is there a good tv techie here?

[ehren]

I have DishNetwork, I have had a Toshiba 36" tv for about a year. I have noticed alot with DishNetwork VS analog basic cable that when a scene goes vertically up and down on the screen, I see a large pattern of horizontal lines appear and when the screen either stops or moves slower they then dissapear. it's easier to see with the digital picture than an analog piture. I had a technician from the company I bought it from come out and look at it he is an old timer and says there is nothing I can do about it. But yet I was not able to get a hold of him cause the place I bought it from sucks and my warranty is up. The tv is fine, if I turn my head kinda sideways to the left or right I can't see the lines as much. Only myself of course notices things like this. Can this be explained? Thanks

[K R Kimmel]

Almost anything can be explained with enough data. Unfortunately you have not provided to diagnose the issue well. Some of the questions that need answered to eliminate sources outside of your tv are:

Does the problem occur all the time or does it come and go?
Does the problem occurs on a single channel, multiple channels or all channels?
Does the problem always occur on the same channel(s) or does it move around occurring on different channels at different times?
Is the tv an analog tv or an HD ready tv?
Did the problem occur when you first got the tv, develop gradually over a period of time, develop suddenly?
Have you had your tv calibrated? If so did the start of the problem coincide with the calibration?
How is the satellite receiver to the tv (to the antenna input, composite video input, s-video input, component video input)?
How is the cable connected to the tv? Directly to the antenna or through a converter box? If through a converter how is it connected to the tv?
Do you have any additional video sources (VCR, PVR, DVD, LD, etc.) connected to the tv? If so how do they exhibit the same problem and how are they connected to the tv?
Are the video sources connected directly to the tv or through an external switch-box, A/V receiver/pre-amp, etc? If so try connecting the source directly to the tv and see if the problem still occurs.
Try switching around what inputs your video sources are connected to. Are the same sources always present on the same devices or do they stay on the same input?
If you have access to another tv try connecting it to your video sources. Does the problem occur on both tv's?
Try rotating the tv to either side and see if the problem still occurs.
Try moving the tv around the room. (These last two are to rule out electromagnetic patterns in the room that could cause interference in the circuitry on your tv. They are not terribly likely and given that most 36" tv's weigh several hundred pounds and unless the tv is on a wheeled cart or you have one or more very understanding friend to help move it about while you watch for the problem you might want to skip them.)

These questions can help to eliminate problem sources outside of your tv.

It is important to know the brand and model number of all equipment that could potentially be related to the problem. Don't forget things like the type of satellite dishes, LNBF's and switches between the satellite and your receiver.

Make sure that all cables are connected firmly. Check that any outdoor connections are dry and not corroded.

If the problem is with a single channel or a small number of channels try calling the satellite and cable providers. See if have any reported issues with the channel(s) you are have problems with. You can try to have them look at the channel(s) you are having problems with.

If the problem is in your tv it is possible that you have the visual acuity or a visual sensitivity that allows you to see a problem that is imperceptible to most other viewers. It could be the result of a malfunction or it could be inherent in the design of the set. Either way it would be difficult for a tech to determine what the problem is if he is unable to detect the problem.

[ehren]

Does the problem occur all the time or does it come and go? Comes and Goes

Does the problem occurs on a single channel, multiple channels or all channels? All Channels

Does the problem always occur on the same channel(s) or does it move around occurring on different channels at different times? Yes it moves around to any channel

Is the tv an analog tv or an HD ready tv? Analog

Did the problem occur when you first got the tv, develop gradually over a period of time, develop suddenly? It seems it has occured over time, it took me a few days or weeks to even notice it.
Have you had your tv calibrated? No how do you do that?

If so did the start of the problem coincide with the calibration? No have not done so yet.

How is the satellite receiver to the tv (to the antenna input, composite video input, s-video input, component video input)? S-video

How is the cable connected to the tv? Directly to the antenna or through a converter box? If through a converter how is it connected to the tv? COAX

Do you have any additional video sources (VCR, PVR, DVD, LD, etc.) connected to the tv? If so how do they exhibit the same problem and how are they connected to the tv? It's all the same DVD, VHS, Satellite, I see the same line patterns no matter what I use, it's more like clear lines but they are CLEARLY visible

Are the video sources connected directly to the tv or through an external switch-box, A/V receiver/pre-amp, etc? No.
try connecting the source directly to the tv and see if the problem still occurs.
Try switching around what inputs your video sources are connected to. Are the same sources always present on the same devices or do they stay on the same input? Everything stays the same.

If you have access to another tv try connecting it to your video sources. Does the problem occur on both tv's? No just this televison.
Try rotating the tv to either side and see if the problem still occurs. Well it has to stay in one spot of the living room, there is really no other spot to put it. Talk to my wife about it, LOL
Try moving the tv around the room. (These last two are to rule out electromagnetic patterns in the room that could cause interference in the circuitry on your tv. They are not terribly likely and given that most 36" tv's weigh several hundred pounds and unless the tv is on a wheeled cart or you have one or more very understanding friend to help move it about while you watch for the problem you might want to skip them.) Well could you give me an example of electromagnetic problem sources?

I can say the easiest way to notice the lines when I had the tech at my home was I showed a DreamWorks pictures movie, either it being a DVD or on tv "I have seen the lines no matter what source" But as the I believe a fishing pole drops into the water, the camera flies up into the sky and during that period you see the pattern of lines and when the image gets to the end of movement, the lines then dissapear. I don't know how else to try and explain this any better. Thanks for taking the time to reply

[HTguy]

It sounds like you might be describing the "hum bars" that appear when there is a ground loop in the system. This is much more common with cable TV than with dbs systems.

Do you know if your system is grounded to the main AC service ground of your house? If the installer grounded to a pipe that happened to be closer or put another ground rod in you could have a difference in ground potential.

One possible fix is to use a good surge-protector/AC line filter such as a PANAMAX. It's good thing to have one anyway, there are versions that extend your warranty, and they have an indicator to show if the outlet is wired & grounded properly.