Help - NTL remote confused by new TV

Ryaller

I posted this over in "Home Entertainment Displays" without any joy, but maybe this forum is busier...

Okay, this is a weird one...
A few weeks back I got a Philips 42PF5331 plasma, and It seems to be "confusing" my NTL digital stb. When I try and change channels, DOWN works, UP doesn't. PAGE DOWN works, PAGE UP doesn't. Changed the batteries and still had the problem. I assumed the remote was dying, but last week I connected it back up to my old CRT (I was selling it) and the remote worked perfectly. So the only thing I can figure out is that the plasma is interfering with the remote - the signal light on the TV flickers when I press the remote, but the stb doesn't respond.
It works when I put the remote direcly in front of the stb, but obviously this isn't what I had in mind when I bought the tv. Very frustrated.
Any thoughts?

The tax man

Just had a quick look at your TVs manual and if I'm right there should be something called contrast+ in the features sub-menu. If it's turned on turn it off and see if it makes any difference.
Some flat screens have a little IR light on the front of the set that monitors the lighting conditions in a room and changes the picture accordingly. Some of these seem to upset the NTL remote signal. Came across this many times.
Anyone out there with a Sharp Aquos(spelling?) model may find turning off the OPC control will restore remote functions.
Another way of getting around it is to move the STB away from the screen if possible although you'll be limited by the length of the scart lead but that can be resolved easily with different leads.

Let us know if it worked or not.

DingDong

Cheers tax man I never knew what caused that, came across it a few times with that sharp model tv and nothing I tried work although putting a light on in the room did helps.

Ryaller

Tax Man, thank you so much for your helpful advice.
I switched off the contrast+ this morning - initially it worked fine, but after a while started having the same problem. I'll have another look at it tonight.
So if I switch all the lights in the house on, I can change channels?!
Thats going to make watching movies very enjoyable!

JDxtra

What an odd problem! I've always found the NTL remote very weak compared to others - and it requires direct line of sight.

The tax man

No problem.;)

It shouldn't make too much difference with the plasma screen but some LCD screen give off some interference which also hampers the remote signal. Worst I ever came across for this was a Beko LCD.

DingDong

The little silver remote always works better for me. Is that the model you have Ryaller. Also the new dinky digi box seem to have no problem with most plasma I've tried them with.

Ryaller

I'm using the "dinky" digibox, but the older (I guess) remote - blue oval one.
Still having the problem though. It's doing my head in! Would buying a universal remote help at all?

DingDong

The sliver remote might work better if you could borrow one and try it out