HELP! Coaxial cable connection occasionally causes flickering on TV (noticable on DVDs)...

[brigden]

Some of you may have seen my recent thread where I tried to pinpoint the cause of a flickering picture. For those who didn't, I recently purchased a Sony Trinitron Wega 24" flatscreen for my bedroom, as well as a Sony DVD player. I soon picked up a set of standard Monster component video cables, and much to my dismay I noticed what I would describe as intermittent flickering, noticable only during still image. Keep in mind, this flickering only appears when component video cables are connected.

I tried everything to pinpoint the source of the problem. Tried new component cables; made no difference. Tried a second, identical Sony DVD player; made no difference. I was in the process of completely unplugging the set and when I unscrewed the coaxial cable I noticed the flickering disappeared! I reconnected the cable, but the flickering did not reappear. I assumed the problem was caused due to a poor connection.

I wasn't happy with the cable reception anyway, so I went out and bought a new splitter and a 50' length of RG6 coaxial cable. Last night, as I popped in Saving Private Ryan, I noticed the flickering again! I check the cable connection at the back of the TV; it was on tight.

So, the flickering is back and I'm not exactly sure what's causing it. At this moment I'm not experiencing any flickering, but that doesn't mean it won't return, and I really want to determine the cause.

I can only assume it's an improperly grounded cable connection at the source, a build up of static in the splitter, a poor connection due to the long length of cable, or a faulty cable connection on the set. (Keep in mind, I noticed no flickering with composite audio/video connection.)

I have about a week in which to return the TV and exchange it for a new set. I want to get to the bottom of this...

 

[N8Magic]

Sounds to me like your TV might have a scanning problem.

You've pretty much proven that the problem is not the input source, as the TV malfunctions with both the DVD player and your cable TV connection.

I would return it and demand that it either be fixed or that they issue you a replacement set. Sony's track record in terms of overall quality and reliability have slipped greatly in the past few years you know...

 

[brigden]

Well, no, it could very well be the cable.

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: brigden
Well, no, it could very well be the cable.

But he tried different cables, and a different source entirely.

 

[Praetor]

Well, I'd check for AC feedback off of the line first off. (signs of a poor ground) How is your cable run currently? From the wall to a vcr to the tv? VCRs (in my experience) are notorious for causing feedback in the line, as are cable modems.

Aside from the normal checking levels and the actually lines themselves, this would be my first avenue of troubleshooting. You might also want to try a different TV at this spot, see if it does the same thing. <shrug> Or just call out a tech to help you out.

 

[brigden]

My TV is connected via a three-way splitter on a 50' length of RG6.

The AC isn't the issue as I have the TV plugged into a high-quality surge protector. I have even tried simply plugging the television into the wall outlet directly and again it makes no difference.

 

[brigden]

This is really frustrating.

 

[mtbiac]

what type of cable is RG-59U then? thats what I have....

thanks

 

[OmarGustav]

You haven't been laid lately - have you?

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: OmarGustav
You haven't been laid lately - have you?

Last night, thanks for asking.

 

[brigden]

Any other ideas?

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: OmarGustav
You haven't been laid lately - have you?

Last night, thanks for asking.

pwn3d.

 

[brigden]

Last night I hooked up my GF's Toshiba DVD player and still experienced flickering. That rules out the DVD player.

Just now I tried three different cable outlets in the house and still experienced flickering. That means, a) the entire house is experiencing interference, or more likely, b) the cable antenna within the TV is faulty.

Any other guesses?

 

[TechnoKid]

Ok, if I read it right, why would the coaxial RG6 cable have anything to do with the picture when your are viewing a DVD through a component connection? They shouldn't interact with one another when only one input source is selected on the TV for viewing.

Does the TV still do the flicker you describe when the coaxial RG6 cable is unplugged but the DVD component cable is plugged in? And does the cable on the coaxial RG6 flicker when the component cables from the DVD player are unplugged?

It sounds like from what you describe that a bad ground is being created when the component cable is connected between the DVD player and the TV, either that or ground feedback.

 

[brigden]

I know the RG6 and component video shouldn't interact; that's what's so baffling. The TV does not flicker when the RG6 is unconnected and the component cables are connected. The TV does not flicker when the RG6 is connected and composite cables are connected.

I have tried different DVD players, component video cables, coaxial RG59 and RG60 cable, cable outlets, and electrical outlets. The only time I am able to recreate the flickering is when coaxial and component video cables are connected simutaneously. Once the coaxial cable is unscrewed, the flickering disappears.

I am likely going to have the TV replaced this weekend unless I can find a solution.

 

[TechnoKid]

Hmm..from what you describe, I want to assume its something inherently wrong with the circuit board on the TV set.

Seems like there is not enough signal seperation or shielding between the coaxial inputs and the component inputs (although I am not sure exactly how it is wired in the TV set). Perhaps during assembly, a wire got frayed and the grounds on the component and coaxial ar touching.

Oh, and btw, I really am starting to dislike sony televisions (my 32"xbr wega has had problems since day one, after numerous services under warranty [and dealing with somewhat bad "repairs"], I resort to servicing it myself. The convergence is off (for a tube tv?!?). And the picture is shifted to the left, somewhat fixable through the service menu, however convergence is not fixable through the service menu). The picture quality on some sony sets are really amazing, however the reliablility and so forth, and especially sony corp in customer service is bad.

If you buy a sony, get an extended warranty for sure. As a replacement, I recommend a Toshiba.
Try this, see if it still flickers when you have components and coaxial RG6 hooked up, except that you don't have the other end of the component cables hooked up to the dvd player. This may let you be able to trace a problem to between the ground on the component cable input and the RG6 coaxial input.

 

[brigden]

When I connect the DVD player to the TV via composite cables and then connect the component video cables only to the TV I do not experience flickering.

 

[brigden]

ah heck it. I'm returning the TV.