Awful Interference

[ArcticFox]

Just forked out for a PVR card, Elitegroup TVP3XP, the image quality is superb, and captures full PAL res MPEG2 at 9mbps........BUT......... it has godawful Interference, and i dont know whats causing it,

Im using a Soltek Qbic eq3401m small form factor pc with only 1 pci slot, i was wondering if i could shield the interference, or get rid of it all together,

thanks

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/martin.bryce1/0.jpg

[vhelp]

hi ArcticFox,

I know what you mean.

I really beleive that these causes are from the mobo/chipset/cpu
and maybe the ram chips too. Too many clocks ticking in K-oss.

But, some say this is due to poor grounding, running through the
house somewhere.. either your Cable or your phone or your electric
wireing - - somewhere's its not properly grounded.

I've ben there (above) and I can say freelly, beyond w/ this endless
interference (I call it Line Noise) but you can call it whatever you
want :P

I've gon as far as running all my items (pc, monitor, power suply,
saltellite box and vcr) all off a high power box. That kind that you
can use a 12volt battery to (or those that have battery built-in the
unit, as i have one of those) AND, after all this, and absolutely NO
hint of grounding from the building or connection etc etc., I still
get those Lines. In the end, I blaim it on the cap card and most
importantly, the mobo/chipset/ram chips/powersuply etc etc.

I would try another brand mobo too see if the level of Lines decrease
any. If this proves positive, then I would say, your card does not
like most of your choice in mobo setup :(

-vhelp

[Arachnotron]

Is this stuff only in TV caps, or also in caps from other sources?

[ArcticFox]

yes just tvcaps, i tried inputting my dvd player via composite video and it was as clear as a whistle

[Arachnotron]

OK, so the interference is either already in the antenna signal going into the tuner or it is something caught directly by the electronics of the on-card tuner.

Do you get the same pattern on the TV when it is connected to the same antenna cable? (I assume you use some kind of splitter, so if your TV is ok the way it is connected now that does not mean the connection to your TV card is clean)

An alternative test: try playing back a tape on your VCR and connect the antenna out of the VCR to the TV card. Tune in on the VCR RF signal. (in the netherlands that is often around channel 36, no idea what it might be for you)

If the VCR pic is clean, and /or the TV shows the same interference it is probably in the antenna. If not, it is the tuner on the card.

If it is the antenna, likely sources can be inproper shielded antenna plugs, incorrrectly terminated wall sockets, cheap splitters etc. etc.

Anything that does not have complete metal shielding all around is suspect. Cheap plugs and splitters often have plastic housing, leaving a short piece of the core of the coax cable open for interference.

A last remark: judging from the wavelength of the disturbance (about 14 pixels), whatever is causing this has a frequency of about 1 MHz.

[edit] before I forget: do you get this witj all TV channels?

[edit2] also try connecting the card directly to the wall socket with a short antenna cable and with all splitters and other equipment removed

[ArcticFox]

Ok mate, just did a test by plugging the VCR up to the cards RF, and apart from the obvious lack of quality being VHS its perfect, no wavy white lines.

I get it with all TV channels and ive tried plugging it up to the wall socket with the same results.

Seems like you say it could be any of:

If it is the antenna, likely sources can be inproper shielded antenna plugs, incorrrectly terminated wall sockets, cheap splitters etc. etc.

So now ive got something to work towards.

[BruceL]

@ ArcticFox

When I have a similar noise problem on my TV cards, I loosen the F-Connector and re tighten. Sometimes I have to rotate the center conductor portion of the connector as I tighten the outer ground portion. It has worked for me, hope it helps for you.

[jggimi]

I've changed the thread title to keep it "family friendly." Hope you don't mind.

[ArcticFox]

Not at all, sorry if it was offensive

and BruceL its not one of them connectors, i live in the UK, its just a normal RF cable

[Arachnotron]

and BruceL its not one of them connectors, i live in the UK, its just a normal RF cable

Here in the Netherlands you have F-connectors too, but only for professional installations. But they are slowly becoming more common. With the advent of cable internet, the quality of RF connections is becoming more critical and F-connectors have filtered down to regular DIY stores.

But anyway, BruceL's comment illustrate that bad RF connections can produce this fenomenon. Also note that the tuners on TV cards are often more sensitive to weak / bad signals than regular TV sets. You could try using an RF amplifier, if it is indeed a case of a weak signal. If you do, put it directly behind the main antenna entry point in your house (assuming you have cable TV)

And of-course, keep the PC case closed and grounded :)

Good luck :)