How to Troubleshoot Video Problems

Few things can be as frustrating as picture problems. You get your system all ready to go, flip the switch, and WHAM! One or more channels look terrible. The good news is that the majority of video problems can be traced to just a few causes. Most problems are comprised of the following:

Snow

Horizontal bars rolling though the picture

Vertical bars rolling through the picture

Ghosting

Herringbone pattern (diagonal lines through picture)

Lower channels look fine, upper channels are not

These six are the main symptoms youll find when seeing video problems. Thankfully, most are fairly easy to fix.

Snow -

Snow is caused by inadequate signal strength at the tuner. Its usually caused by:

1Splitting the signal too many times.

2A weak signal from the antenna or cable company

3A very long cable run

If the signal is snowy at all your tvs, especially if you have more than 4 tvs, you probably need an RF amplifier. Check the strength at the demark (service entrance). If it is fine there, add an amplifier before the splitter. Make sure to use a quality unit with good bandwidth (out to at least 1000MHz). If you have digital cable or a cable modem, get an amplifier with a bidirectional return path to allow for communication back to the cable company. If the picture looks bad at the demark, contact the cable company.

If it is bad at only one TV, you may have a bad cable between the splitter and the TV or a very long run of cable. You can amplify just that run.

Horizontal Rolling Bars

Horizontal rolling bars are caused by DC power getting into the cable system. To fix it, disconnect the TV from all other components in the system. If the bars disappear, add the other components back in until the bars return. When you find the offending component, use a DC blocker to eliminate the DC power path to the system.

Vertical Rolling Bars

Vertical rolling bars are caused by AC power getting on the cable line. The best fix for this is to use a ground breaker. A ground breaker eliminates the electrical connection between the TV and the cable system. A ground breaker is also the main fix for a hum on your audio systems speakers.

Ghosting

Ghosting is caused by the tuner receiving identical signals at slightly different times. It can be caused by your TV receiving a local station broadcasting over the air and via the cable system at the same time. Make sure you are using good quality RG-6 coax cable and good compression fittings. Replace any low quality cable splitters or combiners with high quality units. Make sure they are tight also. This will also cure another cause of ghosting, signal reflection inside a poor cable.

Ghosting can also be caused by multi-path interference on an antenna system. This is especially true in an urban environment with lots of hills and tall buildings. To combat this, use a very directional antenna aimed directly at the desired station.

Herringbone Pattern

A herringbone pattern is caused by radio frequency interference from other stations transmitting on the same channel or adjacent channels, powerful radio signals, computers, etc. Another common cause is being equidistant from two transmitters operating on the same channel.

In short, this can be caused by just about any sort of RF radiation at the correct frequency. Really great shielding found on high quality cables helps to combat this. If you are getting this interference while modulating an A/V source on a certain channel, try switching to a different channel.

Poor Upper Channel Reception

Poor Upper Channel Reception is caused by poor signal strength on the upper channels. Use an amplifier with a tilt compensator that allows adjustment of the upper channels relative to the lower channels. This will prevent overdriving the lower channels while providing the upper channels with enough gain. Also, check to see if all components in the RF system are rated to at least 1GHz and RG-6 or RG-6Quad shield cable is being used throughout.

Bio: Steve Faber has almost 15 years in the custom installation industry. He is a CEDIA certified designer and Installer 2 with certifications from both the ISF and THX. His experience spans many facets of the industry, from the trenches as an installer and control systems programmer, and system designer, to a business unit director for a specialty importer of high end audio video equipment, a sales rep for a large, regional consumer electronics distributor, and principal of a $1.5M+ custom installation firm. He currently is senior sales engineer for digital Cinema Design in Redmond, WA. For more on how to get the best video in your home or theater see Home Theater Video

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Kids Just Wanna Have Fun!

During the recent schools out session, I was reminded how much the kids crave entertainment. No matter what time of year the Kids Just Wanna Have fun. And who could blame them? I dont think there are many of us who havent longed for the carefree, playful days of our youth. I have four of these carefree fun hungry kids. Keeping them entertained on a tight budget is always a challenge.

I have discovered over the years that more money doesnt necessarily mean more fun. In fact, some of the simplest, age old activities, seem to feed their fun hungry souls the best. Remember, in the old days that is the very old days. Family gatherings provided a great source of entertainment. It's hard to believe that in todays fast paced, high tech, world that children still enjoy this kind of interaction.

I have found that for some reason, maybe because it validates their own behaviors, kids love to hear stories of when we were young. No, not the kind that remind them of how good they have it today. Im talking about our childhood antics, the times when we misbehaved, did something wrong, and the consequences.

Most of us have funny moments in our life that just stick with us. Sometimes they werent so funny at the time at least from our prospective, then. My kids love to hear stories of my childhood antics, when I broke the rules, how I felt about it, and what punishment I had to endure because of it. They especially like the punishment part. Some sort of satisfaction knowing that I had to endure the cruelties of punishment also!

Of course it doesnt sound amusing to talk about times when you got in trouble. But, those memories are funny to us now that we look back at our childhood. Sure we can laugh now Were a lot smarter and see the innocence of our ways.

This is a great way to also remind ourselves that we were once kids also. And not so different than our own kids. With much the same innocence, gullibility, and scheming potential. Ahhhh a great tool for reminding us that at least some of the behaviors we frown on in our kids is just the normal age old process of growing up! A very reassuring thought when youre ready to pull your hair out.

In some ways this ritual of reminiscing shows our children that we love them unconditionally. That we understand. Why, because weve been there, done that. And we acted in many ways , and felt in many ways , the same way they do today. Its true that some things never change. I have a shorter list of tales to tell being one of three siblings. My husband on the other hand is one of eleven children, and he can keep them in belly busting laughter for hours, leaving them begging for more. Telling not only his own antics but those of his brothers and sisters.

So, if you ever find everyone sitting around looking bored to the gills, start up a casual conversation and work in some of your funny moments in life. Youll have them begging for more and more tales. Tell some more, tell some more! And the best part .. Its Free Entertainment!

With a little research.what was that?..research? If youve been to visit http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com you know this is one of my pet peeves.. If you dont know whats out there or if you dont know what youre looking for, youre doomed to spend too much of your hard earned money!

There no disputing the fact that an Informed Consumer = More Savings! There! I said it again. boy did that feel good. Well now that I got that off my chest let me share some ideas on this fun thing.

• Roller skating- went once a week when I was a kid. Loved it! Guess what? My kids love it too! And its cheap if you do your research. Our local rink has a family night. Get this , $1 to get in $1 for skates if you need to rent.

  If you make this a regular outing, invest in the skates. Thats one of those birthday or Christmas gifts that will pay you back in the long run. My husband and I dont skate, those days are gone. Although I highly recommend it for a great workout. That means four kids can get in for $4. three hours of fun for $4. You cant beat it!

  I could get us in for even less . . .only $2. We have a local grocery store that prints coupons on back of the receipts, one of the most frequent coupons I get .the local roller skating rink buy one entrance fee, get one free .

  I prefer not to use these for family night since my oldest daughter likes to go to the rink on teen night The rink socks it to them at $6 an entry. They know where the money is! This is a social event that many teens in the area just cant miss! This way she can get in free if she goes with a paying friend. Sometimes, just to be fair, we share the savings with her friends and each of them only has to pay $3. This way she doesnt feel like shes taking advantage of anyone.

• Bowling: this can be a great low cost avenue for fun if you dont get carried away. Usually you have to pay by the game, per person. So set your limits and have fun. Most lanes have bumper guards now that prevent the little ones from excessive gutter ball blues It helps put the fun back in it for the very young children. A great feature. Even for the fumbling adult. Who am I kidding, I love those bumper guards! Most alleys have a discount night. So, try to plan your activities so you can enjoy the benefits of the discounts.

Just a Note: Both of the above businesses usually offer birthday party rates as well. If youre not into planning your own party at home (by far the most economical way) then consider checking out the party packages.

• Cookouts and Picnics: Cookouts dont have to be for special occasions. We have several wonderful parks in our area that sport wonderful playgrounds and scenic walking or biking trails. So take the boredom out of lunch one Saturday or Sunday afternoon and throw together a cookout or picnic at your local park. My kids just need to get out of the house sometimes. They dont really care where they go, as long as they go somewhere!

  Parks are a great resource for free fun! The internet is a great resource for finding new, different, and exciting parks in your area. Just do a simple search and you will probably be amazed at the numerous parks within driving distance from your home. So keep it interesting and travel a little bit to get to exciting new places!

  An extra bonus . . . . You will be making great memories for your kids!:)

• Museums and Historical Landmarks: Dont think you have any near you? Bet Ya do! Why even in the far out sticks of nowhere you might be surprised to find a museum within a reasonable distance. I am blessed to live in a highly cultural area between Washington DC and Baltimore. So museums, tourists attractions, and historic landmarks (yes many of them Free) are abundant.

  But, no matter where you live, do a little research (yes, again) and Ill bet youll find some interesting attraction or museum convenient to your home. If in a rare case you dont, then plan to visit an area on a weekend trip where you can enjoy these types of historic attractions.

• Family Game Night:
- I know that many times after a hard days work we just want to sit, relax, and well, basically, do nothing! But, once you get in a habit of designating one night Family Game Night I guarantee youll look forward to it.

This is a great way interact with your kids. Its fun, educational, and provides an opportunity for conversation (Now thats something those teens dont offer up much). Choose games that everyone enjoys and is capable of doing. Games that suit the familys entire age span are always more fun. And, there are many out there.

If you have a large family with some large age differences, you can opt to have two game nights so you can include games suited for the younger children that the older ones might get bored with. Of course, always provide the option for older ones to be included. Sometimes, believe it or not, they just enjoy the quality time with parents and siblings. :)

Well, I'm hoping these ideas will keep you busy for now! And remember, it doesn't have to cost alot to be alot of FUN!

Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four helping herself and others become and stay debt free. Publisher of Simple Debt Free Living at http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com - A self-help plan, ideas, and resources for debt management, personal budgeting, and frugal living, including tips for low cost family entertainment.

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