Ok, I need some help here. I will try and explain myself as well as I possible can, but I am no expert in the area. I always come here for answers and usually search the forums (which I did again this time), but I feel like a new thread is warranted in this case. Hopefully I posted this in the correct thread as well. If not, sorry and please move if you need to. And this could be somewhat long.

Where to start? Ok, previous setup, which had no ground loop problem. I had a 46 inch samsung 650 series TV, yamaha rx-v663 amp, PS3, paradigm 5.1 surround with sub, and a satellite receiver. They were hooked up via HDMI so that satellite receiver went to HDMI port 1 on the amp, and PS3 was hooked up to HDMI 2 on the amp, and the amp went to HDMI 1 on the TV. The speakers were all hooked into the yamaha amp as well obviously. All of these were plugged into a decent quality surge protector, which was then plugged into the wall. Simple enough.

Now up to what I have going on today. I had to get a new satellite provider which is now Shaw Direct (Starchoice) which is a Canadian provider. It got installed Friday. The guy came and set it up using component cables and RCA for audio. I quickly took out the RCA connection and put an optical audio cable from Shaw satellite receiver to amp. So now, the setup remains the same as with my old satellite provider, except the previous satellite receiver is replaced with the Shaw Direct one, and connected by the method that I just mentioned. I should mention that this receiver doesn't have an HDMI port on it (which is ridiculous in my opinion), but it does have a DVI port, and also came with a DVI to HDMI cord. Now here's where it gets a bit messy. I tried to run it the Shaw satellite through the yamaha amp using the DVI to HDMI cord, but the Shaw receivers don't allow that method (I called and they said it was for security which is BS), and it can only connect directly to the TV using the DVI to HDMI cord. This would eliminate surround sound, so I obviously want to do something else.

So how does the ground loop come in? Well ONLY (and I have tested this by trying different things), when I use component cables I get lines rolling up the screen, but no audio problems (as I mentioned I am using optical for audio) If I unplug the component cables the lines go away, but then I obviously don't have video. And even when the component cables are plugged in, the lines are only evident when the satellite TV is on the TV. With the PS3, there are no lines. So I can assume that it is only the satellite receiver that is the problem. When I use the DVI to HDMI cord and connect right to the TV the lines are gone. So could the component cable be causing this? I really don't think so, but I have no idea really. But this isn't a solution in my eyes anyway, because I want the satellite receiver going through the amp so I can get surround sound... and like I said, I can't run the DVI to HDMI cord through the amp because the satellite receiver shows error and doesn't allow it. (and like I said I called the provided and they confirmed this is a fact)

SOOO, anyway, sorry so long, but here is what I just did. It is a solution, but I'm not sure how good it is. Using this method I have eliminated the ground loop problem, but there is a drawback.

I have the satellite receiver connected directly to the TV HDMI 2 port using the DVI to HDMI cord, and this provides the video. But then, I have the optical audio cable connected to the amp so that I can get surround sound. The PS3 is connected to the amp just as it was before, and then the amp runs into HDMI 1 on the TV. Wow, this is so confusing. lol Basically, the drawback is, when I switch between PS3 and satellite now I have to switch inputs on BOTH the TV and the amp, instead of just once. That way, I switch the HDMI 1 on the TV, and the PS3 port on the amp to get the PS3 video and audio. And to get satellite I have to switch to HMDI 2 on the TV, and switch the amp to receive the optical audio signal. Man I hope this somewhat makes sense.

Anyway, my questions are

Is this setup OK? other than the annoyance of switching 2 things instead of 1.. will I still get surround sound this way?

and, could the component cable be causing the ground loop lines rolling up the screen?

finally, what else could I do here? other than switch to a satellite provider that doesn't have such a piece of Sh#t for a receiver.

I really appreciate if anyone even reads this, LOL. If I get an answer I will greatly appreciate your time. Thanks.

Is this setup OK? other than the annoyance of switching 2 things instead of 1.. will I still get surround sound this way?Yes, DVI video is the same as HDMI video, and optical (or coax) digital audio is the same as HDMI audio.

and, could the component cable be causing the ground loop lines rolling up the screen?
Looks like it to me.

finally, what else could I do here? other than switch to a satellite provider that doesn't have such a piece of Sh#t for a receiver.Get a ground loop isolator, which are expensive. You run the 3 channels of component video through it and out to the display. It will (should) eliminate the ground loop.

Here's an example of one: http://www.altinex.com/Products/Dedicated_AV/Special_Application/DA1905GL/DA1905GL.htm

Thank you for the reply. I was more or less wondering if I could be damaging equipment the way I had it set up. You have cleared that up for me. Thanks for your time, as I imagine that took awhile to decipher.

Why would only those cables be causing it and not the equipment itself. That's what I don't get. Switching for a better component cable... would that help?

Why would only those cables be causing it and not the equipment itself. That's what I don't get.Ground loop is electrical interference, so it's something in the electrical system, not cables or hardware (unless something is defective). The use of a different type of connection only brought the problem to your attention.

If possible, you might want to have an electrician look at your service.

Switching for a better component cable... would that help?Not at all.

Did you try using the component cables connected to the Yamaha? I couldn't tell how you connected the component cables when you were getting the lines. I agree the "security" response from Yamaha doesn't make any sense.

Did you try using the component cables connected to the Yamaha? I couldn't tell how you connected the component cables when you were getting the lines. I agree the "security" response from Yamaha doesn't make any sense.


Ya sorry I wasn't clear. It was hard to explain over the net. I did try connecting the component cables to the yamaha, but the ground loop problem occurred. So, it worked that way, but i had rolling lines on the screen. The security issue is on the satellite receiver, which doesn't allow an HDMI connection to be split through an amp, but the component could be split through the amp. Doesn't make sense I know. The satellite company said they were working on a firmware upgrade, but it doesn't work right now.

a hdmi switch box that also has optical connections on the back will allow you alot of options in hooking up your system, you will be able to output your cable buy using the hdmi to dvi cable you spoke of and also audio through the use of an optical cable, and by hooking up all your other components to the switch box the same way,what i mean by is using a hdmi cable and also optical for audio even though your components normaly use the hdmi for their audio, now you can just use the hdmi switch box for switching from one component to another, they sell these boxes at best buy for about 100 dollars or you can buy one on the internet and they come with a wireless remote which you can teach the commands to a learning remote if you want too. this dosent solve the ground loop problem you spoke of but it does give you alot of versitility with switching components.