Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Which Remote Should I Buy? Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Topic:
Need recommendation for a new RF remote
This thread has 3 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Saturday January 16, 2016 at 12:48
Volt
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
January 2016
2
When I bought my house, I had my home theater guy set me up with. RTI remote, a T2 if I remember correctly, and their waterproof one for the pool. Excellent remotes, no issues until the waterproof one died after 5 years.

My guy talked me into going with URC, with an MX-890 for indoor and their waterproof one for the pool. They worked fine for about a year but now I'm having irritating issues.

I have a Directv console, an Apple TV, a PS4 and a Denon X3100 all hooked up to the URC remotes.

Some of the random issues......

- Directv commands don't work or are delayed, needing multiple pressing of he buttons. Sometimes it takes 10-15 seconds for a command to happen. I've tested the console using the DTV remote and have no issues while using it.

- using the "Watch TV" command on the remote will show a picture but no sound. I have to turn off and turn on again.

- attempted to listen to Internet Radio this morning. The screen showing me my options, such as Pandora, Sirius, etc. wouldn't show, even after multiple turn offs and ons.

My guy thinks it's due to interference from my wireless router, neighbors, etc. I've been experimenting with different router channels and so far have found channel 6 to work the best but I still have the issues I mentioned. Not 24/7 but often enough to annoy the hell out of me. Oh, and after reading a thread in these forums, he placed the ferrite magnets on the antenna. Didn't see a specific gain in effectiveness of the remote.

If I decide to dump URC, what would you recommend as a replacement? Go back with RTI? Or another brand? I'm hoping that another brand will better handle any wireless interference, if that's even the problem.
Post 2 made on Saturday January 16, 2016 at 14:58
buzz
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2003
4,366
Since the URC controls worked for a year, the programming is probably OK and you may be experiencing a hardware failure of some sort.

Are both handhelds exhibiting similar symptoms?

While interference cannot be ruled out, the MX850 uses 418MHz while WiFi uses 2.4GHz. It is not likely that a WiFi device will interfere with the MX850.

When you say that it requires 10-15 seconds in order for a command to be executed, is this literally what happens -- press a button once, then wait 15 seconds or are you repeatedly pressing the button for 15 seconds? Do you observe this behavior on all buttons or only on certain buttons?

Are you using the MRF250 or MRF350? Is the MX850 emitting IR emitting any IR directly to the controlled devices?

Make sure that the IR emitters are positioned correctly on the controlled devices. Is it possible that you have a new source of IR interference (new lighting, direct sunlight, etc.)
OP | Post 3 made on Saturday January 16, 2016 at 16:21
Volt
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
January 2016
2
Thanks for the reply buzz.

I did forget to mention the outdoor remote works flawlessly, both on the outside and inside tv's.

When the delay occurs, I'll press a channel I want to view, hit Enter and then the tv will show the new channel I chose on the header but it will continue to show the existing program. Then 10-15 seconds later it will change to the chosen channel. This doesn't occur with the DTV or outside remote. Or at times I'll hit "Watch TV" on the remote, it will turn on the tv, DTV console but not the Denon. Sometimes the picture will come on but not sound.

It's very random in the specific issue but something screws up enough to be very annoying.

It sure seems like a problem with the remote itself but my guy swears he's been using them for a long time, even uses it himself, without seeing the remote itself be the problem.

All IR windows are covered with the FR tabs. Though as an experiment to see if it was the DTV console that was the problem, I removed the FR tab on the DTV console just enough to where both the DTV and RTI remote would operate the console. DTV remote worked fine, RTI still had issues.

Sure seems like a hardware problem but I'm not knowledgeable enough to make that call.

If I were to change brands, your recommendation?
Post 4 made on Saturday January 16, 2016 at 18:12
buzz
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2003
4,366
Volt,

I've had good and bad experiences with both URC and RTI.

Once the DTV box acknowledges the channel, execution time is up to the DTV box, not the remote.

I don't do much with DTV. I have observed some of the local cable system boxes have odd issues -- causing them to slow down or crash. A cable box reboot (remove power) can sometimes cure an issue -- for a while. Replacing the box is eventually required, but this might trade a headache for an upset stomach.

Are you keying in the channels digit by digit or by macros (A key for "NBC" or similar). If you are using macros, it is possible that there is something odd about the command timing that is frustrating the DTV box -- requiring a few seconds to recover. The MX850 and the outside remote are separately programmed and the command timing might accidentally be different on the two remotes.

This is a wild suggestion, but some phone and tablet cameras can see IR. If you have one of these, watch the IR transmission to the DTV box and try to see if there is any difference between MX850 and outside remote transmissions. This may not be so easy. If you are using macros, there may be a stray command at the end of a channel change or poor command timing that is upsetting the DTV box.

I would reboot everything before getting too excited. Also, I've seen some odd events associated with remote batteries that are near or beyond the end of life.


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse