Monitor flicker

[davideast31]

Hi

Dont know if anyone else has had this problem but when Im mixing at home I like to run mv Producer on a 22"monitor rather than the small laptop screen. The only problem was an annoying flicker in the grey of the mv background. I had the same problem with photshop/ dreamweaver. It would only happen when the laptop power supply was plugged in.

I think buying a better quality lead for the laptop would fix the problem but I found a cheaper solution online. Plug the laptop lead into a european, 2 pin adaptor and plug this into the normal mains socket using the bottom 2 holes. They do fit with a bit of pressure! You are taking the earth out of the loop but I guess this is only what you would be doing plugging your computer in abroad. Ive had no problems for the last month anyway and not a sign of flicker either.

Hope this is of help to someone.

Dave

[gakto2009]

Yes, sounds like a ground loop... your monitor doesn’t seem to have any way of filtering the loop interference out therefore its causing your screen to go a bit “dark side” at its lowest contrast.

Only thing is, the first time anything goes wrong on your setup, the problem may earth its self right into the metal case of your mixer and burn your hands real bad. Electricity does not discriminate; it will take the shortest path with the least resistance... and in this case, that would be you, lol. Then you can kiss goodbye to any home insurance you may have when it goes up in flames, any inspector will see that and say “it’s your own fault, it wasn’t meant to be used like that”.

Not trying to scare you or anything, but safety first... even if you don’t know it, using a proper Ground Loop Isolator may just save a life, or at the very least... your laptop. Everything is there for a reason, even the grounding pole on your laptop PSU.

Peace out brother..
Regards,
Bryan

[davideast31]

Cheers, sound advice! One question though, when I have searched for Ground Loop Isolator I only find something to "remove unwanted noise from your audio system" (eg http://buy.maplin.co.uk/Free_UK_Deliver ... _33172.htm.)
I have no noise issues just visuals so is there something that fixes that which wont risk my health or home??
Thanks
Dave

[gakto2009]

The product you have found from Maplin if for curing a ground loop that has leaked into an audio system. Very handy, just not for you, lol.

Your problem is that the monitor no doubt has a 3 pin euro mains power cable (or kettle lead as they say here in the UK). The ground loop is being created by your VGA cable that connects the laptop to the monitor.

There are two way to cure this, the first option is to get a VGA Ground Loop Isolator... these unfortunately are not cheap at all but they are a very popular solution for people who fit VGA screens to their car.

The second option is to get a Mains Ground Loop Isolator for your laptop. This is the cheap option depending on what solution you get. A simple one socket adaptor will cost between £15 to £50 depending on the amp rating required but for a laptop you won’t need much at all.

I recommend you shop about and see what you can find, there is the option of getting a 4 way mains extention with the isolator built in, there not cheap though... mine was almost £120.

Regards,
Bryan

[gakto2009]

http://www.extron.com/download/files/la ... _label.pdf

[davideast31]

Hi, thanks for the info. Will report back when Ive found something suitable and hopefully cost effective. In the mean time Ill taek your advice and put up with the flicker! Cheers, Dave