TV Hums with SVideo connection

[unhuman]

I have my computer hooked up to a TV (Toshiba 27") through Svideo. When it's connected - even if the computer is off, it hums.... Disconnecting the svideo cable, of course, alleviates the problem. If the audio is not connected, it still hums. I have tried 2 different video cards and a Hollywood plus and everything causes hums.

I've read on line that this is probably a ground loop problem. However, the ground loop isolators for video are MUCH more expensive than audio - especially svideo isolators.

Is there an easy/cheap way to build/get one of these things? The information I'm finding is either too simple or too complicated.

Thanks - Howie

 

[ScottMac]

Check your outlets first. If the TV has a two-pronged plug, try rotating it 180 degrees. If both the computer and TV have three-pronged plugs, try 'em both in the same outlet/power strip.

Since this is power related, be very careful. DON'T try to ground the two together with an external wire (unless you know for a fact that all of the power connections (hot, neutral, ground) are where they're s'posed to be...you could damage either or both systems (and maybe get hurt).

Otherwise, buy an isolator.

Good Luck

Scott

 

[unhuman]

Everything is indeed plugged into the same outlet/surge supressor. Unfortunately, my TV is polarized/ungrounded, so I cannot flip it....

More ideas? Thanks - Howie

 

[Theslowone]

Is the svideo cable high quality? Does this happen on anything that you hook up through svideo or just your computer? You might also want to try a switch box.

 

[unhuman]

The cables are fine... I have a switchbox - actually I've tried two of them....

One of them - I built - but it was poor quality. But it had setting where I could just disconnect so it would only hum when connected to the computer.....

The other one is a Recoton SVS1000 or something like that. Somehow, the ground loop continues nomatter what the setting....

-H