Help with distortion from TV via RCA

Spoiled from my Integra/Klipsch setup in my living I was looking for a bit more sound in my bedroom, so it seemed a soundbar was perfect due to cost and limited space. I wasn't looking for anything special, and reading reviews and looking at cost we grabbed an audiosource S3d60.

I have a decent grasp of audio setup, and this one couldn't be easier. Except.... I get terrible distortion when plugged in to my sharp Aquos via RCA (no optical). Also I get the same distortion from my Denon DVD player via RCA, but great sound via optical. Then the Roku, terrible distortion via hdmi through the tv, slightly better when direct to the soundbar via line out, although it is still hard to listen to.

Now, I can take my iphone and plug it to the line in of the soundbar, it's great. Also great if I use an adapter from line out to RCA into the soundbar. Plus we have the great sound via optical from the DVD player.

I originally though the Roku was due to slow internet, but even a CD in the DVD player was terrible if it was played through the tv then RCA to the soundbar.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to lay down all the info. The soundbar is great through all ports, it just depends on the source The idea was to have better sound for watching TV and Roku, but I can't stand to listen to either one!

Thanks for any info.

When there is no signal, all is quiet. By terrible, it sounds likes the speakers are blown or the volume is turned too loud on a cheap set of speakers, even though it is at a really low level.

Yes, all components are plugged into the same outlet. The troubling part of this is that I have great sound via optical with the DVD player, but plugged into RCA it's bad. But then I can get great sound via RCA through an iPod.

thanks for the help

Thanks for the insight. I moved the unit to another room and plugged it into a different component, but had the same problems with the RCA input.

I'll be boxing this one back up.

thanks again.