Not sure if I'm posting in the correct forum. I'm posting here because of information from a closed thread (unable to post URL yet but it was in - AVS Forum Archive 2 > Display Devices > Flat Panel General & New FP Tech > Difference Between QAM & ATSC?). Please let me know if it should be posted in the "Local HDTV Info and Reception" or "HDTV Technical" instead.

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My Set Up
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I have an HDTV set with built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner. I attached the coax cable (no set top box), and the set receives unscrambled digital and analog signals.
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I have intermittent static. Mainly occurs only on digital channels. If static starts on a digital channel, usually (96% of the time), if I switch to an analog channel there is no static. The intermittent static is sometimes only noticable if the volume is on a lower setting. Other times it is quite noticible no matter what the volume level.

Okay, my questions. Is this a problem with the NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner (i.e. should I contact MFG)? Or is this typical of "My Set Up" (i.e. no set top box)?

Oh, one more question please. Can one attach a DVD/VHS recorder with NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner to an analog set and receive unscrambled digital channels?

Thank you for any information and direction. Please let me know if you need further information in order to answer any of my questions.

10Q!!!

Sounds like you just moved into a new place or just bought the tv? Answering that question will go a long ways.

Have you tried a different coax cable? That is the first place I would look. And then I am assuming you have a wall plate with a coax connection? If you do, I would open that and check the connections there.

That is the first place to start looking in my book.

Hi Localnet,

Thank you for the reply. Yes, just bought the set. There is no wallplate/jack - the cable comes out of the wall & directly into the set. Unable to try a different coax cable unless I rewire. I'll try a connection in another room.

No static all day yesterday. Didn't change the channel as I was watching a marathon. I'm usually quite the channel surfer. That wouldn't have anything to do with it would it?

Today, I flipped around a bit. After a few hours, started getting static. When I turn the set off for a few seconds, then back on. The static is gone for about 60 seconds. Then static stopped after about 15 minutes.

Not sure if this helps, but when I increase the volume (when static occurs) the static volume does not increase.

I have intermittent static. Mainly occurs only on digital channels. If static starts on a digital channel, usually (96% of the time), if I switch to an analog channel there is no static. The intermittent static is sometimes only noticable if the volume is on a lower setting. Other times it is quite noticible no matter what the volume level. So you hear the static and it is not the whole screen just going snow on you? Audio only? Can you still hear what is on screen then without a problem?

Okay, my questions. Is this a problem with the NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner (i.e. should I contact MFG)? Or is this typical of "My Set Up" (i.e. no set top box)?I have 3 sets at home and none are hooked up via a set top box, I have not had this issue.

Oh, one more question please. Can one attach a DVD/VHS recorder with NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner to an analog set and receive unscrambled digital channels?
If you have a separate tuner that you can run the set from that would tell you allot about if the problem is your set or the cable. Unless you have a second set with the same setup in your house that you can test with, you may never know if it is the set or the cable.

Your basic goal here is to isolate the problem to either the set, the cable system or a hookup. Having a separate independent digital tuner running a completely different set would help this. Even an old CRT that you could use as a monitor driven by the tuner would work.

Hi TNG,

Thank you for your reply!

So you hear the static and it is not the whole screen just going snow on you? Yes. Audio only? Yes. Can you still hear what is on screen then without a problem Yes, for the most part - static is not noticable if volume is increased. Muting for several seconds then unmute produces the same effect as turning the set off/on.

No, no second set. But I'm looking at DVD/VHS Recorder Combo units with the same tuner - in hopes of trouble shooting. As I understand your post, it would not really be a good test since the set is analog?

Sounds like you have an issue with the set itself. If it doesn't matter when the volume is turned up and the static is always there in the background, there is a problem with noise in the sound card in the set.

I once had a CRT that had a static issue like this. It was always there to some extent, but always at a low background level. Using the VCR as a tuner didn't make it go away and changing the input didn't help either. Even with no input it was there. I learned to live with it, but it was a pain.

A good question is, if you turn the set to a unused input where there is no signal on the screen and no audio, can you still hear it? If so, your set is producing the noise.

Hi TNG & thank you -- again!

A good question is, if you turn the set to a unused input where there is no signal on the screen and no audio, can you still hear it? If so, your set is producing the noise.

No, there is no noise. If you tune to a channel that reads "No Signal!" (if my understanding of unused input is correct -- not a programmed or usually recieved channel)... but if you tune to a "programmed" channel that reads "No Audio and Video" I hear the noise.

No, there is no noise. If you tune to a channel that reads "No Signal!" (if my understanding of unused input is correct -- not a programmed or usually recieved channel)... but if you tune to a "programmed" channel that reads "No Audio and Video" I hear the noise.
No I meant select an input that is not connected to the cable. For example, if you have a DVD player on input 1 and a VCR on input 2 select one of those inputs with the DVD or VCR turned off, do you still hear the noise?

Also tune the set to a cable channel where you hear the noise and then remove the cable connection from the back of the set so there is no signal, do you still hear the noise?

If you can hear the noise with any of the examples above, then it is probably the set. If you can only hear it with a cable station with signal showing, it is more likely to be the signal from the cable company or a issue with your wiring. Granted it could be anything, but this will give you some ideas. All just a process of elimination.

TNG - Thank you for the troubleshooting tips!!!

No I meant select an input that is not connected to the cable. For example, if you have a DVD player on input 1 and a VCR on input 2 select one of those inputs with the DVD or VCR turned off, do you still hear the noise?

No, no noise (with alternate input off or on).


Also tune the set to a cable channel where you hear the noise and then remove the cable connection from the back of the set so there is no signal, do you still hear the noise?

Waaaahhhh! Guess I gotta send the set back. I still heard the noise. BUT if I switched to another input and/or analog channel then back to noise cable channel... I got no noise.

So, you had no noise when you were hooked to a non cable source? But noise when hooked to cable? Just woke up, have yet to have my coffee.

Mike

Hi Mike,

So, you had no noise when you were hooked to a non cable source? But noise when hooked to cable?

Yes, no noise from non-cable source.

Yes, noise when hooked to cable... but only on the digital channels. No noise on the analog cable channels.

If the noise continues after you pull the cable out, then it will go away when you switch to a analog channel, and not there when you go back to the digital channel, it is the set.

Sounds like the digital tuner is causing the issue to me. Could be the digital signal on the cable system, but it would go away when you pulled the coax off the back and lost the signal.

Someone else may want to chime in here but yeh, I would return it.

10Q TNG and Mike for your troubleshooting tips! I have initiated an exchange - whew - just in the nick of time (yesterday was the last day for holiday returns). Hopefully, the second set is perfecto.

BTW - it is a factory refurb - any comments on refurbs? I did a lil' bit of research B4 making the purchase and factory refurbs seemed like a great deal.