Hi guys, I'm back after my 2nd move in a yr!

I've noticed some subtle popping in the audio occasionaly when watching digital cable. Most of the time it's on par w/sounds you might hear switching inputs on your TV. Subtle, basically I noticed it sitting directly in front of the TV reading a manual for the new Vizio TV.

This apt has an ARA4-8 4-way amp out of the wall from TWC. #1 port goes out to a BR with nothing on it, I've got modemn on #2, and my STB on #3. #4 is capped.

With Amp plugged in, my modemn has good specs according to the test page. Some fall out of spec when I simply unplug it but it still performs. Cable picture shows no change.
The amp shares an outlet with the washer which never on when I'm hearing the noise.
Should I try chasing this down? Remove the amp? Try a plain 2 way splitter?

Thanks!
Q

Check all your screw-on connector nuts and make sure they're all snug?

I had a similar popping/staticy sound and found a loose nut... just loose enough to cause the noise... caused by moving my equipment several times and having tightened nuts with fingers.

I ended up tightening all nuts with 7/16" open-end wrench with just a little "snug-up."

Check all your screw-on connector nuts and make sure they're all snug?

I had a similar popping/staticy sound and found a loose nut... just loose enough to cause the noise... caused by moving my equipment several times and having tightened nuts with fingers.

I ended up tightening all nuts with 7/16" open-end wrench with just a little "snug-up."
I really appreciate the reply. That was my first step. My issue is more....periodic. If i had any appliances cycling on and off I'd swear it was something like that? I've run some of my other non-coax components to rule them out.
Do cable STBs go bad with any similar symptoms?
Qt

OP here-
After a little testing, and tightening, I think what I hear is the nature of digital cable in an extremely quiet setting (my home office).
I've noticed extremely bad "popping" on G4TV, and mild tics on some other high spectrum digital channels similar to what you might get occasionally streaming video off a web site. Others appear to have none of this.

Anyone else notice this?
T

OP here-
After a little testing, and tightening, I think what I hear is the nature of digital cable in an extremely quiet setting (my home office).
I've noticed extremely bad "popping" on G4TV, and mild tics on some other high spectrum digital channels similar to what you might get occasionally streaming video off a web site. Others appear to have none of this.

Anyone else notice this?
T


Digital cable doesn't have inherent popping no matter how quiet the surrounding. I don't have an exact answer so you'd have to experiment with different things. Does the popping go away if you bypass the cable box and plug the cable directly in to your set? It's possible that you are experiencing a slight amount of digital tiling, does the picture pixelate at all? Even if it doesn't the sound can "pixelate" from the same problem. If you don't have the problem with the cable box removed, then that narrows it down at least.

You said you're able to access the modem diagnostic screen, what levels are you seeing in there? RX,TX, SNR. If you remove the amp and use a 2-way splitter you will loose about 10db to your RX level, which will still be better then having the amp installed where it is.

Digital cable doesn't have inherent popping no matter how quiet the surrounding. I don't have an exact answer so you'd have to experiment with different things. Does the popping go away if you bypass the cable box and plug the cable directly in to your set? It's possible that you are experiencing a slight amount of digital tiling, does the picture pixelate at all? Even if it doesn't the sound can "pixelate" from the same problem. If you don't have the problem with the cable box removed, then that narrows it down at least.

You said you're able to access the modem diagnostic screen, what levels are you seeing in there? RX,TX, SNR. If you remove the amp and use a 2-way splitter you will loose about 10db to your RX level, which will still be better then having the amp installed where it is.

Thanks so much for your input:)
I *do* occasionally see some tiling when changing channels on the STB or even mid-program on G4TV (ch123). Below are stats with amp plugged in, and unplugged (where i assume it acts as a passive splitter?)

Modemn w/amp:
SNR 34
downstream pwr 13 dBmV
upstream pwr 48dBmV

Modemn w/out amp:
SNR 29
downstream pwr -20 dBmV
upstream pwr 48 dBmV

Cable box w/amp:
QAM SNR 33
Tuner 699Mhz 17 dBmV
FDC 74 Mhz 8 dBmV
RDC 25 Mhz 46 dBmV

Cable box w/out amp:
QAM SNR 29
Tuner 699Mhz -19 dBmV
FDC 74 Mhz <Range
RDC 25 Mhz 46 dBmV

Thanks for any advice!
T

Thanks so much for your input:)
I *do* occasionally see some tiling when changing channels on the STB or even mid-program on G4TV (ch123). Below are stats with amp plugged in, and unplugged (where i assume it acts as a passive splitter?)

Modemn w/amp:
SNR 34
downstream pwr 13 dBmV
upstream pwr 48dBmV

Modemn w/out amp:
SNR 29
downstream pwr -20 dBmV
upstream pwr 48 dBmV

Cable box w/amp:
QAM SNR 33
Tuner 699Mhz 17 dBmV
FDC 74 Mhz 8 dBmV
RDC 25 Mhz 46 dBmV

Cable box w/out amp:
QAM SNR 29
Tuner 699Mhz -19 dBmV
FDC 74 Mhz <Range
RDC 25 Mhz 46 dBmV

Thanks for any advice!
T

In this situation the amp is not needed and "will" do more bad then good. Your equipment is overpowered with it. The numbers you put with the amp unplugged are irrelevant because with exception of newer VOIP amps, when they don't have power they are non-functioning and should be powered or removed.

By exchanging your amp with a 2-way splitter you will loose about 10db from your downstream/Tuner/FDC, you will gain about 3db on your upstream/RDC (gain=number will be lower), and your SNR should go up at least 1 or 2.

Equipment should be within these ranges:

Modem:
Down/RX: -10 to +5
Up/TX: 40 to 49
SNR: 32 and higher

Digital:
Tuner: +10 to -10
FDC: +10 to -10
SNR: 32 and higher

In this situation the amp is not needed and "will" do more bad then good. Your equipment is overpowered with it. The numbers you put with the amp unplugged are irrelevant because with exception of newer VOIP amps, when they don't have power they are non-functioning and should be powered or removed.

By exchanging your amp with a 2-way splitter you will loose about 10db from your downstream/Tuner/FDC, you will gain about 3db on your upstream/RDC (gain=number will be lower), and your SNR should go up at least 1 or 2.

Equipment should be within these ranges:

Modem:
Down/RX: -10 to +5
Up/TX: 40 to 49
SNR: 32 and higher

Digital:
Tuner: +10 to -10
FDC: +10 to -10
SNR: 32 and higher

I see now. The basic idea is getting the best SNR and that does'nt necessarily mean more power (noise.) This improves my understanding of the old FAQ I read here. Will report back!
T

In this situation the amp is not needed and "will" do more bad then good. Your equipment is overpowered with it. The numbers you put with the amp unplugged are irrelevant because with exception of newer VOIP amps, when they don't have power they are non-functioning and should be powered or removed.

By exchanging your amp with a 2-way splitter you will loose about 10db from your downstream/Tuner/FDC, you will gain about 3db on your upstream/RDC (gain=number will be lower), and your SNR should go up at least 1 or 2.

Equipment should be within these ranges:

Modem:
Down/RX: -10 to +5
Up/TX: 40 to 49
SNR: 32 and higher

Digital:
Tuner: +10 to -10
FDC: +10 to -10
SNR: 32 and higher

Removed the Amp. Replaced w/ 2 way splitter:

modem: SNR 37.5
Down: 2.5
Up: 45

Digital box:
Tuner: 4
FDC -3
SNR 34

So, yeah :)
Been nice if the cable tech would've mentioned that. We'll see how the improvement looks/sounds. Either way, thanks for the little upgrade.
T

Removed the Amp. Replaced w/ 2 way splitter:

modem: SNR 37.5
Down: 2.5
Up: 45

Digital box:
Tuner: 4
FDC -3
SNR 34

So, yeah :)
Been nice if the cable tech would've mentioned that. We'll see how the improvement looks/sounds. Either way, thanks for the little upgrade.
T

Those are perfect levels. You definitely will be better off now, internet might be a little snappier too hopefully.

Assuming you have a Scientific Atlanta box, you can go to page 5 of the diagnostic menu and look for Corr Bytes and Uncor Blks under CURRENT QAM. Both of those should be at 0 but if you think you're having a problem with digital tiling in the future, pull up that screen while its going on and see if either of those numbers are counting up. If they do, then that's a confirmation of the problem at least.

Those are perfect levels. You definitely will be better off now, internet might be a little snappier too hopefully.

Assuming you have a Scientific Atlanta box, you can go to page 5 of the diagnostic menu and look for Corr Bytes and Uncor Blks under CURRENT QAM. Both of those should be at 0 but if you think you're having a problem with digital tiling in the future, pull up that screen while its going on and see if either of those numbers are counting up. If they do, then that's a confirmation of the problem at least.

I actually have a "06 Pioneer Passport box thru TWC, but I see some similar info under my "RF Network" page I think?

QAM Corr: 0/0/----
QAM BER: 0
FDC Corr: 0/0/-----
FDC BER: 0
Where (-----) are 4-5 digit numbers increasing in increments of 3.

Thanks again, nice to know how the stuff you're paying so much for works!
T