Here's A Weird One For You!!

I am picking up the TV audio from the downstairs neighbor in my apartment building through my PC speakers!! My system is acting like some sort of an 'antenna' or something, I would think. Granted, it is very low, but it is noticeable, and since they seem to watch a lot of TV, it is irritating and actually I can hear their TV audio when I play music and that really is annoying.
I am wondering what may be going on here. Could it also have something to do with the wiring in the building? This is a two apt. dwelling.

And if you have an idea as to what is going on, some possible solutions to get rid of this. Thanks.

the only thing I can think of is the wiring in the building

You could put a physical barrier between the speakers/computer and where you suspect the signals are coming from - maybe a piece of plywood or a nylon floor-mat (like they use in offices) Perhaps they have a wireless surround-sound system or something? It must be something like that, b/c they no longer beam in TV signals, and even if they did, you wouldn't pick it up on your speakers... Or you could talk to your neighbors (if you're cool with them) and see if it's possible to adjust the frequency of their setup to another channel... or try using shielded speaker cables... that would probably work better than anything...

I saw this happen when I was working at the TV station at my school a few years ago. One set of speakers would pick up a radio station.

I just did a quick search and you can try using a ferrite ring to block the interference.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/askjack/2010/mar/03/pc-speakers-pick-up-radio
While I understand in theory how this works, I've never done it myself and am not exactly sure where on the cable is the ideal place to put the ring. They're fairly cheap so you could pick one up and experiment http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3012599

Welcome to the world of bad shielding and EMI!

Try the ferrite rings as suggested by epidemik. They can pretty much go anywhere on the audio lines. Just wrap the cable around the rings a few times.

Zatharus said:

Welcome to the world of bad shielding and EMI!

Try the ferrite rings as suggested by epidemik. They can pretty much go anywhere on the audio lines. Just wrap the cable around the rings a few times.

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Your probably right about them going anywhere, but from what i've always understood with ferrite it is best to place them as close to the connectors, don't have any proof of that, just something i've always personally felt works best.

You guys don't get ferrite cores on your cables do you? don't you have to order them? Because with many video cards I've board it says call this nu mber etc etc to get your ferrite core choke free of charge.

It's definately interference though.

linkin said:

You guys don't get ferrite cores on your cables do you? don't you have to order them? Because with many video cards I've board it says call this nu mber etc etc to get your ferrite core choke free of charge.

It's definately interference though.

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Most cables don't have ferrite chokes on them, i have a small bin of them here though as i use them on alot of my audio cables.

bomberboysk said:

Your probably right about them going anywhere, but from what i've always understood with ferrite it is best to place them as close to the connectors, don't have any proof of that, just something i've always personally felt works best.

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You are correct. They will work best at the ends. You will also usually have better results using one at each end.