Video Asylum

Posted by Danda (A) on October 22, 2001 at 11:29:22

Hi,
I just moved into this apt. and I am having a problem with my TV display which is driving me crazy. I have everything in a ent. center and all my stereo (I do not have home theater, just an int. amp with two speakers, CD and cassette, VCR, etc..) is hooked up into a power strip. I have digital cable and a box for that.

First problem: I was getting a audible hum through my speakers at louder volume settings. So I used the Mondial Magic ground breaker and it eliminated the problem. However that unit blocks some of my digital channels and the cable company told me not to use that since there lines are grounded properly. So what is the way out?

Second problem (and most annoying one): When I switch the VCR and watch a tape (through composite video to TV or RF input) I am seeing this ripple like intereference pattern on the TV screen. The picture is clear and crisp, however. Even when I do not have the tape but the VCR on and blue screen (TV input to VCR video input) I am seeing this pattern. Looks like a series of waves moving from side to side). I have my cable to TV coming via both RF and S-video directly from the cable box. When I am watching cable I see this wave pattern on the screen off and on, especially when there is something moving fast on screen. Weird, huh? This intereference is sometimes there, sometimes not (that is rare though). I unhooked the VCR and it seemed to go away, but my VCR did not have this problem at my last place. The Magic is not helping this situation. Could the VCR be a problem - it is a Toshiba M784 and my TV is a JVC.

Please give me some suggestions on these two issues. What should I do?

Thanks,

-Danda.