Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
PJL
Master - Level 3

You may be experiencing IR interference.  This can be caused by a number of sources, including the TV itself (there are many post on other forums about this -- do a web search for "IR remote interference Plasma" and you'll find them), reflections to the box, etc.  The STB is actually quite sensitive, and when an IR repeater is used, for example, if it "hears" both the signal from the remote at the same time as the repeated signal, it will not function correctly -- lagging is a good term to describe the symptoms.   You might explore the web information you find as I suggested above.   Hopefully there is a work around for you -- I found one for my situation and all remote functions are working well now.  The situation freaked me out -- I like FiOS so much but the remote "lag" made it unbearable.  I'm glad I found a solution after a little work -- which included a replacement STB from Verizon that exhibited the identical behavior.  When I found the interference problem (in my case it was a repeater issue with the plasma TV) the problem went away immediately.

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Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
Rebalol
Contributor - Level 1

I have an LCD TV so this explanation doesn't apply to me.  BTW, I also have the same problem (although not as slow, but still not instant response as it should be) with my regular standard box and an old regular tv.  Now what?

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Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
ortiz34
Enthusiast - Level 3

Although my box is behind glass door so that may be reflecting or not helping the remote signal due to reflection.

I'll take the lag and other glitches with FIOS over dinosaur cable anyday of the week. My Contract just expired and cable was offering me an almost 60 dollar discount a month. I called FIOS and they upgraded me to extreme HD, bumped up my internet speeds , AND dropped my bill by 30 dollars Smiley Happy

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Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
retiredme
Specialist - Level 1

The unresponsive remote is an issue for both plasma and LCD TVs. This forum has many listings of customers who have complained of the problem. I would recommend searching this forum to see how the problem manifested itself to them, and some of the solutions employed. I personnaly experienced this with a Samsung LCD. Sometimes the problem is more prevalent for the first few minutes after power on because the TV draws a lot of current to warm up. Sometimes TVs have a room light sensor that has been blamed, and disabling it fixes the issue. Some report success using cardboard shields around the STB sensor to block IR. It could be one or several things, but seeing how others coped can lead to a solution you might employ. Hopefully the new rumored DVR will not have these issues. Thank You.

Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
PJL
Master - Level 3

@Rebalol wrote:

I have an LCD TV so this explanation doesn't apply to me.  BTW, I also have the same problem (although not as slow, but still not instant response as it should be) with my regular standard box and an old regular tv.  Now what?


Although the search I suggested was for Plasma TV IR intererference problems, the same applies for LCD TVs and IR interference.  I have a Sharp LCD in my kitchen.  When I turn it on with the STB, for a period of time the STB will not respond to other commands.  Eventually (from 20-30 seconds) it responds just fine.  The colder the TV, the longer it takes for the STB to respond.  If I just turn the STB on without the TV, it responds immediately.  See also the post above by retiredme. 

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Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
PJL
Master - Level 3

@retiredme wrote:

...Hopefully the new rumored DVR will not have these issues. Thank You.


I'm not sure it's an issue with this model of STB or the TVs themselves and the inherent nature of IR transmissions.  Most of the information on the web indicates that the problem exists across multiple products, both TVs and STB (including satellite boxes).  The better solution would be using and RF remote.

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Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
tsauter1
Specialist - Level 1

@PJL wrote:

@retiredme wrote:

...Hopefully the new rumored DVR will not have these issues. Thank You.


I'm not sure it's an issue with this model of STB or the TVs themselves and the inherent nature of IR transmissions.  Most of the information on the web indicates that the problem exists across multiple products, both TVs and STB (including satellite boxes).  The better solution would be using and RF remote.


For some the new boxes will help as the lag they experience is because of not enough RAM to all the processes. For others, they are problably have IR interference issues and in that case the new box won't help.

The current crop of STB's has the minimal required RAM and they just can't handle it when there are to many processes running.

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Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
hokie
Enthusiast - Level 3

I had this problem with my new Samsung LCD TV.  When I first turned the TV on, the remote would not respond at all for a few minutes.  Then it would begin to respond every 5-6 seconds and eventually it would behave normally.

I solved the problem by putting a little bit of electrical tape on the left side of the DVR where the remote sensor is located.  It's relatively easy to play around with some tape and see if this will solve your issue.

I also PMed a tech from another forum post to send me an IR receiver cable.  I found this also had some lag issues initially as well, so I decided to stay with the tape solution.

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Re: Slow / Unresponsive remote
retiredme
Specialist - Level 1

Agreed. This is a case where the problem is not peculiar to one TV or STB brand, but many. Although some brands do seem to be more prone. When I had the Samsung, it was my theory that the glass Touch of Color bezel leaked more IR than would a metal/plastic bezel, and the TV sat on a glass shelf with the DVR on another shelf beneath. Nothing but glass to block the IR, so I lined the TV shelf with thick construction paper and Viola! The remote worked. I also considered gluing a fisheye lens on the STB sensor to concentrate the remote signal, but the paper worked OK. Not elegant, but pragmatic. I traded the Samsung (other issues) for a Sony, and no IR problems at all. When I was with Dish, that DVR used the RF remote and was controllable from another room even. Some report third party remotes like those from Harmony seem to be fairly reliable. So, there are quite a few solutions people may find acceptable until normal technological evolution solves it. Thank you.

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