ok, so if pushing hard fixes the problem, then i'm betting connection on the TV.
If you said that jiggling the cables fixed the problem, then i'd say its the cables. definitely hook up a DVD player or something else to check the TV connection because i'm fairly sure thats it.
you can get cables as cheap as $5+shipping online. I bought a set of components for that much and they work fine (no reason to pay tons for cables that don't perform any better)








