I made a lot of modifications in my HT over the last year an just got around to reconnecting my cable (mostly use the room for DVD's). There has been many changes which makes it difficult to problem solve. Some of the changes are huge addition to home with many wiring changes, new recever, projector, changes to cable lines due to addition and more. Well when I connect the cable line to my VCR (just std coax) I get a hum through all my speakers. I get this hum even when the VCR is not plugged in. I use a Svideo connection for the picture from my Mit SVHS VCR to my HK Recv. I am using RCA jacks for the audio. I tried plugging the units into different outlets and through a UPS. I also ran a ground wire from my splitter which didn't work. Has anyone seen this problem and have a solution????? Hopfully I can resolve before Super Bowl (glad I started now).

Thanks,
Ralph-

This sounds like a gound loop somewhere. Your cable line is probably connected to your house ground, and may be picking it up from another source (bad wiring, cheap electical device etc). Except by using the process of elimination it's hard to find these things.

Hi Daniel (or others),
I disconnected everything so my cable line comes in the house and directly to my VCR. My splitter had a ground connection on it and when I disconnected it the hum got even louder. I also disconnected the Svideo connector to my pre-amp and it still hums with no change. I also put a groung isolator from Radio Shack in the audio lines from the VCR to the preamp but no change. The only thing that reduced the hum is when the splitter was grounded. Again no other cable connections. I tried two different high quality splitters and cable lines running from the street line to the VCR. I would think maybe my street connection has a problem? What should I look for. There is an underground box in the yard with easy access. Also the cable that runs from the box outside to my house is large diameter high quality made for runs over 400 feet (mine is only about 80 feet, I gave the cable guy xtra cash to use the good stuff. I don't know what to try next. Should I be checking grounds with my equipment? I did plug in my equipment to several other outlets in the house and I put a UPS in line also to see if it would help but no change. I also saw a device called a 634-00 ground breaker in Tech America catalog (P/N 930-0036) do you think this would help?? Sorry for the long post but I hope it helps you problem solve. Any help would be great.
Thanks, Ralph-

Ralph

Did you solve your catv hum yet?
If you did not, you need to get an rf ground breaker & install it in between your incoming catv coax & vcr antenna input. Probably the best one is the MAGIC made by Mondial.

Dylan

Ralph,

If you have Cable TV hooked up to your VCR - that's were the Hum is coming from. The best product for the job (money) is made by Tributaries - the Ground Guard - US list $99.00. Call around and find out who carries their products. It will work.

If you don't have cable, try plugging all your components (including VCR) into the same outlet - using panamax or similar power conditioner.

Hi all,
I fixed the hum in my cable. First I tried a ground isolator from radio shack but it didn't work (it was made for a car). Then I found a little device from tech america catalog for like $7.99 and is claimed it would eliminate hum in cable caused by ground. I figured I would try it and it worked great. the hum is completely gone and you can't beat the price. I forget what they called it but if anyone is interested I can geet the info. It is just this little tube shaped device that goes in-line with the incomming cable. Simple, easy and cheap! What more can I ask for.

Hi All,
I found the part number for anyone interested in the device that stopped the hum in my cable. I purchased it from Tech America @1800-877-0072. The item is called a "634-00 Ground Breaker" and it works great for me. It is part number 930-0036 (not 634-00) and I paid $8.00 for it. Page 525 of catalog September 97. I could not find it on the Radio Shack web site. The discription say it eliminated hum bars or the audible hum generated when audio/video components are connected directly to a cable TV or satelite syatem. It isolates ground potential differences within an audio/video system without effecting the RF signal. Sorry it took so long but I couldn't find the catalog I purchased it from.
Thanks,
Ralph-

Hi Ralph,

I tried Tech America aka Radio Shack at 1-800-877-0072 and discovered that the product is now discontinued. Called today at 4:45 pm EST. Just curious as to when you ordered yours?

Hi Dylan,

Who carries the Magic by Mondial -- do they have a website?