UPC Remote Control Issues

Eamo71

zilog_jones wrote: »

There's just the one HD box so far AFAIK. The guide and menus are more or less identical, but it doesn't have the remote control brokenness that the Thomson STBs suffer from.

Err I'm afraid I've had RC issues with the HD Cisco STB. They have been resolved but they do exist.

Myrddin

To be honest its really poor. Removing entertainment just beggard belief, who is responsible for passing these designs? When I think back on some of the Linux EPG's they really were a joy to use. Maybe this EPG isn't so bad, but just VERY badly optimised for the hardware.

Anyway I was hoping it would fix the remote contol issue I'm having with my PVR (non HD), it doesn't. For me the system is unuseable, I can't browse through the guide, as the down arrow functions as the up arrow a lot of the time, page down brings me into the recorded programms section, up arrow selects the channel to watch...and they all mix around. This happens EVERY time, not intermittently, I might get a button to function for a few presses, but it WILL mess up, guaranteed.

I've heard people mentioning remote issues here, are they the same as mine? I've had UPC less than a week, the broadband so far has been bulletproof...have to say I wasn't expecting remote control issues of all things.

zilog_jones

EnterNow wrote: »

I've heard people mentioning remote issues here, are they the same as mine? I've had UPC less than a week, the broadband so far has been bulletproof...have to say I wasn't expecting remote control issues of all things.

It sounds similar to problems others have had, but seems a bit more extreme than usual. The issue seems to be caused by infrared emissions from the CCFL backlights used in LCD TVs - severity of the problem will vary between different sets, location, etc. Putting masking tape over the remote sensor on the STB can reduce the problem (it worked for me with the old silver Thomson DVR).

@Eamo71: I didn't know the Cisco box had this problem too, I guess I got lucky. Was this fixed in a firmware update or was something else done to resolve the issue?

dunworth1

EnterNow wrote: »

To be honest its really poor. Removing entertainment just beggard belief, who is responsible for passing these designs? When I think back on some of the Linux EPG's they really were a joy to use. Maybe this EPG isn't so bad, but just VERY badly optimised for the hardware.

Anyway I was hoping it would fix the remote contol issue I'm having with my PVR (non HD), it doesn't. For me the system is unuseable, I can't browse through the guide, as the down arrow functions as the up arrow a lot of the time, page down brings me into the recorded programms section, up arrow selects the channel to watch...and they all mix around. This happens EVERY time, not intermittently, I might get a button to function for a few presses, but it WILL mess up, guaranteed.

I've heard people mentioning remote issues here, are they the same as mine? I've had UPC less than a week, the broadband so far has been bulletproof...have to say I wasn't expecting remote control issues of all things.

i havent heard of issues like that with the remote.
id give them a ring.
the normal issues are not responding, rapid movement trough the now and next and the box thinking you pressed the 5 button

did you try Putting masking tape over the remote sensor on the box

Myrddin

I'll try that now guys cheers. Its unuseable as is, no joke. I've a plasma tv, I wonder if this makes the issue worse?

Myrddin

Resolved with masking tape, fair play lads - saved me a rather painful phonecall I would imagine.

zilog_jones

It seems plasma TVs make infrared emissions too, not sure if it's worse than LCD TVs or not.

Minatauro

Hi there,

have the same problem with the remote. It takes a few presses of the button just to get one number when typing channel numbers or else it would repeat the number even if i only pressed the button once. Its like it slows down to nothing happening or speeds up repeating numbers so the channel always ends up looped back to the upc info channel.

I got a new remote posted out and still the same problems. I have same plasma tv since day one and there were never any problems before. Just been happening in the last week. Could it be to do with the new epg guide as there is nothing else different in the house to interfere? i have the upc mediabox basic digital. Where on it is the ir receiver? i dont want to have masking tape all over the front of it .

dunworth1

Minatauro wrote: »

Hi there,

have the same problem with the remote. It takes a few presses of the button just to get one number when typing channel numbers or else it would repeat the number even if i only pressed the button once. Its like it slows down to nothing happening or speeds up repeating numbers so the channel always ends up looped back to the upc info channel.

I got a new remote posted out and still the same problems. I have same plasma tv since day one and there were never any problems before. Just been happening in the last week. Could it be to do with the new epg guide as there is nothing else different in the house to interfere? i have the upc mediabox basic digital. Where on it is the ir receiver? i dont want to have masking tape all over the front of it .

go up close to the box with a lamp and shine it around and you should be able to see it it looks like a bulb

Kristopherus

EnterNow wrote: »

I found the Sky+ epg (non hd) an absoloute pain to use. The lag was unbelievable, sometimes it would lag so badly, if I could remember how to get the channel I wanted I'd go ahead & press the combinations. Then the box would just wake up, all my inputs were processed (after inputting them) and it would go through the menus and select the channel sometimes 4/5 full seconds later.

If you found that with a Sky+ remote, then the problem is defo with the tv set, not with the box.

Myrddin

Kristopherus wrote: »

If you found that with a Sky+ remote, then the problem is defo with the tv set, not with the box.

Nope that was the box, happened on 3 different tv's.

Kristopherus

EnterNow wrote: »

Nope that was the box, happened on 3 different tv's.

I just thought that the newer LCD/LED/Plasma tvs may have issues with converting the data/signal from the box. If the UPC remotes are that bad, I'll have to reconsider going down that road

dunworth1

Kristopherus wrote: »

I just thought that the newer LCD/LED/Plasma tvs may have issues with converting the data/signal from the box. If the UPC remotes are that bad, I'll have to reconsider going down that road

it only happens with certain tvs there is nothing wrong with the remote/box
its just that some combination's of tvs and the box dont work 100%

zilog_jones

Kristopherus wrote: »

I just thought that the newer LCD/LED/Plasma tvs may have issues with converting the data/signal from the box.

Converting? What? The TV does not interact with remote control commands going from your remote to your set-top box in any way. The problem is infrared emissions (in light from the screen) from LCD and plasma TVs can interfere with the remote signal. Fluorescent lights (e.g. CFLs) can interfere too.

I suspect LED-backlit LCD TVs do not emit infrared light, but I don't know for sure. CRT TVs do not.

Eamo71

zilog_jones wrote: »

It sounds similar to problems others have had, but seems a bit more extreme than usual. The issue seems to be caused by infrared emissions from the CCFL backlights used in LCD TVs - severity of the problem will vary between different sets, location, etc. Putting masking tape over the remote sensor on the STB can reduce the problem (it worked for me with the old silver Thomson DVR).

@Eamo71: I didn't know the Cisco box had this problem too, I guess I got lucky. Was this fixed in a firmware update or was something else done to resolve the issue?

@Zilog: I ended up buying an all-for-one-remote (cheap one for about 16 euro) and programmed it for UPC STB/TV/DVD and Blu Ray. No I've no issues with the remote now. Don;t know why - perhaps the IR beam is stronger...

toreadorx2001

Eamo71 wrote: »

@Zilog: I ended up buying an all-for-one-remote (cheap one for about 16 euro) and programmed it for UPC STB/TV/DVD and Blu Ray. No I've no issues with the remote now. Don;t know why - perhaps the IR beam is stronger...

what make of tv have u got . I am told the ir sensor is too weak in the box

Eamo71

toreadorx2001 wrote: »

what make of tv have u got . I am told the ir sensor is too weak in the box

I had a Philips 32 inch - now have a Samsung 42 inch.

Same problem occurred with both TVs. Problem really only started happening with the Cisco HD DVR box. No problems with the silver DVR.

The problem was so frustrating that my wife was threatening to ditch the HD box and go back to SD with the silver DVR.

Decided to get the One-For_all thingmajig and haven't looked back since. I primarily got it as a possible fix for the STB but it also controls the TV, DVD and Blu Ray. So it was a win-win all round.

toreadorx2001

Eamo71 wrote: »

I had a Philips 32 inch - now have a Samsung 42 inch.

Same problem occurred with both TVs. Problem really only started happening with the Cisco HD DVR box. No problems with the silver DVR.

The problem was so frustrating that my wife was threatening to ditch the HD box and go back to SD with the silver DVR.

Decided to get the One-For_all thingmajig and haven't looked back since. I primarily got it as a possible fix for the STB but it also controls the TV, DVD and Blu Ray. So it was a win-win all round.

Eamo ,
Aren't you the lucky one might give that a try ,,see what happens nothing to lose at this stage if the hd box doesn't work out

Eamo71

toreadorx2001 wrote: »

Eamo ,
Aren't you the lucky one might give that a try ,,see what happens nothing to lose at this stage if the hd box doesn't work out

I was in exact same boat. Nothing to lose. Got it for 16 euro down from 24 if I recall correctly.

If you want to know where I got it and the serial number etc... just drop me a PM though I think any of them should work. There's a UPC code on the manual -- so you'll be up and running in minutes. Unfortunately, the all-for-one remote was a slightly older model so it didn't have my Blu Ray code. So I just programmed the buttons on it from the Blu ray remote and it works a treat. I really do think it;s a million miles better than the UPC remote.

amused2death

Many of the postings here seem to think the problem lies with the new types of TV, Plasma and LCD. Well my UPC remote doesn't like taking instructions. The problem is clearly between the remote and the box. MY TV is 10yrs old and is a CRT type. The remote/box was working fine for a few months but in recent weeks they are not communicating properly with cronic delayed responses and then everything happens at once. Cheap equipment not properly tested and not fit for purpose. I am going to document the problems I might even video the more annoying delays and then notify UPC demanding what they plan to do to bring their service up to standard. IF I get no where with them then it is off to the small claims with folder under arm and switch to Sky.

toreadorx2001

Eamo71 wrote: »

I was in exact same boat. Nothing to lose. Got it for 16 euro down from 24 if I recall correctly.

If you want to know where I got it and the serial number etc... just drop me a PM though I think any of them should work. There's a UPC code on the manual -- so you'll be up and running in minutes. Unfortunately, the all-for-one remote was a slightly older model so it didn't have my Blu Ray code. So I just programmed the buttons on it from the Blu ray remote and it works a treat. I really do think it;s a million miles better than the UPC remote.[/QUO
Sent pm

toreadorx2001

hi Eamo ..did u get my pm ?????

toreadorx2001

Eamo71 wrote: »

I was in exact same boat. Nothing to lose. Got it for 16 euro down from 24 if I recall correctly.

If you want to know where I got it and the serial number etc... just drop me a PM though I think any of them should work. There's a UPC code on the manual -- so you'll be up and running in minutes. Unfortunately, the all-for-one remote was a slightly older model so it didn't have my Blu Ray code. So I just programmed the buttons on it from the Blu ray remote and it works a treat. I really do think it;s a million miles better than the UPC remote.

hi Eamo,
got the hd box today and hitched it up . similiar probs but tolerable for the moment , will see how it goes

Eamo71

toreadorx2001 wrote: »

hi Eamo,
got the hd box today and hitched it up . similiar probs but tolerable for the moment , will see how it goes

Sorry just back now. Will look at the PMS.

Apologies.

richiek

amused2death wrote: »

Many of the postings here seem to think the problem lies with the new types of TV, Plasma and LCD. Well my UPC remote doesn't like taking instructions. The problem is clearly between the remote and the box. MY TV is 10yrs old and is a CRT type. The remote/box was working fine for a few months but in recent weeks they are not communicating properly with cronic delayed responses and then everything happens at once. Cheap equipment not properly tested and not fit for purpose. I am going to document the problems I might even video the more annoying delays and then notify UPC demanding what they plan to do to bring their service up to standard. IF I get no where with them then it is off to the small claims with folder under arm and switch to Sky.

I'm also having problems with my upc remote and box. I have a 32" samsung lcd and the standard upc mediabox (not the pvr) the setup hasnt changed and has been working for the the last 6 months, It only seems to have stopped working since upc upgraded the firmware to display the tv guide differently.

The remote will work randomly, when it works its fine. but then sometimes it just wont do anything.

any suggestions? (oh and have tried several sets of new batteries to no avail)

toreadorx2001

richiek wrote: »

I'm also having problems with my upc remote and box. I have a 32" samsung lcd and the standard upc mediabox (not the pvr) the setup hasnt changed and has been working for the the last 6 months, It only seems to have stopped working since upc upgraded the firmware to display the tv guide differently.

The remote will work randomly, when it works its fine. but then sometimes it just wont do anything.

any suggestions? (oh and have tried several sets of new batteries to no avail)

Hi there , .
first of all ,(1) u could unplug ur media box for a minute , and reconnect . that will allow it to reboot and install any recent soft ware changes they have updated . (2) u could reset factory settings in the upc menu ,u will need ur pin number , if u haven't ur own try 0000. or 1234 ,if all this fails give UPC a call , i'm sure they will be familier with the problem

I got a new Samsung LE40C530 TV on Sunday and have the Pace Mediabox, without the recorder. Never had any remote issues with my old CRT TV but now that I had the new LCD the only way it would respond was if I literally held the remote in front of the IR sensor.

Tried the masking tape method and it didn't help at all but I tried a small piece of electrical tape and that seems to have worked. Looks a lot better than the masking tape too, it's barely noticeable.

toreadorx2001

Karsini wrote: »

I got a new Samsung LE40C530 TV on Sunday and have the Pace Mediabox, without the recorder. Never had any remote issues with my old CRT TV but now that I had the new LCD the only way it would respond was if I literally held the remote in front of the IR sensor.

Tried the masking tape method and it didn't help at all but I tried a small piece of electrical tape and that seems to have worked. Looks a lot better than the masking tape too, it's barely noticeable.

Karsini , did u put the tape on TV IR ..or ..the MEDIA box IR

toreadorx2001

toreadorx2001 wrote: »

Karsini , did u put the tape on TV IR ..or ..the MEDIA box IR

The mediabox IR. Didn't do anything with the TV's IR.

toreadorx2001

Karsini wrote: »

The mediabox IR. Didn't do anything with the TV's IR.

Thanks Karsini, will give it a go , i got UPC to fit me with a HD media box .. no improvment so i will the BLACK tape a go

jmahon92

Okay so I got a UPC box on last week It seems to work fine but ocaissionly (especially at night) the remote and box act funny. I would press guide several times and nothing happens (the baterries DO work cause there is a light to say they work when you press a button). Then eventually the guide will appear, then i would press down and nothing will happen, then i press it again, and again and again and then after 3 minutes it will scroll down once and scroll up twice! then i would press 122 for example and it thinks i am pressing 982. The volume buttons work fine. Then sometimes whole thing will freeze and i have to plug it out again. BUT it seems to work perfectly a lot of the time. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

toreadorx2001

jmahon92 wrote: »

Okay so I got a UPC box on last week It seems to work fine but ocaissionly (especially at night) the remote and box act funny. I would press guide several times and nothing happens (the baterries DO work cause there is a light to say they work when you press a button). Then eventually the guide will appear, then i would press down and nothing will happen, then i press it again, and again and again and then after 3 minutes it will scroll down once and scroll up twice! then i would press 122 for example and it thinks i am pressing 982. The volume buttons work fine. Then sometimes whole thing will freeze and i have to plug it out again. BUT it seems to work perfectly a lot of the time. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

hiya ,,as u can see in here , you are not on ur own with these probs , try putting black tape over the infra red sensor on the media box . it has worked for some .

sadbob

Hi Guys - i was having the same problems with the psycho UPC remote control. It ws about to take a jump through the sitting room window and it was making watching my lovely new tv impossible. Put tape over the IR on the upc box and all back to normal

thanks for the advice!

Leiva

I had this really frustrating problem with the non responsive remote back in Oct .

A engineer called out and resolved it .

Then tonight I come home from work and my STB seemed to have reset itself ( looking for signal code , country etc) .

And now the remote has gone bonkers again
It is non responsive then all of a sudden it sends a bulk of commands .

I am so pissed off

toreadorx2001

hi there ... when u say an engineer ..what did he do are u with UPC???

Leiva

toreadorx2001 wrote: »

hi there ... when u say an engineer ..what did he do

That's the thing .. I don't know.

I was in work and my wife said he was here for no more than 15mins.

I tried all the tricks with masking tape over the TV and STB ir ports , I seen a improvement but still hit and miss .
The UPC guy done nothing obvious like that but did resolve the issue.

It had to have been something on the STB as it seems since it reset itself it has lost and gone back to been hit and miss with the remote.

toreadorx2001

what make of tv have u and how old is it . the bottom line here is ..UPC know there is a problem with stb 's and the remotes . It happens with lcd and plasma screens . So the "engineers" will try anything to get u sorted when u are there with them " it seems to be ok now " they go away and later when u switch on ur back to square one . But my situation was the same as urs so i switched to another tv here in another room and it ws ok . I even had a guy from Samsung out at the tv ((it was under warranty ) tv was ok . Rang UPC to install a stb( digital) on trial to see how things went ..95% ok after that .. but u have to keep the pressure on them to resolve the prob because u r payin for a service ur not getting and then they will waive the fee for a year to see how things go for u

Leiva

toreadorx2001 wrote: »

what make of tv have u and how old is it . the bottom line here is ..UPC know there is a problem with stb 's and the remotes . It happens with lcd and plasma screens . So the "engineers" will try anything to get u sorted when u are there with them " it seems to be ok now " they go away and later when u switch on ur back to square one . But my situation was the same as urs so i switched to another tv here in another room and it ws ok . I even had a guy from Samsung out at the tv ((it was under warranty ) tv was ok . Rang UPC to install a stb( digital) on trial to see how things went ..95% ok after that .. but u have to keep the pressure on them to resolve the prob because u r payin for a service ur not getting and then they will waive the fee for a year to see how things go for u

I actually had 2 call outs .

First guy was exactly as you said .."sorted now" , 10 mins later back to normal .

But the second guy had it sorted .



BTW i have a 46' Samsung LCD

toreadorx2001

same tv as me 40 in and 46 in lcdi is it ok now ... if not ..talk to their technical people and tell them what's wrong ask them to talk u through the process step by step . you wear them down to getting it right for u . It might be frustrating for a while but keep at them

WalterMitty

I had same problem with my new sony bravia 3 and UPC remote/STB. I switched off ambient sensor and backlight and no more problems