Question 1

In the picture, it shows coax in and TV coax out. For the coax out port, can a docsis 3 cable modem plug in, or does the actiontec only support the output of TV signals in the lower frequency range?

Accepted Answer

Jasen- I've been able to run a Docsis3 cable modem from the coax output without a problem.

The kit includes a coax splitter (just one) and the docs recommend using the splitter instead of the coax out port for the modem.  However in my experience either way works and using the coax out port creates less wiring mess.

Question 2

The installation guide says to connect the ethernet cable between the modem and the Adapter. In my setup my modem has only one ethernet port, used by my wireless router. The adapter also has only one ethernet port. How do I keep my wireless router in the system?

Accepted Answer

My wireless router has 4 ports + WAN.  I connected modem to wireless router WAN (typical setup), then connected one of the 4 remaining ports to one of the MoCA adapters.  The second MoCA adapter is in another room.  There, it goes from wall Coax to MoCA then into one of the ports in an 8-port switch.  The DHCP function of the wireless router then assigns local addresses to anything connected to the switch.

Regards

Question 3

Is it possible to install MoCA in my home even though I get my TV signal from an HD antenna via coax cable? I get my internet via FIOS. The FIOS interface is in my garage and the signal is brought into my house via Ethernet cable. I do not have cable TV.

Accepted Answer

Yes this will work.  Even if you don't have cable TV, your fios router will still send a MoCA signal into the coax line which can be picked up with one of these Actiontec devices.  Once you connect one of the Actiontec devices, the LAN Coax light on your router will light up. I suggest enabling MoCA encryption since you have an antenna connected, you want to be extra sure that you are not broadcasting your internet signal in a way that can be picked up.  This device includes a utility to configure its encryption, your FiOS router also has a way to set that up in the web interface.

Question 4

Hello...  I just found out about MOCA yesterday and am interested.  Looking to install this for a guy as a solution for him to get wi-fi in his garage.  There is an existing coax cable from his house to the detatched garage.  He has a modem/router that has MOCA capabilities (in the house).  If I'm understanding this correctly, I can enable MOCA on his router, and then use one of these adapters in his garage to plug in another router/access point?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can do that.
I have my little netgear running in switch/AP mode with one of these plugged in to one of the ports.  The benefit of this is that your other router will be the only DHCP server which makes management easier.  You can also use the same SSID too.

I've had these for about a year or two and have never had to touch them.  Ever.  You plug it in, and they just work.  Its consistant as well.  Not like Powerline Ethernet when packets start to drop.  I haven't see any problems like that with these.

I believe they tend to get 10 MB/s.  So its not the fastest, but still faster than just wifi to the other end of the house.

Question 5

The specs talk about working on cable TV, I will be using a cable that brings in over the air TV channels.  Will the units still transfer the Ethernet signal and work as described?

Accepted Answer

Hmmm.
I'm not sure if OTA will work.

These are designed to run without any issues on your existing cable wiring.  They don't interfere with the frequencies that the cable company uses.

Cable Modem Upstream seems to be 5-42 MHz
Cable Modem Downstream seems to be 50-850 MHz

I tried to put the links from wikipedia with NTSC and QAM frequencies but it won't let me.  So you'll have to check that on your own.

I really suggest contacting action-tec.  They are pretty good with Q and A and explain what you are trying to do.

Now, for an actual review, mine have been great!  I use them as a "back bone" to wireless routers all over the house for coverage and I get consistent ping times as well as advertised speeds.

Question 6

I have Brighthouse Internet modem  and cable TV. Streaming from my wireless with the best router gives a "good" rated signal strength but I dropp Netflix and buffer constantly. Will this solve my problem?  I have 2 tivos connected with wireless n adapters. How many moCA devices will I need to purchase?

Accepted Answer

Yes this will help.  You will need a minimum of two MoCA devices, plus some other stuff.

The first MoCA bridge will go near your router, it will take the Ethernet from your router and re-inject it back into the cable line.  Then anywhere else in the house you put another MoCA bridge and you'll get a hardwired Ethernet port.

If you put the second MoCA bridge near your TiVO, it will supply one Ethernet port.  You can then use a Switch to split that to feed both TiVos, or a Wireless Access Point to act as a second wireless base.  Both the Switch and WAP are separate from the MoCA- the MoCA just gives them an uplink.

Hope that answers your question!

Question 7

I am planning to buy this to work as a modem between Verizon Fios and my router which does not have a coax connection. Will this take the place of the Verizon router/modem?

Accepted Answer

Tyler, I am not 100% sure of it's capabilities with your fios. I do however know that you need the preexisting Internet to utilize these devices.  Plug an ether net cable from your hopefully multi port modem or fios into the moca and then a coax from the moca to you wall jack. The moca pushes the internet signal back throughthe coax at a different frequency. most modern homes and apartments (mine) have interconnected or split coax throughout all the rooms. Simply plug another moca in from a different coax jack, say in your game room.  Plug an ether net cable from the moca straight into the intended device, i.e. pc, ps4, xbox, laptop, or even a multi port switch like I do. You will have the same Internet speeds as if it was right from the modem itself.  Sorry for long explanation.  These moca devices only redirect the already existing signal back into your vast coax nexwork in your house.  You need at least two. One to redirect and one to receive. Really simple. They also sell modems that do this too.

Question 8

The word "to" for adapters can be confusing. In the specifications the type is "MoCA Ethernet to Coax Adapter". To me, that implies that the input is Ethernet and output is coax. Yet I thought that the input is coax and output is Ethernet. Nowhere in the product description is this clearly described. It would help to state explicitly what the input is and what the output is. Also note that "MoCA Ethernet" (in the type) implies that MOCA is a type of Ethernet but Ethernet implies coax. Perhaps the type should be "MoCA Coax to Ethernet Adapter".

My question is, am I correct that this device takes coax with a MOCA signal in and Ethernet out? If I am then I sure wish stores would be as clear as that in all their descriptions.

Accepted Answer

In short, works both ways.  The first unit you connect is a ETHERNET TO CABLE adapter -- it bridges the Ethernet network to your home Coax cabling.  The next - and each additional unit - up to 16 - that you connect act as CABLE TO ETHERNET adapters - allowing your home network to be "seen" wherever you add another unit.  Hope this helps.

Question 9

can this be used with Time Warner cable?

Accepted Answer

I don't see why not. I converts the Ethernet cable signal to coax. I use it with cable TV optimum.

Question 10

How long can the interconnecting coax be?  Why the 16 device limits?

Accepted Answer

MoCA is recommended for up to 300' long runs.  It may work for more or less distance depending on the quality of the coax cable in your home, number of splitters, etc.

Note that 16 devices means 16 MoCA devices on the coax line, not 16 Ethernet devices.  So you could connect a MoCA device to an Ethernet switch, and plug any number of devices (>16) into that switch, and things would work just fine.

Given your questions, it sounds like you might want something other than MoCA.  If you reply with an explanation of what you're doing I can try to make a recommendation...

Questions & Answers