Audio Problems - Please Help

telstar1

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2001
1,206
0
0
I use an Aiwa mini-system to play the audio from both my TV and my PC.
On the back of the system there is a line-in for the TV and a line-in for the PC.
The problem is that recently there has been a tremendous amount of noise that's appeared in the line.

This is the scenario:
1) When both are plugged in to their appropriate jacks, the noise appears when the mini-system is swiched to play the PC's audio.
2) If I unplug the TV cables, and leave the PC cables plugged in, the noise disappears.
3) If I unplug the PC cables, and leave the TV cables plugged in, the noise disappears.
4) If I switch the PC to the "Video In" jack on the back of the stereo, and leave the TV jacks unplugged, I don't get noise, however if I then plug the TV lines into the input jacks that I normally use for the PC I get noise.

So it seems like I can have one input source plugged in at a time without noise... but if I have more than one plugged in ... it makes noise.
Anybody ever seen this, or know what could be the problem?

Thanks,
Telstar
 

Platypus

Lifer
Apr 26, 2001
31,046
321
136
You are simply overloading what the system can handle, that's my opinion, however answer these questions:

1) Is it 60 cycle ground loop noise (constant noise)?
2) Is it a static noise (irratic)?

 

Harvey

Administrator<br>Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
35,057
67
91
What kind of noise? If it's hum (60, 120 or 180 Hz), you have a grounding problem.

1. Try turning the plug over on one of your sources.

2. Try temporarily connecting a wire from a metal surface on one to the other.

If it's noise, your computer could be putting out enough RF to get into the other source and demodulating as noise.

1. Have you removed the cover from your computer case? If so, replace it, and try again.

2. Try replacing one or both pairs of cables with new ones. You may have a faulty shield.

Hope this helps. :)
 

sohcrates

Diamond Member
Sep 19, 2000
7,949
0
0
well, what happens when you just turn the tv off? (i.e. are both tv and pc always on at same time?)
 

telstar1

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2001
1,206
0
0
Got it ... Turns out it must've been due to poor shielding on some of my wires.
I've got the usual mess of wires behind my entertainment center, and when I was messing with some of them I noticed that the humm would change tone or get stronger or weaker when I moved them ... so I found a position that I could leave them in that didn't cause interference.

Thanks for the help.

Telstar