Okay, guys, here's one for ya. I have a Funai TV (Emerson brand name) and DVD player (Symphonic brand name). When I hook up the DVD's S-Video output to the TV's S-Video input, I get a distorted picture on the splash screen and 60-cycle hum (rather loud) in my audio. Now, get this, the only way I can use this configuration is if I simultaneously hook up the DVD player's analog video output up to my old 8mm videotape deck (yes, deck, not camcorder). This clears up the image and reduces the hum, but doesn't eliminater it. The only other way is to just use the TV's analog video input. Is there a fix so that I don't have to have the 8mm hooked up, and eliminate the hum altogether? (BTW, I consulted radio host Leo LaPorte, and he said something about the Macrovision firmware causing the problem, but I don't think he understood fully what I'm using for a jury-rigged fix.)

Also, my DVD player has a feature called virtual surround, using some sort of sound imaging. Here's the audio hook-up: TV to stereo, and I'm using headphones (in my current living conditions, headphones keep the peace). Is this virtual surround a dubious feature at best? There's two settings: normal and enhanced. They both seem to reduce the low end (bass). I'm using headphones with neodymium magnets, and the reduction in bass is noticeable.

Any solutions, guys?

One thing I know you can't use S video and analog hookup at the sametime otherwise you get the problem you have. If your tv has multiple inputs use them. Thats what I know.:)