Remote Control not working...

[Neighbor]

Does anyone have problems with their remote control? When I try to operate the MX6000i I see the leds on my TV and DVD recorder flashing but nothing happens. So it seems that the remote control unit IS working but the MX6000i is not responding/not receiving the signal... Very annoying when you want to navigate!

[Ryan Adler]

One quirk/feature of Philips remote controls, is that they internally remember what source you are in. So, make sure that if you are trying to control a device, you first press the relevant source on the remote control.

[Neighbor]

But I use the remote control delivered with the system... I don't recall seeing buttons to select another device to control. And it didn't respond when I selected the Internet button.

Also, when I press a button both TV and DVD recorder respond with flashing leds. The indicator of the MX6000i does not flicker... But when it *does* respond that indicator is flickering.

So when I press a button on the remote and the indicator is not flickering I know the MX6000i is NOT seeing the infrared. When other devices start flashing their remote control leds I know the problem has to be with the MX6000i and not the remote control

It's a long story but I have some problems writing what I want to say... I'm Dutch...

[Ryan Adler]

Try this test:

1) Put the Streamium into standby from the front buttons.
2) If, when pressing Internet or PC Link, the Streamium doesn't turn on, then there can be a problem. Otherwise, it should be fine.

[Neighbor]

OK I will try that.

But what if the Streamium IS on and I want to turn up the volume and NOTHING happens? Even the remote control indicator on the Streamium is not flashing... But the indicator of the TV is so the remote control MUST be sending a signal...

[Ryan Adler]

[ QUOTE ]
But the indicator of the TV is so the remote control MUST be sending a signal...

[/ QUOTE ]
That's why I'd like to see what happens in the test I mentioned...perhaps the IR receiver has a problem. If you are pressing the volume buttons, it's possible that the remote is in a different mode than the Streamium, so the Streamium would just ignore the presses.

[Neighbor]

I did some tests and here are the results. First some info on my setup. The Streamium is connected to Ext2 of the TV and audio is connected through cinch. DVD recorder is connected to Ext1 of the TV.

When everything is switched off and I turn on the Streamium it works fine. So your suggested test worked.

When I turn on the TV and I press the TV button on the remote I can operate the TV through the remote control as described in the manual. However, turning the volume (of the Streamium) up or down may or may not work. I've tried pushing the TV button again but I have the idea that the Streamium once in a while freezes. It just won't respond to the signals of the remote control. Trying to change the source (i.e. Internet) also doesn't work then. And then all of a sudden it starts working again. And then it stops again... etc. etc.

When I want to play a DVD (in the Streamium) and I press the DVD button the Streamium switches to DVD mode and the DVD starts playing. However, operating the menu is difficult if not impossible. When I use the "joystick" on the Streamium itself everything works fine...

So it does seem to be related to the "mode" the Streamium is in. But what is the solution?

[hodipo]

hi there

I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM .. i mean exactly the same one .. when i received my mx6000i the remate was hardly working. so i replaced the batteries which came with the control. then the remote was working for some days. now: same thing! i CAN turn the device on, but then it freezes. happens while navigating pc link, volume control and most of all DVD menüs. i also have the impression that it interferes with my other remotes. i have a panasonic plasma attached. would be very grateful if philips posts some possible solutions here. btw: yes, i replaced the batteries again and again .. but no changes.

greets
tom

[JonStatt]

Interesting if you say it depends on what mode the unit is in. I have a problem with my SL400i, that whenever it is doing processor intensive stuff, like playing a video, then I have to press the buttons on the remote many times to get it to respond. I found I can also get it to work by holding down the button until the Streamium responds. Have you tried holding down the button?

[Joe_Philips]

2 different issues:

-> remote control response slow/delayed when heavy load (decoding active) ... I think this is just fact.
Probably this gets better in later SW versions.

-> no reaction to remote .. I have the strong feeling that this is HW related. seems your infrared recepetion gets disturbed by something else. I would let your cables be checked in the unit (wireless antennas etc.).

[hodipo]

just tested this issue again: at least in my case it is clear that this remote lagging problem is related to my panasonic plasma screen. i turn the mx6000i on, with tv off, everthing works great via the small dispay .. i turn the tv on, remote stops working, turn tv off, remote works again.

TO PHILIPS: do u know about inference problems via panasonic and what is the best way to resolve that?

thx in advance

[Neighbor]

It's not the Panasonic. I have a Philips flat tv and as I stated in an earlier post, I have the same problems. Just tonight I returned the Streamium to the store where I bought it to get it fixed.

I think the problem is that when you press the TV button the Streamium is switched to a mode where it deactivates the IR receiver or at least it looks like that. Or didn't you press the TV button?

Also when you press the TV button the buttons that are supposed to work (mute, change channnel, activate tv menu) actually do work! So the remote control is functioning...

So Philips: what's wrong with the IR code table?

[Zacken]

I got my SL400i today. Everything works fine exept the remote control. It is realy jerky and i have to press the keys multiple times to get a response. I have tested the remote with a remote tester amd it seems to send a signal every time i press the buttons so it must be a problem in the recieving end. Also tryed fresh batteries. Anyone that has experiensed the same problem? It is not related to prossessor load. The problem is there all the time. I'll have to return it if this is not fixed in some way.

[Guinness]

hi
i have a probleme whith my mx6000i remote control and my dvd/divx player philips dvp720sa /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
when i switch off my MX6000i my dvp720sa switch on /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[hodipo]

hi

i do not think that it is the fault of the tv button .. it doesnt care in which mode i am .. dvd, internet, pc link .. when i switch tv on navigation is impossible .. volume sometimes ok with much of love /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif .. when i switch the tv off .. everything works without changing anything with the streamium .. the only buttoms which works nearly all the time are the source selections .. they work when tv off and on .. most of the time ...

hopefully philips listens to this and gives advice (once again /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

greets
tom

[Ryan Adler]

[ QUOTE ]
hopefully philips listens to this and gives advice (once again)

[/ QUOTE ]

Rest assured that we are listening, and understand that it is a serious problem. After speaking with a few people here, they indicated that it definitely sounds like an interference problem.

Please, as a test...try turning off EVERYTHING in the room (except the Streamium, of course), and see if the response with the remote is better. The interference can come from many types of devices, including lighting in the room, wireless devices in the area (please test the Streamium in wired mode if possible), plasma screen TVs (as mentioned earlier in the thread). If this helps, try turning on the suspect devices one at a time to pinpoint the problem.

If you can find anything that is specifically interfering, please post the model name and numbers here so that we can investigate further.

[JoediMaggio]

As a SL400i customer who is still waiting for his device i would like to know if ANYBODY has a remote that is working OK, or if is this a general problem?

So - anybody having a good working remote control or do i have to expect the same problems? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Zacken]

Was in the shop with my SL400i today. Tested 3 different machines and they all had the same sluggis remote. What a pitty. I returned my device. Will wait for new software or next generation...

[Neighbor]

I've tested the Streamium with every other device turn off. The system works fine then... But when I turn on my TV (Philips Flat TV 37PF9986) the remote control just won't work the way it should. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[hodipo]

hi there

of course i know that philips listens to the people here .. and this is good /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

unfortunately i dont have the exact model name from my telly at the moment, will it post tomorrow. but i stated soemthing really strange now.

all devices switched on (tv, streamium, receiver and set top box for satellite). when i am in "source analog mode", and watching satellite, i want to tune up its volume (tv is of course on source number 2 .. so not the streamium, which is one, but on the satellite image)but this doesnt work. just switching tv to the streamium entrance (number 1) without changing anything else and hey, i CAN manipulate the volume.

other case: want to navigate the pc link, tv is set to source nr. one, so streamium. this doesnt work, but when i switch my tv source to number 2 (which is satellite as mentioned before, and satellite receiver OFF) i can navigate via the small display on the streamium. switching back to channel one = navigation impossible.

i hope this is more or less clear as it is really difficult to describe. as summary: streamium doesnt respond when tv is set to the streamium channel, otherwise (other channel with streamium on) it does work. connected my streamium with the provided scart cable in RGB mode to my flat screen receiver ..

i think this is REALLY strange (and annoying)

thanks for info
tom

[JonStatt]

That really is bizarre, but I just want to make it clear there are 2 remote control issues as mentioned earlier in the thread, not just 1.

1) There is an interference issue.

2) There is a problem when the SL400i (and maybe other models) are under processor load, playing videos. The remote becomes unresponsive.

With regards to the "interference issue". I have an experimental idea. If it stops responding once the TV is on, try covering the remote sensor of the TV with some black tape. Does the problem go away? If you walk right up to the Streamium so the remote is directly infront of it, does the problem disappear?

Jonathan

[Ryan Adler]

The two comments above are interesting, and extremely helpful. I'll have testing try to reproduce the problem here, and see why this is happening.

[Ryan Adler]

Ok...some more information. I have spoken with the hardware people, and they tell me that there is a known issue with Philips TVs that use the AmbiLight feature...create very high levels of interference on infrared (also affects other products, but moreso on the Streamium, I believe, because we use more complex IR communication). Try turning off the ambilight on your TV, and that should help.

[Neighbor]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif Don't tell me it's the AmbiLight feature! Why do you think I bought this TV? Because it's flat? No! I bought it because of the AmbiLight feature!

But I will try to disable it when I get my Streamium back from the dealer... In the meanwhile I trust you guys at Philips will solve this problem?

But now I think of it, what about the guy with the Panasonic TV? He doesn't have AmbiLight...

[Ryan Adler]

Well, I am sorry to hear that, but the only other option is to move the Streamium farther away from the TV. Future ambilight TVs will solve the problem, but I know that doesn't help you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Ryan Adler]

We were not yet aware of interference from the Panasonic screen...as far as I know. The best option is to move your Streamium further away from the TV until you are satisfied with the remote control performance.

[Neighbor]

Well at this moment I have a 37PF9986 but that is a demo model... I'm waiting for my 32PF9986. Could there be a difference between these two models /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

And what about shielding the Streamium with aluminum foil? Could that help? Or is the interference only with light and not with RF?

Well, I just received my Pronto Remote Control unit so I can create a macro in which I can disable AmbiLight if it is neccesary...

But I'm NOT happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Neighbor]

Just a thought. Tom (Hodipo) had a problem which he could reproduce and that had nothing to do with AmbiLight... If it is the AmbiLight then it is very easy for the Philips guys to check that. I think it has something to do with the Scart connections...

Is there someone having these problems that has a Streamium without Scart connectors?

[hodipo]

hi all,

well .. seems to be an interesting discussion /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

i am still at work at the moment so i cannot post the model name of my panasonic flat, but nevertheless i am sure that is has nothing to do with this ambilight or whatever stuff, coz as mentioned already, i dont have this feature.

also the tip to place the streamium far enough of the telly seems a little complicated, not to say unsatisfying .. sorry for that...

on the other hand i was also thinking about the possibility of the scart cable .. i will try tonight to switch to a s video cable or other .. then i will try again .. will post as soon as there are any news from my side ..

greets
tom

[hodipo]

hi there,

just came home (uff .. work is really shitty)

nevertheless GOOD NEWS: just switched from scart to s video and hey, remote seems to be working as it should. switched back to scart/rgb with another entrance in my receiver and wow ALSO THIS IS WORKING NOW (at least it did for the past 10minutes, hopefully it will do longer .. but at is a hardware thing i see no reason why it should not)

suming up for all with the same problems: TRY TO CONNECT YOUR STREAMIUM THROUGH ANOTHER PORT TO YOUR TELLY or RECEIVER .. hopefully this works for everybody ..

to philips: thanks for now. anyway, maybe u could ask the hardware guys why this phenomenon appears .. its REALLY strange i think ..

will try now navigate the 5th element and hopefully njoy great sound and picture without standing up all 5 minutes

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

keep u posted
tom

[Ryan Adler]

Very interesting...I will again forward this information on to our hardware guys. Maybe they can figure out why. I would request that everyone having this problem post a list of the hardware they are using, so we can try to reproduce and track down the problem. Thanks for everyonw's patience...I know it's not fun to have a problem like this, but we will continue to do what we can to help you out. Thanks again!

[Neighbor]

Philips DVDR725 connected with scart to Ext1 of Philips 37PF9986. Streamium connected with scart to Ext2 of Philips 37PF9986.

[JonStatt]

Ryan,

Has the SL400i processor load related remote issue been replicated in Philips yet?

Thanks and regards,
Jonathan

[Torbjorn]

Hi,

I've got a MX6000i. Not sure about the model (I'm at work).

However, I have had these problems lately (seems like no-one else have had them?):

1) When inserting a CD and starting to play, I tried to press the "Next" and "Previous" buttons. Instead of the CD skipping to next/previous track, the TV suddenly switched on, and the same track was playing.

I tried looping through the DVD-trays and back to the tray where the CD was located. Now the CD would not even play.

After turning off and on the MX6000i, I was able to play the CD again. Note that this has happened a few times.

2) Second, when in TV mode, and I press MUTE, only the TV is muted, but NOT the MX6000i - it keeps on playing the TV-sound!

3) Finally, I have also had problems with the Streamium freezing. E.g. if I am a little too eager when browsing images, the MX6000i suddenly freezes, and I have to restart. This has also happened at other occasions - sorry that I cannot be more specific.

I have a Planar Vision TV (CRT, from around 1998).

-I guess the downside of buying products that can be upgraded through Internet are that they often are released as "beta products". Manufacturers do not need to release a "stable" or "well tested" product - rather they count on the end customers to act as "beta testers"...I am not saying that this is the case with Philips, but you might get that feeling when the stereo doesn't work...Imagine this with e.g. a "hardwired" NAD amplifier....!?

-But to look at the positive side: I am very happy with my MX600i, since you get a lot of functionality, and high quality sound for your money. I will still recommend it, despite of its child-diseases...

Cheers,
Torbjørn

[Ryan Adler]

If you mean the FF/RW keys not responding so well when playing high bitrates, no, it hasn't yet been fixed. Sorry.

[hodipo]

hi there,

just to finish. watched the 5th element yesterday .. and after 10minutes i had the same problem again. now i just plugged in the s video cable BUT continued watching over scart/rgb .. and now it seems to work.

my configuration:

plasma screen panasonic TH-42PW6EX connected to a pansonic receiver TUPT600. this receiver is connected on source 4 via scart to the streamium and on source 3 via a svideo cable (which is not activated as the streamium is configured for scart). on source 2 i have my internet set top box connected which serves as internet gateway but also to watch television via a dsl ethernet connection (for more details please visit www.free.fr (http://www.free.fr) = its the freebox). this is the best way for me (as an expat in paris) to watch some of my "home channels".

would be glad to hear some explainations from PH /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

btw: as the one before, i am happy with my streamium although it has child deseases ..

greets
tom

[JonStatt]

Hi Ryan,

I was referring to the issue that no button at all on the remote works well whilst the SL400i is playing any kind of video. Even the stop button, may require several presses to get it to actually stop! Typically I have to press the remote button 4-5 times. When it is not playing any video, its 100% fine.

It seems whilst the processor is under load, there aren't enough cycles given to detecting the remote control.

I wondered if this issue had been reproduced at Philips.

Jonathan

[Neighbor]

This afternoon I will call my dealer and ask if they have my unit back from the repair center. If not, can I ask it back and use the S-Video connection instead of the Scart connection? Will it work then?

Or is there already a solution from Philips? I don't want to wait another two weeks to get my unit back if I know they can't fix it anyway... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Or can I cut some of the pins inside the Scart cable /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Ryan Adler]

Yes, we have seen this in our labs. It's a known issue, and we are of course looking at ways to make it a bit nicer.

[Neighbor]

It's rather quiet in this thread... Is there any news from Philips yet? Is it a problem with the scart connector?

[Voivoide]

Hi Streamium Guys ! I just bought MX6000i unit and updated it to the latest sw available.
I have the exact same problem with unit intermittently not seeing remote control signal. My TV is Philips plasma 9965 (no ambilight). I tried the S Video trick but that did not work for me.
Any news from Philips Lab ?

[Ryan Adler]

Sorry, no news yet. We're working on it.

[Neighbor]

Can the guys at the lab reproduce the problem? I just received a new MX6000i from the store but I have the same problems... The moment I switch off the TV the unit starts working normal again!!!!

[Neighbor]

[ QUOTE ]
...The moment I switch off the TV the unit starts working normal again!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

It seems to be related to blue light... When I turn off Ambilight the Streamium seems to be working OK. However, when I turn Ambilight on sometimes the Streamium works and the next moment it stops responding... When I select a source on the TV when there is nothing connected to it the TV shows a blue screen and the Streamium stops responding completely. When I change the channel or turn off Ambilight the Streamium responds again.

Is this so difficult to test at the lab? It should take like five minutes /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Ryan Adler]

I'm sorry...this thread is getting a bit long and confused. There is a definite known interference issue with the Ambilight feature on some Philips TVs. It definitely causes IR interference. You can either turn off Ambilight, or move the Streamium further away from the TV.

[maarten]

I had the same problem, put the scart in rgb input and change settings to rgb, that solved my problem!

[coopersport]

after 4 month any news? I bougt a mx6000i four day ago, is brand new and made in gen 2005, the remote control doesn't work with a Proview plama tv on, it works perfect with tv off..........

[Eivind]

For the techies of you - here is a temporary fix that works with my Hitachi plasma. Same problem as everyone else. BTW this is a general IR problem related to plasma screens, not just Philips Streamium.

Anyway...

The idea is to make sure that reflections of light from the plasma, does not reach the IR receptor on the SL400i. The way I did this was to look around in my room for metal, or similar surfaces that reflect light, and do a rough estimate of the angle the light would then be reflected into the IR receptor. I then put a cardboard "shielder" between this point the IR receptor. The remote control now works just as well as when the plasma is off, even though you are limited to from where in the room you can use the remote.

Hope that might be of some help? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Great product, and looking forward to additional robustness on its DivX codecs... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Eivind
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[coopersport]

thanks for your help, I used the stremium delivery box as a tunnel from the unit to my sofa, I use the remote inside this tunnel and now works quite fine, otherwise I can use the box as a table or remote holder. From Philips any other update? I phoned the assistance and they told me is the first time they hear about this problem.........but they will work for fix my problem......I'm italian from the same town of Pinocchio, I smell the lies also by the phone.

[VizOne]

I have the same remote control problems as listed here with the SL400 that I bought yesterday. I hope Philips will be sending out clear instructoins on how to build our cardboard tunnels /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Its the only method I've got to work so far.

[Diamond]

So here we are, many months along, and having set-up my system for the first time yesterday I find I also have this problem!
Philips PLEASE tell us what you are doing about this? it's not good enough to make sure future Philips TV's don't cause this problem. This is a problem with the robustness of the MX6000i Infrared communication!