Should I use RG-6 normal shielded or HDTV rated RG-6?

Question

I am wiring my 5 bedroom home and running approx 700 feet of coaxial cable. I was at the store and saw HDTV rated RG-6.

is that just advertising? it was about $50 extra per 500 feet. is it worth it compared to standard RG-6. The HDTV rated coax was quad shielded...

should I speed the extra cash and get the better quality cable?

Answer 1

No - not all RG6 coax is built the same. "RG6"and "RG59" are form-factors, not a definition of frequency response. You can get 3 different RG6 coax designed for standard def, HD or Gigahertz digital.

Get the HD rated stuff.

But look for details. The coax should have a bandwidth of 90 Mhz or more.  The good belden stuff 7787 has a bandwidth over 110 mhz.

(By Bandwidth - this is the -3db point or the frequency where the signal strength has dropped by half).

Answer 2

thats the thing about RG coaxial cables, they are all supposed to be the same!

RG-6 is supposed to be copper clad center conductor and a "Belfoil" and braid outer conductor. With the foil, there is no need for 97% braid, the foil is 100% shield.

Just make sure you use a quality F type connector... this is usually the short comings of cheaper cables.

Do not buy coax at a rip off place such as Best Buy, but buy bulk at Parts Express or MCM Electronics. They sell quality.

Answer 3

Yes!!! RG6Quad Shield is the latest Coaxial cable available and it's worth the price. Remember that you need to run 3 coaxials to each jack if you're using Directv (DVR) as well as a Cat5e for internet to the box and phoneline.