Why is my damn tv fuzzy?

JollyGreenMini · 10-27-2009, 03:59 PM

Ok, I know zero about tv's, I turn it on a picture shows up... that's all I got

I have an older apex, no fancy flat screen or anything just a regular tv... The higher the channels go, the fuzzier it gets. All the other tv's in the house are fine, and I know it's not the set itself cuz when i watch movies it's fine. I'm pretty sure the cable is spliced into the main line in the basement, with a 4-1 type adapter, at the other end of the house.

Any ideas? I'm getting sick of watching fuzzy tv, food network is almost un-watchable

firstgenon24s · 10-27-2009, 06:13 PM

That adapter/splitter could be bad Ive had it happen.

Performin Norman · 10-27-2009, 07:04 PM

You definitely have a loss of signal. I'd have the cable company come out and check.

Wow, how weird. I just had Time Warner out to my house this morning.

JollyGreenMini · 10-27-2009, 09:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Performin Norman

You definitely have a loss of signal. I'd have the cable company come out and check.

Wow, how weird. I just had Time Warner out to my house this morning.

Why would it just be the tv in my bedroom? There are 4 other tv's in the house that have a good picture

SgtM · 10-28-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by JollyGreenMini

Why would it just be the tv in my bedroom? There are 4 other tv's in the house that have a good picture

1. RG59. I know there's a lot of it in your area. It's old and needs to be replaced with RG6. This includes any jumpers going from the wall to to the TV.

2. The leg that that TV comes off of from the splitter is bad.

3. The run to that TV is longer than the others and causing signal degredation due to drop loss.

4. Bad fittings.

5. The run to that TV is just shot and needs to be replaced yourself.

I could actually go on with a few other things, but it's best to have your cable company can come out and test the signal with a meter. Don't be surprised if they charge you to replace the run if that's what's needed. Shouldn't be much. The cable company I used to work for only used to charge $10 per outlet. That's cheaper than going out and buying the cable yourself. If I were closer, I would come out. I still have all my tools, and a foot or two of cable.

JollyGreenMini · 10-28-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SgtM

1. RG59. I know there's a lot of it in your area. It's old and needs to be replaced with RG6. This includes any jumpers going from the wall to to the TV.

2. The leg that that TV comes off of from the splitter is bad.

3. The run to that TV is longer than the others and causing signal degredation due to drop loss.

4. Bad fittings.

5. The run to that TV is just shot and needs to be replaced yourself.

I could actually go on with a few other things, but it's best to have your cable company can come out and test the signal with a meter. Don't be surprised if they charge you to replace the run if that's what's needed. Shouldn't be much. The cable company I used to work for only used to charge $10 per outlet. That's cheaper than going out and buying the cable yourself. If I were closer, I would come out. I still have all my tools, and a foot or two of cable.

Hmm... there is probably 20 or 30' of cable run in the basement before it comes up into my room. I've wiggled the cables coming out of the splitter and that didn't seem to help at all.

SgtM · 10-28-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by JollyGreenMini

Hmm... there is probably 20 or 30' of cable run in the basement before it comes up into my room. I've wiggled the cables coming out of the splitter and that didn't seem to help at all.

20 or 30 feet is nothing, unless it's RG59. It just can't handle the TV signals anymore. Wiggling the cables won't really do anything unless the connection is loose.

The Griff · 10-28-2009, 09:48 AM

Have you tried and Amp? I had shitty picture in the garage, threw an amp inline and it fixed the picture.

Performin Norman · 10-28-2009, 10:07 AM

Did it just suddenly change? The best way is to throw a meter on it and check for signal strength. If you can't do that, pull the tv and take it to where you know another TV is working fine and hook it up.

JollyGreenMini · 10-28-2009, 12:25 PM

Not really, it's always been kind of fuzzy... The cable company changed all the channels around a month or two ago and since then it's been a little worse (I think, the higher channels are worse than lower ones and most of what I watch is on the higher channels now that they changed them all)

Jake--I didn't even know they made such a thing

My tv by far has the most cable run to it from under the house so maybe this is it...

The Griff · 10-28-2009, 12:27 PM

Yea, excess cable could definitely be a factor. And yeah just go to like ace hard ware or a radioshack, I can't gurantee it'll work for you, but it did for me. Basically it just boosts the signal to the TV. You're not running a cable box in this room are you? it's just cable direct into the back of the TV?

Performin Norman · 10-28-2009, 12:32 PM

Poor signal strength shows on higher channels. You got mice in your house? LOL

JollyGreenMini · 10-28-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by The Griff

Yea, excess cable could definitely be a factor. And yeah just go to like ace hard ware or a radioshack, I can't gurantee it'll work for you, but it did for me. Basically it just boosts the signal to the TV. You're not running a cable box in this room are you? it's just cable direct into the back of the TV?

Nope, no cable box. There are 2 or 3 connections under the house before it get's to my room... I'm gonna move my tv around and see what happens before I start looking into different splitters and amps.

Performin Norman--

nope, no mice.

Performin Norman · 10-28-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by JollyGreenMini

Nope, no cable box. There are 2 or 3 connections under the house before it get's to my room... I'm gonna move my tv around and see what happens before I start looking into different splitters and amps.

Performin Norman-- nope, no mice.

That is the cheapest and easiest check. Might as well do the free stuff before you start shelling out money.

JollyGreenMini · 10-29-2009, 02:39 PM

Ok, moved the tv to my sister's room and the picture is 10x better... What do you guys think? Amp or splitter?

xJuice · 10-29-2009, 03:38 PM

I'd check your cabling type first.

SgtM · 10-29-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by xJuice

I'd check your cabling type first.

Why on Earth would suggest something like that?

specter692000 · 11-01-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by SgtM

Why on Earth would suggest something like that?

because its xJuice and he has a goal of posting in every thread on the forum.

But i would pick up a signal booster should work for you.

bg's · 11-01-2009, 02:13 PM

I have the same prob. I had my Direct installed back in 2004 and
have never updated the wiring. or maybe it's the TV I bought back
in 1998/99 I guess..It doesn't even have a dig tuner. The actors
have a red ghosting effect to em sometimes..

I am definitely a cheap ass..

xJuice · 11-01-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by specter692000

because its xJuice and he has a goal of posting in every thread on the forum.

He was being facetious. Look it up.

specter692000 · 11-01-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by xJuice

He was being facetious. Look it up.

hince why i put the

after i made the coment, was only kidding with you Juice

Nate8727 · 11-06-2009, 07:55 PM

I'm a little late on this one but...

1. Make sure all of your connections are tight.

2. Upgrade any splitters to higher bandwidth models (1-2Ghz)

3. Replace cables with higher RG6 (like someone above mentioned)

Check to see if there are any bends in the cable run to the tv with bad reception. If a coaxial cable gets bent, it can degrade the signal dramatically. This is more than likely the problem.

10-27-2009, 03:59 PM	#1
JollyGreenMini Still 2 High Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,253 Location: Brockway, PA User is: OffLine	Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Ok, I know zero about tv's, I turn it on a picture shows up... that's all I got I have an older apex, no fancy flat screen or anything just a regular tv... The higher the channels go, the fuzzier it gets. All the other tv's in the house are fine, and I know it's not the set itself cuz when i watch movies it's fine. I'm pretty sure the cable is spliced into the main line in the basement, with a 4-1 type adapter, at the other end of the house. Any ideas? I'm getting sick of watching fuzzy tv, food network is almost un-watchable
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-27-2009, 06:13 PM	#2
firstgenon24s Registered User Age: 21 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,691 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? That adapter/splitter could be bad Ive had it happen.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-27-2009, 07:04 PM	#3
Performin Norman Registered User Age: 45 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 102 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? You definitely have a loss of signal. I'd have the cable company come out and check. Wow, how weird. I just had Time Warner out to my house this morning.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-27-2009, 09:43 PM	#4
JollyGreenMini Still 2 High Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,253 Location: Brockway, PA User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by Performin Norman You definitely have a loss of signal. I'd have the cable company come out and check. Wow, how weird. I just had Time Warner out to my house this morning. Why would it just be the tv in my bedroom? There are 4 other tv's in the house that have a good picture
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 12:59 AM	#5
SgtM Educating da masses Age: 34 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,581 Location: Niles, OH User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by JollyGreenMini Why would it just be the tv in my bedroom? There are 4 other tv's in the house that have a good picture 1. RG59. I know there's a lot of it in your area. It's old and needs to be replaced with RG6. This includes any jumpers going from the wall to to the TV. 2. The leg that that TV comes off of from the splitter is bad. 3. The run to that TV is longer than the others and causing signal degredation due to drop loss. 4. Bad fittings. 5. The run to that TV is just shot and needs to be replaced yourself. I could actually go on with a few other things, but it's best to have your cable company can come out and test the signal with a meter. Don't be surprised if they charge you to replace the run if that's what's needed. Shouldn't be much. The cable company I used to work for only used to charge $10 per outlet. That's cheaper than going out and buying the cable yourself. If I were closer, I would come out. I still have all my tools, and a foot or two of cable.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 09:15 AM	#6
JollyGreenMini Still 2 High Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,253 Location: Brockway, PA User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by SgtM 1. RG59. I know there's a lot of it in your area. It's old and needs to be replaced with RG6. This includes any jumpers going from the wall to to the TV. 2. The leg that that TV comes off of from the splitter is bad. 3. The run to that TV is longer than the others and causing signal degredation due to drop loss. 4. Bad fittings. 5. The run to that TV is just shot and needs to be replaced yourself. I could actually go on with a few other things, but it's best to have your cable company can come out and test the signal with a meter. Don't be surprised if they charge you to replace the run if that's what's needed. Shouldn't be much. The cable company I used to work for only used to charge $10 per outlet. That's cheaper than going out and buying the cable yourself. If I were closer, I would come out. I still have all my tools, and a foot or two of cable. Hmm... there is probably 20 or 30' of cable run in the basement before it comes up into my room. I've wiggled the cables coming out of the splitter and that didn't seem to help at all.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 09:44 AM	#7
SgtM Educating da masses Age: 34 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,581 Location: Niles, OH User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by JollyGreenMini Hmm... there is probably 20 or 30' of cable run in the basement before it comes up into my room. I've wiggled the cables coming out of the splitter and that didn't seem to help at all. 20 or 30 feet is nothing, unless it's RG59. It just can't handle the TV signals anymore. Wiggling the cables won't really do anything unless the connection is loose.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 09:48 AM	#8
The Griff Fronkensteen Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 17,163 Location: Minnesota User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Have you tried and Amp? I had shitty picture in the garage, threw an amp inline and it fixed the picture.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 10:07 AM	#9
Performin Norman Registered User Age: 45 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 102 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Did it just suddenly change? The best way is to throw a meter on it and check for signal strength. If you can't do that, pull the tv and take it to where you know another TV is working fine and hook it up. Last edited by Performin Norman : 10-28-2009 at 10:09 AM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 12:25 PM	#10
JollyGreenMini Still 2 High Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,253 Location: Brockway, PA User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Not really, it's always been kind of fuzzy... The cable company changed all the channels around a month or two ago and since then it's been a little worse (I think, the higher channels are worse than lower ones and most of what I watch is on the higher channels now that they changed them all) Jake--I didn't even know they made such a thing My tv by far has the most cable run to it from under the house so maybe this is it...
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 12:27 PM	#11
The Griff Fronkensteen Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 17,163 Location: Minnesota User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Yea, excess cable could definitely be a factor. And yeah just go to like ace hard ware or a radioshack, I can't gurantee it'll work for you, but it did for me. Basically it just boosts the signal to the TV. You're not running a cable box in this room are you? it's just cable direct into the back of the TV?
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 12:32 PM	#12
Performin Norman Registered User Age: 45 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 102 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Poor signal strength shows on higher channels. You got mice in your house? LOL
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 12:35 PM	#13
JollyGreenMini Still 2 High Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,253 Location: Brockway, PA User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by The Griff Yea, excess cable could definitely be a factor. And yeah just go to like ace hard ware or a radioshack, I can't gurantee it'll work for you, but it did for me. Basically it just boosts the signal to the TV. You're not running a cable box in this room are you? it's just cable direct into the back of the TV? Nope, no cable box. There are 2 or 3 connections under the house before it get's to my room... I'm gonna move my tv around and see what happens before I start looking into different splitters and amps. Performin Norman-- nope, no mice.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-28-2009, 01:03 PM	#14
Performin Norman Registered User Age: 45 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 102 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by JollyGreenMini Nope, no cable box. There are 2 or 3 connections under the house before it get's to my room... I'm gonna move my tv around and see what happens before I start looking into different splitters and amps. Performin Norman-- nope, no mice. That is the cheapest and easiest check. Might as well do the free stuff before you start shelling out money.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-29-2009, 02:39 PM	#15
JollyGreenMini Still 2 High Age: 24 Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 7,253 Location: Brockway, PA User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Ok, moved the tv to my sister's room and the picture is 10x better... What do you guys think? Amp or splitter?
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-29-2009, 03:38 PM	#16
xJuice BuenosDingDongDiddlyDias Age: 26 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 9,351 Location: Frisco, TX User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? I'd check your cabling type first.
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-29-2009, 04:27 PM	#17
SgtM Educating da masses Age: 34 Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,581 Location: Niles, OH User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by xJuice I'd check your cabling type first. Why on Earth would suggest something like that?
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-01-2009, 11:38 AM	#18
specter692000 Old School Rob Age: 23 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,164 Location: Manchester, Ky User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by SgtM Why on Earth would suggest something like that? because its xJuice and he has a goal of posting in every thread on the forum. But i would pick up a signal booster should work for you.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-01-2009, 02:13 PM	#19
bg's crap Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 8,096 Location: Who cares.. User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? I have the same prob. I had my Direct installed back in 2004 and have never updated the wiring. or maybe it's the TV I bought back in 1998/99 I guess..It doesn't even have a dig tuner. The actors have a red ghosting effect to em sometimes.. I am definitely a cheap ass.. Last edited by bg's : 11-01-2009 at 02:15 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-01-2009, 10:04 PM	#20
xJuice BuenosDingDongDiddlyDias Age: 26 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 9,351 Location: Frisco, TX User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by specter692000 because its xJuice and he has a goal of posting in every thread on the forum. He was being facetious. Look it up.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-01-2009, 10:33 PM	#21
specter692000 Old School Rob Age: 23 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 6,164 Location: Manchester, Ky User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? Quote: Originally Posted by xJuice He was being facetious. Look it up. hince why i put the after i made the coment, was only kidding with you Juice
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-06-2009, 07:55 PM	#22
Nate8727 Registered User Age: 28 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 269 Location: Pekin, IL User is: OffLine	Re: Why is my damn tv fuzzy? I'm a little late on this one but... 1. Make sure all of your connections are tight. 2. Upgrade any splitters to higher bandwidth models (1-2Ghz) 3. Replace cables with higher RG6 (like someone above mentioned) Check to see if there are any bends in the cable run to the tv with bad reception. If a coaxial cable gets bent, it can degrade the signal dramatically. This is more than likely the problem.
	[Reply w/Quote]