audio hum in ILO DVDR04 and LiteOn LVW-5104

[lordsmurf]

Although these units are not the same, both units have a hum/buzz problem in the audio of the tuner. When you insert a DVD to record from the tuner, the noise gets louder and thicker.

The ILO DVDR04 is a LiteOn clone of some type, DVD+R and DVD+RW, on MP2 audio and does not come stock with LP mode enabled.

The LiteON LVW-5104 has DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, AC3 audio recording, and comes with LP mode enabled. Obviously not the same machine, especially considering AC3 dolby encoding.

Even the bodies are different.

How would I go about trying to fight this hum issue?

I am a bit clueless with electronics, when it comes to customizing too much (like soldering), but I'm willing to try some things, as long as they're not too destructive. What could cause this? Leaking of power? Having the fan hooked up badly? What exactly is going on?

I have a LiteOn LVW-5001 that NEVER experienced hum or buzz in the audio. Although I did hear it twice in the old Apex DRX-9000 a couple times in a different room with different coax input.

Ideas?

[vhelp]

Have you spoken with Guitarman on this ??

He seems the be a wiz on the iLO recorders, plus he's behind the
tweak methods. And, I think he include an LP=on tweak, in add'n
to other tweaks.

Maybe you can consult with him on this audio hum noise you speak of,
and finally crack it down to a solution.. here here.

I have the iLO 04 unit too. I like it, though I don't use it much
these days. I can't say much on noticing any hum noise in my iLO
recordings. I haven't really noticed it. It does do good with
VHS stuff though. Also, can't say I have used the tweak (hack)
yet either. I haven't gotten around to it. Suppose to allow all
Commercial VHS w/ MV, clean.

-vhelp 3514

[Guitarman]

The tuners on most all of these LiteOn/ ILO recorders have always been a problem. I, myself, have the HD04 and also have NOT had a hum problem using the tuner. I really think the tuners in these recorders are more susceptible to electronic noise than others. The first things to try are, make sure the COAX coming into the RF input is a good quality COAX. Try, if you can, to isolate the recorder from setting on top of or under other electronic devices. Place it on its own shelf in an audio rack or on top of the rack, away from the other components. Make sure the recorder (and all other equipment it is inter-connected to) is plugged into a properly grounded plug. If the wall socket is not properly grounded, it can introduce noise. Also, if some of the components that are inter-connected have varying grounds, this can cause hum. In this case, use a ground lift on the power strip everything is plugged into to remove the ground coming from the wall. You can find a ground tester at most Radio Shacks or hardware stores.

Side note on grounding. Most home electronics do not use a 3-prong grounded plug. Instead, they use a directional plug where one prong is wider than the other and will only plug into a power strip or wall one way. This makes sure that the AC (alternating current) is alternating in the same direction on all devices. Some plugs do not have the wider prong and can be plugged in either way, possibly causing the AC for that unit to be alternating out of phase with the others. For most electronic, this wouldn’t really matter that much, but for electronics using microprocessors, this could be a deal breaker where inherent noise is concerned.

[lordsmurf]

Thanks guitarman. Though I had read some of that, you've put it into more readily understandable terms.

I'm going to have to play the elimination game here soon, and try to isolate the problem. I have no doubt my setup is "dirty" and partially to blame. The wiring behind the tv shelves looks like the intestines of an elephant, need to sort that out too.

I was, in addition to this, wonder if there would be any way to add shielding around the unit, or even inside the unit around the tuner? Or if anything in or on the unit itself can be grounded better, and if so, how?

So would this be connectivity issues only? Meaning that adjacent wires (something not plugged into the setup) would NOT be a cause? I guess what I'm asking is this is power related, and not FM noise related?

Finally, what gets me is how the spinning of the DVD drive can cause the hum to get louder and faster, as well as adding a slight buzz. I'm not sure how that exactly fits in.

[Guitarman]

It could be a connectivity issue, grounding issue or a problem with the recorder. The key is to eleminate the things you can control. If the hum is still there, it is more than likely the recorder itself. The spinning DVD will introduce noise because the faster it spins, the more electrical field it's producing.

You may try to take copper foil and better insulate the DVD drive. The tuner gets its hum from the board so there would be no way to insulate it.

[lordsmurf]

Any idea where I could find some copper foil?

[mikel]

lordsmurf,
If you don't mind making sheets out of strips...
you might check your local hardware store or nursery. They might
carry adhesive copper foil tape as a barrier to snails and slugs.
They hate the stuff.
Should also work as a electromagnetic field shield.

mikel

[Guitarman]

There you go!!! Make your ILO hum and SNAIL proof!!!

[lordsmurf]

I'll snail proof it later this week!
Thanks.

[mikel]

lordsmurf,

Another option might be blank pc boards.
They are fairly thin and have a copper plating on one side.
I've used them as shielding in the past and they are easy to work with.

mikel

ps.
I've been thinking about the adhesive copper tape idea.
There might be a problem using it inside the unit (over time).
A lot of adhesives tend to weaken and lose their grip when subjected to long
term warming. One thing you probably do not want, is pieces of copper floating around the inside of your DVD recorder.

[LCSHG]

lordsmurf

Copper tape may be hard to find.

Sheet copper or shim stock might be found at an automotive parts store in various thickness. It can be cut in strips and a spray adhesive applied.

Another alternative is aluminum foil with adheasive, usually in 2" strips.on a roll like duct tape. Usualy this can be found at a Good Hardware Store or at a air conditioning shop, or appliance repair. as it is used to wrap pipe. It works very well. I've used it myself and found it just as good as copper.

Some stores may carry small quantities of alum. tape in a color
The air cond, shop, or appliance repair, may cut what you need

[otpw1]

lordsmurf

Another alternative is aluminum foil with adheasive, usually in 2" strips.on a roll like duct tape. Usualy this can be found at a Good Hardware Store or at a air conditioning shop, or appliance repair. as it is used to wrap pipe. It works very well. I've used it myself and found it just as good as copper.

But what about the snails??!

[FKrueger]

I'm afraid I took the easy way, the rear RCA inputs don't have the hum on mine, I ran my coax into a vcr, then thru a video rf selector, so 3 selectable inputs go into the one RCA input on the back, for me, = no hum

[JimLely]

I'm afraid I took the easy way, the rear RCA inputs don't have the hum on mine, I ran my coax into a vcr, then thru a video rf selector, so 3 selectable inputs go into the one RCA input on the back, for me, = no hum

Yeh, but now if you want to program the DVDR you also have to program the DVDR AND the VCR (and ensure a tape is in the VCR).

[corwin102]

Lordsmurf for the copperfoil most stained glass supplers have adhesive sheets of copper foil in the square foot range.

[trhouse]

Try this simple test first. Use a short rabbit ear antenna and tune to a local channel. Do not hook up any monitor or TV or any other equipment to the unit and do not use cable. Keep the unit away from other equipment including their line cords. Record and playback the recording.

This isolates the unit from any other equipment using AC line. If the noise is still there, it is likely internally created and not induced by the environment.

[LCSHG]

[otpw1]

Says [What about the snails ?]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that I think about it, - Why make the thing snail proof?
Snails are considered a delicacy called escargot and command a High price. It could be used as a snail trap and much money made. I knew a guy that liked escargot and traped his own snails and realized a great savings. Don't advertise it, there's most likely a save the snail group out there

How did snails get into this?

[solidsnake]

I hate to get off topic, but what would happen if I put a penny on top of a slug? I'm going to have to try that, man those slugs have it bad, with salt too

[mikel]

Actually, Old analog tuners used to have adjustable slugs in them
mikel