Cable TV problems

[kenimpzoom]

I have a cable TV problem. My reception is very snowy.<br /><br />I can unplug the cable from the TV, then plug it back in and it looks great. The over the next 15 minutes it slowly degrades to a very snowy picture. Once I unplug it, and then plug it back it, it looks great for a few minutes, then slowly degrades again.<br /><br />TV is only 6 months old. Sony big screen.<br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />Ken

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Cable TV problems

I would call your cable company.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Cable TV problems

Have any animals that like to water themselves there or plants if so try a hair dryer but sounds more like connector cut[wire inside colax] to short or just a bad connector inside tv cold solder, check downstream for a bad connection like where it enters house

 

[one more cast]

Re: Cable TV problems

Ken, Try unhooking the cable and put just a slight bend on the end of the wire so it makes better contact.

 

[jimchere]

Re: Cable TV problems

Most likely the "F" connector at the end of your cable. Doesn't take much to mess these up and they have to be put on just right. If your cable company installed it and its faulty, you might be able to get them to fix it.Otherwise, they're going to charge you an arm/leg just to show up at the door. If you're kind of handy, you can get replacement F connector at radio shack and with a good knife and wire cutters fix it yourself. Numerous websites that show you how. Remember, though, that you will only make it worse if you don't install a new connector just right.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Cable TV problems

I had a similar problem. Whenever I unplugged the cable and plugged it back in, the problem went away. I did everything I could think of to solve it. At the time, I had a 4x1 amplifier in line so I bought a new one at Rat Shack to replace it. Still had the problem. <br /><br />Since it came on gradually, I wondered if I might be building static somewhere. Finally ran an earth ground from the amplifier chassis to a nearby water pipe and haven't had the problem since.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Cable TV problems

Thanks guys, I will check my wires carefully and my ground.<br /><br />I would think a bad connections would appear instantly. This problem is weird, it takes 5 minutes for the snow to appear.<br /><br />Ken

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Cable TV problems

Like Jim says most times it's the connector. Lot's of times the outer barrel isn't making good contact with the ground inside the coax.<br /><br />Try grabbing the insulation in one hand and the connector in the other and try pushing the connector deeper into the insulation to make better contact with the ground. Also check to see if the inner conductor wasn't cut too short. Screw it back in all the way for maximum contact area.<br /><br />If it is the short cable going from your box to your TV just go buy a new one.<br /><br />The reason it could be taking a few minutes to show back up is that how long it takes for the cable to sag again

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Cable TV problems

Thanks for the ideas guys.<br /><br />The cable doesnt move, and the connector is factory crimped. The connector is supertight, no movement at all either from the cable to connector end, or the connector to TV end.<br /><br />No cable box, comes from the wall straight to the TV. No connector from the wall either, one continuous cable from outside the house to my TV, no wall sockets. <br /><br />Will give it alooksee tonight.<br /><br />Ken

 

[jimchere]

Re: Cable TV problems

KZ,<br />It takes an amazingly small defect in that screw on connector at the end of the cable which goes to your TV set to cause problems. Screw it in, then hold the cable by the insulation a few inches back and push, wiggle, squirm, etc. while watching the picture. If you see deviation in picture quality, that's your problem. Just a modest-gentle force such as you would apply to a carving knife doing a turkey as far as grip strength goes. I've seen this many times. When you disconnect/reconnect, you inadvertently torque the cable somewhat to include the shielding ground conny on the F connector. After it sets for a few minutes after being reconnected, then it tends to untorque itself (we are talking a couple of inch pounds or less here)and the faulty crimping of the connector shows itself again.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Cable TV problems

Originally posted by BoatBuoy:<br /> I had a similar problem. Whenever I unplugged the cable and plugged it back in, the problem went away. I did everything I could think of to solve it. At the time, I had a 4x1 amplifier in line so I bought a new one at Rat Shack to replace it. Still had the problem. <br /><br />Since it came on gradually, I wondered if I might be building static somewhere. Finally ran an earth ground from the amplifier chassis to a nearby water pipe and haven't had the problem since.

Boatboy youre the man. I checked my ground it was loose. I wiggleed it, then tightened it and then unplugged the cable. Plugged it back in. <br /><br />After an hour the picture still looks great. <br /><br />Thanks, Ken

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Cable TV problems

Cool deal Ken. I thought he may have nailed it, but could offer no additional advice. Glad you got it fixed. No one likes to watch Snow White on every channel.

 

[muskyone]

Re: Cable TV problems

finally something I can help with if tighten a ground helps your pic there’s bigger problems that ground is there to protect your TV from a lightning strike has nothing to do with the pic im thinking if your drop is under ground to your house then a rodent has chewed on your drop or it was damaged some how if the problem is between the tap and the house the cable company will fix it for free do not use radio shack f connecters with 860 MHz cable systems they cause more trouble then they fix if you have the broadband and use grap fittings you will put allot of noise in the system I could go on and on I know these things I’m a sweep tech and splicer http://www.hfcco.com/

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Cable TV problems

Thanks guys. Looks like the trouble has come back.<br /><br />It comes and goes.<br /><br />I have two splitters in my main line, do they need to be grounded?<br /><br />I'll looks some more.<br /><br />Thanks, Ken

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: Cable TV problems

Ken, make sure the input line on the splitters, and all the connections on the splitters are properly connected. If I remember right there is a ground attachment on some of the splitters that I have seen.

 

[heyttown]

Re: Cable TV problems

Ive seen splitters go bad also.....

 

[90skichallenger]

Re: Cable TV problems

The other problem is if you are splitting your signal 4 or more ways you need an amplifier on the line to combat signal degradation.<br />Later,

 

[Stratosfied]

Re: Cable TV problems

Hey Ken, did ya ever get this fiqured out?

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Cable TV problems

Funny ya ask, yes I did two weekends ago. I have two splitters in the main cable line. I grounded the first splitter cause it was easy to try. No more problems after that.<br /><br />Thanks for the help guys, Ken