Wireless networking is getting better and better, with significant increases in both speed and distance, but there are still times when wireless just doesn’t cut it in parts of your home or office. Last month I discussed Power line technology that uses the existing electrical wiring in your house as a medium for extending your network. MoCA (pronounced “mocha”) is very similar in concept, except instead of using your existing electrical wiring, it uses your existing TV coax wiring. MoCA does not replace your existing wired and wireless network, but complements them.
MoCA stands for Multimedia over Coax Alliance. If you can receive a TV signal you can use MoCA. If you have more than one DVR in your home (e.g., TiVo Bolt, TiVo Roamio Plus/Pro, Xfinity X1, AT&T U-verse), then you are already using MoCA. If you have one of these systems, but only have one box, then you already have the building blocks for MoCA. If you don’t have these products, then a pair of MoCA adapters can be purchased for about $160.00. A MoCA network requires at least two adapters, each of which requires AC power. Each adapter is then attached to your coax port using a standard coax cable. A coax splitter can be used, but make sure it supports a high enough frequency to support MoCA. If MoCA is not built into your box, then you can use an Ethernet cable to connect the adapter to any networking device. Once established, more adapters can be added to your MoCA network.
The strength of the signal between adapters is dependent on the quality of the coax wiring itself and the number and type of splitters involved. MoCA provides some advantages over Power line because coax is not susceptible to interference from appliances such as vacuum cleaners and was designed to carry video and audio. If you need to extend your network for streaming HD video and audio, then choose MoCA over Power line (but remember, a direct Ethernet connection is always best if it is possible). Adapters from different vendors generally don’t work well together. In all cases, start with a set of two and make sure they work well before investing in more adapters.
ActionTec, Netgear, and other vendors make a variety of MoCA adapters. In some cases, a POE filter is required or desired to secure your MoCA network within the walls of your home. Check with your DVR supplier to determine if a filter is required or recommended, and if it is, it will cost you less than $10.00.
If you have experience with MoCA products, please share your thoughts so that my other customers may benefit from your insights.
MoCA stands for Multimedia over Coax Alliance. If you can receive a TV signal you can use MoCA. If you have more than one DVR in your home (e.g., TiVo Bolt, TiVo Roamio Plus/Pro, Xfinity X1, AT&T U-verse), then you are already using MoCA. If you have one of these systems, but only have one box, then you already have the building blocks for MoCA. If you don’t have these products, then a pair of MoCA adapters can be purchased for about $160.00. A MoCA network requires at least two adapters, each of which requires AC power. Each adapter is then attached to your coax port using a standard coax cable. A coax splitter can be used, but make sure it supports a high enough frequency to support MoCA. If MoCA is not built into your box, then you can use an Ethernet cable to connect the adapter to any networking device. Once established, more adapters can be added to your MoCA network.
The strength of the signal between adapters is dependent on the quality of the coax wiring itself and the number and type of splitters involved. MoCA provides some advantages over Power line because coax is not susceptible to interference from appliances such as vacuum cleaners and was designed to carry video and audio. If you need to extend your network for streaming HD video and audio, then choose MoCA over Power line (but remember, a direct Ethernet connection is always best if it is possible). Adapters from different vendors generally don’t work well together. In all cases, start with a set of two and make sure they work well before investing in more adapters.
ActionTec, Netgear, and other vendors make a variety of MoCA adapters. In some cases, a POE filter is required or desired to secure your MoCA network within the walls of your home. Check with your DVR supplier to determine if a filter is required or recommended, and if it is, it will cost you less than $10.00.
If you have experience with MoCA products, please share your thoughts so that my other customers may benefit from your insights.
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