Remote and Motorola DVR Problems

[REH]

I was connected to fios internet and tv on March 5, I have called tech support at least 8 times about the remote not working . I have had 3 boxes and 2 remotes sent to me and I still have the problem . I have a Sony Bravia LCD 40" TV

The first box was a Motorola QIP 72161 that came with the installation (remote worked intermittent)

I was sent a new remote same results

Sent a new box the old style 64xxxx remote worked but the hard drive was bad

New box Motorola QIP 72161 same problem

Tech support advised me I did not set up the remote codes properly (had same results it would work for a while then stop)

Tech support hung up on me

Tech support had me lower the picture settings advised me the picture was too bright and it interfered with the remote. She was very polite and helpful saying that this is a known issue and the problem is in the new Motorola boxes Sony, Samsung Sharp all are having this problem  (worked all day but not at night)

Tech support told me I had to move the box from out from under the TV still did not work and that was all the solutions they had. By the way the remote works with the TV off. Played around with the settings on the TV ended up increasing the setting to vivid and the remote worked the rest of the night. So much for the brightness theory. But alas it did not  work again this morning. Again the remote works with the TV off. Played around some more and you know when you first turn on the power to the TV you have a blank screen well the remote won't work then either. Although when I turn off and on lights I get a response one way Or another.

The attitude from the last techie is this is the way it is. I seems unfathomable that this is the response change your entertainment center watch a reduced quality picture or too bad.

[retiredme]

It sounds like you are experiencing the IR interference issue which has been widely reported in these forums. Do a search for "IR interference" for some historical perspective and possible remedies. I personally experienced this with a Samsung LCD, and the information you have is pretty much correct. Look for the problem to be worse when the TV is first turned on , and for the next few minutes, as more power is used (more IR) as it warms up. Certain operating modes, such as "vivid" or similar, will crank out more IR as well (my Samsung did this too until I changed to "normal" ). One technique some found effective was to try to put a barrier between the TV and STB. If the STB is above/below the TV, heavy construction paper might block the interference. Some have even fashioned small "hoods or shades" to afix to the IR receptor on the STB. Sometimes just relocating the STB away from the TV works too. Some use a third party remote such as Harmony which seems less prone to the interference. Try a few things and let us know how it works. Thank you.

Message Edited by retiredme on 03-17-2009 08:10 AM

[Justin46]

REH,

Some people have reported this problem about the STB not responding to the remote can be "fixed" by turning off the Light Sensor on the TV. I have a Sony Bravia LCD, have the light sensor turned off, and have never had the problem. You might at least try that and see if it helps. On my TV it is under Settings ==> Setup.

Also, and I have no idea whether this would have any effect or not, I have my TV mounted on the wall, and the DVR extends out in front of the TV about 6 inches, so any IR interference coming from the TV may not be able to reach the IR eye on the DVR. If your STB is set back where the front of it is pretty much even with the face of the TV you might try pulling it out a little bit.

Not much, but maybe a couple of things to try.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.6.0, Build 06.89
Keller, TX 76248

[funkyybudha]

Turn your light sensor off.  Workerd for me....don't quite get how that works.....but it did.  THANKS JUSTIN!

Message Edited by funkyybudha on 04-04-2009 06:54 AM

[matcarl]

My light sensor was never on and I've had the problem since 1.6.0 was introduced. With 1.6.2 it has gotten a lot better, but it still happens once in awhile.

[Justin46]

You are welcome funkyybuda. This seems to be a "hit or miss" problem, some people say turning off the light sensor helps, some say turning off the "vivid" mode on the TV works, some say neither helps, etc. But apparently for some people, changing a setting on the TV really does help, I guess it just depends on your TV brand and model, or perhaps the specific STB you have. Strange.....but glad it worked for you  

As to why it works, the Verizon STBs use infrared (IR) for the remote to control the STB. Apparently some TVs generate their own IR signal for certain settings, like vivid or the light sensor, and the Verizon STB sees these signals and this prevents their reacting to the IR signal from the remote. So doing whatever you can to remove the IR from the TV, or reduce it, seems to solve the problem. I wonder why all STBs that use IR, from all manufacturers and used in all systems, don't experience this problem with TVs that generate their own IR. Just one of life's mysteries I guess.... 

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.6.0, Build 06.89
Keller, TX 76248