New Sony TV interering with UPC Digital remote (or vice-versa)

Obelisk29

Hi, hope this is the correct forum.
Recently bought a Sony TV (model KDL-32EX503) and it seems to be interfering with the remote for my UPC digital box. Pretty much every time I try to change channel it randomly go to a different channel or the info channel. It's driving me nuts.
Anybody any ideas as to how to solve?
Cheers, o29

barryj

Obelisk29 wrote: »

Hi, hope this is the correct forum.
Recently bought a Sony TV (model KDL-32EX503) and it seems to be interfering with the remote for my UPC digital box. Pretty much every time I try to change channel it randomly go to a different channel or the info channel. It's driving me nuts.
Anybody any ideas as to how to solve?
Cheers, o29

Well, I've had exactly the same issue - didn't think of it being TV related, but bought a KDL-37EX503 just before Christmas and I've had the following issues since then:

Browsing through the channels (press OK, and then right-arrow through channels) after some random number of presses, channel reverts to 100 (UPC info). Pressing back button brings me back to the channel I was watching, but I've lost position where I was browsing other channels.

One other problem - several times, UPC box has completely frozen (only noticed it since got new TV). TV Channel remains running, but no button on remote or UPC box works - have to remove power from the unit to reset.

Box in question is the silver Thompson UPC+ DVR.

I had UPC out to replace the box - though I wan't there when they called and the other half doesn't know what they did. The allegedly replaced the box. Though all my recorded programs are still there now - could they have swapped the HD inside to keep the programs?

But the problem is still happening. Remote was not replaced. Am unsure whether or not the DVR unit was actually replaced.

I've another callout scheduled for next week.

- barry

ted1

its happens due to ir interference. Turn off the lights and point a digital camera or phone at the telly when on. You'll be able to see a glow of colours around your tv. This is what is causing the trouble. They have different boxes with better remotes that work.
Until they replace your box move it as as away from the telly as you can. If it's below it try and sheild it with card board or some thing.

ted1

is your remote the long black one?

Obelisk29

Yeah, it's the long black one alright. Will try repositioning to see if that helps. Thx

barryj

Just to follow up with this. UPC engineer replaced out DVR yesterday, with a fresh copy of the same model. He didn't have a different type with him, but said we could request on if the problem happened again.

He admitted that IR interference from LCD TVs is causing problems for some people, and that they have been changing the software on the DVRs to try and alleviate the problem. He also suggested that covering part of the IR sensor on the DVR could help.

Might just go for the HD box upgrade if it happens again.

- barry

Eamo71

IMO the best thing to do is get a universal remote that can control your TV, UPC box, DVD player, Blu ray etc...

They can be picked up cheaply enough at the usual suspects.
I got one for under 20 euro when I was experiencing similar problems.

I also had this problem when I got my Samsung LCD. The workaround is to put a piece of black insulating tape (electrical tape) over the IR sensor on the box. That seems to reduce the sensitivity of the IR sensor just enough that the TV doesn't interfere with it but the remote still works.

smashieuk

Dear obelisk29,
I recently bought the same TV (Sony KDL-32EX503) and also experienced the same horrible issues with my UPC mediabox.

I called the UPC helpdesk today and they said there was a known issue with some TV infrareds interfering with the UPC infrared.

They are sending me a new remote just in case that might help, but they suggested taping over the infrared sensor on the TV (rather than on the UPC box).

I've found that covering the infrared sensor on the KDL-32EX503 (bottom left as you look at the TV) with a tiny rectangle of ordinary sellotape seems to do the trick. And it doesn't prevent the TV remote from working. And you can barely see it!

Hopefully a win-win.

Good luck folks.

barryj

smashieuk wrote: »

I called the UPC helpdesk today and they said there was a known issue with some TV infrareds interfering with the UPC infrared.

They are sending me a new remote just in case that might help, but they suggested taping over the infrared sensor on the TV (rather than on the UPC box).

I've found that covering the infrared sensor on the KDL-32EX503 (bottom left as you look at the TV) with a tiny rectangle of ordinary sellotape seems to do the trick.
.

Glad this works for you - but doesn't seem to make much sense - seems more likely that covering or partly covering the receiver on the UPC box rather than the TV could help. This is what the engineer that called to me suggested. And also seems to be the case in this older thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055661150

Amazing that an issue like this seems to have been affecting many people for over a year, the UPC engineers know about it, and yet the only advice the UPC support centre can offer is to waste some time 'resetting' the device, and if that doesn't work send an engineer out to replace the box - with the same model - and problem is still there. What a waste of time and money on everyone's behalf. Would seem like an easy FAQ for the support staff - that's a known issue with that model, we're working on it, in the meantime you could try this workaround with a bit of sticky tape!

Karsini wrote: »

I also had this problem when I got my Samsung LCD. The workaround is to put a piece of black insulating tape (electrical tape) over the IR sensor on the box. That seems to reduce the sensitivity of the IR sensor just enough that the TV doesn't interfere with it but the remote still works.

This was the suggestion I got from the 2nd engineer to call out and also from the tread mentioned above - though it suggests masking tape with a hole in the centre. Will experiment this evening if I can find some tape at home.

Also, I have a new OneForAll remote on order, so will see if that does the trick.

- barry

wpd

Had same problem with new Sony TV
even got new remote from Chorus/UPC and it made no difference

Engineer came out and switched off "ambiance" or "ambiant" on TV (not on chorus box) and it seems to be fine since

I was skeptical when he did it but so far so good

not sure where setting is on tv menus but have a look thru them and you will come accross it

barryj

wpd wrote: »

Engineer came out and switched off "ambiance" or "ambiant" on TV (not on chorus box) and it seems to be fine sincet

Probably the ambient light sensor that raises or lowers the backlighting depending on the level of brightness in the room. I find it works quite well.

So think I'll try the sticky tape solution first.

- barry

smashieuk

barryj wrote: »

Glad this works for you - but doesn't seem to make much sense - seems more likely that covering or partly covering the receiver on the UPC box rather than the TV could help.

Yes I have to agree that it doesn't make much sense to 'block' the TV's infrared sensor with a strip of sellotape, but it works great for me. I'd be interested to hear if this 'solution' works for obelisk29 as he has the same Sony TV as myself.

Is it possible that when the TV senses any infrared signal from the UPC remote, the TV bounces an infrared signal back to the remote (handshaking protocol?) strong enough to interfere with the original UPC signal and confuse the UPC box? I know, I'm really fishing! I don't believe it either...

barryj

Just to follow up - I put some masking tape (blue type) over the sensor on the UPC box on Friday and haven't had any issue since then - will give it a few more days to be sure - but appears that this has solved the issue in this case.

- barry