 Number 201 - February 2000 |
| Stereo System Speakers Yield Odd Results | ||
| Ask Gina, Access Magazine 12/5/99 | ||
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Q. I have a friend
who uses his stereo speakers with subwoofers as his computer speaker
system. But when I try it, I get wierd-looking images on my monitor.
What's the problem? Mel Black, Mound Minn.
A. Lots of people who use their computers to play games, watch DVD movies or listen to audio CDs love to add stereo speakers to their system. The problem you describe--distortion on your computer screen--is a common problem. It occurs because stereo speakers aren't designed to be used right next to a computer. They don't have "magnetic shielding" the way computer speakers do. The only answer here is to place the computer speakers a few feet away from your computer and monitor. A side note: Not all speakers will work with computers, anyway. Cheaper ones may not have enough power to amplify the sound [signal] that's being transmitted from the sound cards. That sound [signal] is a lot weaker than the sound signal from a stereo [system].
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electromagnetic fields direct the energy
beams (rays) that write to your computer screen, which is, like your TV
screen, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). That is, the beams that energize or
"light up" the phosphor pixels on your screen. And, as mentioned in the
above article, audio speakers use magnetism to create sound from
electrical signals transmitted to them. Thus, the strong magnetic field
of a stereo system speaker when placed close to a CRT may interfere
with the CRT's magnetic field and distort the screen image unless it is
protected from such interference by physical shielding or by distance.
We are reminded of the story, which circulated in the computer community a decade or more ago, about the secretary who kept losing data stored on 5 1/4" floppy disks after sticking them on a steel file cabinet next to her desk. What did she use to hold them there? Why a magnet, of course. Similar things happened when magnetized paper clips were used to clip written notes to the floppies. And don't forget that the old telephone desk sets that rang a physical bell used a fairly strong permannent magnet (or electromagnet) to actuate the ringer mechanism. Many a "floppy" was erased by placing an old 'phone deskset on top of it. Be aware. In the modern world, magnetism happens! |
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Number 201 - February 2000
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