Audio Systems: home entertainment connections, home entertainment components, digital cable box

Question
Hello!

I have a situation with my home entertainment components that I need solved.  I know the technology exists to solve my problem, but I do not know what to look for.  Hopefully you can help me out.  Here is the situation…

Behind my entertainment center I have a coax input that will feed a signal throughout my home cable network (closed circuit TV).  Also, there is a right and left RCA input for audio that runs to my whole house audio system.  What I am looking to do is run my digital cable box and my DVD player to my TV AND to this coax port so that I can watch the source throughout my house or my “main” TV.  I need some sort of splitter or modulator that will let each component go to two different outputs but yet preserve the quality of the signal.  I want to use the digital outputs to my receiver and am afraid that the signal will degrade if put through some sort of switching box before connecting to my home theater receiver or TV.  The same situation exists with my CD player.  I want it to be output to my receiver AND my whole house audio system but need some sort of splitter that again, will not degrade the sound quality before connecting to my sound system.  Any suggestions?  (I didn't list names/brands of products because I'm looking to upgrade soon)

Thanks so much,
Mark


Answer
Dear Mark,

What you want to do is possible. Yes, you can use coax splitter and modulators, where necessary to deal with signal degradation, to distribute an incoming satellite signal throughout your house. There are also digital coax splitters and modulators for the digital signals.

However, configuring all of this will depend on what kind of A/V gear you purchase. Some A/V receivers will handle some or all of the distribution courtesy of multi-zoning capabilities. Others won't. You have such a unique situation, I suggest consulting with a home A/V installer about the range of products available that will meed your needs.

Kindest regards,

Kevin