On Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 8:03:28 AM UTC-6, micky wrote:

Reception at a remote TV** has degraded and I thought maybe a splitter connection had gotten bad, even though they are all indoors.

No electronics stores in town anymore. Home Depot has normal ones but
Google came up with https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Way-Coaxial-Splitter-2-GHz-90dB-1-DC-Passing/892650362

And my question is, 90db!!! I'd think it was a typo, but there's a
picture of it and it says it in big letters. This is loss, right?
Typical loss is 3.5db. With 90db loss, there's be almost nothing left.

Is this meant to fool suckers? Even if this were meant to fool suckers,
would anyone even make a splitter with 90db loss? (It also says 2.4GHz)

The 2.4 GHz is for wireless signals for the internet (like a cable modem
and router) and also work for TV's- just that they run on different bandwidths. TV's run at about 1 GHz maximum. The decibel level for signal amplification
is usually between 6-9 dB (decibels). The 90 dB rating is for audio output on devices with digital audio output (up to 90 dB on playback).

(It also says this, twice in a row: "With this splitter being capable of frequencies up to 2GHz, there's no need to worry about signal loss or degradation of runs up to 100 ft.")

True for wired signals. Wireless is an entirely different matter. You can have architectural issues that interfere with the signals getting from one point to another (example is someone only getting signals downstairs
and not upstairs). This goes into a different line of discussion.

Also, I've thought about replacing the first amplifier too. It seems to
be warmer than it used to be. IIRC it used to be just barely warm and
now it's warm to the touch. Similar looking amps claim 20db and 36db
and unspecified. Because of the splitter above, I'm suspeciaous that
36db might be phoney and actually no more than 20db. I can find the
links if you want them.

|--- 4 tvs in a row with an amplifier after the 2nd
DVDR-[**]-|
|--- 2 tvs in a row. Good reception at all 6 tv's except the
2nd one in this string.

**a splitter to 1 tv and an amp to all the others.

This had all been working fine for over 30 years. The problem tv
started giving problems a few years ago. Changing the tv didn't help.
(All but one are 14" CRT tvs.)

Back to splitters,
1) Any reason to buy a gold-plated splitter? Outdoor use?

The gold plating offers lower resistance, but that is all. Other than
that, there is not much difference there.

2) Besides the extra $2 charge, is there any reason to NOT buy a power-passing splitter if I'm not sending any power?

The reason for bypass on the power is if you are not driving a tuner
on the outboard side of one of the legs of a splitter (i.e. you are running
a cable modem and then router on one of the legs of the splitter).

I would also suggest you look at the placement and the configuration of the wiring. amps, splitter/(s), devices, the routing of the wiring, etc.., where you
placed the splitter (and signal amps), check gain controls and AGC (where applicable). Make sure all wiring is good, the connections are good, firm, and securely connected. Make sure the proper signal path is followed.

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