Loss of IR remote control on FTA receivers.

[Terryl]

After reading through some of the sub-forums on remote problems and doing a bit of research on other forums it looks like some LCD, LED and plasma HDTV’s can cause interference to some FTA receiver IR remotes, (and other IR controlled equipment) this seems to be due to the frequency of the CFL back lighting used on some HDTV’s, (this is what gives you the nice bright picture) this frequency seems to be around or close to the same as some IR remotes control signals, causing a total loss or partial loss of some control functions when using the IR remote on some FTA receivers.(with some brands of HDTV's, not all)

Cures for this problem may be adding an IR filter to the front of the receivers IR input, this can be found at some photographic supply stores or on line, experimentation is called for with this problem, they do make IR extenders that sit closer to the receiver (or other devices) this may or may not fix the problem, use of another type of remote (some universal ones may work) that would control the receiver also may fix the problem or it may not.


I don’t have this problem with my FTA receiver (but do have problems with my Dish receivers remote) this is why it would be up to some that have a problem controlling their receiver to do some experimenting and see if they can come up with a cheap and easy fix.

Suggestions from others on other forums having this same type of problem (with FTA or other type of equipment) are to use a UHF to IR receiver, the UHF remote is immune to this problem, the IR receiver sits very close to the front of the receiver and would be immune to this problem, use of some sort of IR filter on the front of the receiver. (or other device)

Comments from others are invited for discussion, experimentation is called for and any fixes should be documented so others may try it and test it out on their equipment.

Happy testing.

[bkr™]

Yeah the infrared problem is and will always a problem, even if the sun is beating down on the receiver, the remote will not communicate with the receiver. UHF always works better due to using an entirely different frequency for the communication.

[Terryl]

Further WEB study on this problem.

It looks like it could be the CFL back lighting on some but not all HDTV’s may be causing this phenomenon, some are trying a CFL lens filter from a photo shop and seeing results, the filter is taped to the front of the receivers IR input detector.

Anyone with this problem out there?
To try this fix?

Bad part about this is the cost of the filter can run up to $50, anyone know where they can be found at a cheaper price?

A quick check could be to remove the FTA receiver (or other device) from the area where the TV is and see if the remote gains back its control of the receiver. (or other device)

The room wall color is also looking to be a factor, reflection of the CFL off the back wall (or other surface) can be swamping the receivers (or other device) IR receiving eye, turning the problem device to a different angle or direction could also be a quick test.

[JCO]

Further WEB study on this problem.

It looks like it could be the CFL back lighting on some but not all HDTV’s may be causing this phenomenon, some are trying a CFL lens filter from a photo shop and seeing results, the filter is taped to the front of the receivers IR input detector.

Anyone with this problem out there?
To try this fix?

Bad part about this is the cost of the filter can run up to $50, anyone know where they can be found at a cheaper price?

A quick check could be to remove the FTA receiver (or other device) from the area where the TV is and see if the remote gains back its control of the receiver. (or other device)
Maybe building a shade over the ir window on the receiver so the IR from the LCD doesnt bleed into the front glass may help, a sort of a lens shade..

The room wall color is also looking to be a factor, reflection of the CFL off the back wall (or other surface) can be swamping the receivers (or other device) IR receiving eye, turning the problem device to a different angle or direction could also be a quick test.

Instead of buying a glass filter get a gelatin filter they go for a fraction of the price.. Kodak and Lee used to make them I believe they still do. Problem is that a 3inch filter that usd to sell for 5$ a10 years ago is now 30$ to 40$. Edmunds scientific sells a solar eclipse glass for 2% but I have a feeling it blocks out all the infrared.. I just went on ebay and someone was selling a kodak wratten 6*6 infrared gelatin for 150$ that he picked up from a dump bin somewhere for $1.50..