jbaird

staticMHZ

I try to use the screw on Coax rather then the push on ones because they break real easily

Did you try putting the box volume on max?

__________________
DTV USA Forum is not affiliated with the converter box coupon program in any way, visit http://DTV2009.gov for more info.

jbaird

All the volume uppy/downy combos yield the same.

I went to captlA's link and printed the article. The hum is only present with the DTV signal from DTV stations. Could a ground loop be associated with just that kind of signal?

Looked to me like it should be associated with any signal at all thru the converter.

staticMHZ

my little 1985 tv thats hooked up to my Artec t3AP has a similar problem. The picture has all lines running through it when I have i have the box and a channel on. When I put pressure on the RF cable the lines dissapear and when I let go the lines start bouncing up the screen again. No humming noise though.

__________________
DTV USA Forum is not affiliated with the converter box coupon program in any way, visit http://DTV2009.gov for more info.

DTVuser2009

i had those lines too and the noise in sound until i put real screw on high quality cables in.

the ones packaged with the boxes are merely 'get you by' cables to make sure you get what you need to get started, but they're of the lowest quality and i shell out more money on real cables which also help get the antenna to work better. push on cable was the #1 cause of fluctuating signals even in perfect weather. higher quality (and more expensive) coax cables really improved my DTV reception as well as the quality to the tv picture.

I also noticed that if you have cell phone anywhere near the TV room or where a TV is, esp if it's a GSM phone (has SIM Card) the noise is really bad. it's interference from the phone esp before it rings or when it's periodically transmitting to a tower. if you use cordless similar noise happens. do your speakers (assuming you have a SRS surround sound system) have EMI/RF shielding?

jbaird

"...Does the humming noise come out of the converter itself or from your speakers?..."

It comes from the TV and from the stereo spkrs that go with the stereo system.

When first hooked up, only to TV, it came direct from box to TV.

I guess I will get some screw-on cables, but I highly suspect the box itself.

Funny that the retailer (Rite-Aid) advised not to bring box back to store if problems arise but to contact manufacturer.

Funny too that the manufacturer's phone number rleayed me through a labyrinth of menus till at last the human (I think) on the other end said only, "There've been a lot of complaints. All I can do is give you the FTC's complaint number, and I have no idea what is being done regarding those complaints."

Sounds like a throwing up of hands by the manufacturer.

I have a strong sense, especially after seeing the myriad choices of brand names of converter boxes available for coupon use, that there was a rush, nay a stampede to market by every manufacturer to get on the coupon list.

Funny to me too that Rite-Aid, heavy hitter that it is in retail markets, only carries one brand in a given store, and won't stand behind that product.

Alas when government money becomes available on a big scale it seems the scalier of us (that is, the snakes in the proverbial grass) tend to raise their heads in a hissing chorus.

I did at least do this. When asked how many coupons I wanted with max of two I got two, so that I can just chuck the cheapo I bought and get another with Uncle Sam's help.

My question then would be, "How much does one have to spend to get a box that actually works?"

As a diligent consumer I see my job as to choose the lower prices among items that claim to be of equal spec, and thereby give creedence to the great god of Competition, and all of the boons it bestows on our Magic Market.

DTVuser2009

if you're looking for a great converter then the Dish Network DTVPal+ is my favorite. the program guide blows the others away.

HTNut

Good question, and why is it that some of the bigger stores like Wal-Mart only carry 2-3 boxes. I guess they get a better deal with the converter box manuf. Helps move more units and lower costs. Kind of off topic, on business radio today, Radio Shack announced a good profit this quarter because of converter box sales.........

staticMHZ

I replaced the coax today and the lines dissapeared. It was the RF cable after all.

I thought the TV was on it's way out but it turns out it was the coax.

__________________
DTV USA Forum is not affiliated with the converter box coupon program in any way, visit http://DTV2009.gov for more info.

DTVuser2009

I've had a lot of issues with TVs that seemed to be 'dying'

Bad convergence (colors eminate from people like they're ghosts or omnipotent), lines which look like dying picture tubes (those diagonal lines that usually are the picture tube dying, refresh/scan lines), dim screens, bad color, washed out color, black and white,

ALL due to the simplest problem. bad cables. come to think of it, a lot of the most infuriating issues i have with my car are the same thing. small stuff.