Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: BUCKETHEAD on July 16, 2008, 04:57:47 pm

Title: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: BUCKETHEAD on July 16, 2008, 04:57:47 pm
I have this small 13" TV on a shelf in the gameroom.

Usually have something arcade related running on it. (DVD'S)

It had no A/V or S VIDEO inputs.

So im using a RF Modulator to hook the dvd player to it.

Problem im having is interference,
in the way of faint lines all over the picture.

When i touch the RF box or the connections on the back of it.

Picture is crystal clear!

When i take my hand off, Bam! Lines are back!

How can i correct this?

Thanks so much!
Title: Re: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: ark_ader on July 22, 2008, 06:23:59 pm
Have you tried a tin foil hat?
Title: Re: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: BUCKETHEAD on July 22, 2008, 08:59:55 pm
I wrapped some tin foil on the connectors.

But not a hat?

What is this method??
Title: Re: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: Kevin Mullins on July 23, 2008, 10:13:11 am
Sounds like a ground looping issue through some of the equipment.
Does any of the equipment you are using have a three prong plug?
(tv, rf modulator, video player, etc)

Some lengthy reading, but informative: http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/ (http://www.epanorama.net/documents/groundloop/)

Title: Re: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: RayB on July 23, 2008, 11:43:30 am
This may not be what you want as a solution, but do you have a VCR in your set up? Run the signal through the VCR coaxial IN, and use the coaxial OUT to the tv. (This means ditching the RF box).
Title: Re: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: BUCKETHEAD on July 24, 2008, 09:41:01 pm
Yes!

I think i will just go to the thrift store,

And buy a cheap VCR!

Thanks for the advice.   :)
Title: Re: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: spanks_4 on July 26, 2008, 05:16:07 am
You can also run it threw a DVD player instead of going ancient egypt with the electronics equipment.

BTW: Wal-mart sells VCR's pretty cheap these days and that is brand new.
Title: Re: Gameroom TV interference (help)
Post by: richms on July 26, 2008, 09:25:48 am
Easy solution is to replace the tv, small ones seem to go on the free lists all the time so join your local freecycle and see what turns up.

Otherwise I would be suspect of the quality of the modulator, there are some amazingly crap ones out there. A VCR tends to have a better one in it, and if you get a dvd/vcr combo then that solves the multiple boxes problem.