Sky+Hd box rf2 problems

beebaw

Hi everybody,the problem i am having is with the RF2 output on a Sky+HD Box that keeps failing.


My system consists of a Sky+HD and a standard Sky box feeding RF2 outputs into an RF combiner (SPC4) for Sky Eye control and then in to an 4-way distribution amp for distribution to the other TVs in the house.

My problem is when using the Sky+ HD box i can not change the channels all of a sudden from any of the rooms using the magic eyes however i can change the channel on the standard Sky box with no problems at all. I updated the software on the Sky+hd box but made no difference. This was working perfectly for the last 2 years without any problems. I decided to try and swap the Sky+Hd box for a spare one a friend of mine had to try and narrow the problem down and when i swapped the boxes over it was back working perfectly again but this only lasted for around 3-4 days and now i have the same problem again. I can not change the channel on the Sky+Hd box from any of the rooms using the magic eyes but the standard Sky box is working fine. I am able to change the channel on the Sky+HD box when pointing the remote directly at the Sky+Hd box though.


Your thoughts would be much obliged.

glineli

I have a similiar set up but just using an 8 way amp. I would just bypass the SPC4 box for the mnute, just to test that the sky+HD box works with the eye. Stupid question, but the power out is on on the HD box?

Then i would just make sure the remote is tuned into the correct port on the SPC4 box. There is no 1 as far as i remember. So use 0,2,3,4.

Peter Rhea

You only need the SPC4 if you have 2 boxes the same. The different type boxes use different remote signals.

An ordinary power-passing combiner would do the job, if there is a problem with the SPC4, though you probably just have a dodgy connection at the HD box RF2.

The Ayatolla

I have similar issues. the red light shows powered on my tv-link Sky eye but it very rarely works. Have tried two different eyes, both brand new so not sure what the issue could be

Liameter

This might help: http://www.The-Cool-Book-shop.co.uk/satellite_freeview.htm#magic

The Ayatolla

Already know how to access the "secret" menu and stuff, everything seems configured correctly so not sure what could be wrong. Doh!

beebaw

after doing a few tests im beginning to think the spc4 combiner is faulty

steveon

An Spc-4 is enable you to control the two boxes using the one magic eye, however if you allow your batteries to run out you will need to reprogram your remote, to do this you need to tell the remote control what port the hd box is using, follow the lead from the rf2 of the hd box to the spc 4 and take note of the port number e.g 0

Now using your remote
Press the 'TV' button on the sky remote
Hold down the 'SELECT' and 'BLUE' buttons together, the LED will flash twice
Key in 0, 1, 2, or 3. This should correspond to the SPC4 port of the sky box it is to control e.g. press '0' to tune box into sky box connected to port 0

Press the 'SELECT' button, the red LED will flash twice
Finish by pressing the 'SKY' button at the top the sky remote control
Mark the remote to allow you identify it e.g. 'Remote for box 0'
Repeat for each of the remotes that are to be tuned in.

on some remotes the port number is different so if doesnt work try pressing 1.2 3 or 4 one at a time usingh the same procedure Ive given u above.

The Ayatolla

steveon wrote: »

An Spc-4 is enable you to control the two boxes using the one magic eye, however if you allow your batteries to run out you will need to reprogram your remote, to do this you need to tell the remote control what port the hd box is using, follow the lead from the rf2 of the hd box to the spc 4 and take note of the port number e.g 0

Now using your remote
Press the 'TV' button on the sky remote
Hold down the 'SELECT' and 'BLUE' buttons together, the LED will flash twice
Key in 0, 1, 2, or 3. This should correspond to the SPC4 port of the sky box it is to control e.g. press '0' to tune box into sky box connected to port 0

Press the 'SELECT' button, the red LED will flash twice
Finish by pressing the 'SKY' button at the top the sky remote control
Mark the remote to allow you identify it e.g. 'Remote for box 0'
Repeat for each of the remotes that are to be tuned in.

on some remotes the port number is different so if doesnt work try pressing 1.2 3 or 4 one at a time usingh the same procedure Ive given u above.

Could this also affect me if i have a Sky eye just ran direct from Sky box to the eye? Should the sky remote be set to a default?

Mine refuses to work and I've checked the cabling, Sky eye shows powered up, so can't see there being an issue with the cable, Sky eye or RF port.

I've had the same issues with two different boxes, first it rarely worked on my regular Sky+hd box, then i got the 2TB box and this is the same. Just won't work.

Peter Rhea

Some tvs radiate interference that upsets the low frequency remote signals.

See if the eye changes channel with the tv switched off.

The Ayatolla

Will give that a go later on and report back. I actually upgraded TV's as well recently and havent tried the eye with that one so its worth a shot. Cheers!

Would the length of the coaxial cable run have an effect on it? The LED shows power at the eye so seems ok?

steveon

If your tv is a SAMSUNG or Philips tv move the eye away from the tv as they are feckers for radiation and may stop the eye from working.

The Ayatolla

It was a Philips previously but using an LG Smart TV now. Will give it a go anyway again later on, very frustrating!

The Ayatolla

Right, seems to be working a treat now.

Previously, I had the TV wall mounted, and the connection was stuffed in behind the TV, and the Eye's cable passed down passed the back of the tv.

Now i've used double sided tape to keep the cable up high and more separated from the TV and the eye itself is stuck on tot he top right corner of the TV.

Seems interference from the TV was the issue! Problem solved box now hidden away in cupboard! Brilliant!

steveon

The Ayatolla wrote: »

Right, seems to be working a treat now.

Previously, I had the TV wall mounted, and the connection was stuffed in behind the TV, and the Eye's cable passed down passed the back of the tv.

Now i've used double sided tape to keep the cable up high and more separated from the TV and the eye itself is stuck on tot he top right corner of the TV.

Seems interference from the TV was the issue! Problem solved box now hidden away in cupboard! Brilliant!

Glad you got it sorted well done :-)

installer

I have a similar problem, I have a sky+HD box in 1 room, and a regular sky box in another, I installed an spc4 combiner upstairs and connected both boxes, ( not my first time installing 1 of these ) I can change the sky+HD box from anywhere there is an eye connected but no matter which port I use on the spc4 the regular sky box will not change channels, I have tried select + blue 0 - 4 but nothing works, the HD box works through any port on combiner, rf2 is powered on on both. I'm guessing its the spc4 as the box changes channel through the eyes when connected directly to rf2 on box but the HD box works on any of the ports so not sure.?

Peter Rhea

installer wrote: »

the box changes channel through the eyes when connected directly to rf2 on box

Is this working through the cable from the SPC4 to the problem box?

Liameter

Problems such as this need to be investigated by substitution. Fit another SPC4 and see if that fixes the problem. If it doesn't, swap the Digibox. If that doesn't help, start investigating the cables and any wall sockets. Somewhere you'll find a badly-made connection, unscreened wall socket, or some combination of cable lengths in which resonance occurs, causing disruption of the "SkyLink" signal. (Make sure you've used double-screened cable throughout and try adding extra lengths to make each cable longer. Look for damaged or unsuitable cable.)

zg3409

installer wrote: »

I have a similar problem, I have a sky+HD box in 1 room, and a regular sky box in another, I installed an spc4 combiner upstairs and connected both boxes, ( not my first time installing 1 of these ) I can change the sky+HD box from anywhere there is an eye connected but no matter which port I use on the spc4 the regular sky box will not change channels, I have tried select + blue 0 - 4 but nothing works, the HD box works through any port on combiner, rf2 is powered on on both. I'm guessing its the spc4 as the box changes channel through the eyes when connected directly to rf2 on box but the HD box works on any of the ports so not sure.?

Have you set it up as per the instructions:
http://www.gionlineshop.co.uk/Downloads/SPC4F.pdf

Once a particular remote is set up to control a particular box (in your case the Sky+HD box) it will no longer be able to control the regular Sky box.

In order to control the regular Sky box you need a remote programmed to control the correct port of the SPC4, and possibly also programmed to control an old Sky box as opposed to a HD box.

Each of the RF2 channels from each box need to be on different channel numbers. You need to select the correct frequency on the TV to see the output from the correct Sky box.

It's quite a complicated system, and can be confusing to setup.