Popping sound coming from speakers (or not)?

Frostozuna

Basically, when watching TV I'm getting a very slight pop/crackle sound every once in a while. This just started happening yesterday (right before the superbowl, go figure :roll: )

I had this big paragraph typed up explaining what was connected where, but I actually ended up confusing myself so I decided to just draw everything. 3000 hours, mspaint, etc



Here's what I've troubleshooted so far:

Normally, the audio only comes through the sound system/dvd player. TV speakers are off.

At first I assumed the problem was with the sound system, so I tried turning it off and having the audio just play through the TV speakers, but it still pops.

Then, out of curiosity, I tried playing a game on the 360 with the sound system turned on again, and got no pops! Next, I tried playing a DVD, sound system still on, and also no pops.

So if it's not the TV speakers, and it's not the sound system speakers, where else could the problem be?

ApexMirage

from your explanation i'd blame the audio portion of the tv/cable box connection, try replacing those and trying again.

Frostozuna

So just new component cables maybe?

ApexMirage

pretty much, if you've got any of the possible cables to connect your cable box to your tv just for the sake of testing it, that works too.

Daenris

Hmm... can you describe the sound in more detail? My first thought would be cell phone interference through speakers, but that depends on what the sound really sounds like, and how often it occurs.

Crashtard

Frostozuna wrote: »

So just new component cables maybe?

It could also be a connection problem with whatever device you are getting the popping noise while using. The audio jack on the device could be going bad. Definitely try a new cable first.

Frostozuna

Daenris wrote: »

Hmm... can you describe the sound in more detail? My first thought would be cell phone interference through speakers, but that depends on what the sound really sounds like, and how often it occurs.

It's kind of a static-y 'pop' sound. Not really loud, but definately noticeable, and only happens once every 10-15 seconds or so (theres no pattern). In fact it almost sounds similar to the noise youd hear from a fireplace, with little sporadic 'cracks' and 'pops'

And I will definately try different cables once I can find the damn things

falsedef

Sounds like bad contacts.

Frostozuna

OK so I found a spare red/white audio cable and swapped it with the one going from the digital cable box to the TV and still got the same occasional pops. The cable is a little old though, so I'm not sure if I should still try getting a new one and seeing how that works

Any other thoughts?

Falsedef, by bad contacts I assume youre also talking about the plugs?

falsedef

Frostozuna wrote: »

OK so I found a spare red/white audio cable and swapped it with the one going from the digital cable box to the TV and still got the same occasional pops. The cable is a little old though, so I'm not sure if I should still try getting a new one and seeing how that works

Any other thoughts?

Falsedef, by bad contacts I assume youre also talking about the plugs?

It might be jacks or plugs. You could try cleaning stuff with a wire brush as a last resort. If you twist the plugs while in the jack, sometimes the noise might disappear, which probably means the plug itself is damaged, or contact isn't being made cleanly.

Nocren

Not sure if this is a similar problem, but sometimes when my speakers are off on my computer (and even the computer is powered down as well) I'll get, a kind of popping as well.

I replaced my speakers and it doesn't happen as often but it still does every now and again.

Dark Moon

This sound like a clear case of dirty contacts. Somewhere in that slew of cables something isn't making a good connection, and because the connection is intermittent it causes a static like popping sound whenever the connection goes from either on to off or off to on. Because it still happens when you use the TV speakers, you can rule out the connection between your sound system/dvd player and the TV. It has to be a problem with either the audio connection between your 360 and your TV or your cable box and your TV. If you have spare cables for these, try swapping out the cables. When the problem goes away, you've found your culprit cable and you need to destroy/fix that cable immediately so you do not accidentally use it in its damaged state in the future. If you don't have spare cables, you can just wiggle the connection at both ends of both the audio cables one at a time(both wiggling the cable and rotating the male connector). When you wiggle one of them you will get a lot more noise than usual, and you will know your problem. Replace that cable.

zilo

Certain cellular devices (Blackberries especially) can cause a weird sort of interference that manifests itself in audio systems. My roommate's old Blackberry and my girlfriend's new KRZR both cause a weird sort of popping sound when they do some sort of wireless... thing.

I only mention it here because it's hugely annoying to diagnose and could possibly save somebody from a lot of useless cable-switching.

Dark Moon

zilo wrote: »

Certain cellular devices (Blackberries especially) can cause a weird sort of interference that manifests itself in audio systems. My roommate's old Blackberry and my girlfriend's new KRZR both cause a weird sort of popping sound when they do some sort of wireless... thing.

I only mention it here because it's hugely annoying to diagnose and could possibly save somebody from a lot of useless cable-switching.

Hmm, I've never heard radio wave interference described as popping/crackling before. It's more of a steady beat - It'll start off with a low pitch buzz, followed by a pattern of louder buzzes (the usual seems to be •-•••-••-•-•••-••) and then another constant low pitch buzz after the call has been connected and the signal is no longer intermittent.

It's definitely worth a shot, though. Try banning cell phones from the room for a while and see if it has any effect.

xYUUBINKYOKUx

Is this happening on every channel? I know some channels around here just have a bad signal and tend to make noise sometimes. Might not be anything you can do about it.

Frostozuna

So I bought a brand new red/white audio cord and swapped it with the one between the cablebox and the TV, but it still pops

What's my next step? Am I going to have to call Comcast (shudder) and get a tech out here or something? Guaranteed if I call them theyre just going to tell me its my speakers problem and walk me through the whole song and dance of 'make sure everythings plugged in tight' and 'try restarting'

And yes the popping happens regardless of what channel its on, and does not happen on other TV's in the house

falsedef

Have you tried cleaning the jacks and making sure there's nothing loose? You can use a caterpillar/wire brush or a screw driver. You should probably look inside with a flashlight first. If the contacts are corroded, then replacing cables won't help, and you need to scrub off the gunk.

It also just might really be your speakers. In that case, you need to repair the circuit to the speaker. Unless you have some fancy speakers which have weird connections and fancy components, it should be doable with soldering equipment, screwdrivers (varies), and some medium gauge wire.

Frostozuna

If it was the speakers, why would I be able to play games on the 360/watch DVDs through the theater system without getting any static whatsoever?

I'll have to see what I can do about cleaning the plugs first though

falsedef

Frostozuna wrote: »

If it was the speakers, why would I be able to play games on the 360/watch DVDs through the theater system without getting any static whatsoever?

I'll have to see what I can do about cleaning the plugs first though

Well, that's what I get for not reading your first post. Just check your cable box contacts, then.

edit: including the coax.