Can a Computer Cause TV Interference?

matt4723 · Dec 8, 2016

I turned on my computer today and heard the TV (on an antenna) cut out in the background. I looked behind me and saw that the TV signal was garbled and pixellated with no sound. I noted that and moved on about my business. Afterwards, I decided to conduct a little experiment. I shut my computer down (causing the TV to go back to normal). There was one channel in particular giving me trouble, so I went to that channel. My TV's info menu showed that I had "good" signal, with the bar on the screen nearly full, so I took note of that and turned on the computer. Immediately, the TV cut out for a second when I first turned the PC on, then started jumping between "normal" and "poor" signal. I shut the PC down, and after another cut-out, the TV returned to "Good" signal.

I'm using a Mohu Leaf Ultimate 60 mile amplified multidirectional antenna with an RG6 coax cable attached for more shielding. I figured the computer is putting off some sort of waves that interrupt the signal. The landlord won't let me put up and outdoor antenna, so I can't do that. Is there any way I can avoid losing signal when turning on my computer without putting up an outdoor antenna?

Thanks
Matt

turkey3_scratch · Dec 8, 2016

What are the full specs of your PC? What is the PSU? Was it working in the past and is only now just become a problem? If the PSU has a poor EMI filter, it can cause interference with the TV.

matt4723 · Dec 8, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

I'm not sure what PSU my PC has, but I think it's around 250W.

It has an AMD FX4300 CPU, AMD Radeon R7-240 GPU, 8 GB RAM, 1TB HDD, but that's about all I know.

This has been a problem since I moved (my PC is a lot closer to the antenna now than it was before), but it has never been this severe. The only thing I can possibly think of is when I placed my tower on the floor (after a small earthquake nearly tipped it over) because it's now about a foot closer to the TV and antenna. It actually seemed to get worse AFTER installing the shielded cable, but it only happens on this one channel.

Matt

turkey3_scratch · Dec 8, 2016

matt4723 :

turkey3_scratch :

I'm not sure what PSU my PC has, but I think it's around 250W.

It has an AMD FX4300 CPU, AMD Radeon R7-240 GPU, 8 GB RAM, 1TB HDD, but that's about all I know.

This has been a problem since I moved (my PC is a lot closer to the antenna now than it was before), but it has never been this severe. The only thing I can possibly think of is when I placed my tower on the floor (after a small earthquake nearly tipped it over) because it's now about a foot closer to the TV and antenna. It actually seemed to get worse AFTER installing the shielded cable, but it only happens on this one channel.

Matt

Is this some prebuilt PC? If so what brand and model?

matt4723 · Dec 8, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

It's prebuilt. It's a CyberPowerPC GUA1000BST.

Matt

turkey3_scratch · Dec 8, 2016

matt4723 :

Ya they don't install very good power supplies into those Cyberpowers. Do me a favor, take a picture through the exhaust grill of the power supply. I wonder if I can see any EMI filtering components.

matt4723 · Dec 8, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

It will be a couple hours. I'm not home right now but I will do that as soon as I get the chance. Is there any way I could fix that without replacing the PSU? Would moving the PC help it at all?

Matt

turkey3_scratch · Dec 8, 2016

Farther away from the antenna, less interference. Something like buying a more heavy metal case could also suppress any EMI in the air. But, PSU is all I can really think of. I don't know if buying a line filter and plugging the TV into that would improve the situation at all, possibly it could.

Ralston18 · Dec 8, 2016

Which channel is being interferred with? The frequency involved may help narrow down the problem source.

I.e.:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_television_frequencies

matt4723 · Dec 8, 2016

Ralston18 :

The affected channel is KWCH-12, my local CBS affiliate. If I'm reading the provided Wikipedia page right, it's between 204-210 MHz.

Matt

matt4723 · Dec 8, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

Is this what you're looking for?

Matt

turkey3_scratch · Dec 8, 2016

Ya, but it's focused on the foreground instead of the background

oh well, I suppose even if I knew what it looked inside it wouldn't change anything.

matt4723 · Dec 8, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

D'oh! Well, that was the best I could get with my iPhone. It was dark back there, so it probably couldn't focus.

Matt

Ralston18 · Dec 8, 2016

Well I will have to leave it to turkey3_scratch to consider if that is a frequency that could come out of a failing or possibly damaged PSU.

Or some other component for that matter.

You did say the computer almost tipped over - did it take a good bump? Maybe something is now touching somewhere where it should not be touching and the entire case is transmitting....

If you have not done so, I would open up the case and check all connections, reseat all cards, snug up all plugs, jumpers, look for dangling wires, anything amiss.

turkey3_scratch · Dec 8, 2016

I have no idea about the frequencies unfortunately. I may be able to call someone over here for help though.

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