Posted by PUK on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/Digital-converter-for-t-v-problems-help-appreciated-tp1553564p1553576.html

you can get really small digital converter boxes, that plug straight back  
into the scart of the tv at the rear
 
 
In a message dated 18/04/2010 01:45:31 GMT Daylight Time,  
[hidden email] writes:

 
 
 
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 look
good.

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, the
worse 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 the
t.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
that I use as a crude RF meter. Sure enough - if I hold the radio within 5or
so inches from the transformer box, I do get a distinct buzzing sound. The
same 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/I guess I should mention that my brother has the power  
cord plugged into a surge-protector/<WBR>power strip, not into the wall  
itself. I thought I

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 there
a 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 here
that the converter box stays pretty warm to the touch.)

Thanks for any help!

~Svetaswan





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