On Saturday, December 6, 2014 9:49:21 PM UTC-5, Sasquatch Jones wrote:
Thanks for all the good info so fast! After all that, here's what I'm thinking.... Let me know if I'm off.....

Have cable box installed on ouside wall -- with a cable splitter inside the box if possible. If not, install the splitter up near the attic vent.


Assuming there even is a box. Here Cablevision just has a cable that
enters the house. IDK what they are doing on new installs though, they
may use a box now.



Run the cable for internet thru attic vent (right above where the box would be) with enough cable to drop thru the ceiling in a closet near the computer, and connect to the cable modem.

....
There is the cable modem and there is a phone interface - both of
which need to be installed inside 0 and the phone interface can be
connected to the existing internal wiring - INSIDE the house.


IDK about this separate "phone interface". AFAIK, here if you get
phone service from the cable company they provide you with a cable
modem that also contains the phone interface. Coming out of it, you
have an ethernet or USB and a phone jack.




What about this? Instead of installing the phone interface inside, install it in the outside box or in a separate weather-proof box next to it.

You could theoretically put the cable modem with phone interface outside,
but I don't see the need to. It also has some big disadvantages. It's
typical for these to once in a while go into lala land and require them to
be powered down and back up to reset. If you're having trouble and call for
support, it's one of the first things they are going to tell you to do.
Plus they need to be plugged in via a walwart to AC. Putting it inside,
next to a wireless router, near your PC is the more typical approach and
what I would do. It's better to have an ethernet connection from a desktop
PC to the router. And then you have cable modem, wireless router, phone
connection all in one spot when any debugging is needed. They also have
lights on them that give status, which you won't be able to see in a box
when it's 35F and raining outside. Are you planning on having a wireless
router?



Connect the cable from the cable company to one side. Connect the exisiting phone wiring to the other side. That would prevent having to run a 2nd cable in or around the house and thru another ceiling. The attic or crawl space near the phone jack is diagonally opposite where the outside box will be. Also it's in a place that would be hard for the wife to get at. :O)

For phone, I'd probably forget about using the house twisted pair wiring.
For most people, there isn't much need any more.
Just get a cordless phone system, with answering machine, 4 phones, for $50..
Put it near the modem, router, etc and just plug it in. I have that, plus
one connection to my MFC printer/fax. Can't remember last time I even sent
a fax.....