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Problem with Philips TV and UPC STB

  • 07-04-2010 09:47PM
    #1
    Bazmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭


    I purchased a Philips LCD tv (32PFL5404) and hooked it up to my UPC DVR (Thomson DCI62UPC). When the tv is on the DVR remote control doesn't work unless the remote is right beside the IR receiver. As soon as I turn the tv off, the remote starts to function properly again.

    There is obviously some interference due to the tv. Never had a problem with my previous tv (a Philips CRT). I have tried covering the DVR's IR receiver as per suggestions here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055661150

    It didn't work. Tried fresh batteries - didn't work. Tried increasing separation between tv and DVR - didn't work.

    Called UPC support who (after the usual hard reset nonsense) sugested a tech call out. Don't feel like sitting around the house waiting for a guy who may or may not show up to tell me that the remote control and the DVR are functioning perfectly (as they are).

    Tried calling Philips support. Number forwards to support in England who seemingly are too busy today to help and suggest I call back tomorrow.

    So boardsies, any suggestions.....


Comments

  • #2
    Simon201
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 869 ✭✭✭Simon201


    I had a guy out from UPC to replace my HD box cos it went faulty (another story!) and I told him that my daughter had a Philips TV (same model as above) and he said there was some issue with Philips TV's and the standard digital plus box. He then went to his van and gave me this kind of brown square sticker that I was to stick over some point on the DVR box. Now as it happens I haven't got round to bringing the sticker to her to find out does it make any difference (but I'm going to try and remember tomorrow!). So I reckon your best bet would be to attempt to approach one of the engineers in their vans if you see them out and about to ask them for one of these stickers. Probably not worth having to take a morning or afternoon off just to wait for one of them as you say...


  • #3
    dunworth1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,406 ✭✭✭dunworth1


    turning off the light sensor in the tv might help


  • #4
    Bazmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭Bazmo


    @Simon201
    Thanks for your suggestion. It sounds like he was talking about covering the IR receiver with this sticker. This was the suggestion in the link I posted originally and I tried this to no avail.

    @dunworth1
    Thanks for your suggestion. I had already tried this (along with turning off a lot of the tv's other bells and whistles) to no avail.

    Got a suggestion from Philips support to reset both remotes by pressing and holding any numbered key for at least 10 seconds and replacing the batteries whilst continuing to hold down the button.

    Despite my skepticism, I tried this and it seems to have worked (so far). I have found previously that after turning the tv on and off, the UPC remote worked for a period of time before acting up again. I'll keep on watching tv and see what happens.


  • #5
    raddo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 539 ✭✭✭raddo


    Maybe far fetched but.....
    Energy Saving Lightbulbs Interfere with TV Remote
    Energy Light Bulbs Can Change TV Channels
    12:40pm UK, Monday April 12, 2010

    Julia Reid, Sky News Online

    Viewers left completely bemused as their telly regularly changed channel at random have finally seen the light.

    The unruly televisions appeared to take on a life of their own until engineers tracked the interference to a remote source: energy saving light bulbs.

    The frequency of the flicker of the bulbs interferes with the infra-red sensors on remote control receivers.

    Emma Clements and her husband Alistair were intrigued to find their Virgin Media box switching channels at random as well as turning on and off.

    They were astonished to find a replacement box did exactly the same thing.

    "At first we thought it was the children's sticky fingers on the remote control and that the buttons were sticking," Emma told Guardian Money.

    "But the novelty soon began to wear off. With the new box it was worse, if anything."

    A Virgin Media engineer suggested it could be related to a Philips energy saving bulb that was in a lamp about 12ft away from the television.

    The hunch proved a good one when removing the bulb solved the problem.

    A Philips Electronics spokeswoman said the company was surprised that users of the bulbs still experienced the interference.

    "Some very early compact fluorescent lamps, shortly after starting, could cause interference with TV controls due to the frequency of operation of the bulb and when placed near a TV," she said.

    "The frequency was quickly changed many years ago and we have had no recent reported incidents."

    The company said it hopes to examine the bulb that caused the Clements' problems.

    Traditional filament bulbs were banned by the EU in 2008 in favour of the more efficient low energy bulbs.

    Shoppers rushed to stockpile the old style bulbs as they were phased out, while health campaigners complained the flicker of the efficient bulbs can cause migraines and dizziness.


  • #6
    Bazmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭Bazmo


    No energy saving bulbs in my living room, but I came up with a setup that seems to work for me. I PMd someone who had the same problem - see below for the message

    ----

    Despite what I said in my original post, I discovered that a simple piece of white paper placed over the IR receiver of the DVR seems to have done the trick. The receiver is about 5mm to the right of the phone icon on the DVR's display. I put the paper on the outside at first and when it worked, I popped the faceplate off and covered up the sensor underneath the faceplate (purely for aesthetic purposes).

    On the tv itself, in the Pixel Plus HD options I have Dynamic Contrast and Dynamic Backlight both turned off (don't like them anyway). It seems that the backlight contains IR components which overwhelm the DVR's IR receiver and that is what causes the problem. The paper covering blocks this IR but the DVR's remote signal is strong enough to get through to the receiver.

    I find also that turning on the tv for a few minutes before using the UPC remote helps. So much hassle just to watch the box, eh :p

    [


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  • #7
    fabrico
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭fabrico


    Anyone know where I would get a remote for Sony Trinitron MODEL KV21X5L


  • #8
    JDxtra
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,078 ✭✭✭JDxtra


    fabrico wrote: »
    Anyone know where I would get a remote for Sony Trinitron MODEL KV21X5L

    Errr, I think you are lost.


  • #9
    gar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭gar


    Hi!

    Where is the IR reciever on the front of the Black DVR?

    Thanks

    Gar


  • #10
    dunworth1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,406 ✭✭✭dunworth1


    the hd one or the sd one


  • #11
    gar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭gar


    The SD one :)


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  • #12
    dunworth1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,406 ✭✭✭dunworth1


    gar wrote: »
    The SD one :)

    sorry i cant help you with the sd one


  • #13
    The tax man
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,560 ✭✭✭The tax man


    gar wrote: »
    Hi!

    Where is the IR reciever on the front of the Black DVR?

    Thanks

    Gar

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=62829164&postcount=10


  • #14
    gar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭gar


    cheers,

    covering with paper didnt work. Going to try masking tape next...

    Really hate this box

    Gar


  • #15
    gar
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,126 ✭✭✭gar


    Masking tape seems to have done the job.


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