edit: i just now found the HUM sticky at the top, reading it now!


Sorry if this thread is not in the right section, but..

I recently upgraded my time warner cable box to Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HDC. When I plugged in this new box to my Samsung DLP I got a really annoying hum when I used the red/white audio cables to the TV. To counter this I hooked up the cable box to my reciever and got the same exact hum from the box. I tried swapping different cables for the audio and nothing worked. My only option was to use an optical cable from the cable box the reciever.

This worked but presented a problem. I don't use my reciever to control my tv so I couldn't use one remote to control the cable box and the sound.

I decided the cable box was just bad and took it back a week later (today) and swapped it for a new one. Now the new one does the same thing. I'm starting to wonder if maybe I'm doing something wrong

Thanks for any advice, if you need any more information please ask and I'll let you know.

The two easiest, cheapest way is either those .99 three female to two male adaptors. But that will not give you groung protection. The best thing is this:http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/slide51k/hum_x-59f257fbf9f4ebaf7bb9f7d456c2a.jpg
I've use it on amps, cable, sat, etc.

Okay, after reading the hum sticky i've figured out that is has to the a group loop. When I remove the coax cable from the wall going to the cable box the hum goes away. I've read up on how to fix this problem but I live in an apartment, I don't know what I can do to fix this grounding issue. I looked where my cable box is but there is only a few cables and a "splitter" in there.

Where do I go from here? It's wierd that my old cable box never had this problem.

The two easiest, cheapest way is either those .99 three female to two male adaptors. But that will not give you groung protection. The best thing is this:http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/slide51k/hum_x-59f257fbf9f4ebaf7bb9f7d456c2a.jpg
I've use it on amps, cable, sat, etc.

i'm not sure what you mean...three female to two male...?

Also, what is this device and where can I pick one up?

i'm not sure what you mean...three female to two male...?

Also, what is this device and where can I pick one up?

If you go to these .99 stores or Home Depot, etc, and ask for electrical 3 prong adaptors, they'll show you. Maybe I can find one and post it.

If you go to these .99 stores or Home Depot, etc, and ask for electrical 3 prong adaptors, they'll show you. Maybe I can find one and post it.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/a/a5/150px-Grounded_plug_adapter.jpg

cheater plug

however you should know that if you lift the ground and something happens to the system that would cause it to short out, etc...it can make the chassis 'live' and anyone that touches it will get knocked on their a$$ or worse. It can be used as a short term solution until you can find the source.

Thanks P, that's it.

Vitod, I went to Home Depot and Lowe's today and was not able to find what I was looking for.

The cable out the back of my cable box is only a 2 prong (male) cable, same with my TV. So I was looking for a 2 female to 3 male, which apparently do not exist.

Any advice? Am I doing something wrong?

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/a/a5/150px-Grounded_plug_adapter.jpg

cheater plug

however you should know that if you lift the ground and something happens to the system that would cause it to short out, etc...it can make the chassis 'live' and anyone that touches it will get knocked on their a$$ or worse. It can be used as a short term solution until you can find the source.

I see, unfortunately my plugs are both 2 prong, plugged into a surge protector (the same one actually) and then connected to the wall.

Go to Radio Shack. They have cable TV ground ISO units.

how much could I look to spend on this ISO unit?

I couldnt find the rat shack version on the website. But a Jensen one runs about 50 bucks. Or get the cable co to come and fix the ground properly which should cost you nothing. Or goto your local rat shack and see if they have any in stock.

I see, unfortunately my plugs are both 2 prong, plugged into a surge protector (the same one actually) and then connected to the wall.

Unplug it from the surge pro and see if the hum stops.

Unplug it from the surge pro and see if the hum stops.


Good idea as well. I dont have any of those surge protectors just 5 dollar power strips and have never had the grounding issues I see so many here have. So much of that stuff is sold for a problem people dont have.