Posted by Svetaswan-2 on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/Digital-converter-for-t-v-problems-help-appreciated-tp1553564.html

Hi all,

Well, it's been difficult enough having this computer/WiFi problem forced upon me - and having to make decisions on how to best deal with the problem.Well, thanks to my cable company - I now have a new problem to contend with. (Sign of the times, I guess - this probably won't be the end of it...)

My cable company now requires that I attach a digital converter box to my t.v. to get most of the basic cable channels that I had been getting with a simple cable screwed directly into my t.v. set. So I cannot even get channels like CNN, Fox News, the ESPNs, VH1, etc. - without setting up this digital converter box. Obviously, with my EHS I was leery of bringing an unfamiliar electrical device into my bedroom. Apparently, my leeriness was justified.

Where I sort-of "lucked out" in this unlucky situation is that my brother happened to be home on a visit when these new digital converter boxes (provided free by Comcast) arrived. My brother didn't hesitate to install his converter box in his bedroom. So, I've had the opportunity to "safely" test it out, so to speak, from a symptom standpoint. And boy, things don't lookgood.

As soon as I enter my brother's bedroom, I feel a distinctly uncomfortable "energy". It's hard to describe - but the negative "energy field" hits me as soon as I enter the room - when the t.v. (with the converter box) is still about 9 feet (2.7 m) away. I suppose that the closer you get to it, theworse it gets - although I really haven't concentrated on that aspect of it because I've been so concerned with the fact that the converter box's "bad field" seems to fill the room. It seems to be the type of energy that would only add to my already considerable problems - I just don't think it's something I could live with without some signficant "tweaking" (if that's possible).

And what do you know? Comcast "fixed" it so that you can never turn that sucker off (without unplugging it). The converter box came with a remote control that you can use to change channels, adjust volume, and even turn thet.v. off - but even when the t.v. is turned "off", the converter box remains "ON". What a cruel "feature".

The box is only about 4 in. by 6 in. (10 cm by 15 cm) - the brand is Motorolla. It has a fairly sizable transformer "brick" at the end of the power cord, right where it plugs into an outlet. So that's an indication that high-frequency "dirty electricity" is being generated, at least near the transformer box.

The only "emf meter" I have is the basic-model radio shack AM/FM radio thatI use as a crude RF meter. Sure enough - if I hold the radio within 5 or so inches from the transformer box, I do get a distinct buzzing sound. Thesame applies for the skinny cord leading from the transformer box to the device itself - distinct buzzing within 5 inches, all along the cord.  

Interestingly, when I hold the radio close to the converter box itself, I don't hear a distinct buzz at the AM frequencies that the transformer brick and cord responded to. However, I do get a sharp sound (that sounds somewhere between a whistle and a bunch of crickets chirping) at a particular AM frequency toward the upper end of the band.

I guess I should mention that my brother has the power cord plugged into a surge-protector/power strip, not into the wall itself. I thought I read a recent post from Marc that a regular surge protector makes things worse? Is this correct?

So do I have to make the sacrifice and go back to 1980 - where I'm only getting the "Big 3" network channels with a few extras thrown in? Or is therea way in which I can make the digital converter tolerable? Perhaps a Furman power strip would make it more tolerable? Or a ferrite bead (or two) placed on the skinny cord? Or what if I try to shield the converter box itself (at least on 3 sides) with aluminum or Mu Metal? (I should mention herethat the converter box stays pretty warm to the touch.)

Thanks for any help!

~Svetaswan