PS3 audio issue

jflail2

Hi all. I'm having an odd issue with my PS3, in that whenever it is on, even if my receiver is off, I can still hear an odd "humming" in the background in my speakers. It doesn't do it all of the time, but it is enough to be annoying. it will "hum" for a minute through my speakers, and then stop

I am a noob with electronics (obviously), so I have no idea what I am missing here. What could be causing this odd feedback that I am hearing? As I mentioned, its only when the ps3 is on.

Is something not shielded properly? I never had this problem before moving 2 weeks ago, so I hope I didn't damage anything in the move. (Everything else looks to be functioning fine. I can still game on it, and it still plays movies with a crystal clear picture....)

Please help, this is driving me nuts!

Thanks!

AndyGwis

maybe some ground loop at your new place. I had a subwoofer that would buzz in my bedroom but not in my office. Cheater plugs usually will do an okay job.

Someone will probably chime in with a better answer, but ground loop maybe the culprit.

Gaara

Do you have a separate amp and use the rcvr as a pre?

jflail2

No separate amp. I was so worried this morning that I didn't follow my own cardinal rule.....

Andy, from everything I've read after calming down and googling is that I do indeed have a grounding loop. I also read that the easiest fixes are:

A 3 prong to 2 prong adapter

or

plugging the PS3 into a different outlet.

I'll find out in about 4 hours and post what worked for me here.

Thanks all.

bigaudiofanatic

Lol Om

jflail2

Hmmm......back to square one. Not sure what's going on, but after trying both suggestions above I still get the same intermittent humming noise. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Gaara

Are you sure the sound is coming from the speakers? I find it strange that they are receiving no power (you said the rcvr is off and you have no seperate amp) yet are making noise.

It could be the power supply of the PS3 emitting a mechanical hum.

jflail2

Positive. The best way I can describe it is a deep humming. I asked my girl if she could hear it last night and she said "what, that humming bass?"

It still sounds like a ground loop from what I have been reading online, but what worked for most others hasn't worked for me.

Demiurge

Microsoft has infiltrated your house and is **** with your PS3. It's the only logical answer.

bruss

dumb ? but does it go away if the rec is unplugged?

LessisNevermore

jflail2 wrote: »

Hi all. I'm having an odd issue with my PS3, in that whenever it is on, even if my receiver is off, I can still hear an odd "humming" in the background in my speakers. It doesn't do it all of the time, but it is enough to be annoying. it will "hum" for a minute through my speakers, and then stop

I am a noob with electronics (obviously), so I have no idea what I am missing here. What could be causing this odd feedback that I am hearing? As I mentioned, its only when the ps3 is on.

Is something not shielded properly? I never had this problem before moving 2 weeks ago, so I hope I didn't damage anything in the move. (Everything else looks to be functioning fine. I can still game on it, and it still plays movies with a crystal clear picture....)

Please help, this is driving me nuts!

Thanks!

What are your PS3 sound settings set to? Using optical, or HDMI?

I would play with the PCM/Bitstram settings, and see what happens.

Another possible: do you have any major appliances on the same circuit? (ie. refrigerator, furnace, A/C,) Being intermittent, would have me checking these as well.

edit: try running an extension cord from a known different circuit, and use a power strip to (temporarily) power your rig, and see if that eliminates the problem.

jflail2

hmmm, thx for the input guys. Work has been so crazy over the last week that I haven't even had time to mess with it (yes, earnings season is here in force....)

Yes, the 3-2 prong adapter didnt work, and neither did running my cable through my power strip, so I am still at a loss. Definitely sounds like a ground loop from what everyone has said though.

I'll try to tinker with it tonight if I get done before 9 or 10.....And you might be right lessisnevermore, the fridge could be on the same circuit. I'll need to tinker around tonight to check for sure.

I'm using optical for my sound. No idea what my PCM/bitstram settings are (and shamefully, not sure what the difference is either ) Are there settings you would recommend? (I'd expect these are dependent on your receiver, but thought I'd ask anyway.)

cheddar

jflail2 wrote: »

I'll try to tinker with it tonight if I get done before 9 or 10.....And you might be right lessisnevermore, the fridge could be on the same circuit. I'll need to tinker around tonight to check for sure.

The worst electrical interference I ever had was plugging my amp into the same cirucuit as the fish tank air pump. Turned it on and the horrible hum sent my amp immediately into protect mode. You think "clean power" is all marketing hype until something like that happens to you. I now have my entire rig plugged into a power center.

Hope you can track the problem down. It may be time to just start unplugging things that are on the same circuit. Maybe just try the receiver, ps3, and TV and see if at least that combination is clear.

shadowofnight

Fluorescent lamps and their stinking ballasts have been the worst I have ever seen for induced electrical noise .

Another one was those tall halogen lamps you see at Home Depot...the ones with the brightness control on the side....they are great if turned up all the way....when you dim them you get the electrical noise...actually, some emit audible noise as well...you can even HEAR them when turned down...very irritating.

ilikesound

i had that issue too, but from only my subs. i went to home depot to buy some ground lifters, only to come home and when i fired everything up, nothing hummed. how strange...

jflail2

Update:

Haven't had much time to do anything gaming wise, so I haven't bothered with it.

The humming only hits when I have a PS3 game in. Doesn't do it with DVD's, and doesn't do it with music cd's or nothing in the tray at all. Actually, I've only played NCAA 08 on it, so I need to buy another game to make sure that specific title isn't the problem.

Still weird though....