I have a client I'm doing an MX3000 for. We also installed an Infocus 7210, Marantz SR8500 receiver, Marantz DV6500 DVD, Panamax 5300EX, Key Digital iSyncHD scaler, Lutron RadioRA, Xbox 360, and 11 different security cameras. Everything is controlled by the MX3000 and works perfectly....except the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD PVR cablebox.

Heres what I tried...

- IR from the front of the MX3000 controls the box perfectly when aimed at the box. But not the right solution and not what the customer ordered.
- I've covered up the front and rear of the MX3000 with electical tape to prevent any IR from getting to the box. It's a good way to confirm that the RF is working perfectly.
- I've fooled with the placement of the IR emitter, with no luck.
- I adjusted the RF output and the RF gain (on the antenna) every which way from Sunday with no luck.
- The RF receiver is set to channel 3 with each component having its own emitter. The RF receiver is also set to send out both IR & RF for control of the cablebox.
- I tried putting the antenna in different places. Didn't work.
- I tried swapping out emitters, and output port line numbers. NG
- I even tried the Russound 56K remodulator thing. Didn't work.

It's really bizarre, sometimes I can get the remote to work when physically in a certain place in the room. Move from that place in the room and it stops working. Put it back in that place and it starts working again!!! Like I said I tried moving the antenna into different locations, but still have the same problem.

I've probably spent close to 18 hours on this cablebox alone. Anyone have any other suggestions? Otherwise I'm ready to stick the power cord from the cablebox into a 220 outlet!

Any and all help is appreciated.

The emitter should be on the right side of the time. Turn the emitter of the cable box all the way down and ensure the emitter is plugged in all the way. After that, cover the IR from the remote and see if the light on the emitter lights upon button presses. If it is, but not controlling the cable box, increase the IR output slightly. Continue the process until it works. Also, turn off the IR blaster on the MRF, just in case it's bouncing in the cabinet and oversaturating the IR sensor.

Let me know if that helps.

**REVISION - 3/13/06**
I stand corrected. The IR sensor for the SA 8300HD box *IS* to the left of the clock...however, MRF-250 emitter placement seems to work better on the right of the clock (for me) and MRF-300s can function well with an emitter on the left side of the clock.




Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

Im with Damon on the turing off the blaster. I have actually reorted to taping those just to make sure...

BTW. How is the iSync? I have an iScan VP30 and the iSync looks like they borroed the design and name from the iScan HD. But seriously how do you like it?

I'm using the MX950 & MRF300 with the SA8300HD and I too am having a lot of trouble with the cable box. One post (either here or on AVS) suggested that the only way to get a clear signal into the SA8300 is to installer the IR emitter INSIDE the cable box. i haven't had the balls to bust mine open yet but I am seriously considering it. Supposedly the 8300 uses so many internal mirrors that it throws off the emitter.

Damon,

Are you sure its on the right side of the clock? When shining a flashlight into the window, there doesn't appear to be anything behind the right side. The plastic is "frosted" on both sides of the clock and on the left is a cylindrical shaped piece, which I'm assuming is the IR receiver. I will however give it a try.

The front blaster is not an issue. The equipment is rack mounted (Mid Atl) and faces the theater room. The MRF300 is wall mounted in the closet, so over saturation should not be the problem.

Thanks again, Rob

Rob,

I'm almost certain that's where the sensor is. If it's not, it's the location I've had the most success. :)



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

Damon- If you look at the PDF user guide at [Link: scientificatlanta.com] and go to page 8 of the 28p pdf SA shows the IR sensor just to the left of the numbers (if you are looking at the unit). But I have not been able to place the emitter here to get a reliable signal. I've tried holding the emitter a few inches away from the 8300 box and the reliability does improve but this is useless to me since I can't mount the emitter in mid-air. And yes... the sensitivity is bottomed out. Any other ideas?

I have not had this problem, once you move away from the RFX unit. I was at least 7 feet away, and the SA boxs works perfect. The IR output did not make a difference. The IR window is just left of the clock. I have installed it with the MX-3000 and my own MX-950.

Pepper Pete,

What do you mean "move away from the the RFX unit"? Do you mean move the MRF300 away from the RFX unit or move the MX3000 awat from the RFX?

Thanks, Rob

I'm with Damon here, I had very intermittant operation of an 8300HD the first time and moved the emitter to the right of the clock and bang! Perfect operation, that is where I put every one now with 100% success.

I have an MX-3000 and MRF-300 in our showroom with the emitter on the right side of an 8300HD and it works great.

Secondly, I believe he means move the MX-3000 away from the RFX antenna.

I don't doubt that Damon knows his stuff so I'm going to give this a try tonight. I just wanted to make sure that when you guys say right of the clock you are looking at the unit so the "right" is after the time display's minutes??

Eric,

What about the IR setting on the MRF300 at what level do you have that set?

Also could there be multiple versions (firmware) within this box? That some versions (like yours) works great and a different version that does not?

I'm back at the client's house on the 16th and I want to be armed with a couple of things to try out.

Thanks,
Rob

OK I just tried my IR emitter on the right of the number pad and there is no response from the SA8300HD at all. The best I can do is move the emitter to the left of the number pad to where it is described in the manual and there it only works 1 out of every 3 times at best.

The IR output is at about 1/3 up from the lowest setting and all devices are assigned to IR ports.

I don't know for sure, but I suppose different versions of Firmware could cause a difference in IR operation.

I thought it may be a firmwar issue as well so I swapped my SA8300HD with Cablevision just before the Super Bowl and I still can't get the RF to work. It's very frustrating and I'm open to all suggestions