I have a samsung 1080p DLP HDTV. I've had it for a few weeks and now speakers make a crackling sound. WHY?

Question

When the internal mute is on and it is hooked up to my surround sound, the crackling goes from speaker to speaker. When the surround sound is off and I use the TV speakers, the crackling comes out of the TV speakers. This only happens when I am watching TV through my HD Cable box. When my xbox 360 is hooked up, the crackling doesn't come out of the TV speakers or the surround sound speakers. Should I just get a new HD cable box...could it really be that simple? I need some help please as I can't find my receipt and samsung won't send a technician(free of charge)without it.

Answer 1

Is the CATV coax in your area strung on poles or under-ground?

We have seen a lot of people that have "hum" in their systems that disappear if they disconnect the CATV coax.

The long runs of coax outside act like large antennas, especially if they run parallel to AC power cords. The CATV company have small devices called "Grounding Blocks" that they attach outside with a wire to a water pipe. This usually solves the problem.

Do this: Mute the TV so you hear the crackling. Then un-screw the coax from the CATV box. If the cracking stops - it's the coax. Call your CATV company for a service call and tell them you need the coax grounded.

Answer 2

Actually you can Unplug the Cable box for 5 minutes and the crackling should disappear....

I've had all sorts of Satellite and Cable boxes generate noise, and unplugging them resets the microprocessor inside and clears out the buffers....

So don't get a NEW box unless it still crackles after resetting it...even a brand new box will crackle from time to time.

We're paying the price for the HD digital signal conversion....it's gonna have some bugs.