[iamkraz]

Hi,


I did a search on the board, but have not found an answer to my problem so I am hoping somebody can help me out. I am a novice, so I will keep it simple.


I just purchased my first high-def LCD TV and hooked it up tonight to my Comcast HD/DVR box. I had an old CRT Panasonic hooked up to the box with no problems via a coaxial cable. Coaxial from wall to cable box and then coaxial from cable box to CRT.


Now, I have the coaxial to cable box and then multiple color cables from cable box to LCD TV. Since I hooked it up to the LCD, I see faint horizontal bands traveling slowly from the bottom of the picture to the top. When I play a DVD the lines go away, so I assume it is something to do with the cable box or comcast cable line. I did a little google search and figured out this is probably a 'ground loop' problem. First off, why did I never see this on my CRT TV, and still do not on my other existing CRT TVs in my house. Only on the LCD. Is it because the CRT TVs are two-pronged plugs, and the new LCD is a three-prong plug with a ground? Next, what is the easiest way to fix this?? Again, I am a beginner so treat me with kid gloves. Thanks for any help you can give with my problem.

 

[txrose]

Possible things to try, some which you may already be doing.

1. Plug both the TV and cable box into the same outlet/power strip. You can also try a ground lift plug (two AC prongs and a ground wire left floating on one side and a three prong connector on the other side) on the TV to see if that stops the problem.

2. Use the HDMI or DVI connection from the cable box if it has one. If you don't have a cable borrow one from a friend or buy one locally from Walmart or Fry's which should have the lowest price if you want to keep it or return it if you don't.

3. Try the coax connection from the cable box to the TV for information purposes.

4. Call Cox and see if they can help. Often there is 60 Hz current coming from their coax.


Not an easy problem for anyone to solve. Good luck!

 

[John Mason]

Easiest fix would be asking your cable company to cure the problem. But, as you might suspect, that may not work out. Then, if shifting cables and plugs around in various combinations and different AC outlet sources doesn't work either, there's a lower-cost ground-fault isolator . Numerous posts/threads here about them, and ideally your cable company might provide one. -- John