Monitor Problems

[dsp]

My monitor (see sig) seems to have a problem. Ever since I moved it (all of 4 or 5 feet) it flickers in parts and sometimes the whole monitor. Can anyone figure out why this happens? The only other thing I've done is add a 10" powered subwoofer about 6 feet away since then.

Thanks for any help.

dsp

[Helevitia]

Sounds like interference.

Dave

[Pace]

4 questions...

Why not switch the sub off?

And did you have the monitor switched on while you moved it? Did you bash it at all whilst moving it? Does moving it back fix it?

P.

[dsp]

It doesn't matter if the sub is off or on this still happens. I had the monitor switched off as I was moving it, yes.

Dave, what kind of interference?

dsp

[Helevitia]

Could be anything, flourescent lights, speakers, cb radio, etc...

Move it back 4-5 feet and see if that fixes the problem. IF it does, than it is probably intereference. If it doesn't, then it may be a hardware problem.

Dave

[Wombat]

Maybe even move the sub first, to try to isolate the culprit. That thing has quite a magnet in it.

[GoSharks]

Speakers: the mortal enemy of monitors!

Monitors and speakers do not get along, it’s not about politics, but both technologies create magnetic fields that don’t always get along together.

Monitors use an Electro magnetic field to deflect the electron beam. Speakers, especially larger sub woofers, use a magnet to create sound. While a monitor is unlikely to bother the speaker, the speaker can wreak havoc on the monitor.

The magnetic interference caused by speakers can cause shaking, jitter or cause problems with color. It is best to keep speakers, and anything that creates a magnetic field, away from the monitor. In addition to speakers, you may want to check for electric fans, cellular phones, fluorescent lamps, air conditioners or anything with an electric motor.

Jim Witkowski
Chief Hardware Engineer
Cornerstone / Monitorsdirect.com

[impact]

Well, most speakers nowadays are emg shielded, so this really should not be a problem.

My monitor did something similar and I found out it was because of an air conditioning unit that was positioned too close to the computer.

[GoSharks]

I disagree most speakers are not shielded. Metal particularly iron, or steel are not very good at shielding magnetic fields. In fact if you remember from your high school physics class. Simply running a coil of wire around them and introducing an electric current can magnetize iron and steel. Remember the nail coiled with wire attached to a battery experiment where you pick up paper clips. Aluminum or Copper also will not block magnetic fields.

The only way to shield magnetic fields is using an alloy called Mumetal. For more information on Mumetal

Jim Witkowski
Chief Hardware Engineer
Cornerstone / Monitorsdirect.com

[The Scientist]

Hmm....

reminds me of when I moved into my new flat and set my
monitor up on the other side of a brick wall from the Microwave
oven in the kitchen.

With dinner cooking away on full power, using the monitor
was impossible because the whole image shimmered very
slightly and made my brain feel like it was being sucked through
a black hole - only slightly worse!

Moving the monitor to the other side of the room cured the
problem but it makes you wonder how many people are being
slow cooked by their microwave ovens.

- Simon

[Wombat]

I don't think it's the power drain, Mike. I had a monitor that really noticed microwaves as well. Moving the monitor away from the microwave (while still being in the same power socket) would make noticeable differences. Microwaves are noisy beasts all across the spectrum, I bet.

As for slow-cooking, that's why I avoid cell-phones, and those 2.4 GHz cordless phones. I still use 900MHz phones. For $50 of electronics, drifting 2% from it's target frequency puts it right at 2.45GHz. Not a comfy thought.

[Bohrn]

So Greebe, I should stay away from the 2.1ghz phones? I was gonna buy one as I llike to take my phone with me around the yard etc, and they are low priced now.

Also, I have a 900mhz phone that I use ALOT at work. It is on my belt. Should I be worried?

Back to the monitor. I had a wierd monitor thing earlier that was like what you describe. It turned out to be a bad cold solder joint that was fixed under warranty. Hope you get it worked out.

[Helevitia]

Well, since I use a 2.4GHz phone all the time at home I'll let you know if an@%$UBFBIUNFthing happens to m&%RGYFONFe....................I will get you!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

But honestly, I doubt there will be any problems

Dave

[Bohrn]

thanx for the advice Greebe. Will do. 900mhz spread spectrum.

[dsp]

Moving back to the topic... The monitor is in a room farther away from the only light source than it was previously, (apart from the sun) which is a just a two 60Watt light bulb ceiling light. The monitor is further away from its main power source as well. It is about 3 feet or 90cm from the sub while the case is even closer to the sub. Any other info needed please tell me as it is annoying. By the way the flicker starts at the lower right hand corner of the monitor while the lower left hand is closer to the sub.

dsp

Update: While writing this (the sub is completely off powerwise) its back, mostly a shimmering on the sides and corners.