Remote control weirdness - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

stonn909 · 2007-10-05, 12:25 PM

I'm happy with the SA8300 PVR, but have some weird remote control issues. When I first turn it on, I have to stand up close to the unit for the remote to work. After about 20-30 minutes, I can use it from my couch, but I can't understand why it takes any time at all. Anyone have any ideas?

57 · 2007-10-05, 12:27 PM

I'm betting you have an LCD TV. See:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=64463

stonn909 · 2007-10-05, 12:43 PM

Yes, I have a 40 inch Samsung LCD I got last December. Thanks for that thread, it was helpful. Now I understand why my DVD player goes nuts too.

I have my backlight on the lowest setting because it's supposed to produce the best blacks that way. I'd rather not have to fiddle with my settings as I'm really happy with them, and moving the box further away from the TV isn't an option. What is the best type of shield I can create and where would I position it?

Rick · 2008-01-14, 08:59 AM

I am having similar problems with my SA8000 which I have had for quite a few years with no problems. Suddenly a few days ago the remote started to not work unless I was very close to the unit. (Controls the TV with no problem.) After a while it works from further away, just as described above. I am using my nearly 20 year old CRT TV just as always, (waiting for it to die so I can replace it with a nice new LCD!!!) and nothing that I can think of has changed. I tried replacing the batteries -- no change. I also tried another remote but it does exacty the same thing.

Hmm, just thought of some changes. 1. We got Rogers Home Phone -- can't imagine that would have an effect. 2. We got a new Panasonic DECT cordless phone set. I guess I can try unplugging that and see if it makes a difference.

Any ideas??

hugh · 2008-01-14, 09:21 AM

Quote:

I also tried another remote but it does exacty the same thing.

If the problems are happening with multiple remotes then it suggests the problem is NOT the remote. Have you got a clear unobstructed view of the PVR? Perhaps something is partially obstructing the IR beam?

Rick · 2008-01-14, 12:30 PM

It's a clear path. And as with the first appender, the problem essentially goes away with time. (Perhaps not in 20 minutes, but in less than an hour.)

Paul.v · 2008-01-14, 12:55 PM

Rick, I have seen this on my inlaws box, was flourescent light in room...we just put a 'visor' over the box( about 3") & it works ok. Maybe try to shield the box from your set? visor on top & side?? would be interesting if that worked. I think the Receiver gets saturated with light..
regards,
Paul

57 · 2008-01-14, 03:46 PM

I did my first setup today where I encountered this issue (I've done plenty of LCDs and when properly set up, there was no problem). However, today, after the setup, when you turned on the (Sharp) LCD, the remote would only work when very close to the items it was controlling, but after about 30 seconds, all was well. A very weird phenomenon!

Luckily I knew about this issue and was able to explain it to the client and he said he could wait the 30 seconds.

Rick · 2008-01-15, 02:17 PM

...and today it's working fine!

Ah, the joys of all these electronic toys!

KISS · 2008-04-08, 04:03 PM

If you go here: http://xantech.com/products/ir_products.htm#

There are some LCD/CCFL proof receivers. You could use blocking emitters on each piece of equipment and use one CCFL proof receiver.

The 30 second problem is probably due to the warm-up of the lamp in the display.

2007-10-05, 12:25 PM	#1
stonn909 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 121	Remote control weirdness I'm happy with the SA8300 PVR, but have some weird remote control issues. When I first turn it on, I have to stand up close to the unit for the remote to work. After about 20-30 minutes, I can use it from my couch, but I can't understand why it takes any time at all. Anyone have any ideas?

2007-10-05, 12:27 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,293	I'm betting you have an LCD TV. See: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=64463 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2008-01-14, 03:46 PM	#8
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,293	I did my first setup today where I encountered this issue (I've done plenty of LCDs and when properly set up, there was no problem). However, today, after the setup, when you turned on the (Sharp) LCD, the remote would only work when very close to the items it was controlling, but after about 30 seconds, all was well. A very weird phenomenon! Luckily I knew about this issue and was able to explain it to the client and he said he could wait the 30 seconds. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2007-10-05, 12:43 PM	#3
stonn909 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 121	Yes, I have a 40 inch Samsung LCD I got last December. Thanks for that thread, it was helpful. Now I understand why my DVD player goes nuts too. I have my backlight on the lowest setting because it's supposed to produce the best blacks that way. I'd rather not have to fiddle with my settings as I'm really happy with them, and moving the box further away from the TV isn't an option. What is the best type of shield I can create and where would I position it?

2008-01-14, 08:59 AM	#4
Rick Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario (Rogers, Oppo 103, Sony S590, Denon 2809, Panasonic AE3000, Carada 2.35 120 in.) Posts: 538	I am having similar problems with my SA8000 which I have had for quite a few years with no problems. Suddenly a few days ago the remote started to not work unless I was very close to the unit. (Controls the TV with no problem.) After a while it works from further away, just as described above. I am using my nearly 20 year old CRT TV just as always, (waiting for it to die so I can replace it with a nice new LCD!!!) and nothing that I can think of has changed. I tried replacing the batteries -- no change. I also tried another remote but it does exacty the same thing. Hmm, just thought of some changes. 1. We got Rogers Home Phone -- can't imagine that would have an effect. 2. We got a new Panasonic DECT cordless phone set. I guess I can try unplugging that and see if it makes a difference. Any ideas??

2008-01-14, 12:30 PM	#6
Rick Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario (Rogers, Oppo 103, Sony S590, Denon 2809, Panasonic AE3000, Carada 2.35 120 in.) Posts: 538	It's a clear path. And as with the first appender, the problem essentially goes away with time. (Perhaps not in 20 minutes, but in less than an hour.)

2008-01-14, 12:55 PM	#7
Paul.v Rookie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Enniskillen Ont Posts: 24	Rick, I have seen this on my inlaws box, was flourescent light in room...we just put a 'visor' over the box( about 3") & it works ok. Maybe try to shield the box from your set? visor on top & side?? would be interesting if that worked. I think the Receiver gets saturated with light.. regards, Paul

2008-01-15, 02:17 PM	#9
Rick Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario (Rogers, Oppo 103, Sony S590, Denon 2809, Panasonic AE3000, Carada 2.35 120 in.) Posts: 538	...and today it's working fine! Ah, the joys of all these electronic toys!

2008-04-08, 04:03 PM	#10
KISS Rookie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7	If you go here: http://xantech.com/products/ir_products.htm# There are some LCD/CCFL proof receivers. You could use blocking emitters on each piece of equipment and use one CCFL proof receiver. The 30 second problem is probably due to the warm-up of the lamp in the display.