LCD TV interference on all inputs

[malotron]

Hello All,

I've been troubleshooting my problem for the last 2 weeks, purchasing various items to no avail. I've been searching online all day and stumbled across this very helpful forum. I thought I'd drop my issue and see what happens, here we go.

I have a Sony Bravia 52in LCD TV along with an Okonyo A/V receiver, an HD Tivo and a PS3. All items offer HDMI outputs and the receiver along with the TV also have inputs. I have the TV mounted above the fireplace just above the mantel, PS3 and Tivo output to the receiver via their own HDMI cables, and the receiver outputs to the TV with the only cords connected to the TV is the power cord (3 prong) and the 12ft HDMI cable from the receiver.

My problem is that I am receiving verticle interference lines on my TV. It occurs on all inputs (TV/Coaxial, Composite, HDMI, all).

Here is what I've tried thus far:

1. I've tried connecting the HD Tivo directly to the TV thinking it was the receiver, same thing.

2. I've replaced the 12ft HDMI cable, same thing.

3. I've tried going composite and get the same thing.

4. I've changed the channel as if I had a coaxial cable connected to the back of the TV and see the interference when there's nothing but 'snow'.

5. Purchased an APC battery backup/surge protector and I've moved the power cord to this and then the backup to 2 different electrical outlets and still get the same thing.

The cables are Monster HDMI cables so I know they're good cables.

I've researched this site and on a different thread, there was a URL that someone asked the poster to see which screen resembled their issue. When I looked at this page, the one that came the closest was the one noted 'MOTOR INTERFERENCE' but instead of horizontal lines, they're verticle. There isn't a motor remotely close to the TV that I can see. There is a bay window just to the right of the fireplace. The interference is really consistent and gets really bad at times, and then occassionally it goes crystal clear. But the interference quickly returns after about 30-60 seconds later.

I've looked all around and tried so much, but there isn't anything that I can determine to be the problem except the TV itself.

I did go to Radio Shack and purchased an RF Blocker that I am to coil my cable around to see if this helps, but from what I can determine, the issue isn't with the wires.....or is it?

Is the coaxial hook up on the back of the TV able to pick up anything when there isn't a cable connected to it?

That is where I am today.

The Radio Shack associate did ask if there was any Ham Radio users who lived close by my home. I will look around on my way home tonight, but other than this, I don't know what is causing this problem. I want an HD picture to enjoy, but can't stand this inteference.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

regards,

Malotron

[suemarkp]

Try all of these and see if anything helps:

Move the TV and a signal source to different locations throughout the house. If this doesn't help, get it out of the neighborhood and see if it misbehaves at someone else's house at least a few miles away.

Put a 75 ohm F terminator on all unused coax inputs (available at Radio Shack).

Does the TV have a menu or setup screen, and if so do you see the vertical lines on that screen too?

Try running off the APC UPS with the power cord removed from the wall (simulate a power failure). Make sure the UPS is fully charged before doing this.

Did any of the above help? I'm not sure how the classic TV interference patterns will apply to a digital set. We're in a new era when it comes to interference and how those effects display on the screen.

[malotron]

Try all of these and see if anything helps:

Move the TV and a signal source to different locations throughout the house. If this doesn't help, get it out of the neighborhood and see if it misbehaves at someone else's house at least a few miles away.

Put a 75 ohm F terminator on all unused coax inputs (available at Radio Shack).

Does the TV have a menu or setup screen, and if so do you see the vertical lines on that screen too?

Try running off the APC UPS with the power cord removed from the wall (simulate a power failure). Make sure the UPS is fully charged before doing this.

Did any of the above help? I'm not sure how the classic TV interference patterns will apply to a digital set. We're in a new era when it comes to interference and how those effects display on the screen.




Thanks for your suggestions. As to your questions:

1. With the TV mounted on the wall, it is not easy to move it to a different location. It is this spot or not spot.

2. Yes, the interference occurs when in the 'Home' area where you can make settings changes.

3. Tried your suggestion on the UPS and same thing.


However, I am glad to announce that I have a positive update.

I tried the RF Blocker that I purchased and it made no difference. So I thought, "what if the open coaxial connection on the back of the TV is picking up a signal...that is where the antenna would go".

So I grabbed an unused, short coaxial cable and fed it back to the TV. As I began to attach the cable, but hadn't tightened the nut to fully attach it, my wife commentted from the couch, "the lines are gone already".

Once attached, I looked myself and I'd say 7/8 of the interference is gone. There is still a slight bit that can be seen when the screen is completely black. I presume the other open end of the coaxial cable may still be picking up some signal.

I will take your advice and purchase a 75 ohm F terminator from Radio Shack and give that a try. It is obvious that I've found the source of the problem and it is now a matter of properly blocking it off.

Thanks so much for your help and suggestion on the terminator. It will be a chuckle if it happens to be shaped like Arnold Schwarzenegger

[suemarkp]

I'm not sure if Radio Shack sells thwem anymore now that I've check their site. Here's some sources (but the shipping will cost more than the terminator):

http://www.cyberestore.com/75-ohm-fterminator-bag-of-12-pcs-p-275.html
http://www.trianglecables.com/200-075.html
http://www.prosatellitesupply.com/f_terminator.htm
http://www.atvresearch.com/catalog.pdf see page 63, PN F-59T

[househelper]

If you can't find them at RS, check at Lowes or Ace. Both in our area carry the terminators.

Or check out the Sarah Conner Chronicals on Fox next month. :cool:

[malotron]

I'm not sure if Radio Shack sells thwem anymore now that I've check their site. Here's some sources (but the shipping will cost more than the terminator):

http://www.cyberestore.com/75-ohm-fterminator-bag-of-12-pcs-p-275.html
http://www.trianglecables.com/200-075.html
http://www.prosatellitesupply.com/f_terminator.htm
http://www.atvresearch.com/catalog.pdf see page 63, PN F-59T


Radio Shack did have them. However, I am sad to report that the problem is not fixed.

I attached the terminator and it seemed to help, but then the interference came back. I am now irritated by a consitant set of vertical lines pretty much all the time.

In an earlier question, I was asked if the lines appear when in the TV's menu or setup. I need to correct my answer with no, the lines do not appear here.

I don't know what would be causing this as it is making the entire process of watching the TV undesirable. And after spending this kind of money, that just isn't acceptible.

Any further thoughts or suggestions?

I'm going to contact FireDog as I do have the extended warranty for the TV and see what they may suggest.

Regards,

malotron

[suemarkp]

With the stripes not being there in the setup menu, that tells me it is NOT an inherent problem with the set. It sounds like you are in fact picking up interference from something close by. It is possible though that the tuner section is defective.

All you can do now is what I suggested and you don't want to do -- try other rooms and try another neighborhood. If you have a HAM radio operator, that will probably affect the set in all rooms of your house (which is why you need to try another neighborhood). But first, try different locations in the house. There may be something in your house about that specific location. If there is something just in that room or that wall causing the problem, then you can work on remedying that.

But until we know the type of interference (whole house or room localized) the mitigation is hard to narrow down. I think your other tests have eliminated a power line noise problem. If it doesn't work at someone else's house, then return it as defective.

[malotron]

Yep, after all my attempts, it was finally determined that the TV had a bad circuit board somewhere and was the cause of the interference. FireDog support IS actually helpful.

I had to take the TV off the wall, haul it back to Circuit City, swap it out and get it hung again, but I now have removed the headache causing interference lines!

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I will keep this site bookmarked for any further future needs.

Warmest Regards and Happy New Year.

malotron