Vodafone Ultrahub wifi causes interference with TV signal

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RogerMellie

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#242484 30-Oct-2018 15:17

After weeks of thinking the terrible interference on our TV signal was due to bad weather, I've pinpointed it to the Ultrahub wifi (both 2.4 and 5Ghz networks) being the culprit. Interestingly it is only when I open my laptop (2017 MacBook Pro 13") that the problem occurs. Our iPhones don't cause the same problem.

The modem is situated about 4-5 feet from the TV (2012 plasma), but unfortunately I can't move the modem more than 6 feet away from the TV and aerial wall port owing to where the VDSL jackpoint is installed.

Has anyone else had this experience? My hypothesis is that the laptop is prompting the ultrahub to ramp up the wifi signal enough to cause total distortion of the TV picture.

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#2116910 30-Oct-2018 15:21

Your TV could have a crap filter on it as well, My Ultrahub is close to the TV and zero issues

John

RogerMellie

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2116912 30-Oct-2018 15:23

Linux:

Your TV could have a crap filter on it as well, My Ultrahub is close to the TV and zero issues

John

Do you mean the shielding inside the TV unit, or something I could apply on the outside?

Do you use your laptop in proximity to your TV?

Thanks

Linux

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#2116923 30-Oct-2018 15:46

What make / model is your TV?

John

hio77

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Lizard Networks

#2116933 30-Oct-2018 15:59

As an alternative option, you could pickup a longer RJ12 cable..

http://www.cablesdirect.co.nz/catalog/search?quickfind_needle=%20C-RJ11-5M

There is possibility of dsl degradation, but with a decent cable this will be very minimal.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

Apsattv

2388 posts

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#2116990 30-Oct-2018 17:09

Plasma tv's put out a horrendous amount of RF noise. What TV are you viewing?? Freeview UHF? or vodafone tv?

Hammerer

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#2117009 30-Oct-2018 17:59

RogerMellie:

After weeks of thinking the terrible interference on our TV signal was due to bad weather, I've pinpointed it to the Ultrahub wifi (both 2.4 and 5Ghz networks) being the culprit. Interestingly it is only when I open my laptop (2017 MacBook Pro 13") that the problem occurs. Our iPhones don't cause the same problem.

The modem is situated about 4-5 feet from the TV (2012 plasma), but unfortunately I can't move the modem more than 6 feet away from the TV and aerial wall port owing to where the VDSL jackpoint is installed.

Has anyone else had this experience? My hypothesis is that the laptop is prompting the ultrahub to ramp up the wifi signal enough to cause total distortion of the TV picture.

My hypothesis might be different if it only happens when the MacBook Pro is online.

What happens if the MacBook Pro is switched on but the WiFi adapter is turned off? If the interference stops when the MacBook Pro has no WiFi then the Ultra Hub is not the culprit.

What happens if the WiFi on the Ultra Hub is turned off? If the interference stops then it is the Ultra Hub.

What happens when you disconnect any peripheral devices attached to the MacBook Pro? Poor shielding on USB devices, e.g. USB hub or external disk drive, is a well known source of interference.

If the Ultra Hub is clearly implicated - what you've said hasn't confirmed this - then I'd also look at the positioning of the Ultra Hub. My Vodafone Ultra Hub is less than 1m to the side of a wall-mounted (cheap) Veon TV. Is your Ultra Hub positioned behind the TV? If so then try moving it forward in front of the TV.

RogerMellie

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2117306 31-Oct-2018 11:03

Linux:

What make / model is your TV?

John

2012 Panasonic Viera plasma

model: TH-P50V20Z

Equinox IT

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RogerMellie

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2117307 31-Oct-2018 11:04

Apsattv:

Plasma tv's put out a horrendous amount of RF noise. What TV are you viewing?? Freeview UHF? or vodafone tv?

Freeview UHF (TV has it built in)

The issue does not happen at all until I open the lid/wake the laptop. I don't believe the TV is the source of the noise.

RogerMellie

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2117309 31-Oct-2018 11:08

Hammerer:

My hypothesis might be different if it only happens when the MacBook Pro is online.

What happens if the MacBook Pro is switched on but the WiFi adapter is turned off? If the interference stops when the MacBook Pro has no WiFi then the Ultra Hub is not the culprit.

What happens if the WiFi on the Ultra Hub is turned off? If the interference stops then it is the Ultra Hub.

What happens when you disconnect any peripheral devices attached to the MacBook Pro? Poor shielding on USB devices, e.g. USB hub or external disk drive, is a well known source of interference.

If the Ultra Hub is clearly implicated - what you've said hasn't confirmed this - then I'd also look at the positioning of the Ultra Hub. My Vodafone Ultra Hub is less than 1m to the side of a wall-mounted (cheap) Veon TV. Is your Ultra Hub positioned behind the TV? If so then try moving it forward in front of the TV.

Haven't got round to turning off wifi on either MacBook Pro or Ultrahub yet. Will do more testing tonight and report back.

No peripherals connected to MacBook Pro.

Thanks for responses so far.

Rickles

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#2117448 31-Oct-2018 15:01

FWIW, I have a plasma TV (Samsung) and UltraHub about 2-3 metres away behind two walls and a brick fireplace. I can sit in front of the TV with a laptop, connect to 'net via wifi, and no TV distortions at all.

Since I was cleaning my desk, I quickly unplugged the router and connected it again in lounge, turned it on and waved it about, getting closer to TV each time …. again no distortions or interference on TV, EXCEPT that the laptop lost wifi when the router was face-down right on the top edge of the TV.

Apple products, huh?

Apsattv

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#2117463 31-Oct-2018 15:34

Are you using an indoor antenna for your freeview?

Brunzy

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#2117468 31-Oct-2018 16:04

Do you have a moulded cable from the wall to the Tv?
If so , replace it with one made up from RG6 cable & crimp connectors.
You could also go into the Tv menu and look at the signal quality and see if it deteriorates when you open the laptop lid.
Also , is this happening on all channels, or only some?

RogerMellie

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2118307 2-Nov-2018 09:47

Apsattv:

Are you using an indoor antenna for your freeview?

No, roof-mounted.

RogerMellie

319 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2118312 2-Nov-2018 09:51

Brunzy: Do you have a moulded cable from the wall to the Tv?
If so , replace it with one made up from RG6 cable & crimp connectors.
You could also go into the Tv menu and look at the signal quality and see if it deteriorates when you open the laptop lid.
Also , is this happening on all channels, or only some?

By moulded cable, I'm assuming you mean one tacked along the skirting board ?

There is just an antenna port on the wall plate which I have a a 5ft aerial cable plugged into, and then into the TV.

Good idea about checking signal quality, I'd forgotten the TV has that feature. Will try that this weekend.

Happening on all channels.

Long story short, I completely forgot to mention there is also a 2012 Mac mini on the tv cabinet, ...with several USB 3 drives connected...

For those that don't know, these Mac Minis had awful bluetooth/USB 3 shielding issues (so bad that it would prevent normal use of Apples own Bluetooth mice and keyboards , so I am quite confident that this is the likely culprit.

Hammerer

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#2118408 2-Nov-2018 11:53

A moulded cable means moulded plastic outer that encloses the inner cable leaving us with no ability to see what is actually inside the moulding. The suggested alternative is to use more expensive cable of known specification with other quality components.

RogerMellie:

Long story short, I completely forgot to mention there is also a 2012 Mac mini on the tv cabinet, ...with several USB 3 drives connected...

For those that don't know, these Mac Minis had awful bluetooth/USB 3 shielding issues (so bad that it would prevent normal use of Apples own Bluetooth mice and keyboards , so I am quite confident that this is the likely culprit.

That makes a lot more sense than the router or laptop.

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