Problems with Time Warner Cable Remote - DESPERATE

meth · 11-19-2009, 11:26 AM

Guys I need some help - I have spent hours upon hours trying to resolve this issue, so I am reaching out for some help. I have a Time Warner Cable Scientific Atlanta DVR box, the problem is that something is interfering with the remote and it will not operate more than two feet from the box. I have it hooked to a Samsung 46" LCD TV - the standard TV remote works fine and has good range. The cable box and remote is only within two feet. I have tried replacing the remote from TWC 4x and they are all the same thing - then I replaced the cable box 2x and still no better. If I take the box and move it to another area in the house (on a differnt TV) it works great. So something is interfering in my family room causing it not to work. I can't figure it out and its so frustrating.

I am not thinking that I should buy a universal remote that works with the DVR but at a range from 100 - 250 not sure if I need to do that or if it will help plus its expensive. Then I thought about buying a remote externder, to see if I can increase the range with one of those, Nextgen makes a well reviewed on:
http://www.nextgen.us/ProductDetails...teextenderplus

Can anyone help??

meth · 11-24-2009, 03:16 PM

Bump>>>

DangerMouse · 11-24-2009, 03:31 PM

clean the kid's peanut butter smear off the front and try new batteries... that might help...
there should be better range than that....i'm thinking real weak batteries....

DM

meth · 11-24-2009, 03:33 PM

Thanks for the reply - have tried new batteries, new remote, new box, nothing works. Two Time Warner cable techs couldnt figure it out either

Scuba_Dave · 11-24-2009, 03:33 PM

What else is in this room that is not in the other area where it works ?

meth · 11-24-2009, 03:38 PM

Thats just it, there is nothing else there that is strange. The regular TV remote works fine, just the cable remote is interfering. TWC blew me off by saying something in the TV is interfering with the frequency but that makes no logical sense, esepcially since prior to moving to this house I had the same set up and it worked fine. Other electronics in the room include a cordless phone and lights, thats it nothing else. I tried unplugging the phone but that didn't help

DangerMouse · 11-24-2009, 03:42 PM

seems then the only variable is the LCD TV... gotta be that then, since the thing works normally in other rooms in the house on other TVs. try moving the receiver as far away from the TV as you can with a longer cable? that might do it.

DM

jerryh3 · 11-24-2009, 03:49 PM

Does the remote work properly with the TV off?

meth · 11-24-2009, 03:50 PM

yeah I thought of trying that next but its hung on the wall and I would have to pull it down and purchase new cables (HDMI) that are longer and see if that works. Guess thats the next step. I feel like the old days, everytime I need to change the channel I have to get up and walk over to the TV - defeats the purpose of the latest technology.

jerryh3 · 11-24-2009, 03:54 PM

Before you try anything else put a piece of masking tape over the IR sensor of the cable box. Then try to use the remote normally.

meth · 11-24-2009, 03:58 PM

Thanks Jerry - I will try that. What does that do though? This is going to sound crazy - but the remote turns the box on properly then there is zero range for the first half hour or so and then it works 2-4 feet thereafter.

jerryh3 · 11-24-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meth

Thanks Jerry - I will try that. What does that do though? This is going to sound crazy - but the remote turns the box on properly then there is zero range for the first half hour or so and then it works 2-4 feet thereafter.

Some flat panel TVs can emit a lot of IR noise. This will interfere with some remotes. It is usually more pronounced when the TV is first turned on. The tape may decrease the sensitivity of the IR sensor of the cable box enough so that the TV will not interfere with the cable remote. It is a long shot, but you may just get lucky.

meth · 11-24-2009, 04:10 PM

I will try it tonight and see what happens - nothing to lose at this point. I will report back

meth · 11-26-2009, 10:49 PM

Well I tried the masking tape, unfortunately it had no effect. This is really starting to drive me crazy

meth · 12-03-2009, 10:23 AM

Well I tried the remote extender listed above as well as the masking tape idea and neither had any affect on the range of the remote. At this point I think my only option is to purchase longer HDMI cables and try moving the box further away - however I have the wires snaked through the wall and this is going to be a pain. Very frsutrating not to be able to enjoy the TV