HR20 IR Remote Problem

[trainbuf]

Here is a strange one. My HR20-700 will not respond to either IR remote control units (RC32 or RC34) after 10PM each evening (or thereabouts) requiring use of the front panel controls to change channels and turn the unit off (standby). After the HR20 has been turn off for the evening the unit will not respond to the IR remote until the following morning, and only after the unit has been turn on via the front panel and has been operating for about 1 hour. After that remote control operation is nominal until the that evening Both the HR20 and remote control units have been replaced to no avail. HR20 status readout taken after the failure indicate IR mode remains enabled, and internal temperature is at 125 - 127 degrees. Software was updated a week ago with installation of the replacement unit. Status of other equipment in the room does not change during the period.

I hope one of the Guru's out there might take a crack at this one. I haven't a clue at the juncture.

Thanks, Don

 

[texasbrit]

Here is a strange one. My HR20-700 will not respond to either IR remote control units (RC32 or RC34) after 10PM each evening (or thereabouts) requiring use of the front panel controls to change channels and turn the unit off (standby). After the HR20 has been turn off for the evening the unit will not respond to the IR remote until the following morning, and only after the unit has been turn on via the front panel and has been operating for about 1 hour. After that remote control operation is nominal until the that evening Both the HR20 and remote control units have been replaced to no avail. HR20 status readout taken after the failure indicate IR mode remains enabled, and internal temperature is at 125 - 127 degrees. Software was updated a week ago with installation of the replacement unit. Status of other equipment in the room does not change during the period.

I hope one of the Guru's out there might take a crack at this one. I haven't a clue at the juncture.

Thanks, Don

OK, I bet you have a Sharp Aquos or one of the other LCD TVs.
If so, it's an IR interference problem. The backlight on the TV generates a lot of IR interference and totally swamps the IR coming from the remote. Sharp knows all about this problem but does not communicate to customers. I am sure they don't want to have to modify all their TVs. DirecTV knows all about this problem but for some reason the CSRs don't.

There are two solutions:
1. Make sure the backlight does not switch on - switch off the sensor that turns it on automatically.
2. Change the remote so it operates on RF instead of IR.

This is a fun one to diagnose because the backlight only turns on at certain times.

Tell us if this fixes your problem...

 

[jpn]

You really need to get rid of those time-sensitive batteries.

 

[trainbuf]

Texasbrit;

You were right, IR remote operation of my HR20 was affected by the backlight on my Sharp Aquos LCD TV. Turning off the OPD sensor operation on the TV apparently reduced the backlight interference enough to allow normal IR control of the HR20.

Thanks again, Don