Installation Fundamentals

1. Safety Procedures

Installers must observe and enforce safety practices for the protection of themselves, the public and the employees of utilities occupying the poles. Precautions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Vehicles parked in lanes, streets or other right-of-way shall be protected with safety cones.

• Scraps of wire or cable, miscellaneous materials, empty reels and containers shall be gathered and disposed of in an approved manner.

• Tools and equipment shall not be unattended while suspended from strand or poles.

• Technicians shall wear approved hard hats and assigned safety equipment at all times.

• Ladders equipped with strand hooks and/or pole straps will be used to make attachments to poles or strand.

• Pole belts must be used when any work is being done on or above 3 meters. The belt will be affixed to the strand, through the ladder rung or when on a tower, through and around a tower support member and attached to the installer during this time.

• Electrical hazards exist at the pole and in the home. Exercise caution when dealing with such things as panel grounds, drilling through walls and coming in contact with overhead wires.

  • Please note, when working close to overhead powerlines: minimum distance from LV is 3 feet and HV 10 feet.

• In addition, the Columbus Communications Safety Guide should be referenced.

2. Customer Relations

As the cable industry continues to provide its range of services which includes television programming, high speed internet, telephony services, direct fiber solution and cable advertising, one fact remains constant, excellent customer service is our competitive edge. To stay viable in this very competitive and evolving environment we must remain the provider of choice to the consumer. How you perform your tasks, communicate and deal with problems, invites the customer to form an opinion of your company and yourself.

2.1. What will the customer be looking for during your visit to their home?

• The manner in which they are treated.

• Whether or not the job was completed to their satisfaction.

• Your ability to answer relevant questions (product knowledge) and address customer concerns.

• Your appearance.

• Your attitude towards the company and your work.

• The quality of work you perform.

• The manner in which their homes and property are treated.

2.2. Getting Started

• Use good eye contact and address the customer by name, with the appropriate handle of respect i.e., Mr., Mrs., Ms.

• If you’re late, apologize, and then get to the job at hand.

• Verify the work to be done before bringing any tools and material to the house. Review work to be done with customer prior to commencement to confirm expectations and identify any discrepancies, concerns or errors in work order.

• Assess the external access and identify any drop wiring /external work required.

• Wipe or clean boots (if needed use boot covers) and enter the customer’s home only if a responsible adult is present.

• If you encounter an awkward or inconvenient situation (someone is only partially dressed, you can hear an argument going on), inform the customer if the visit can be rescheduled. Excuse yourself, call your supervisor/manager or dispatch for guidance.

• Listen for any special considerations or requests the customer may have. The more you clarify up front, the fewer issues you will have. Ask about any hidden lines in the wall, such as electrical or water mains etc.

• Ask the customer to show you where the television set(s) or computer is located.

• If other wireless devices are going to be used in home, review the best location for the wireless modem with the customer, and if any wireless extenders are needed for signal reach. Confirm customers understanding of wireless reach of modem for other devices that may share the connection.

• Once you have determined what you need to do, review it with the customer. This will eliminate any concerns the customer may have about what you are going to do to their house.

  • Remember that although you are the professional, the customer will have to live with the results of your work.

• Always be polite to the customer. They may offer suggestions as to how to complete the job to their satisfaction. Listen to them; they may have a good idea.

• Have them turn the set or PC on for you and leave it on during the installation, so you can verify that it is in working order.

• Try not to engage in idle conversation. Keep discussions to business. However always insist that the customer is present during the installation process especially when inside customers home.

• Never argue with the customer. If you’re stuck with a problem or person you can’t handle, use your communication system and call your office.

• If you must go outside and come back in, be sure your boots are clean.

• Using a full range of good work habits will ensure that the customer’s home and possessions are in the same shape as when you encountered them. Courtesy and care are also important to the customer’s impression of you, your work, and your company.

• Don’t smoke in or around the customer’s house.

• NEVER place tools or equipment on TV sets or other furniture. This may cause damage to occur, which is a liability to the company and may end up as a burdensome expense to you.

• Be very careful around the customer’s furnishings. Ask the homeowner to move anything that might be damaged during the installation.

• Never stand on furniture or fences.

• Use the proper tools and equipment for the job.

• Once completed ensure that all waste and unused materials are removed and properly disposed of.

• Follow procedures and use good workmanship practices at all times.

NOTE: If, however, there is no answer, contact the dispatch department. If no one is at home, follow procedures for a missed appointment. (Leave a drop card).

2.3. Damage to Customers’ Property

During your presence at the customer’s home, extreme caution should be exercised, however accidents do happen. Should there be any cases of damage to the customer’s home or items in or around the house follow these steps:

• Notify the customer immediately of the damage.

• Contact dispatch and your supervisor.

• Make notes on the work order of damage and any discussions between the subscriber and yourself.

• Let the subscriber sign the work order after everything is completed.

• Write an official report on the issue at the end of the day and deliver it to your supervisor by the following day.

• All unreported accidents or incidents will be the responsibility of the contractor/employee to make good on said damages.

2.4. Jobs that require additional manpower

2.4.1. Reasons for additional manpower

Conditions may differ from install to install and in some cases, situations may occur that require two or more technicians for the install; for example, but not limited to:

• When the drop cable is across a busy road either major or minor.

• When the terrain of the customers’ premises is difficult to work alone e.g., Hills, Across rivers or drains

• If the area in question is considered “HOSTILE”, another Technician may be required for additional safety and quicker completion of the job.

2.5. Professional Conduct

• Quality customer service begins well before you reach the customer’s home. How you prepare for the day influences the kind of day you will have. Be punctual for work and jobs, dress appropriately and be sure you are well groomed. (A daily shower and use of deodorant are highly recommended)

• Pay particular attention to personal hygiene. A few suggestions are packing breath mints, a comb, and a clean shirt to help you maintain your professional image all day.

• Check your vehicle for safe operation.

• Check your work orders for the necessary equipment (stb’s, remotes, modems, etc.)

• Review your work orders for any special customer requests. Now is the time to get any questions answered by the dispatch department who took the order.

• Paying special attention to time-specific orders and any specific instructions.

• Check your truck stock. Make sure you have sufficient equipment and material and any other information the customer may need.

Being prepared is another element of quality customer service. First impression is a lasting impression.

3. Drop Cable Specification

The following table identifies the maximum drop length from the tap to Drop Enclosure box (PRIMEX).

• All deviations from the guidelines above shall be reported to FLOW and authorization given whether to proceed or not. No two installations are the same, therefore situations may occur that require a different approach e.g., installing additional distribution lines to customer (540 cables).

• These are the standards for minimal acceptable performance.

• These standards are based on cable and splitter losses only.

3.1. 75 Ohm Coax Cable Components

Drop cable is made up of several components. 

• The center conductor is copper coated steel for transmitting the signal and voltage.

• The foam dielectric maintains a consistent physical separation between the center conductor and the shield, ensuring stable characteristic impedance and minimizing signal loss, while also acting as an insulator grading it as 75 ohms coax.

• The aluminum foil acts as shielding material protecting the RF signal that is being transmitted on the center conductor from leaking out and preventing other signals from leaking into the cable. These two processes are called egress and ingress respectfully.

• The steel braids also act as another form of shielding, but also gives the cable a form of strength and aids in grounding. When connectors are placed on the cable the braids bonds with it to have continuous shielding and grounding.

• The polythene jacket protects the cable from the element’s moisture and ultraviolet heat rays. 

All these components are very flexible which makes the cable workable and would not break when in use. See figure 1 below for further description.

Please note that when installing cable remember to observe the manufacture’s specification for bending cable. When forming loops or routing cables around corners the cable should not be bent or curved less than 10 times its size. If the cable is bent smaller than recommended specification, it will cause the cable to kink, changing the impedance of the cable, increasing the ohms from 75ohms hence creating more electrical resistance to the signal. This is represented in the figure below.

3.2.  Check Your Connectors

If connectors are not installed properly, reception problems will occur. For example, signal leakage causing egress and ingress, moisture migration, cable suck out etc. This can result in the customer having poor/no reception, scrambling pictures, freezing or complete loss of all three services (video, voice, and data).

Proper connector installation is critical for quality service. The following table identifies the steps that must be adhered to:

4. Installation Procedure

4.1. Installing an Aerial Drop

Before you begin any installation always take a few minutes to survey your work area e.g., looking out for hazards, cable routing etc. This will save time in the long run.

Follow these guidelines before installation of Aerial drop:

• Determine which tap the customer’s service will be connected to. Identify other utility lines going to the home, if possible, follow existing route.

• Aerial drop should have a minimal clearance of at least 6 inches/15 centimetres from telephone service and a minimum of 18 inches/46 centimetres from any electrical wires that are located at the point of entrance.

• If the tap is full, use the next closest tap that is available. Avoid using splitters on tap as this will cause signal loss to the customer’s equipment.

• Look for any obstacles between the pole and the house, such as trees, power lines, down guys, etc. and plan how to accommodate them. Ensure that the drop cable does not come into contact with any foreign objects that will allow rubbing on them and eventually lead to damaged cable causing egress or ingress.

• Carefully examine the pole before climbing. Inspect the base of the pole for decay. This can be done by simply tapping the pole with your hammer and listening for any hollow sound.

• Do not cross neighbouring property lines with the drop. This is called “aerial or cable trespass” and should be avoided. If you cannot provide a good route, even by using mid-span clamp and following existing utilities, inform customer that written permission must be obtained for access.

• A critical aspect of planning is explaining to the customer how the cable will be routed, pointing out how the drop will be attached to the house. This allows the customer to visualize the work to be done and express any concerns about the route you propose. You’ll have a chance to address their questions and possibly design an alternate route before you have attached the cable.

• Once you have gained the customer’s permission and trust to proceed, it is time for the customer to experience your professionalism and enjoy the magic of triple play.

4.1.1. Messenger drop attachment (tying procedure):

Wrap messenger three times around span clamp, three times around strand and five to seven times around messenger and cable. Form two service loops, no less than 5” inches/13 centimetres in diameter, secure loops with two tie wraps. This procedure is used to attach the drop cable to span clamp, P- hooks and any other attachment points.

See diagrams below for proper tying of the drop messenger cable.

4.2. Working at the Pole

The attachment at the tap requires special skills and knowledge. Below are some steps that should be used as your guideline to complete the job accurately before ascending the pole.

• Before you begin any work on an aerial installation, be sure you are wearing the correct safety gear necessary. Hard hat, safety belt, gloves and safety boots etc.

• Strip away 3 to 5 feet of the messenger from the end of the cable. This should be sufficient to ensure both the drip loop and span clamp connection can be made.

• Gather all tools and materials that you will need before you climb the ladder or pole.

• Ensure that the vehicle is parked securely, and the proper use of traffic cones is adhered to.

• Run the cable to the tap, tie wrap the drop to the strand, but not to the feeder cable, ensuring the drop does not sag more than 2 inches below the strand. This will likely require that you position tie wraps every 2 -3 feet. Do not over tighten the cable ties, as it can damage the shielding and change the impedance.

• With the 3 to 5 ft. of stripped cable, attach the cable along the strand. Cable should then be routed to the back of the tap and connected to the furthest tap port.

• Place an identification tag below the F- connector in the area of the drip loop.

• Record the tag number on the work order which will become the customer Drop and Location I.D.

This process is illustrated in figure 4 below.

Special attention must be paid when installing the aerial drop across a street. Be aware of oncoming vehicles. If there is need for additional assistance in road crossing, a request can be made via dispatch or supervisor for a second technician to help stop traffic and allow you to complete the task safely.

If this is the situation, complete the drop work at the tap prior to pulling your drop across the street. Do not allow the cable to get run over by vehicles, as this would cause damage and change the impedance. When the street is clear of traffic, pull the cable across the street, and attach it at the house.

4.3. Making the connection at the Mid-Span

When installing a drop from the house to the mid-span, place your drop clamp at the proper mid-span location and route the cable along the strand, towards the location of the mid-span attachment. Use the same tying practices as illustrated in the section entitled “Tying procedures”. Tie wrap both ends of drop cable on the strand wire.

TECHNIQUES

• Ensure cables are free from touching or rubbing on any utilities or foreign objects. This can lead to damaging the jacket of the cable and eventually lead to service problems.

• When installing tie wraps, don’t over tighten them as this could pinch and damage the cable, causing future problems.

• When tying the messenger of the drop cable around a span clamp, house hook, or P-hook, make sure the wraps around the cable and messenger are firm but not tight, as over-tightening could cause damage.

4.4. House Hooks or P-Hooks

• House hooks must be anchored only to the solid materials of a building, such as the eave, to give support to the drop cable. If you are attaching the hook into the fascia board of the house, make sure to fasten it into a support joint behind the fascia board. You can locate the joint by finding other attachment screws or nails.

• Never attach house hooks directly into vinyl or aluminium siding. The stress applied by the drop cable may pull the siding off.

• House hooks should be placed near the power and telephone attachments while maintaining the proper clearances.

• Do not pull the drop cable “tight”. In most cases, the cable line should follow the existing sag of the power and telephone service lines to the house, unless the required standards have already been compromised e.g. A minimum clearance of 6 inches from the telephone service and 1 foot to 18 inches from the power service must be maintained.

• Be mindful of the placement of the PRIMEX or DROP ENCLOSURE BOX. Leave enough cable to attach to the bonding block or splitter located inside the PRIMEX.

• Do not attach the drop cable to any object that is attached to the building, such as rain gutters, power conduits, burglar proofing etc.

• Route the cable from the P- HOOK attachment to the PRIMEX or DROP ENCLOSURE BOX. All vertical cable runs should be stapled in an average of 24 to 30 inches apart. Do not use clips on aluminium or vinyl sidings. Cable should be loosely draped along such material before vertical attachment to drop enclosure box.

Do not allow the cable to rub against parts of the house, trees or other obstructions. Over time, continued rubbing of the cable can cause damage to the jacket or the braid and possibly unseen damage to the foil. This damage could result in ingress, egress, and signal quality problems.

4.5. Drilling

Before drilling any holes, discuss where you are planning to drill with the customer. This is an excellent customer-friendly practice, as they may prefer to move their television set rather than have a hole in the location you propose. The customer may also be able to tell you where pipes, electric wires, gas lines etc. are located.

At all times, the customers home and aesthetics should be considered. If possible, follow existing routes as utilities. At no time should holes be drilled through window frames, moldings, glass framing etc. Never run cables through windows, doors or vents.

After gaining the customers approval for drilling and identifying entry points, ensure that the point of entrance is greater than 6 inches from any electrical outlet.

The entrance point should be as close to the television set as possible, keeping in mind other utilities and aesthetics. Be sure to avoid any electrical wires and pay attention to the location of these utilities to avoid damage.

Both interior and exterior walls may contain items that you need to be aware of before you continue your work. These include:

• Electrical wiring

• Plumbing facilities

• Alarm systems and security wiring

• Telephone or communications wiring

NOTE: BE CAREFUL AND BE AWARE OF WHERE YOU ARE DRILLING!!

4.6. Routing the Cable

After all holes have been drilled, it is time to run the cable. When routing the cable, remember these points to ensure quality installation:

• It is usually best to set the cable caddy and cable reel at a point close to the PRIMEX.

• On an aerial installation try to run the cable under the eaves from the house hook to the point where the PRIMEX or DROP ENCLOSURE BOX is located.

• Bond the ground block or splitter to the grounding wire in the PRIMEX

• Remember straight lines look more professional than diagonal lines.

• If the cable is routed around the outside of the house, every effort should be made to conceal the cable as much as possible. This means placing the cable:

  • • Behind any objects attached to the house.

    • Under ledges or overhangs.

    • Attach the cable to the wall behind landscaping such as shrubbery, flowers etc.

    • Along siding edges or seams.

• Exterior cable should be run to conform to the shape of the home (vertically and horizontally only). This will make them less visible. NEVER RUN CABLE DIAGONALLY, DOWN OR ACROSS THE MIDDLE OF WALLS.

• Secure the cable to the house with clips, using the guidelines of 16 to 24 inches apart on horizontal runs, and 24 to 30 inches apart on vertical runs. The cable should not sag between the clips.

• When entering with the cable through drilled holes, ensure that wall bushings are inserted both on the inside and outside wall of the drilled hole.

• Keep the cable (and any splitters or other cable devices) away from high heat and electrical sources.

4.7. Primex or Drop Enclosure Installation

The installation of the drop enclosure is an important part of any installation. The device serves several purposes:

• It protects your drop connection from moisture and weather conditions.

• Serves as grounding enclosure for all the equipment.

• Houses the connection point and enhances the neatest of the job.

• Provides the security of splitters, bonding block and other devices that may be installed for other services.

4.8. Drip Loops

The definition of a drip loop is a loop formed in a cable to allow for expansion and contraction of the cable. It also provides a means for water to be drained off from the cable rather than having water reach or penetrate the home or connector.

4.8.1. Steps For creating a drip loop

• Form loops in the cable and place at the point of splitters, bonding blocks, P-hooks, J-hooks, mast clamps and drop clamps.

• Loops should be approximately 5 inches in diameter for RG 6 cable (roughly 10 times the diameter of the cable being used) and the same size throughout the install to ensure neatness and good appearance.

Note: Coax cable must be handled carefully as over bending and kinking causes damage, which can result in low signal levels, signal leakage and impedance mismatch. One important aspect of careful treatment is to maintain bending radius standards by ensuring that bends in the cable are “gradual.” This means all bends have a minimum diameter of 5 inches (or even 6 inches), and a radial bend around corners is no less than 2.5 to 3 inches for RG 6 cable. For RG 11 cable the bending has a minimum diameter of 8 inches and a radial bend around corners is no less than 4.5 to 5 inches.

4.9. Grounding

Grounding a CATV line is a great way to eliminate static, improve the signal and ensure all unwanted voltages or spikes have a conductive pathway to ground. Even if there are no problems with the signal, grounding the cable can help ensure that you won't lose the signal during storms, bad weather or changes in static in the atmosphere. This also enhances the security to equipment and household appliances.

• A grounding block or splitter should be attached between the main coaxial line coming into the house (drop cable) and the cable lines going to the various customer equipment. Connecting the coaxial cable through the grounding block or splitters is enough to protect the signal and ensure safe and continuous protection.

• Connect a grounding wire (AWG 14, copper clad) to the grounding block or splitter, and then run the wire to the ground. Attach the ground wire to the grounding rod (6 feet) that has been planted into the ground. The ground wire should have a smooth and uninterrupted flow from the grounding block to the grounding rod. The grounding wire is firmly fastened to the rod with a grounding clamp. This will take all static from the block itself and ensure that the current has an outlet.

• It must be noted that the AWG 14 copper clad should not exceed five (5) feet in length in order to meet electrical standards.

• Avoid ground loops when grounding your cable TV. Ground loops occur when more than a single electrical connection is grounded in the same place. Even grounding multiple connections near one another can cause the signals to interfere with each other. A distance of 6 inches between grounding rods should be maintained.

Grounding is a mandatory step for each installation however, there are instances where grounding cannot be done, such as:

❖ Areas where there are potential underground water and electrical mains.

❖ Concrete throughout area.

❖ Special tiles that customer will not permit to have drilled.

In these cases, the customer must sign the work order stating that grounding was not permitted and releasing FLOW from this requirement. Technicians must ensure this is recorded on the work order.

4.9.1. Frequently Asked Questions.

Q1. What if the grounding rod cannot go all the way into the ground?

A1. Relocate and ensure proper grounding. As this is paramount for safety.

Q2. How far apart should ground rods be installed from each other?

A2. Recommended distance is minimum six (6) inches apart.

Q3. Can I use the black RG6 messenger wire as a ground wire?

A3. NO, this is not a ground wire.

Q4. Can I bond the CATV ground to the T&TEC ground?

A4. NO. This is a hazard, as high voltages exist on T&TEC lines.

Q5. What is the maximum length of ground wire that can be run?

A5. 5 feet

Q6. Can I use a Staple gun to fasten the ground wire?

A6. No. Only cable clips are to be used.

5. ANTRONIX CLA-15 Ground Block

5.1 Benefits 

• Surge Protection: The primary function of the Antronix Ground Block is to protect connected devices from power surges. Surges can occur due to lightning strikes, power grid fluctuations, or other electrical disturbances. The surge protection feature helps prevent damage to sensitive electronics by diverting excess voltage to the ground.

• Equipment Longevity: By preventing damage caused by power surges, the Antronix Ground Block can contribute to the longevity of your electronic devices. Without proper surge protection, frequent power surges can degrade or destroy internal components over time.

• Improved Performance: Electrical noise and interference can affect the performance of electronic equipment. A good surge protector helps minimize these issues.

• Ease of Installation: Antronix Ground Blocks are generally easy to install.

5.2 Installation Steps

Step 1:

• Locate the drop enclosure where the drop cable connection enters the premises.

• Carefully disconnect the drop cable and any additional connections into the home in the drop enclosure.

• Identify the grounding wire and disconnect it as well.

• Ensure proper grounding to protect against power surges.

Step 2:

• Install the Antronix surge protector by connecting it to the cable input that was previously disconnected.

• Reconnect the grounding wire to the appropriate terminal on the surge protector.

Step 3:

• Use a signal level meter to verify the signal strength.

• Reconnect the main cable connection to the house box.

• Ensure all customer services (e.g., cable TV, internet) are working correctly.

• Test various channels and internet connectivity to confirm proper functionality.

• Perform a final visual inspection to ensure all connections are secure and properly tightened.

6. F81 Wall Mount

For all installations a F81 Wall Mount must be installed at the broadband modem’s location in the home.

It provides an easy quick connect/disconnect solution for the modem line inside the home. This is a measure implemented by the business to optimize homes for customer self-installations.

6.1. What’s included

6.2. Installation Process

7. Advanced Video Service (AVS) Installation

All installation procedures discussed previously in this manual applies. The only difference occurs at the drop enclosure box (Primex). From this point of entry, the installation standard deployed for AVS is called MoCA (Multimedia over coax alliance).

7.1. Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)

(MoCA) is the standard for home entertainment networking enabling the secure and reliable delivery of data, and HD video around the home. MoCA technology runs over the existing in-home coaxial cabling.

MoCA enables highly robust, secure, and low-latency communication and offers throughputs of over 400 Mb/s on the home coaxial cable. Its primary use is for the distribution of premium video content, including applications such as multi-room DVR.

The following are some technical highlights of MoCA deployed in the CWC’s Network:

• MoCA Frequency Range MoCA channel centre frequencies are specified between several MoCA frequency bands that operate between 500 and 1500 MHz

• MAC Throughput MoCA 1.1 provides 175 Mbit/s net throughputs (275 Mbit/s PHY rate)

• Frequency range MoCA operating frequency range of 500 MHz to 1500 MHz enables all types of pay-tv services to be provided such as advanced home entertainment, networking simultaneously with devices and services already in use on the same coaxial cable.

7.2. Installation Basics

A basic installation using MoCA requires the following standards and procedures to be followed:

• Installation of the MoCA filter - The MoCA filter is essentially a low pass filter that is placed at the input of the splitter; it is the first point of entry device at the drop enclosure box. The MoCA filter generally prevents interference between MoCA devices connected to the same TAP and ensures the MoCA network is confined within the home.

• Installation of the high pass filter - The high pass filter is placed on one leg of the first two-way splitter that the set top boxes are attached to. This filter eliminates any potential ingress on the coaxial network within the home and thus improve overall system reliability.

• Ensure required QAM Levels are met - After the installation process, technicians are required to ensure that all system measurements are met using the highest QAM channel (This varies from system to system). In the event system measurements are not met for each outlet, basic troubleshooting steps should be taken to ensure desired levels are achieved.

Some examples are depicted in the following figures of home wiring which provides best performance using MoCA.

Figure 11 illustrates a typical installation which can accommodate up to five (5) outlets; one modem and four (4) standard set top boxes (STBs). For installations that consists of more than four STBs a MoCA Bypass Amplifier is used to accommodate this. This amplifier is designed to provide the ability to use MoCA technology to communicate to all the amplifier output ports from the modem port, bypassing the amplifier itself. It features four (4) output RF MoCA amplifier ports, plus one (1) modem output active return with unity gain, which compensates for splitter loss. There are two ways to power the amplifier; figure 12 and 13 illustrates the schematic for installations requiring more than four STBs with respective power inputs.

7.3. AVS Customer Premises Equipment.

C&W Communications offers a range of in-home terminal options for video services and data services. However, for deployment of IPTV and MoCA installations, a standard set top box and Interactive cable modem (Gateway device) is used. The details and specifications are as follows:

7.3.1. High-Definition Hybrid IP Set-Top Box (STB)

This Set-Top Box lets you enjoy and watch HDTV with menus and navigation on the screen that are easy to use, combining a multitude of functions in a bright and user-friendly device. This cutting-edge STB allows cable operators to re- claim bandwidth and future proof deployments.

Features and Benefits:

• Compact High-Definition set-top box 

• HD and SD MPEG-2/H 

• HDMI & Analog A/V outputs 

• User-Friendly On-Screen Display, multi-language menu

• Now/Next Program Information 

• Favorites and Parental Lock Function 

• Searching function in EPG.

Connecting the Set Top Box

To connect your Set-Top Box to your television, two different methods can be deployed:

• HDMI cable (HD).

• Audio/Video Composite (SD).

For TV without HDMI or composite connections a RF converter will be needed.

• Connect the RF coaxial cable from the exterior to the CABLE IN port on the Set-Top Box

• Connect the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the Set-Top Box on your HDTV.

• Plug in the STB power cable to the electrical power source.

7.3.2. Interactive Cable Modem

Arris TG2492LG

This modem is a DOCSIS 3.0 home telephony gateway supporting 24 x 8 channel bonding for up to 1Gbps of broadband data. It combines two FXS ports of carrier-grade VoIP, a 4-port gigabit router, dual band concurrent 802.11n 2.4GHz and 802.11ac 5GHz radios for superior wireless coverage and performance and support for IPv6.

7.3.2.1. Modem Interfaces

Front Panel

The modem’s front panel contains indicator lights and the Wi-Fi / WPS button which is used to configure Wi-Fi Protected Security (WPS) on compatible clients connected to it. LED indicators provide the following status information for power, communications, and errors:

Rear Panel

7.3.3. MoCA Adaptor

The MoCA adapter takes advantage of the existing coaxial cable within most homes, apartments, and condominiums, providing instant access to high-speed networking, while seamlessly co-existing with Cable TV and terrestrial broadcast services on the same coaxial cable.

7.3.3.1. MoCA Adaptor Interface

Front panel

Rear panel

This network adaptor is used as a solution to create an internal MoCA network at the customers home to enable data connection to STBs. It allows for normal cable programming and provides cloud storage services to be accessed by the STBs. This flowing figure indicates how the adaptor is connected in conjunction with the modem to facilitate this data connection.

8. Hub TV installation

Hub TV is the latest in the line of entertainment products offered by FLOW. It enables FLOW subscribers to view their traditional TV (Flow TV lineup) as well as access streaming apps such as Netflix, HBO Max, Disney + etc., all from the comfort of their set-top box. It is a full IPTV based product.

8.1. What is IPTV

IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is a service that provides television programming and other video content using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite, as opposed to broadcast TV, cable TV or satellite signals. Therefore, FLOW’s Hub TV service delivers live TV programs or on-demand video content via IP networks. IPTV requires a set-top box and a broadband internet connection in order to function.

8.2. Installation Basics

All installation procedures discussed previously in this manual applies. The only difference here is that only one internal outlet needs to be wired for the Interactive Cable Modem. No coaxial wiring is needed for the Hub TV set-top box since it is a wireless device. This makes the installation process a relatively simple one.

• One outlet to be wired for the Broadband Modem

  • • Note – no MoCA or Hi-Pass Filters are needed for this system to function optimally

    • Ensure required QAM Levels are met - After the installation process, technicians are required to ensure that all system measurements are met using the highest QAM channel (This varies from system to system). In the event system measurements are not met, basic troubleshooting steps should be taken to ensure desired levels are achieved.

• Place Set-top box at the desired location in customer’s home

• Connect the set-top box to the broadband wireless network (Wi-Fi)

Once the set-top box is connected to the internet follow the simple on- screen instructions until the screen below appears.

The Hub TV box is connected and successfully installed at this point. Once activated the Live TV would be available for viewing.

As mentioned before, the Hub TV platform would be running on Wi-Fi. Therefore, it is crucial that the modem be installed in a centralized location in the home. This would ensure that there is optimum wireless signal coverage throughout. In the event there are still instances with low wireless coverage, FLOW’s Adaptive Wi-Fi Mesh service should be recommended to the customer.

8.3. Hub TV Set-top Box

Powered by Android TV™ this set-top box provides a stunning, graphic-rich interactive viewing experience for customers.

It is designed to deliver superior 4K UHD resolution with four times greater image resolution than standard 1080P HD images. It also provides simplified whole-home video distribution through its integrated 802.11b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi client with 2x2 antenna configuration. It features a simplified user experience with the latest version of Android TV and provides access to all popular streaming apps through the Google Play Store.

8.4. Hub TV STB Specifications

8.5. Hub TV Upgrades

For customers that are upgrading from legacy video service to Hub TV:

• Check to make sure that the current installation matches the specifications mentioned previously in this document. If not take the necessary steps to ensure that it does.

• As mentioned before a broadband modem is needed as this is an IPTV streaming service. Therefore, a broadband modem would have to be installed if the customer didn’t have internet services previously.

• Installations with multiple outlets: Since only one outlet is needed for a modem, proceed to the Drop Enclosure box (PRIMEX) and disconnect all unused outlets. All unused splitter ports must also be terminated.

• At this point the installation can continue using the standard Hub TV installation procedure mentioned earlier in this document.

For customers that are upgrading from advanced video service (AVS) to Hub TV:

• Check to make sure that the current installation matches the specifications mentioned previously in this document. If not take the necessary steps to ensure that it does.

• Installations with multiple outlets: Since only one outlet is needed for a modem, proceed to the Drop Enclosure box (PRIMEX) and disconnect all unused outlets. All unused splitter ports must also be terminated.

• Remove all filters (Hi-pass & Low pass) as these are not necessary for the Hub TV’s functionality.

• At this point the installation can continue using the standard Hub TV installation procedure mentioned above.