Analog Channels Picture Quality - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

megaman1x · 2005-12-16, 05:18 PM

I was wondering if you guys might be able to help me out. I purchased a new tv a while ago and at the same time decided to upgrade from regular cable to Digital Cable with a DCT 2500. Anyways, ever since the shaw tech guy came out and hooked up the DCT and re-wired the cable, I've been having these "horizontal bars" which start at the bottom of the screen and slowly travel up the screen in regular intervals. As soon as one "horizontal bar" reaches the top, another one starts fresh at the bottom and starts travelling up the screen. And this is happening on all of the TV's in the house (even the ones without a DCT), not just the new one. I called shaw and they said it happens when cable lines entering the house are near electrical equipment and it interfere's with the signal. Anyways, they sent out a tech and all he did was put in an amplified splitter which I guess did help picture quality. But the horizonal bar is back now.

The worst part is that it's only there 80% of the time. And wouldn't you just know it, the horizontal bar was not there when the shaw tech guy came to my house. So he must have just thought I was an idiot. Anyways, the horizontal bar only comes on the analog channels, not on the digital channels at all. Anyone know what this type of interferance is caused by or what it's called? Do you think if I called shaw again that they might be able to do something about it? Thanks for any input

Redito · 2005-12-16, 05:32 PM

You should start by taping 5 or 10 minutes when the bars are at their worst so a Shaw tech can see what you mean even if it isn't happening when he gets there.

I had problems with my lower end channels when I got my first digital box too, including some lines and my problem was signal strength. When the signal gets boosted for the upper channels it can be too much for the lower end ones.

I do seem to recall some tech telling me my problem was hydro interference as well but the solution turned out to be tweaking my signal strength and running new wire from into my house since my old wire was 30+ years old.

In any event, you should never accept a bad outcome. Part of the money you pay each month to Shaw goes to pay for their service techs so you should keep calling and keep complaining until you get it resolved. Maybe ask them to send out a different tech this time.

beanagee1 · 2005-12-16, 07:28 PM

These rolling bars are usually due to grounding problem with the cable signal coming into your TV. Do you have the same problem when watching video from other sources? The grounding problem that I have experienced were purple. There is cheap filter you can buy that eliminates that problem. I will look up the filter that I have installed and I will post it later on this weekend.

Nanuuk · 2005-12-16, 07:37 PM

It coudl also be as simple as the copper wire connector in your coax is bent and grounding out. I know, I probably just made 57 wince with my highly technical dufus explanation. You might also try a forum search.

57 · 2005-12-16, 10:13 PM

Hum bars. See the explanation in the following link.

http://www.cabletronix.com/support/trouble.asp

Try to disconnect your components until the problem goes away... Try to separate your video and power cables. Make sure you've used a half decent video cable and that it's inserted well.

I never winced once.

beanagee1 may say you need a DC filter later this weekend...

megaman1x · 2005-12-17, 12:23 AM

Thanks guys for all the input.

Redito - Thanks for the recording tip. I'll definately do that when it comes up

beanagee1 - no I dont have the same problem watching tv from other sources

57 - I don't think it's the components that are causing this. The only reason I think this is because these "hum bars" are appearing on all of my tv's. And 1 of those tv's is only a tiny 13" tv in my sisters room with absolutely no components attatched to it. It still has those hum bars.

I guess I'll give shaw another call and see if the guy that comes can fix it this time.

57 · 2005-12-17, 12:30 PM

Yep, if it's on all your TVs, then it sounds like an issue with your cable - some ingress somewhere. The cable tech should be able to find/isolate the issue. Perhaps it is a grounding issue.

selfy · 2005-12-19, 05:15 PM

It could be analog broadcast channels breaking through and interfering with your cable signal. I have shaw cable and that happens with me sometimes.

Ratchet · 2005-12-28, 10:56 PM

If the problem is on all TV's in your house it could even be from one TV feeding power back through the cabling. The problem could be a poor splitter in the cable box outside, could even be as simple as a poor F-connector at the pole outside, maybe a spliced cable gone bad at the mast on your house (is it any worse with weather changes)?, really just because the problem doesn't happen when the cable guy is there means nothing. They have cable isolators that can be installed before the splitter feeding all of your TV's, but yes to me it sounds as though the ground may not be correctly installed, either at the house or on the pole, but call them and get it fixed.

digikoro · 2006-01-04, 03:32 AM

This is exactly the problem I had recently at my house.

- rolling line, kind of a transparanet distortion
- would roll from the bottom slowly up to the top and then start again at the bottom.
- happened on all tvs in the house
- the intensity was worse at different times of the day.

After weeks of wondering what it was, it started to get worse and then I would occasionally see multiple lines as well.

We finally had a Shaw support guy come out to our house and he couldn't find anything wrong with our setup and said he suspected we had a grounding problem - but just in case he called for another crew to come out and check the equipment for our street - we live at the end of a cul-de-saq.

The next day, a second crew came and worked on some equipment found in the center of the cul-de-saq we live on. Eventually they came up to our door and said they found a problem with the cable box attached to the side of our neighbor's house and they replaced it. This solved the rolling lines for us.

The strange thing is, the problem seems to be slowly coming back - once in a while I can see a very faint rolling line now that I am sensitive to it. It hasn't been frequent enough for me to call Shaw yet but I will as soon as it starts to annoy me.

strunso · 2006-01-04, 04:52 PM

hum bars......grounding issue....call shaw...tech will fix if it's from the cable plant...

megaman1x · 2006-01-04, 05:54 PM

I called Shaw and they sent out a guy to come look at it. This is the 2nd time someone has come to fix the problem. I took the advice given here and I recorded it for the shaw tech to see the problem. Anyways, he went down and said not every single cable split was being used on the signal amplifier and so he re-did the wiring, making sure everything was using the signal amplifier. So I went and checked the TV and everything was fine, but of course, because these hum bars like to come and go as they please, I had no way of knowing if he actually fixed the problem or not. Anyways, like everyone is saying on here, I'm assuming it most definately is a grounding problem. So I will call Shaw yet again....they always seem to have no idea what is doing it. But I will mention it might be a grounding problem. Thanks for all your input

2005-12-16, 05:18 PM	#1
megaman1x Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 51	Analog Channels Picture Quality I was wondering if you guys might be able to help me out. I purchased a new tv a while ago and at the same time decided to upgrade from regular cable to Digital Cable with a DCT 2500. Anyways, ever since the shaw tech guy came out and hooked up the DCT and re-wired the cable, I've been having these "horizontal bars" which start at the bottom of the screen and slowly travel up the screen in regular intervals. As soon as one "horizontal bar" reaches the top, another one starts fresh at the bottom and starts travelling up the screen. And this is happening on all of the TV's in the house (even the ones without a DCT), not just the new one. I called shaw and they said it happens when cable lines entering the house are near electrical equipment and it interfere's with the signal. Anyways, they sent out a tech and all he did was put in an amplified splitter which I guess did help picture quality. But the horizonal bar is back now. The worst part is that it's only there 80% of the time. And wouldn't you just know it, the horizontal bar was not there when the shaw tech guy came to my house. So he must have just thought I was an idiot. Anyways, the horizontal bar only comes on the analog channels, not on the digital channels at all. Anyone know what this type of interferance is caused by or what it's called? Do you think if I called shaw again that they might be able to do something about it? Thanks for any input

2005-12-16, 10:13 PM	#5
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	Hum bars. See the explanation in the following link. http://www.cabletronix.com/support/trouble.asp Try to disconnect your components until the problem goes away... Try to separate your video and power cables. Make sure you've used a half decent video cable and that it's inserted well. I never winced once. beanagee1 may say you need a DC filter later this weekend... __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2005-12-17, 12:30 PM	#7
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,301	Yep, if it's on all your TVs, then it sounds like an issue with your cable - some ingress somewhere. The cable tech should be able to find/isolate the issue. Perhaps it is a grounding issue. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2005-12-16, 05:32 PM	#2
Redito Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 230	You should start by taping 5 or 10 minutes when the bars are at their worst so a Shaw tech can see what you mean even if it isn't happening when he gets there. I had problems with my lower end channels when I got my first digital box too, including some lines and my problem was signal strength. When the signal gets boosted for the upper channels it can be too much for the lower end ones. I do seem to recall some tech telling me my problem was hydro interference as well but the solution turned out to be tweaking my signal strength and running new wire from into my house since my old wire was 30+ years old. In any event, you should never accept a bad outcome. Part of the money you pay each month to Shaw goes to pay for their service techs so you should keep calling and keep complaining until you get it resolved. Maybe ask them to send out a different tech this time.

2005-12-16, 07:28 PM	#3
beanagee1 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Burnaby Posts: 766	These rolling bars are usually due to grounding problem with the cable signal coming into your TV. Do you have the same problem when watching video from other sources? The grounding problem that I have experienced were purple. There is cheap filter you can buy that eliminates that problem. I will look up the filter that I have installed and I will post it later on this weekend.

2005-12-16, 07:37 PM	#4
Nanuuk Veteran Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Calgary, AB Shaw Exo Posts: 4,811	It coudl also be as simple as the copper wire connector in your coax is bent and grounding out. I know, I probably just made 57 wince with my highly technical dufus explanation. You might also try a forum search.

2005-12-17, 12:23 AM	#6
megaman1x Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 51	Thanks guys for all the input. Redito - Thanks for the recording tip. I'll definately do that when it comes up beanagee1 - no I dont have the same problem watching tv from other sources 57 - I don't think it's the components that are causing this. The only reason I think this is because these "hum bars" are appearing on all of my tv's. And 1 of those tv's is only a tiny 13" tv in my sisters room with absolutely no components attatched to it. It still has those hum bars. I guess I'll give shaw another call and see if the guy that comes can fix it this time.

2005-12-19, 05:15 PM	#8
selfy Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 18	It could be analog broadcast channels breaking through and interfering with your cable signal. I have shaw cable and that happens with me sometimes.

2005-12-28, 10:56 PM	#9
Ratchet Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: vancouver island Posts: 2	If the problem is on all TV's in your house it could even be from one TV feeding power back through the cabling. The problem could be a poor splitter in the cable box outside, could even be as simple as a poor F-connector at the pole outside, maybe a spliced cable gone bad at the mast on your house (is it any worse with weather changes)?, really just because the problem doesn't happen when the cable guy is there means nothing. They have cable isolators that can be installed before the splitter feeding all of your TV's, but yes to me it sounds as though the ground may not be correctly installed, either at the house or on the pole, but call them and get it fixed.

2006-01-04, 03:32 AM	#10
digikoro Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2	This is exactly the problem I had recently at my house. - rolling line, kind of a transparanet distortion - would roll from the bottom slowly up to the top and then start again at the bottom. - happened on all tvs in the house - the intensity was worse at different times of the day. After weeks of wondering what it was, it started to get worse and then I would occasionally see multiple lines as well. We finally had a Shaw support guy come out to our house and he couldn't find anything wrong with our setup and said he suspected we had a grounding problem - but just in case he called for another crew to come out and check the equipment for our street - we live at the end of a cul-de-saq. The next day, a second crew came and worked on some equipment found in the center of the cul-de-saq we live on. Eventually they came up to our door and said they found a problem with the cable box attached to the side of our neighbor's house and they replaced it. This solved the rolling lines for us. The strange thing is, the problem seems to be slowly coming back - once in a while I can see a very faint rolling line now that I am sensitive to it. It hasn't been frequent enough for me to call Shaw yet but I will as soon as it starts to annoy me.

2006-01-04, 04:52 PM	#11
strunso Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 11	hum bars......grounding issue....call shaw...tech will fix if it's from the cable plant...

2006-01-04, 05:54 PM	#12
megaman1x Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 51	I called Shaw and they sent out a guy to come look at it. This is the 2nd time someone has come to fix the problem. I took the advice given here and I recorded it for the shaw tech to see the problem. Anyways, he went down and said not every single cable split was being used on the signal amplifier and so he re-did the wiring, making sure everything was using the signal amplifier. So I went and checked the TV and everything was fine, but of course, because these hum bars like to come and go as they please, I had no way of knowing if he actually fixed the problem or not. Anyways, like everyone is saying on here, I'm assuming it most definately is a grounding problem. So I will call Shaw yet again....they always seem to have no idea what is doing it. But I will mention it might be a grounding problem. Thanks for all your input