Sky + IR Interference

[tojosan]

Hi interesting problem that is making me tear my hair out
Sony Plasma TV on wall bracket above a cabinet with solid doors.
Inside cabinet is DVD player, surround sound amp, VCR, Sky+ Box. Sony TV has a IR out port into which a Xantech IR distribution unit is connected with Remote IR eyes connected to the receiving eyes on the equipment. DVD, VCR, 5.1 Amp remotes all work ok. Sky remote works only intermittently. For example channel up works most of the time but channel down button works very rarely.
Thought this might be due to stray IR from the other emmitters flooding the Sky Box as opening the cabinet door to let light in seems to solve the problem so taped up all the emitters - Sky Remote still does not work properly

Next step was to disconnect the Sky Box IR from the Xantech and fit a magic eye, the receiver outside the cabinet and connected to RF2. - same result Sky Remote does not work properly - until you open the door of the cabinet - even partially.
Either IR is flooding the Sky box or we have interference from plasma.
Any ideas?

[Isitme]

How well is the cupboard ventilated? Sky+ will not work very well or last very long if it is in a a poorly ventilated position. It may not be the sole cause of your problem but it could be contributing.

[Kenedin]

Some IR sensors on Sky boxes are not the best. Line-of-sight is usually the best, not in a cabinet, even with glass doors. You seem to have found the solution to your problem by opening the cabinet door. Also, having the digibox stacked with other AV gear is not recommended, principally because of the heat problem.

To eliminate the plasma as the source of the problem, cover the screen ( if you can!!! ) with something, and try the remote. If it works OK, then screen radiation may be the culprit. Other causes of intermittent remote operation:

Wireless router
DECT phone
Energy-saving lightbulbs
Fluorescent lightbulbs
Low Remote batteries
Remote needs reset.

As things stand, you may need a magic eye outside the cabinet to effectively control the digibox.

[tojosan]

Ventilation is pretty good. No heat probles

[tojosan]

Thanks. Equipment is all on separate shelves and heat does not seem to be a big factor.
I will try covering the screen up to eliminate the plasma as a source of any interference
I have already tried sticking a magic eye on the outside of the cabinet with same result - remote works very intermittently.
Opening the cabinet door is not viable option - small children around with curious fingers who will mess with equipment

[Kenedin]

Remote Reset. Press 'tv', then press 'select' & red button together ( LED blinks twice ). Enter 999 ( LED blinks twice ). Press Sky and see if things improve. You'll also have to re-input the tv code.

[reddwarfcrew]

I found that my wireless dect phone being in close proximity caused intermittent problems and also a slightly loose rf connect also caused intermittent problems.

[tojosan]

Thanks. Connections all appear to be ok and there are no DECT phones in the house so I keep coming back to interference from the Plasma when the remote is trying to send a signal

[Kenedin]

Have a go at covering the plasma screen, and try the remote again. It's possible also that the remote is faulty. Try it on a friend's digibox?