Remote control issue

rlogue

I have a second Sky box which has a Sky Gnome connected to it. Since the Gnome has been connected I have had problems trying to get the digibox to recognise remote control commands.

Most of the time the box doesn't "see" the remote commands and will only respond occasionally. I have to press the remote buttons many times before the required command is seen by the box, and more often than not a simple task like changing the channel number doesn't happen, so much so that I've taken to using the Gnome to control the digibox, which is not ideal.

The Gnome uses the powered RF2 outlet (and yes, I've checked if the RF outlet is powered). I have tested the box using both the Sky remote and a universal remote, and the results are the same.

The box is a Pace, its model no is 1.0.67.

stanley1

what is your EPG software version, the number you quoted is the model no., if you look at the bottom of the box you will get Pace set top box version, mine is DS430N with firmware 3.5.3.

rlogue

I have version number 9F0801, O/S version 1.2S4FE and EPG version 3.4.4b.

byte

Sounds like the older Pace 2600's to me.

stanley1

Firmware 3.5.3 for 2600 has not been rolled out yet.

rlogue

Does that firmware solve the problem then?

rlogue

Incidentally the box is a Pace 2600, but I suspect "those in the know" would have sussed that out anyway.

So does the 3.5.3 firmware solve my remote control problem, or is this a known problem with the 2600 boxes?

stanley1

If you go to digitalspy and access forums satellite > sky, you might find some info there, if I remember there were issues with new EPG and gnome.

rlogue

I've resolved the problem, and it was nothing to do with the Sky Gnome in the end.

The Pace box has a 2.4 GHz video sender attached. The sender has a magic eye sitting in front of the box. I powered off the video sender and found I could use the remote - so I powered the sender back up, but this time without the magic eye attached.

As I use the Sky Gnome to change the box's channels upstairs anyway I've decided to do without the magic eye and now I can use the box downstairs as normal.

Gregor Samsa

Your video sender isn't a Philips SLV3100 by any chance?

I have one that, when the IR transmitter is used in front of my Sky box, renders the remote inoperable. I took a look at it using the night vision on my camcorder, and you can see that it's constantly transmitting an IR signal even when the upstairs video receiver box is turned off, which must be jamming the signal from the remote. Very annoying.

rlogue

Nope, it's a GigaAir sender, but I suspect the magic eye is behaving in exactly the same way as your Philips is.