Balky TV Remote....

[sudsmaster]

OK, I have this Visio 42" flat panel TV that's been hanging on my living room wall for at least 15 years. It's been quite good, and since it's an early flat panel, the chassis is thick enough (I think) to allow for decent sound.

 

But in the past few months its response to the remote control has been spotty. I know it's not the remote itself because the remote for the nearby DVD player which also can control the TV has the same problem.

 

I did some Googling and found others with the same issue. Various solutions were recommended, mainly to unplug the TV for a while, like 20 seconds, ostensibly to let a capacitor discharge, then plug it back in. Apparently this has worked for some.

 

But I've found I have to leave it unplugged for an hour or more to get it back. And then sometimes it hasn't come back. The other thing I've tried is to use some Dust-Off (canned air) to blow clean air into the lower end of the panel, right where the electronics for the remote control detector sensor is. I did this a week or two ago, and that seemed to fix it. Until last night. So, back to square one.

 

In the meantime I went to Costco and picked up a 50" Samsung flat panel for far less than I paid for the Vizio (the Visiio was about $1100; the Samsung was $330). It's still in the box, and once the Visio got going again I was considering returning the Samsung, unopened. But now with the Visio on the fritz again I figure it's time to unbox the Samsung and get it going. I can always put the Vizio aside, maybe for use in another room in the house, like the guest bedroom. It's just annoying that something so minor as the remote control is resulting in a full replacement.

 

Anybody run into this kind of problem?  Any suggestions? Once I get the Samsung up I could probably open up the Vizio to see if there is an observable cause. Maybe even replace a capacitor. I dunno. All suggestions welcome.

 

 

[vacerator]

The largest and heaviest

I've ever seen were the RCA Colortrak stereo monitor reciever remotes from the 1980's. I had one. It controled not only the tv, but entire entertainment center if you had it all. CD player, audio amp., tuner, vcr, video disk player. Panasonic may have also had one for their all in one Omnivision system.

 

[paulg]

The easy fixes...

First, that RCA system with huge systemic control was called DIMENSIA.
It is pronounced. Dee men see yah.
I went to training on that system in the 1980’s. The techs were all calling it “Dementia”. The instructor would roll his eyes and repeat... “ NO! It is called DEE MEN SEE YAH!”
Back to wonky remote systems:
In the past I have found some really crazy things that create intermittent IR (Infrared) remote operation.
First: Sunlight.
Components of sunlight will busy out the microprocessor and make the remote sluggish or non-responsive. This problem can be seasonal. I saw this a lot with University classrooms with window-walls. The projector remote would be really difficult seasonally. Keep sun off the sensors.
Second: IR motion room sensors for alarm systems. I had a hospital with motion sensors that totally blocked an LCD panel remote. The staff wouldn’t believe us until we rolled the unit into the hallway, still plugged in and watched the remote turn back to normal.
A TRICK:
This doesn’t always work but apply matte-type “scotch tape” (not the totally clear type) to the IR sensor on the front of the TV. In some cases it filters out extraneous IR interference.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Also, some compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs can block or broadcast weird signals.

I remember that a Mazda CFL swamped the Panasonic tv remote. Blocked it totally.

An Osram CFL caused a Ferguson VHS video recorder to switch to BBC2 and start recording... but only in a cold room (e.g. winter time).

And I seem to remember reading that the Wii games console sensor bar thing had an aversion to LED Christmas Tree lights.

 

[sudsmaster]

OK, the balky remote problem happens in the day and in the night. Plus the curtains (heavy) are drawn closed and the window is facing north.

 

No CFL's on in that room when it happens, either.

 

No IR motion sensors in the living room either. The nearest such is two rooms down, with no line of sight between TV and sensor.

 

However there is a small LED nightlight with a motion sensor in the front hallway just outside the living. I don't think there's a direct light path between it and the TV, but I've removed it just now to see if that helps at all.

 

On a record case to the side of the TV I keep a small table lamp with an LED bulb in it. It's shaded and on a timer that comes on at night (not a motion sensor). That's been there for a while and the TV used to operate normally with it on, so I don't think that's a problem.

 

 

 

 

[paulg]

Oh boy, going down memory lane

I spent 16 years at a large LCD TV manufacturer and you are sending me down memory lane. Here are a few more ideas:
Do the remote sensors go bad? Yes. I’ve seen them go dead. I’ve seen them continuously output nonsense pulses and busy out the microprocessor. However, there are some easier things to check.
Though some of my suggestions may not apply directly to you, I am going to comment to the larger audience.
Q: Is the TV connected to a CRESTRON or AMX control system?
Reason: The microprocessors in TVs are pretty stupid and slow. When Joe Engineer cranks up the polling of Crestron or AMX systems as applied to the TV - the TV will prioritize those requests often to the detriment of the TV’s other basic features. Slow the poll or disconnect such systems as a test.
Q: Does the TV require a firmware update?
Reason: The craziest symptoms can sometimes be cured by a firmware update. Some purists will argue that since the TV is controlled digitally, either the firmware works or it does not. This is not true. I have seen some way out wacky symptoms, all caused by firmware that create intermittent symptoms or symptoms that worsen over time. I won’t regale you with case histories but even a jaded techie like me was thrown when a firmware bug fixed intermittents that were time related.
Q: LED lamps, accessories and (get this) neon bar signs.
Reason: As the other gentleman suggested, indeed light bulbs can create this symptom. I also remembering a popular sport bar that had lots of LCD TVs with malfunctioning remote controls. Nearby neon bar signs was the culprit. And yes, we did buy a neon bar sign that resided in our lab forevermore to teach others not to put an LCD TV immediately next to one of those.
Finally, I am not the only tech here. Lay your wonky remote fixes on us. If I think of any others, I’’ll add them in. Could the TV hardware have malfunctioned? Sure. But I remember hardware as being the last resort as so many extraneous causes were out there. Bear in mind too, my clients were largely corporations and universities - but the same concepts apply to the home.

 

[paulg]

More...

Yikes.
I do recall a light-bulb situation.
It was a hotel-like environment. The remote sensitivity in the rooms was poor. When the LED lamps were replaced with incandescent, the situation improved markedly. BUT when the remote hand unit was replaced with an identical one.... from a different vendor.... the situation improved too. This was a toss-up. It turns out the original remote, though of good quality, was not especially strong. The LED bulbs just nulled it out. This was a toss-up.
SOOOO... do you have weak remote batteries, a dirty remote hand unit cabinet, a tired remote? Do you have another remote hand unit to try?
No need to respond. Just diarrhea of my brain.... It’s all flooding back! AAAAAAAGGGGHHH!

 

[paulg]

Just tell me to shut up..

OK, You DO have a second remote that does the same thing. Gotcha.
Here is another case history that may NOT apply to you, but it was remote control related.
We had a model of TV that worked well. However, as luck would have it, one specific brand and model of cable box had a remote hand unit code that was a repeat of one of our unused codes but was still processed by the TV which ultimately locked the TV up.
Do you have some new remotes in use? Maybe the use of a new-to-your-home remote is inducing trouble? This was a firmware change we had to do to the TV as the output coding of the remote hand unit from the cable TV company was unchangeable.

 

[sudsmaster]

May be solved...

As I mentioned earlier, I took Rolls_Rapide's suggestion and unplugged a little night light with a motion detector in the entrance hallway. Although there is not a line of sight between it (it's on the floor) and the TV, it was worth a try. I suppose the infrared signals from the night light (if any) could bounce off walls and affect the TV remote sensor.

 

Well, since I unplugged that night light, both remotes for that TV are working just fine. Fingers crossed, it might be fixed. Have to wait another couple of weeks to be sure.

 

I don't know if this particular Vizio TV can be firmware upgraded. Never seen that capacity in the various menus. I'll look again, but I doubt it. Will have to get the model number and visit the Vizio web site to see.

 

Meanwhile the new Samsung 50" TV is still in its box, unopened. I have maybe another month before Costco won't take it back. Although I am getting curious as to how good (or bad) it is compared to the Vizio.

 

 

[gizmo]

try the remote control of the Samsung

Go to a store that has the Samsung set up working on display.
Have a play with the remote control.

I have a Samsung smart TV about 5 years old.
My sister has a new Samsung smart TV, almost new and much fancier than mine.
They have very different remotes, but they share one similarity. They are both AWFUL. The remote, not the TV.
Not enough buttons so you have to do weird stuff for many common functions.
Odd shape that doesn't sit flat on a table.

Here is a link to my review of our 5 yr old Samsung TV: (see below.)

I would make darn sure I was comfortable with the Samsung remote control before opening the box and losing the right to take the Samsung back. Look at the functions you commonly use on the Vizio remote and see how you do it on the Samsung. I find the Samsung remote a constant irritant.

https://www.productreview.com.au/reviews/830fd73b-628f-3135-bfd7-a9714017bc13

 

[sudsmaster]

Samsung remote control

Actually, I have a small (like 23") Samsung TV that I keep in the bedroom high on a shelf for occasional viewing in bed. I have no problem with that remote control. Granted, I don't use it much, but it does what I need it to do. The idea to look at a Samsung 50" model same as the one I bought is a good idea, though, just in case.

 

One feature I like in a TV remote is a bunch of preset buttons for most watched channels. My 37" Westinghouse has four of them, which isn't quite enough, but I manage. The worst is the remote on my Panasonic DVD recorder. You have to input the broadcast channel exactly (like 9.1) or it plays dumb. But you know? There are worse things in life besides less than optimal remote controls.

 

Interestingly, I have three of those little motion control night lights in the family room where the Westinghouse 37" and the Panasonic DVD recorder live. So far, no remote control failures there. Go figure. It makes me think that maybe Visio goofed in their remote control signal engineering, making it too susceptible to interference from motion detectors. It is an older unit so that might be a design factor.

 

I think some people just go out and buy an aftermarket remote control to get all the features they want.

 

Oh, and Costco will take back a TV even if it's used, within 90 days. It's just less hassle if it's new in box. I think. I recall hearing that a number of customers were abusing their return policy by buying big screen TV's before the Superbowl and then returning them after.

 

 

What is Costco’s return policy?

Welcome to the Costco Customer Service page. Explore our many helpful self-service options and learn more about popular topics.

customerservice.costco.com

 

[mattl]

Non-US sets often are a completely different platform, very little in common.  Odds are totally different remotes also.

 

[sudsmaster]

Well, I guess I spoke too soon. I was watching SNL tonight, and used the remote quite a bit. Then towards the end, when I went to shut off the TV, the remote wouldn't work. Neither would the remote for the Panasonic DVD player, which normally can be used for basic TV functions, like on/off, volume, channel selection, etc. I had to shut the Vizio TV down with the button on the side of it. This is typical of this problem - the Vizio TV will respond to remote commands for a few days, and then fail.

 

Soooo.... it looks like I'll be replacing the Vizio with the slightly bigger Samsung. Since hanging the darn things (over the mantle) is a bit of a chore, I'll probably test the Samsung first by setting it on a table. then if it meets my requirements, I'll be removing the Vizio from that room and putting the Samsung in its place.

 

Later!

 

 

[sudsmaster]

Unboxed the big Samsung today. Yow. It's way more connected than the old Visio. Got it hooked up to my home wifi and there's a ton of channels I never knew existed. Took me a while to get just the usual broadcast TV channels going, though.

 

The Visio still won't respond to the remote. Gonna have to unplug if for a while.  Then it's probably going to be banished to the spare bedroom or workshop until I can figure out if it's repairable.

 

One worry: the Samsung has no external on/off button that I can find. So it's totally dependent on the remote. Stranger danger!

 

 

[sudsmaster]

I can see the point about the Samsung remote. I have three Samsung TV's... one for the bedroom, one I use as a computer monitor, and then the new big one in the living room. All three remotes are the same size, but with different buttons.

 

Not too happy about the three extra buttons on the new remote with are basically advertising for subscription TV services. Plus, unlike most of my remotes, the new Samsung remote has no backlight capability. That's a bummer when there's not enough light in the living room to read the tiny button legends. Oh well. I'm not sure other TV brands would be any better. And the price was right on this 50" Samsung: $330. LOL.

 

 

[sudsmaster]

I will say the video quality is far better on the Samsung than on the old Vizio.

 

[kb0nes]

Does proximity of the remote change it's functional reliability? Hold the remote right at the sensor on the TV, this will determine if you are dealing with a low signal to noise issue or a non functioning sensor in the TV.

 

[sudsmaster]

No, nothing works when it fails.

 

Sometimes unplugging it for a while will restore function. But it appears to be totally dead now. It is NOT a proximity issue.

 

 

[rolls_rapide]

Vizio

I wonder if part of the power supply section has gone out of tolerance, i.e. dodgy capacitors?

Looking at Wikipedia, it seems that 'Vizio' is simply a brand name slapped on technology made in China or Mexico. So firmware updates might not be readily available anymore. Or if they are, you'd have to get them from the original manufacturer e.g. in China.

I have a budget 'Panasonic' tv, but it wasn't made by Panasonic. It was made by Vestel, of Turkey. Firmware for this particular television is not available via Panasonic, but seems to be available via Vestel. The remote control isn't too bad at all. The buttons are well spaced, with positive action. The only nuisance is the infrared diode has to be pointing virtually directly at the general location of the sensor (bottom left-hand corner). The sensor window on the tv is a small dot. No smart functionality on the tv - I didn't want it. It is usually the first thing to stop being supported, as far as I can see.

Regarding buttons for subscription tv services such as 'Netflix', I have an old Panasonic Bluray player. The remote control is far, far too small; the buttons too close together. When you try to use the cursor arrow buttons, you press the 'Netflix' accidentally. It then goes off to access Netflix very s-l-o-w-l-y. And the machine freezes up: usually when attempting to access the net services. It's rubbish - all form and no function. Firmware seems to have been only available for a short period. And it froze recently attempting to play a brand new DVD disk. Weird machine... I think Panasonic skimped during the manufacturing process.