New house, having lcd issues...

[cavingman]

We recently purchased a 4yr old house, and after moving my 46" samsung lcd into the basement I have a horizontal line scanning up the screen. the video signal is also passing through my onkyo 5.1 reciever.
I think its power related because we installed some of those power saving bulbs, and after installing them the ferrite core was buzzing very loudly so i quickly got rid of them. the horizontal line was also much worse.
I'm not sure if I need to stablize the power somehow? or is there something else I should be looking at?

 

[Adam]

I really don't know, but I wanted to bump this so that others might see it.

Is the line also there if you aren't viewing video through the Onkyo?

 

[TLS Guy]

I really don't know, but I wanted to bump this so that others might see it.

Is the line also there if you aren't viewing video through the Onkyo?

I have little idea on this one Adam. There is not much to go on. The noisy florescent bulbs just might point to a neutral problem in the house, which would be bad. I wonder what Rickster would make of this?

I guess if he is worried about a power problem, he should call an electrician, although these problems sometimes fox the electricians. I was consulted by the local artisans last winter about strange goings on in a local dwelling. It tuned out to be a serious neutral problem at the panel which had caused some highly significant and scary problems.

 

[Audioholics]

One thing you can do would be to borrow a UPS system from somewhere/someone and get the system off your AC power altogether to test. Once you know that's the issue then you probably need to start isolating devices to see what may be the problem of if it's more than just a shared circuit (Ie a panel or service issue).

 

[TLS Guy]

One thing you can do would be to borrow a UPS system from somewhere/someone and get the system off your AC power altogether to test. Once you know that's the issue then you probably need to start isolating devices to see what may be the problem of if it's more than just a shared circuit (Ie a panel or service issue).

To do that it would have to be a fully regenerative UPS (inverter always on). Even an online smart UPS would only give partial relief, as they shave and supplement excess and sagging voltage, and partially clean up hash. I think only a regenerative device would clear it up. He could run on the batteries only I suppose, but he would have a fairly short teat, driving the TV and receiver etc.

If the OP really thinks he has a power problem, he should call an electrician.

 

[Midcow2]

trouble shoot

We recently purchased a 4yr old house, and after moving my 46" samsung lcd into the basement I have a horizontal line scanning up the screen. the video signal is also passing through my onkyo 5.1 reciever.
I think its power related because we installed some of those power saving bulbs, and after installing them the ferrite core was buzzing very loudly so i quickly got rid of them. the horizontal line was also much worse.
I'm not sure if I need to stablize the power somehow? or is there something else I should be looking at?

Try doing some more trouble shooting I am pretty sure the power saving bulbs CFLs have nothing to do with your problem.

(1) Try connecting you video signal directly to the video source, either satellite or DVD. Do you still have the same problem? If so maybe the Onkyo is thr problem.

(2) Try running with all of your CFL lights off. Then turn them on. Is the problem assocaited with the CFLs? This is more than likely not your problem.

(3) Are you using a grounded outlet? If not try a grounded outlet.

(4) If your power is raelly that bad you can get a good power filter. Don't get Monster, they are overpriced! You want one that filters noise. Here is one that would work APC AV H10 Home Theater 1000VA Power Filter and Power Conditioner http://www.amazon.com/APC-H10-Theater-1000VA-Conditioner/dp/B000AHU7OC/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t/002-2899470-6358423

(5) worst case is you possible caused physical screen damage of LCD during move.

 

[cavingman]

Im going to take the outlet out of the wall tonight to make sure everything is connected correctly. also going to eliminate the dimmer switch for the lights all together and install a normal switch. when i installed the CFL's was when it got REALLY bad. we took them out last night but i ran out of light in the room to continue diagnosing the problem. im going to reinstall the normal lighting tonight.
i will also try isolating the video signal from the reciever and see if it is the recievers problem. maybe i will try moving the tv to the main floor to see if the signal is any better on another power source.
i think ill call an electrician before buying any type of UPS or power conditoner just to eliminate any major issues.

ill keep you guys updated, thanks for your help so far

 

[Midcow2]

Im going to take the outlet out of the wall tonight to make sure everything is connected correctly. also going to eliminate the dimmer switch for the lights all together and install a normal switch. when i installed the CFL's was when it got REALLY bad. we took them out last night but i ran out of light in the room to continue diagnosing the problem. im going to reinstall the normal lighting tonight.
i will also try isolating the video signal from the reciever and see if it is the recievers problem. maybe i will try moving the tv to the main floor to see if the signal is any better on another power source.
i think ill call an electrician before buying any type of UPS or power conditoner just to eliminate any major issues.

ill keep you guys updated, thanks for your help so far

Good plan cavingman; hope you get it resolved in short order!

LOL reminds me of the joke about the guy trouble shooting the PC and after going through all the normal troubleshooting the guy asks for the model number. Then the user replies 'I can barely read the serial number because there isn't much light with the power outage'.

Hopefully, you problem is a simple as the outlet has the ground and hot leads crossed.

 

[TLS Guy]

Im going to take the outlet out of the wall tonight to make sure everything is connected correctly. also going to eliminate the dimmer switch for the lights all together and install a normal switch. when i installed the CFL's was when it got REALLY bad. we took them out last night but i ran out of light in the room to continue diagnosing the problem. im going to reinstall the normal lighting tonight.
i will also try isolating the video signal from the reciever and see if it is the recievers problem. maybe i will try moving the tv to the main floor to see if the signal is any better on another power source.
i think ill call an electrician before buying any type of UPS or power conditoner just to eliminate any major issues.

ill keep you guys updated, thanks for your help so far

PM Rickster. He is the best source for these types of problems. I would not go removing dimmers yet.

The only thing that bothers me about your post is the aggravation by the the CFL's

These devices are non linear loads, so if you had a neutral problem those bulbs would exacerbate it.

In recent years non linear loads have increased dramatically, from those types of bulbs, dimmers, computer power supplies, amps TVs etc. This has highlighted neutral problems both in domestic residences, local power companies and the national grid.

You should be able to use the devices you describe without the difficulty you describe. Neutral problems are serious, and should be diagnosed and corrected, by means other than removing non linear loads.

 

[Rickster71]

Hello all, I missed this thread completely.
I typed this before reading all posts, so forgive me if it's been covered.
Depending on the type and / or quality, a dimmer could cause the interference without being connected to the same circuit. As a test, I sometimes remove the dimmer, and temporarily swap it with a single pole switch. Or wire nut the hot and switch leg together, for test proposes.
Could also be a wiring issue, up to and including RF ingress on a bad TV cable or component interconnect cable termination.

Also don't forget, fluorescents don't play well with most dimmers.

Im going to take the outlet out of the wall tonight to make sure everything is connected correctly. also going to eliminate the dimmer switch for the lights all together and install a normal switch. when i installed the CFL's was when it got REALLY bad. we took them out last night but i ran out of light in the room to continue diagnosing the problem. im going to reinstall the normal lighting tonight.
i will also try isolating the video signal from the reciever and see if it is the recievers problem. maybe i will try moving the tv to the main floor to see if the signal is any better on another power source.
i think ill call an electrician before buying any type of UPS or power conditoner just to eliminate any major issues.

ill keep you guys updated, thanks for your help so far

 

[Rickster71]

Many good points from TLS.

Me thinks it will have to be a process of elimination.
Removing the dimmers is something easy, and a quick test a home owner can do. Just to narrow things down a bit.

These devices are non linear loads, so if you had a neutral problem those bulbs would exacerbate it.

In recent years non linear loads have increased dramatically, from those types of bulbs, dimmers, computer power supplies, amps TVs etc. This has highlighted neutral problems both in domestic residences, local power companies and the national grid.

You should be able to use the devices you describe without the difficulty you describe. Neutral problems are serious, and should be diagnosed and corrected, by means other than removing non linear loads.

 

[cavingman]

great info guys, ill remove the dimmers and check what wiring i can get to tonight.

something to note, this is a finished basement that was finished after the house was built, probobly wired by someone other than the original builders. if i cant find a problem i will probobly call an electrician.

thanks!

 

[cavingman]

*sigh*

so i think i figured it out. i took the dimmer switch out, tried everything then and still had it. bought a power outlet tester, they all tested ok.

then i started thinking. comcast gave me 3 or 4 sets of 12ft component cables for free. after thinking about it, with my new setup in the new house i couldnt have anything hooked up without using them because the only cables that are long enough are the comcast ones. turns out they are hot piles of garbage, which i should have known because everything comcast is garbage
i moved my xbox over and tried it without the reciever in line and no comcrap cables, and voila, no scanning lines.
really appreciate everyones help through this. had a feeling it was a dumb oversight on my part.
next question, url for quality cables at a good price plz?

edit: side note, put my head next to the back of the tv right by the bulb and can hear a buzzing. normal?

 

[TLS Guy]

*sigh*

so i think i figured it out. i took the dimmer switch out, tried everything then and still had it. bought a power outlet tester, they all tested ok.

then i started thinking. comcast gave me 3 or 4 sets of 12ft component cables for free. after thinking about it, with my new setup in the new house i couldnt have anything hooked up without using them because the only cables that are long enough are the comcast ones. turns out they are hot piles of garbage, which i should have known because everything comcast is garbage
i moved my xbox over and tried it without the reciever in line and no comcrap cables, and voila, no scanning lines.
really appreciate everyones help through this. had a feeling it was a dumb oversight on my part.
next question, url for quality cables at a good price plz?

edit: side note, put my head next to the back of the tv right by the bulb and can hear a buzzing. normal?

This is where I order my cables. Glad you solved your problem.

 

[cavingman]

decided to dig into this a little farther. turns out its not the component cables. comcast gave me a motorola 6412 set top box. after alot of narrowing things down, anytime the set top box is connected to the system, it causes the lines. regardless of if it even has power. i can actually have the moto box connected to the reciever with no power, be playing xbox connected to the reciever, and see the lines. guess ill be getting this box replaced :\

 

[TLS Guy]

decided to dig into this a little farther. turns out its not the component cables. comcast gave me a motorola 6412 set top box. after alot of narrowing things down, anytime the set top box is connected to the system, it causes the lines. regardless of if it even has power. i can actually have the moto box connected to the reciever with no power, be playing xbox connected to the reciever, and see the lines. guess ill be getting this box replaced :\

You have a ground loop. Replacing the box will not help. Now we have the information we need. What you need is a cable ground isolator.

Jensen are the best. Don't get a cheap poor one. You can purchase one here and elsewhere. Jensen are the best and will pass a digital signal.

 

[cavingman]

awesome! thats great news. i should have tried that to begin with, it didnt click that the cable box was the only thing i had added to the system since moving.

appreciate it!

 

[Rickster71]

You have a ground loop. Replacing the box will not help. Now we have the information we need.

It sounds like Deja Vu, all over again.

 

[TLS Guy]

It sounds like Deja Vu, all over again.

You have got that right!

 

[Midcow2]

Hey Caveman (sorry typo in purpose ) Cavingman

awesome! thats great news. i should have tried that to begin with, it didnt click that the cable box was the only thing i had added to the system since moving.

appreciate it!

Cavingman,

Welcome to this forum. These guys who are working with you to help isolate your problem, Rickster71 and TLS_Guy are awesome and very,very knowledgable! They are very helpful provide excellent information! You are in much better hands than Allstate

Hope you get you problem resolved in short order!