[michalh]

I have recently upgraded from the old AMSTRAD DRX280 SKY+ STB to the Latest AMSTRAD SKY+HD DRX890 STB and now have a problem!
I have used an AEI DG200 DIGISENDER A/V Digital Wireless Transmitter and Receiver to send an A/V Signal from my SKY STB Downstairs to a Bedroom TV Upstairs.This has worked well until I Upgraded!!, I could change the channels of The SKY STB from my Bedroom using the SKY+ Remote and also switch the SKY STB on and off as Necessary.
With the New DRX890 STB installed I found that the DG200 Digisender wouldnt work,so I invested in a later DG400 model but although a Strong Signal[/VIDEO and SOUND] is being picked up on the Bedroom TV..I AM UNABLE to change channels on the SKY STB downstairs using the SKY Remote in the Bedroom as I had done before upgrading the STB . I have posted this question on other Forums but no one has been able to help..Is there anyone in this Forum who has had this problem and has been able to resolve it?SKY can't help as its not SKY Kit,and I havent been able to get a definative answer from AEI either

[Dave-H]

Are you using the same remote control that you used to use in the bedroom?
I'm not 100% sure, but there may be compatibility problems between the old SD Sky+ remotes and the Sky+HD boxes.
The easy way to check is to try the lounge remote in the bedroom.
If that works, there's your answer!

[AVTECH]

Have you ensured that the RF2 power supply is "ON" on your new box. Remote extenders used by digisenders only work when it is ON

Go to SETTINGS >0>0>1>SELECT for installers menu then go to RF OUT to see if RF OUTLET POWER SUPPLY is set to ON if not change it.

[CTD101]

Originally Posted by michalh

I have recently upgraded from the old AMSTRAD DRX280 SKY+ STB to the Latest AMSTRAD SKY+HD DRX890 STB and now have a problem!
I have used an AEI DG200 DIGISENDER A/V Digital Wireless Transmitter and Receiver to send an A/V Signal from my SKY STB Downstairs to a Bedroom TV Upstairs.This has worked well until I Upgraded!!, I could change the channels of The SKY STB from my Bedroom using the SKY+ Remote and also switch the SKY STB on and off as Necessary.
With the New DRX890 STB installed I found that the DG200 Digisender wouldnt work,so I invested in a later DG400 model but although a Strong Signal[/VIDEO and SOUND] is being picked up on the Bedroom TV..I AM UNABLE to change channels on the SKY STB downstairs using the SKY Remote in the Bedroom as I had done before upgrading the STB . I have posted this question on other Forums but no one has been able to help..Is there anyone in this Forum who has had this problem and has been able to resolve it?SKY can't help as its not SKY Kit,and I havent been able to get a definative answer from AEI either

Have you got the IR sensor in the correct place? It needs to go about 1cm to the left of the green power light and due to the front of the box being rounded as opposed to flat you made need to put a bit of sellotape on the sensor to hold it in place.

[CTD101]

Originally Posted by AVTECH

Have you ensured that the RF2 power supply is "ON" on your new box. Remote extenders used by digisenders only work when it is ON

Go to SETTINGS >0>0>1>SELECT for installers menu then go to RF OUT to see if RF OUTLET POWER SUPPLY is set to ON if not change it.

Don't remote senders have their own power supply and therefore don't need rf2 on seeing as their plugged into a scart socket?

[AVTECH]

I know it sounds odd but even though the remote signal goes nowhere near the RF sockets my digisender remote extender (cheap tesco own brand) only works if the RF2 power supply is on.

[Dave-H]

Originally Posted by AVTECH

I know it sounds odd but even though the remote signal goes nowhere near the RF sockets my digisender remote extender (cheap tesco own brand) only works if the RF2 power supply is on.

That is odd!
CTD101 is right, an independent video sender doesn't use power or signal from the RF2 output of the Sky box. Only the propriety "magic eyes" use this.
The sender should have its own power supply and be fed signals from the box's SCART or phono outputs.

[michalh]

Originally Posted by Dave-H

Are you using the same remote control that you used to use in the bedroom?
I'm not 100% sure, but there may be compatibility problems between the old SD Sky+ remotes and the Sky+HD boxes.
The easy way to check is to try the lounge remote in the bedroom.
If that works, there's your answer!

Hi Thanks for your reply I have tried both I.E. New REV 9 HD Remote and REV 8 SKY+ Remote neither work in the Bedroom but both work downstairs when pointed at and controlling The SKY STB..michael

[michalh]

Originally Posted by Dave-H

That is odd!
CTD101 is right, an independent video sender doesn't use power or signal from the RF2 output of the Sky box. Only the propriety "magic eyes" use this.
The sender should have its own power supply and be fed signals from the box's SCART or phono outputs.

AVTECH CTD101 posts also refer..I agree that MY AEI Digisender has its own power suppy and is also scart connected so RF power shouldnt apply,but on the other hand I am prepared to try anything at the moment.With regard to the positioning of the Digisender Magic Eye..AEI have informed me that they have upgraded the IR Sensor..this now sits in front of the Magic Eye on the STB is an upright prism shaped design which is supposed to give a better spread pattern?But I dont have one of those at the moment.This would suggest that AEI have had problems with the latest new SKY HD Boxes and there own sender units?I am going to take this up with AEI Support if I can ever get through to them on the phone!...
But thank you all for your ideas..I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be back with the same problem though..

[Dave-H]

Do you have a digital camera? One built into a mobile phone will do the job.
If you have, you could try pointing the camera at the infra-red emitter of the sender, while someone else sends some remote commands from the bedroom.
If you can see the emitter lighting up on the camera screen (the camera can see frequencies that your naked eye cannot) that would at least prove that the sender is re-transmitting the remote commands.
Why the box isn't responding to them is another problem of course!

[michalh]

Originally Posted by Dave-H

Do you have a digital camera? One built into a mobile phone will do the job.
If you have, you could try pointing the camera at the infra-red emitter of the sender, while someone else sends some remote commands from the bedroom.
If you can see the emitter lighting up on the camera screen (the camera can see frequencies that your naked eye cannot) that would at least prove that the sender is re-transmitting the remote commands.
Why the box isn't responding to them is another problem of course!

Thank you for that suggestion.Just as a matter of interest,I was in contact this morning with AEI Customer support and asked them whether RF Power should be switched on ,on the STB,the reply strangely was yes!They are also sending me an upgraded DigiEye remote extender so perhaps others have reported problems similar to mine with the latest STBS from Amsttrad/Sky? Michael

[michalh]

Hi DAVE H..Sky have advised that as the Digisender has its own power supply,RF power is irrelevant as RF power is only relevant to the SKY Magic Eye cabled connector which takes its power fro RF.
Secondly,although I was sent a replacement IR extender it still doesnt work with the latest SKY+HD Box as I cant get the channels to change from a remote position.So there is a question for AEI who advertise that thier DG400 will work with SKY+HD boxes mine doesnt.
I there anyone out there that has the latest DRX 890 STB and has an AEI DIgisender that fully works with SKY Remotes?
I would like to hear from them

[Dave-H]

Originally Posted by michalh

Hi DAVE H..Sky have advised that as the Digisender has its own power supply,RF power is irrelevant as RF power is only relevant to the SKY Magic Eye cabled connector which takes its power fro RF.

Absolutely right.

Originally Posted by michalh

Secondly,although I was sent a replacement IR extender it still doesnt work with the latest SKY+HD Box as I cant get the channels to change from a remote position.So there is a question for AEI who advertise that thier DG400 will work with SKY+HD boxes mine doesnt.
I there anyone out there that has the latest DRX 890 STB and has an AEI DIgisender that fully works with SKY Remotes?
I would like to hear from them

This is very strange, although I do remember reading the specifications of another sender some years ago when I was looking to buy one, and it specifically said that it wouldn't work with cable boxes.
I thought this very strange at the time, but it may be something to do with the type or infra-red signal they produce.
I'm afraid I don't know enough about that to really comment.
Did you do the camera check to confirm that the sender is actually relaying the remote commands?

[AlphaK]

The "IR extender " you refer to - is this the actual sender unit i.e. the unit that plugs into the SKY box via scart or is it the small flexy cable that transmits the remote signals from the sender unit to the SKY box so that you do not have to have the sender unit itself sat in front of the SKY box ?
If it is the small flexy cable , have you tried removing it and checking whether the sender unit itself works via its own IR .

[michalh]

Originally Posted by Dave-H

Absolutely right.

This is very strange, although I do remember reading the specifications of another sender some years ago when I was looking to buy one, and it specifically said that it wouldn't work with cable boxes.
I thought this very strange at the time, but it may be something to do with the type or infra-red signal they produce.
I'm afraid I don't know enough about that to really comment.
Did you do the camera check to confirm that the sender is actually relaying the remote commands?

AEI the makers of my DG400 Digisender specifically claim that this unit will work with SKY+HD Receivers and that as the latest models dont have the same wide spread to pick up the remote signals its more difficult to adjust the remote sensor ! If that makes sense.And very difficult when you are on your own trying to be in two places at once ie upstairs and downstairs,as AEI say its a two person job! Thats why I haven't as yet been able to test out your Digital Camera idea!

[michalh]

Originally Posted by AlphaK

The "IR extender " you refer to - is this the actual sender unit i.e. the unit that plugs into the SKY box via scart or is it the small flexy cable that transmits the remote signals from the sender unit to the SKY box so that you do not have to have the sender unit itself sat in front of the SKY box ?
If it is the small flexy cable , have you tried removing it and checking whether the sender unit itself works via its own IR .

.YOU are correct,my Sender/Transmitter unit plugs into the back of the SKY STB via a Scart,there is a thin wire cable which has a Prism shaped I+R Technik System Sensor
which has to be positioned in front of the Remote Sensor of the STB[where the Remote Control is pointed at to turn on/off ,change channels,adjust volume etc.
According to AEI its more critical with the latest SKY STBs to get the position correctly[takes two people]as the Remote Sensor on the STB has a much narrower field than the older STBS such as SAMSUNG PACE THOMSON & AMSTRAD..Not sure what you mean by disconnecting the small flexy cable from the Transmitter/Sender Unit..etc etc.. can you expand on that? Reply appreciated Michael

[Dave-H]

Originally Posted by michalh

AEI the makers of my DG400 Digisender specifically claim that this unit will work with SKY+HD Receivers and that as the latest models dont have the same wide spread to pick up the remote signals its more difficult to adjust the remote sensor ! If that makes sense.And very difficult when you are on your own trying to be in two places at once ie upstairs and downstairs,as AEI say its a two person job! Thats why I haven't as yet been able to test out your Digital Camera idea!

Ah, didn't realise that you were on your own!
You could temporarily move the AEI unit from the bedroom to the lounge and try it.
The fact that the two AEI units are in the same room wouldn't invalidate the test, as you're just checking that a remote command sent to the bedroom unit is being repeated at the IR emitter connected to the lounge unit.

The lounge unit may have its own built in IR emitter, with the plug-in IR emitter extender which you put in front of the box as an option. If that is the case, what AlphaK is suggesting is that you disconnect the extended emitter and see if the emitter in the unit will talk to the box.
The instructions should tell you if the emitter extender has to be used, in which case the unit probably hasn't got one built in.

[michalh]

I am sure that the Digisender DG400 is working ok,as its receiving signals remotely from upstairs as I have reinstalled my old Amstrad DRX280 STB!

Originally Posted by Dave-H

Ah, didn't realise that you were on your own!
You could temporarily move the AEI unit from the bedroom to the lounge and try it.
The fact that the two AEI units are in the same room wouldn't invalidate the test, as you're just checking that a remote command sent to the bedroom unit is being repeated at the IR emitter connected to the lounge unit.

The lounge unit may have its own built in IR emitter, with the plug-in IR emitter extender which you put in front of the box as an option. If that is the case, what AlphaK is suggesting is that you disconnect the extended emitter and see if the emitter in the unit will talk to the box.
The instructions should tell you if the emitter extender has to be used, in which case the unit probably hasn't got one built in.

[Dave-H]

Originally Posted by michalh

I am sure that the Digisender DG400 is working ok,as its receiving signals remotely from upstairs as I have reinstalled my old Amstrad DRX280 STB!

Ah, well I think that's pretty conclusive!
Why it works with the old box but not the new one is a mystery.
I assume you've tried putting the IR transmitter of the sender right up against the front of the box, trying all the way along it?
(I'm pretty sure that the box's IR receiver is on the left hand side, but I'm not sure exactly where.)
Do you know anyone else with the same new Amstrad/Sky box which you could try your sender with?

[AlphaK]

Originally Posted by Dave-H

The lounge unit may have its own built in IR emitter, with the plug-in IR emitter extender which you put in front of the box as an option. If that is the case, what AlphaK is suggesting is that you disconnect the extended emitter and see if the emitter in the unit will talk to the box.
The instructions should tell you if the emitter extender has to be used, in which case the unit probably hasn't got one built in.

Dave -H is correct , I was trying to rule out a faulty extender.
However it seems that you do appear to have a STB incompatability despite what AEI claim , or perhaps as suggested it is just that you haven't found the correct alignment yet which I understand is very difficult for you to do on your own.

[michalh]

Originally Posted by Dave-H

Ah, well I think that's pretty conclusive!
Why it works with the old box but not the new one is a mystery.
I assume you've tried putting the IR transmitter of the sender right up against the front of the box, trying all the way along it?
(I'm pretty sure that the box's IR receiver is on the left hand side, but I'm not sure exactly where.)
Do you know anyone else with the same new Amstrad/Sky box which you could try your sender with?

The DRX890 IR Receiver is actually on the right hand side of the STB next to the ON/Standby light and it appears to be much smaller than on my old DRX280 STB which has its IR Receiver left of Centre,its also been suggested elsewhere that I try positioning the Digisender IR Remote about 3" away from the STB IR Receiver and move it gradually in towards the STB! What a PHAFF!!Someone else also suggested making sure that the TV downstairs above the SKY STB was switched off completely but im not entirely sure what effect that is supposed to have,other than to eliminatethe possibility of THE TVs IR Receiver somehow interfering with the IR Receiver on the STB?
michael PS .Unfortunately I dont know anyone else locally with the same SKY STB .

[michalh]

Originally Posted by AlphaK

Dave -H is correct , I was trying to rule out a faulty extender.
However it seems that you do appear to have a STB incompatability despite what AEI claim , or perhaps as suggested it is just that you haven't found the correct alignment yet which I understand is very difficult for you to do on your own.

Agree.. AEI aren't the most helpful organisation to deal with,but I hope that they are right though!
I will try and get some help and persevere with it !..TKS Michael

[Dave-H]

Thanks for the clarification on the position of the IR receiver on the box. It's obviously changed from the older models.
I assume there is no UHF cable between the lounge and the bedroom? If there was you could just use a "magic eye" for the remote control of course and use the sender just for the pictures and sound.

[michalh]

Originally Posted by Dave-H

Thanks for the clarification on the position of the IR receiver on the box. It's obviously changed from the older models.
I assume there is no UHF cable between the lounge and the bedroom? If there was you could just use a "magic eye" for the remote control of course and use the sender just for the pictures and sound.

Someone has advised me having taken there STB apart to install a larger Hard Drive the the IR Receiver on the latest Slimline Sky+HD DRX890 STB is actually hidden behind the silver strip on the rounded front facia just to the left and outside the central circular display and is not the wireless symbol with flashing LED to the Left of the Standby/On Light!!!
So if this is the case its no wonder why my remote extender IR device was not sending a Signal to the IR Receiver on the STB!!Why on earth Sky dont give any details in the Booklet Happy Days is a Mystery as I can honestly say that I have not been having Happy Days trying to set my equipment up!! Michael.NB I have not yet had the time to try this!!

[sodafountain]

As you still have your old box, and your old remote, that remote should work with the new Sky box (give it a try while in the same room).

If so, try that remote with the digisender (as you know that remote works through the digisender, having tried it with your old box), if it works, you then know it is a remote problem, if it doesn't, well, back to the drawing board.