost a few things. It was fine to store 50+ hours of video as recently as the Olympics, but now we're getting less than 20 available. I can think of only three possibilities:

- TWC has sent a signal that cut in half (or more) the amount of storage the DVR chooses to keep on-hand (isn't it stored locally in my hardware though?) so that they can up-sell me the right to use the rest of the storage for more dollars. Same service, more cost! Yay!
- There's a hardware problem on my box and somehow it works OK but the device has roped-off a bunch of bad sectors on disk
- Despite being set to record normal-definition shows, it's storing them using the same amount of space required for HD shows. I have no idea if this is even technically possible, I'm just brainstorming.

Does anyone have any information on this, or suggestions?

This sounds familiar to me, as I have been astonished at the lack of capacity in my HD DVR. Which box are you using? On the SD v. HD thing, I have noticed that for some channels (the broadcast networks mostly) TWC will automatically pull in the HD version of a program even if you programmed it for the SD version.

ifmanis5 · Oct 8, 2012

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa said:
Ok, thanks for the heads up. Yeah it is just the regular RoadRunner service I think, I have the 20 M plan and an old DOCSIS 2.0 modem collecting dust, so I will give it a shot. Do I hook it up and just call up TWC and ask them to activate it?

Yup. Be sure to have the MAC Address handy.
Also, make sure to return any modem TWC gave you. That's the only way it will come off your bill.

glennhoffmania · Oct 9, 2012

MentalDisabldLst said:
mini-hijack:

I'm a TWC NYC customer as well, and on top of the issue in the thread, I've discovered that my DVR's space has gone down by either 50% or 75%. Has anyone else noticed this? we tend to keep a handful of movies on hand for when guests/S.O.s come over, and churn through a steady set of recorded shows. Lately, instead of the usual "30-50% Full" status, we've been clicking up near 70-90% and even lost a few things. It was fine to store 50+ hours of video as recently as the Olympics, but now we're getting less than 20 available. I can think of only three possibilities:

- TWC has sent a signal that cut in half (or more) the amount of storage the DVR chooses to keep on-hand (isn't it stored locally in my hardware though?) so that they can up-sell me the right to use the rest of the storage for more dollars. Same service, more cost! Yay!
- There's a hardware problem on my box and somehow it works OK but the device has roped-off a bunch of bad sectors on disk
- Despite being set to record normal-definition shows, it's storing them using the same amount of space required for HD shows. I have no idea if this is even technically possible, I'm just brainstorming.

Does anyone have any information on this, or suggestions?

I would doubt that you could fix this particular problem, but if you call and bitch (and threaten to leave) you'll get something out of them. They always seem to have a special promotion going on for new customers that they'll give to current customers who say their leaving. I haven't noticed my capacity going down. But I also don't store a bunch of movies so I almost never approach 100% full, so I probably wouldn't notice if they took away some space.

ifmanis5 · Oct 9, 2012

glennhoffmania said:
I would doubt that you could fix this particular problem, but if you call and bitch (and threaten to leave) you'll get something out of them. They always seem to have a special promotion going on for new customers that they'll give to current customers who say their leaving. I haven't noticed my capacity going down. But I also don't store a bunch of movies so I almost never approach 100% full, so I probably wouldn't notice if they took away some space.

That's true, they'll offer you a deal. Then, when that deal runs out, they will BANG you unless you threaten to leave again and cut another deal. Repeat, spin, wash. etc.

glennhoffmania · Oct 9, 2012

Yup, I think I'm on year three of my one year promotional package.

ifmanis5 · Oct 9, 2012

Got my new modem and router today. Opened a ticket and got my case number at 8:21pm tonight. Spent the next TWO HOURS on hold waiting for a specialist. Finally gave up and plugged in the old router, try again tomorrow morning. THANKS FOR WASTING MY TIME AGAIN YOU USELESS DOUCHEWIPES.

johnmd20 · Oct 10, 2012

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa said:
This sounds familiar to me, as I have been astonished at the lack of capacity in my HD DVR. Which box are you using? On the SD v. HD thing, I have noticed that for some channels (the broadcast networks mostly) TWC will automatically pull in the HD version of a program even if you programmed it for the SD version.

You can't watch the broadcast networks in SD anymore if you have a HD box. In New York, if you're watching ABC on 707 or just 7, it's an HD picture now. So no matter what channel you tape now, it's going to be in HD.

And Mental, Time Warner's boxes offer space for about 20 hours of HD programming.(I think it's like 100-120 hours of SD programming for the same amount of space) Is the space decreasing because you're automatically now taping HD shows when they used to be in SD?

ifmanis5 · Oct 10, 2012

I'd like to add some VERY important info on this process since it's NOT on the website and even many TWC help desk folks are unaware of the proper modem switch out procedure. Here is the CORRECT info:

When you get your new modem, you call TWC and tell them the make and model of the new modem and it's MAC address. They fill out a form on their end that takes 3-4 business days to process. You keep using your old modem. After they process their internal form, they will call you to tell you that you can use the new modem or you will notice that your old modem doesn't work anymore. If you have a wireless setup you have to get in touch with them to establish a new network and password. If you don't, your new modem will work fine.

So, last night I was on hold for 2 hours for nothing and I woke up early this morning also for nothing. Hope this info helps some other poor schlub.

SoSH 3 - Gizmodo 0

Soxy · Oct 10, 2012

That doesn't sound right. I called them up and 15 minutes later my modem worked. Which is the same exact way it's worked on the two other internet providers that I've used my own modem on. There's no reason why they should have to fill out a form, or why it should take 3-4 days.

The process should go something like this: "What's the MAC address on your modem? Ok, let me activate that on our system." Fin.

ifmanis5 · Oct 10, 2012

Soxy Brown said:
That doesn't sound right. I called them up and 15 minutes later my modem worked. Which is the same exact way it's worked on the two other internet providers that I've used my own modem on. There's no reason why they should have to fill out a form, or why it should take 3-4 days.

The process should go something like this: "What's the MAC address on your modem? Ok, let me activate that on our system." Fin.

My guess is that they're WAY backed up since they introduced this new policy.

Soxy · Oct 10, 2012

Ah. Good point.

MentalDisabldLst · Oct 10, 2012

johnmd20 said:
You can't watch the broadcast networks in SD anymore if you have a HD box. In New York, if you're watching ABC on 707 or just 7, it's an HD picture now. So no matter what channel you tape now, it's going to be in HD.

And Mental, Time Warner's boxes offer space for about 20 hours of HD programming.(I think it's like 100-120 hours of SD programming for the same amount of space) Is the space decreasing because you're automatically now taping HD shows when they used to be in SD?

No, our TV is standard-def only, and so (I assume) is our cable box. It's really weird.

ifmanis5 · Oct 10, 2012

Okay, my journey through the forest of retards has now been completed. I'd like to pass on some 411 since almost everything I was told along the way was wrong.

Early this morning I was told it would take 3-4 business days for my old modem to stop working and that I had to call back to establish a new wireless network.
After I left to go to work, my gf at home was working on the internet and service suddenly died. That 3-4 days turned into 3-4 hours by surprise. After hooking up the new modem she was able to work via ethernet connection; of course, she lost her documents and about an hour of 'omg I have no internet' panic time. When I got home and mentally prepared to be on hold for another two hours, I decided to try and set up my wireless network by myself just to see if it could be done. I unpacked my new Medialink Router, followed the instructions in the box, et voila, I now have wireless internet on multiple computers and devices. Conclusion: you only have to call TWC if you're setting up a network with one of their devices. If you buy your own, you can do it yourself. Not ONE TWC employee, and I talked to at least 4, was able to tell me that. Not on their website either. So there you go. Also, I highly recommend the Medialink Wireless N Router. End retarded scene.

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa · Oct 11, 2012

ifmanis5 said:
Okay, my journey through the forest of retards has now been completed. I'd like to pass on some 411 since almost everything I was told along the way was wrong.

Early this morning I was told it would take 3-4 business days for my old modem to stop working and that I had to call back to establish a new wireless network.
After I left to go to work, my gf at home was working on the internet and service suddenly died. That 3-4 days turned into 3-4 hours by surprise. After hooking up the new modem she was able to work via ethernet connection; of course, she lost her documents and about an hour of 'omg I have no internet' panic time. When I got home and mentally prepared to be on hold for another two hours, I decided to try and set up my wireless network by myself just to see if it could be done. I unpacked my new Medialink Router, followed the instructions in the box, et voila, I now have wireless internet on multiple computers and devices. Conclusion: you only have to call TWC if you're setting up a network with one of their devices. If you buy your own, you can do it yourself. Not ONE TWC employee, and I talked to at least 4, was able to tell me that. Not on their website either. So there you go. Also, I highly recommend the Medialink Wireless N Router. End retarded scene.

Don't you need to contact TWC to activate your MAC address on your new cable modem that you bought? How can you do that without them?

ifmanis5 · Oct 11, 2012

The_Powa_of_Seiji_Ozawa said:
Don't you need to contact TWC to activate your MAC address on your new cable modem that you bought? How can you do that without them?

I gave them the MAC address already in my first call. That's the form they submit to themselves to activate the new modem. They insisted that I have to call back for the new modem to work. That is incorrect.

rembrat · Mar 22, 2013

Bumping this with a question.

I'm looking to get TWC's standard package but don't want to 'rent' anything that I can own. So how does this work? Do I purchase the modem first, then order the internet package from TWC? And wait a few days or is it instantaneously? Do I have to then call them up?

And my biggest concern is getting it hooked up. I'll need a 3 way splitter. Can anyone recommend me one? And is using a splitter going to significantly lower my speeds? Thanks in advance!

soxhop411 · Mar 22, 2013

rembrat said:
Bumping this with a question.

I'm looking to get TWC's standard package but don't want to 'rent' anything that I can own. So how does this work? Do I purchase the modem first, then order the internet package from TWC? And wait a few days or is it instantaneously? Do I have to then call them up?

And my biggest concern is getting it hooked up. I'll need a 3 way splitter. Can anyone recommend me one? And is using a splitter going to significantly lower my speeds? Thanks in advance!

apologies if you know this, but the modem you pick has to be from their "list:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/topics/internet/buy-your-modem.html
and it has to be a modem that is listed under your package......

rembrat · Mar 22, 2013

soxhop411 said:
apologies if you know this, but the modem you pick has to be from their "list:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/support/topics/internet/buy-your-modem.html
and it has to be a modem that is listed under your package......

Yea, I was actually looking at this guy. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IMPMW4/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p147_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1EH5D0Z0KQNCFHZ6B5NB&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

The Motorola Surfboard SB6141.

soxhop411 · Mar 22, 2013

rembrat said:
Yea, I was actually looking at this guy. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007IMPMW4/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p147_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1EH5D0Z0KQNCFHZ6B5NB&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

The Motorola Surfboard SB6141.

I think you can buy the modem first, and then order your package and follow the instructions in the link i posted above....

jercra · Mar 23, 2013

You can buy the modem first and any Docsis 3.0 modem will work but you should stick with Arris, Moto or Cisco since that's what TWC leases.

rembrat · Mar 23, 2013

soxhop411 said:
I think you can buy the modem first, and then order your package and follow the instructions in the link i posted above....

That's for posting the link seems simple enough.

jercra said:
You can buy the modem first and any Docsis 3.0 modem will work but you should stick with Arris, Moto or Cisco since that's what TWC leases.

Will do.

Anyone want to chime in a good splitter? I'll keep researching online.

EDIT: There is so much crap online about splitters. I think I'm going to go with the SB6141 and pick up a regular 3 way splitter at Best Buy or RadioShack and go from there.

Snodgrass'Muff · Mar 23, 2013

The brand of splitter you use isn't terribly important but don't let salespeople at places like radio shack talk you into their gold plated splitters for a higher cost. Your performance isn't going to be much different, or at all with them. That said, just make sure the splitter you pick up is a passive device as your modem needs to communicate two ways with your service provider to work properly. Most splitters allow this, but it's worth making sure before you hook it up.

As for signal strength, you'll notice some numbers on the legs of the splitter that indicate what the signal loss will be. Most break down 3.5, 7, 7 or 4, 8, 8 or something close to that. You'll want to start with your modem on the lower number and the other two devices on the higher numbers since the modem usually needs a stronger signal to work.

I'm also assuming you mean you have a cable wire that you need to split to three devices and not just a splitter with three legs, including the input. For clarity's sake, this is a three way splitter...

This is a two way splitter...

If you actually mean a two way splitter, both legs have the same signal loss in a normal splitter so it won't matter. If this is actually what you need, be careful not to accidentally pick up one of these...

They split the signal unevenly and if installed improperly can drop the signal more than you are expecting. The numbers on the out legs should be the same (or in the case of a three way splitter like above, break down into a small number and two larger numbers).

The last bit of advice I'll give you is that you should be careful to make sure your input wire goes into the in leg and the devices are attached to the outs. You'd be surprised how often I had trouble calls at homes where people installed their splitters backwards and killed their signal with no idea what they'd done.

F$%^ You, Time Warner Cable

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