Does wiring affect TV picture?

Ladies and gents....

We have a flat screen HD TV in a cabinet type unit at our house. The left side of the unit, and the TV, is flush with a wall on the left at a 90° angle. On the left side of the screen is an area where the picture is lighter. On the left wall is a light switch.... Would the wiring in the wall (and the magnetic field??) cause the change in the TV picture? I seem to recall something similar in an old TV we had. If this is a cause, is it reversible? Can I move the TV? Put something between the wall and the screen/

Thnx!

 

I would cut the power to the lighting circuit in question, as see if the problem persists.

No power, no induction.

 

On old CRT (picture tube) sets, a magnetic field (such as the magnet in an audio speaker) could cause part of the screen to display a purple haze (wonder if this is where Jimi Hendrix got the inspiration for the song? :-D).

I have my 54" Plasma mounted to the wall with wiring behind it and have not had this problem; however as the mekanic stated, anything is possible.

If cutting the power to the lightswitch cures the issue, you could place a sheet of metal (or, if your dentist has an old one he or she wants to get rid of cheap, a dental x-ray vest) on the back of the cabinet. Just remember not to place anything over the back of the TV itself; doing so will cause the TV to overheat and burn out.

 

Well, the lightswitch and the TV are on the same circuit, so can't try cutting the power. I will see about a piece of sheetmetal or moving the unit away from that side wall.

Thnx all!!!

 

Maybe run an extenstion cord to the TV surge strip?

That way you could cut the power, and have an "experiment", as well as a "control".

 

I haven't seen any instance of a magnetic or electric field bothering a flat screen set, LCD or plasma. Any field strong enough would make your fillings hurt. An X-ray vest would stop an electric field but not a magnetic field.
I would read all seven hundred pages of your owner's manual to see if you can make any picture adjustments, probably using the remote since they leave all the buttons off the set.
If you lost your manual you can download for free at retrevo.com, but you will be put on their mailing list. Or try the manufacturer site. I'm betting you just need some fiddling, like carburetors on old engines.

 

I could be a weak back light on the right side. How old is the TV?

 

I believe it is about 3 years old. We had a regular type TV before, and it was getting pinkish/purple areas fading in at the corners on the left side before we got rid of it.... How bizarre!!

Thnx all for the tips/ideas!

 

This makes sense. Having worked in retail electronics I've seen it happen on both flat screen TVs and monitors.

 

Is that something that "just happens", and is it repairable?

Thnx!

 

Why would that be the identical problem in both TV sets though?

 

Good point. Here's an interesting article about magnetically induced electrical fields in household wiring. Is this maybe a three way switch?
http://www.emfservices.com/electric.htm

 

No, just an old, standard on/off switch for the ceiling light.

Thnx!