A cable-ready apartment is one that is ready for cable installation. It is listed as cable ready because it does not require additional wiring to register for cable service.
When searching for an apartment, cable service is usually not the first thing on your mind.
You are looking for the right location, the number of bedrooms, the neighborhood, and the budget of the place.
Very few people think about whether or not they will have access to cable services. Getting cable in the apartment of your choice is an added bonus.
Advantages of Getting A Cable Ready Apartment?
Getting a cable-ready apartment is one that does not require any renovations for cable wire installations. No walls have to be drilled; no floors have to be broken into.
Technicians are not required, and no additional time is wasted in getting extra work done in the apartment.
You can just subscribe to your preferred cable network, and you are ready to enjoy watching some television in your time of leisure.
This is a huge advantage because once you move into a place, you are already exhausted from the moving-in process, and you don’t want to spend any more time getting more work done.
You just want to settle in and relax and go back to work and to your daily routine.
Getting cable installed requires more time and work. You need to first speak to your landlord and take their permission because wire installation requires drilling holes in walls and damage to the existing property as it is.
If your lease does not allow you to get cable service due to damage to property, you are legally not allowed to get cable service. You would have to take this matter up with your landlord.
In a cable-ready apartment, you just have to look for a cable service in your area and subscribe. It usually takes 2 to 4 hours to set up the service, and then you are ready for some entertainment.
Does A Cable Ready Apartment Come With The Service?
No, a cable-ready apartment only comes with the wires pre-installed in the unit.
You would have to contact the cable service provider in your locality to activate it and register under your name.
It saves up the time of waiting for the wire installation process. Once set up, you are ready to start watching cable television.
Does Cable Ready Mean That The Apartment Is Internet Ready As Well?
Internet ready and cable ready is not the same. Internet ready means that your apartment is ready for internet service; all you need to do is contact your Internet Service Provider.
Most apartments that were built after 2019 are internet ready and come with a pre-existing WiFi connection.
You can check with the owner of the apartment before you make the purchase, as some apartments come with internet and WiFi service.
While many apartments do have internet service, not all would have cable service.
Internet service allows you to enjoy entertainment options such as NetFlix, Disney+, and Hulu, but cable provides regional and news channels.
So all those who enjoy watching regional television or are in the habit of watching the news on the television would still require cable at home.
Also read: How is Fios Installed in an Apartment?
How to Set Up A Television Cable Yourself
If you want to save money and have some extra time, you can also hook up your cable television by following the simple steps below.
But before doing that, you must check your lease agreement to make sure you can install cable in your home.
All the equipment that you need to install the cable is easily available at your local hardware and electric supplies store.
It’s best to inform your property owner or landlord before you go ahead and install cable in your home. Here are the following simple steps that you need to follow:
- Depending on the number of rooms you need to wire, purchase the correct length of the wire. Make sure to get a little more than you think you would need just in case you run short.
You need to get the RG6 wire which is the standard wire used for cable installation
- Next, you must connect the coaxial cable to the distribution point.
it is important to remember that it is illegal to connect your cable to a distribution point without first getting permission from the cable company. You must register under your name first.
- The coaxial cable must now be taken from the distribution point into your home. You can either do this by taking the cable from the buried distribution covered by PVC to your home.
Or, you can use an aerial cable molded suspension wire from an overhead utility in your home.
You may need to clip and loop the wire to fasten it on the walls as you bring it into your home.
- You must ground the wire by inserting a grounding spike or cold water pipe near the entry point of the wire inside your house.
You need to fasten a grounding wire to the grounding spike or cold water pipe on one end and the grounding block with the coaxial cable at the other end.
- This will help earth the wires and shield the coaxial cable wire helping to divert lightning strikes.
- Using a stripping tool you must remove the external insulating layers of the coaxial wires and place a connector on the exposed coaxial wire. Crimp or press them together.
- The coaxial cable must be properly fastened from the distribution point to the grounding block.
- Using another coaxial cable, fasten this to the other tap on the grounding block whilst taking the other end inside the house. Ensure that this wire is long enough.
- Drill holes into walls or ceilings where you want your wire to pass through so that it is minimally visible and in the way.
- Pass the wire along the garage or attic walls until it reaches the room where you need to place the outlet. Make sure to seal all the holes you have drilled along the way.
- A splitter can be used to distribute the connection to supply multiple television sets around the house. The more you split the connection, the weaker the signal gets, so try not to split too many times.
Fish wires can be used to pass wires easily through holes without tearing them apart. You must try not to let RG6 wires bend or crimp as this can disrupt the cable signals.
- Use cable staples to hold the wires in place, but too many should not be used as they can squeeze the cable and disrupt the signal.
Wires must also not be placed under carpets or rugs as constant stepping on them can cause them to bend and weaken the signals.
- Coax wires must not run too close to the electrical or heating wires. The heat can warp the coax wires, and the electrical wires can cause interference in the coax wires.
- There should be at least 6 inches between the wires. You must also be careful not to create 90-degree bends on wires when they need to be curved. They should be curved gradually if needed.
- A low voltage box should be used rather than a standard electrical box. A low voltage box allows you to curve the coax wire to attach to the jack gently.
- All connections must be tightened using a wrench. Hand tightening is not tight enough and can cause loosening of the connections.
- Finally, install your cable box and modem to the jack and configure it according to the instructions mentioned in the manual.
- An RF meter can be used to check whether the signal is transmitted through the cable.
Cable Options
Once you are done wiring your apartment or in case you have been fortunate enough to buy a cable-ready apartment, you must now choose a cable provider
You can ask around and see which ones the locals are using. Or you can contact one of the major cable network providers and ask them if they provide service in your area.
Contact your chosen cable service provider and subscribe to the service. When signing up for a subscription, make sure to check for any packages and upcoming promotions.
Check how long the contract lasts and what happens when your lease expires.
The Final Word
A cable-ready apartment is a term used to describe an apartment that comes with built-in wiring for cable television.
It does not need any additional work for installation. All you need is your chosen cable tv subscription, and you are ready to go. You may also go with the cable tv subscription that the other residents are using in the apartment as well.
Other articles you may also like: