STB died on me - Page 2

Nedkelly · 21-09-2006, 06:56

Hi marko press page up page down then the blue button on the first page do you have any errors in the pre and post error bit .Also what is the snr value.last of all on the 3rd page what is the return path value saying.

marko · 21-09-2006, 12:22

Thanks Nedkelly. Pre and post errors both show 0 per 0.5s, which sounds promising! SNR is 21.3dB. Doesn't seem to be an entry marked Return Path, but Return Power is 41dBmV.

One thing I have noticed on further investigation is that holding down the button on the remote slightly longer will sometimes convince the box to accept the command. Don't know what that's about either!

Nedkelly · 21-09-2006, 12:36

Do you have a 2100 or 2110 samsung it could be a level poblem looking at the snr but you can only use that as a guide .my 2100 is messing around at the mo but my pace and 2110 are ok

My plasma tv also affects my ntl remote

marko · 21-09-2006, 13:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedkelly

Do you have a 2100 or 2110 samsung it could be a level poblem looking at the snr but you can only use that as a guide .my 2100 is messing around at the mo but my pace and 2110 are ok

My plasma tv also affects my ntl remote

I've got a 2110. Had a tecchie round last Saturday to check why the box kept changing channels on its own. He couldn't provide a proper explanation, but said the signal was too high and adjusted the level down. Since then, the box has been freezing even more - unless I'm imagining it. Cust Servs tried adjusting things from their end during the week, with no effect. Hence the new remote gambit, I suppose. Can't imagine what difference that'll make - and, frankly, hope it DOESN'T work as I don't much fancy re-programming my OFA6 . . again.

spiderplant · 23-09-2006, 14:25

marko:
It sounds to me like the box is picking up IR interference, which stops it from seeing commands from the remote properly. There are lots of possible sources: plasma or LCD TVs, fluorescent or energy-saving bulbs, direct sunlight, PCs with IrDA ports enabled... If you've got any of these, try rearranging your kit to make the problem go away. Be aware the interference can bounce off the opposite wall (common with wall-mounted plasma TVs). Adjusting the backlight on a LCD TV may help.

You may need to make a cardboard shield to cure the problem.

andrew71 · 23-09-2006, 16:39

Our box as just done the same. After the TV freezing unplugged it at the back and I got the dreaded 8888. I've phoned NTL and they say it is a fault from the box. Engineer won't be with us until Monday between 12pm and 6pm. (lucky I'm off work- Unlucky I now have to stay in)
This will be the 4th box we've had off them for 7 years. This time I'm going to make sure we get a new one and not a recon one.
I'd bring the freeview box from upstairs but I just can't be bothered lol.

How do you pass the time with only 4 channels available?

I spy with my little eye something begining with N

marko · 23-09-2006, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderplant

marko:
It sounds to me like the box is picking up IR interference, which stops it from seeing commands from the remote properly. There are lots of possible sources: plasma or LCD TVs, fluorescent or energy-saving bulbs, direct sunlight, PCs with IrDA ports enabled... If you've got any of these, try rearranging your kit to make the problem go away. Be aware the interference can bounce off the opposite wall (common with wall-mounted plasma TVs). Adjusting the backlight on a LCD TV may help.

You may need to make a cardboard shield to cure the problem.

Thanks Spiderplant. Ntl have already asked whether I've got a plasma screen or energy-saving bulb. The answer to both is no. Neither do I have a PC with IrDA port enabled, anything fluorescent, or indeed an LCD set. Quite a lot of direct sunlight, though. I'll try pushing the box back a bit to see if it's better in the shade. But I think this problem is happening at nights too, which raises an obvious doubt. I'll report back!

PS: Don't spose mobile phones could affect the signal, can they?

Nedkelly · 24-09-2006, 08:25

Yes mobile and DECT phone can cause problems with the box .

marko · 24-09-2006, 15:20

OK, it's not the sunlight by the looks of things. Next step is to remove all phones from the room and see if THAT makes any difference! If this wasn't all so inconvenient, it could almost be fun!

24-09-2006, 17:15

What about any other remote controls which could be sending out signals? I had a Pace DTT box which locked up whenever I used a Yamaha Amp remote.

DaveC · 24-09-2006, 19:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedkelly

Yes mobile and DECT phone can cause problems with the box .

Would it possible for a DECT phone (not the main one) which is positioned directly over the top of my Pace STB, say about two inches from the top of the box with a piece of Ikea wood in between, cause the STB to malfunction and go completely t*ts-up (to the extent where I just have fractured characters on the STB display and cannot get it to do anything)?

The engineer is coming out on Tuesday am and I would like to know if I should move the phone!

24-09-2006, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveC

Would it possible for a DECT phone (not the main one) which is positioned directly over the top of my Pace STB, say about two inches from the top of the box with a piece of Ikea wood in between, cause the STB to malfunction and go completely t*ts-up (to the extent where I just have fractured characters on the STB display and cannot get it to do anything)?

The engineer is coming out on Tuesday am and I would like to know if I should move the phone!

The DECT phones RF can certainly cause havoc with the STB.
Another alternative could be the box over heating if its in a confined space. However if the DECT handset is that close it sounds like the favourite for the cause.

DaveC · 24-09-2006, 21:23

OK, I've moved the phone approx 10 feet away, but the box is still not working. presumably once the damage has been done, it's terminal (assuming that the phone was the culprit)?

24-09-2006, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveC

OK, I've moved the phone approx 10 feet away, but the box is still not working. presumably once the damage has been done, it's terminal (assuming that the phone was the culprit)?

I wouldn't have thought so. Try power cycling. Off and back on.

Otherwise, how hot is the box?

DaveC · 26-09-2006, 11:16

Engineer's been out this morning - took one look at the old box (Pace recon) and said it was knackered. I said that I had heard something about another brand of box, so he went off to his van and returned with a brand new Samsung 2110!

Powered it up, all seems fine, seems to be finding channels. Had to go to work, so will check further this evening. Fingers crossed at the moment!

He didn't seem to think that a DECT phone or anything else would do that amount of damage to the box, so I'll put the phone back where it was on the top shelf of the TV unit.