Problem with Projector Setup

[dimava]

Hi,

I have decided to redesign my home audio/video setup to save the hassle of constantly reconnecting wires. I ordered the parts and put it all together, in the end I need to manually re-plug the wires to switch between Mode A and Mode B.

Everything works great with Mode B, but my problem lies with Mode A and the projector.

There are constant horizontal lines that are moving upwards and the screen will go blank for 2 seconds out of every 20 seconds.

My initial guess is that the 50' cable was killing the current, so I tried a 30' cable. Unfortunately that didn't fix it.

I also tried taking Mode A and bypassing the switch, directly into the Cable Box. Again, same issue. A friend suggested that the VGA Gender Changer could be introducing a lot of static, but I figured I'd post here before ordering anything new.

Any ideas as to how I can fix this problem?

http://www.nxsupport.com/dimava/Setup.jpg

Thanks!
Dimava

 

[businessjeff]

whats mode A and whats mode B mean?

What connections are you out putting and to where?

A 30' vga cable? Anything that length I think you would have to be careful, if you are using a 30' vga cable then I doubt it can be ran that far without drooping info. A DVI cable can only be ran 5ft.

I guess though first thing in order to give you help, tell us what you are trying to output, from what kind of a connection, to where and what kind of connection. We can go from there, I dont know what Mode A and mode B is so...

 

[dimava]

Hi Jeff, could you take a look at the jpg diagram, I think that outlines the connection types:

http://www.nxsupport.com/dimava/Setup.jpg

thanks,
Dimava

 

[businessjeff]

Ahh sorry, you will have to forgive me im on pain meds and my mind is not so clear.

 

[highfigh]

DVI standard is 5 meters, not 5 feet. 30 feet is pushing it.

Horizontal lines that move on the screen usually means ground noise. Run an extension cord to the projector and plug it into whatever the sources are plugged into. If the problem goes away, your projector may be on a different phase of the electric supply. Get an outlet tester and find out of your outlets have reversed hot/neutral or a lifted ground. If you ran a Cat5e in addition to the DVI, you can use a balun set (one on each end) so DVI input will still be possible. If it has HDMI, Component or S video, these are available, too but are obviously not the same video quality.

 

[businessjeff]

More than likely the 30ft of VGA cable is still to much to run it that far, do you have a short one like a 5 footer to test with?

where and how is the projector getting a signal from?
why are you wanting to output a video feed from it?

Seeing how you said if you use component it works and when you use VGA and switch to component that would lead me to believe that it is definitely the VGA length.

More testing can be done once we know this.

VGA cables seem to be iffy and can vary on distances depending on quality of the cable, and the source feeding it. So it may very well be your source as well. Whats the make and model of the projector?

http://www.churchmedia.net/general-projection-systems/6126-how-far-will-computer-vga.html

 

[dimava]

Thanks to everyone! Putting all of the equipment on the same circuit fixed the problem... you guys rock!

 

[businessjeff]

bah i was wrong

 

[highfigh]

Thanks to everyone! Putting all of the equipment on the same circuit fixed the problem... you guys rock!

Outstanding! If the leg for the projector was run separately, moving the breaker to an adjacent slot, or a spare one on that phase will eliminate the need to do much more work for a permanent fix, although projectors like conditioned power (saves bulbs). The Furman MIW system works if you want to have separate filtering for the projector but if you use a conditioner for the whole system, you don't want to have a filter after a filter. In that case, you can go to the electrical department of most stores and find a male insert , so a good extension cord can be used from your conditioner to the wall plate that feeds the projector. This should be marked as to its use. You don't want to have a cord with exposed prongs that's hot, regardless of any intentions to unplug from the conditioner before unplugging from the wall.

This is the one with filtering.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001DK341S/interactiveda8536-20

 

[Phil Taylor]

A 30' vga cable? Anything that length I think you would have to be careful, if you are using a 30' vga cable then I doubt it can be ran that far without drooping info. A DVI cable can only be ran 5ft.

Just for clarification purposes for folks that may read this... I've had a 50ft VGA cable for years that used to feed my old projector and used it with a 4-way switchbox for changing inputs and had no signal issues. I know that wasn't the source of the OP's problem - just a clarification... 30ft for HDMI is iffy... VGA not so much.

 

[highfigh]

HDMI is going 50' pretty well, for HDMI. It still has a tendency to dropout and that's why I still do more component video, as long as the TV doesn't need to do audio. I hate getting trouble calls when I'm on my time.

 

[Phil Taylor]

HDMI is going 50' pretty well, for HDMI. It still has a tendency to dropout and that's why I still do more component video, as long as the TV doesn't need to do audio. I hate getting trouble calls when I'm on my time.

You are correct that HDMI *can* do 50ft and some lucky souls even get 100ft with the right cable quality, gauge etc. - but it can now reliably do 30ft (up from 15ft originally) over that it's a crap shoot depending upon desired resolution, cable quality, connector quality, component output level/quality etc. - but 30ft. is very solid nowadays (may even go 35) but over that and you are taking your chances - IMHO.

But if you use Monster cable you could probably do 250ft ... (just kidding!!!)