Noise from TBC-4000 DataVideo?
 

Is the unit defective? I'm using a generic ac adapter, any chance it's causing this noise?

Maybe, maybe not. You need to do a thorough process of elimination.

What I see is simply an interference pattern, likely cause by power.

The problem may be caused by:
- a bad PSU.
- bad wires. And no, it does NOT matter if the same cables are "fine" elsewhere. Some hardware is more touchy than others.
- lack of UPS (ie, dirty power straight from wall outlet)
- another device on the same power strip/UPS/outlet

Time to test. :)

On the back of the unit, it mentions it requires DC IN 9V 18W. Is the 18W information even relevant? Most ac adapters just state the voltage and amperes. I'm using a 9V 2A AC adapter.

Does anyone know what the DIP switches inside the TBC-4000 do? I read it's used to convert the unit to accept PAL signals.

watts = volts times amps
So 9volts x 2amps = 18 watts.
That doesn't mean you don't have a noisy adapter.

9V 2A is correct.

I'd once called DataVideo about the DIP switches on the 3000. They have no idea. All data regarding these was purged 10+ years ago. From simple testing, I learned that the first switch controls PAL/NTSC. The 2nd likely controls IRE 0/7.5. No idea on the others. The 4000 slightly differs from the 3000. Just switch them, see what happens.

Again, the power adapter may be giving dirty power.
And no, it doesn't at all matter if it's "brand new". New stuff can be crap, too!

Got a UPS power supply (APC 600VA) and it fixed the hum issues ONLY IF the UPS power supply is not connected to an outlet. So it is dirty power that is causing it. Too bad I can't keep the UPS power supply connected while using it. Maybe I should get one of those Stetzer meter and filters and see if it'll reduce the dirty power. I'm afraid the dirty power maybe affecting other electronics like VCRs, etc.

Nice to know the TBC-4000 can accept PAL signals. I noticed it's made up of 2 TBC-3000 main boards.

Is there a UPS power supply where you draw power directly from the battery even when it still connected to a working outlet? Most UPS power supply only draws power from the battery during a power outage.

Upon closer inspection on the TV, I can still see a faint hum but I can't see it on the DV file. Can you guys see it? If you guys can't see it, does this mean I don't have to worry about it?

I found out what the other dip switches are for. They are to configure the unit as a 2ch (TBC3000) or a 4ch(TBC4000) TBC. So I can possibly convert this TBC4000 to a TBC3000, maybe only one of the boards is defective. Most old electronics need to have some capacitors replaced. This unit was built in 1999.

Non-switching UPS. About 3x+ the cost. But perhaps worth it for you.

No. The compression is losing it.

Wow I just found a way to get rid of the hum noise without using a UPS power supply. When I connect a composite cable from a heavy video equipment such as a LCD TV or Betamax VCR to the TBC-4000, the noise goes away. The equipment was turned off. My rackmount TBC was only able to remove some of the noise. Looks like the amount of metal has an influence, maybe it's a grounding issue with the TBC-4000.

The noise will not go away when I connect the TBC-4000 to a VHS VCR, Laserdisc player. These machines are less heavy, hence less metal parts.

I'm connecting the video cable to the monitor output of the TBC-4000, so all 4 inputs are still available. Something inside the unit needs to be grounded, wished I knew what it is.