Is there a way to get the background buzz to go away?

Question

We recently got a new blu ray player. It came with an HDMI cable, but our tv didn't have any HDMI ports. My dad had an HDMI to DVI cable so we used that for the picture. For sound, we have a digital audio coaxial cable connect to a Digital to Analog converter with RCA running from the converter to the tv. We have sound, but in the background there is this annoying staticy buzz. Is there a way to get the buzz to go away, or is it just going to always be there? The TV is a Hitachi (not exactly sure on the model, but it is a projection screen and 55"), blu ray is a Toshiba and I think the model is BDK21. The digital coaxial cable is by Alphaline, the converter by Menotek, and the RCA by Phillips (I think)

Update:

I've got the cables pretty clear of other cables and the converter is away from the cables as well. Haven't got it in a separate outlet/plug yet because I don't have one close enough or a spare power strip. But the buzz is still there.

Lance · Accepted Answer

Your probably getting a "Ground Loop" or " Phantom Loop" somewhere in the system do not run power cords and line cords along Parallel paths keep them separate if they do have to cross let them cross at 90 degree angles...also do not place the converter directly on top of other equipment it needs to have at least 4 inches of separation, also try a different wall outlet for the converter that may also help or using a separate high quality surge suppressor on a different line for it....sometimes reorienting equipment 90 degrees to one another will help....The problem is more than likely the converter box it may not be shielded properly or it may not be grounded properly but it also could be picking up a problem somewhere else in the system that it is just more sensitive to than the other equipment....

Kevin L · Answer

You more than likely have a ground loop issue.  This is typically caused when two or more components are plugged into separate AC outlets that are out of phase with one another and sharing a common ground.  There are other ways hums or noises can get into a system, but this is the most common.

Ether make sure everything is plugged into the same outlet, (as long as you don't have more than two high current pieces of equipment on the same line. TV receiver or amplifiers etc.)  As this is to high a current draw for one line.  The other way to resolve this issue is to lift grounds.  Keep the TV and receiver grounded and lift any other piece of equipment that maybe grounded by using a 3 prong to 2 prong AC ground lifter you can get at any hardware store.  There is no issue in doing this as everything plugged into the receiver is still grounded through the interconnects connected to it.

Power conditioners, or surge suppressors will not fix this issue and do not help or improve sound or video quality anyhow.

Dimmer switches, refrigerators, on the same circuit can also cause issues.  Unshielded cables, or power cords running parallel with speaker or interconnects also can cause issues.

Kevin
40 years high end audio video specialist

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Is there a way to get the background buzz to go away?

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