How to test a remote control?

J

Jeßus

Guest
I have an STB here, and either the box itself is no longer receiving the
remote's signal, or the remote itself is stuffed.

I suppose I could find one on display somewhere and test it... the
question is where though!

I have an ir port on the laptop, and an USB one on my htpc - neither
seem to respond in any way when I try to fire a signal from the remote
their way.

Bloody warranty expired last month... I never use the thing and so only
found out when it was too late. Bah.

Any ideas on how I could test this to determine which has the problem?

Tnx,

--
/J/
 
"Jeßus"
I have an STB here, and either the box itself is no longer receiving the
remote's signal, or the remote itself is stuffed.

I suppose I could find one on display somewhere and test it... the
question is where though!
Click to expand...

** You can use a portable AM radio.

Tune the radio between stations, hold the RC close and press the buttons and
a strong buzzing & clicking noise should emanate from the speaker of the
radio.

This will show if the IR transmitting led is receiving current pulses.

It will not show if the IR carrier frequency has gone out of tolerance.




.......... Phil
 
Jeßus wrote:

Any ideas on how I could test this to determine which has the problem?
Click to expand...
You can tell if an IR remote control is putting out an IR signal by
pointing it at a digital camera that has an LCD viewer.

Of course, you can't tell if it's the *right* signal, but usually if the
remote is putting out anything at all, it's okay.

Peter
 
"Pete" <pjetson@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:42ec7ad1@news.eftel.com...
Jeßus wrote:

Any ideas on how I could test this to determine which has the problem?

You can tell if an IR remote control is putting out an IR signal by
pointing it at a digital camera that has an LCD viewer.

Of course, you can't tell if it's the *right* signal, but usually if the
remote is putting out anything at all, it's okay.
Click to expand...
**Only if that camera has a CCD sensor. CMOS sensors do not respond to
infra-red.


--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
 
Trevor Wilson wrote:

**Only if that camera has a CCD sensor. CMOS sensors do not respond to
infra-red.
Click to expand...
Good point.

Do any brand name digital cameras use CCD sensors? I thought only the
real cheapies did, although now that I've seen Kodak CCD digital cameras
selling for under $100, I'm not sure what a "real cheapie" is any more...

Peter
 
there are "credit card" size that work and don't need batterys
e.g.
http://www.monacor.dk/shop/produkt_blad.php?varenr=300130
I got mine from Trade Tech NZ for about $25
maybe WES has them.


if you take the unit apart, you can replace the infra red LED with a
standard visible LED to test the transmitter section is working OK



Jeßus <_._@ii.net> wrote in message
news:11eot6c5uee0u78@corp.supernews.com...
I have an STB here, and either the box itself is no longer receiving the
remote's signal, or the remote itself is stuffed.

I suppose I could find one on display somewhere and test it... the
question is where though!

I have an ir port on the laptop, and an USB one on my htpc - neither
seem to respond in any way when I try to fire a signal from the remote
their way.

Bloody warranty expired last month... I never use the thing and so only
found out when it was too late. Bah.

Any ideas on how I could test this to determine which has the problem?

Tnx,

--
/J/
 
"Jeßus" <_._@ii.net> wrote in message
news:11eot6c5uee0u78@corp.supernews.com...
I have an STB here, and either the box itself is no longer
receiving the
remote's signal, or the remote itself is stuffed.

I suppose I could find one on display somewhere and test
it... the
question is where though!

I have an ir port on the laptop, and an USB one on my
htpc - neither
seem to respond in any way when I try to fire a signal
from the remote
their way.

Bloody warranty expired last month... I never use the
thing and so only
found out when it was too late. Bah.

Any ideas on how I could test this to determine which has
the problem?

Tnx,

--
/J/
Click to expand...
Do any of your other remotes have a learning function. If
they learn a function they usually give an OK signal and if
they don't then they give an error signal.

TT
 
Pete wrote:
Trevor Wilson wrote:

**Only if that camera has a CCD sensor. CMOS sensors do not respond to
infra-red.


Good point.

Do any brand name digital cameras use CCD sensors? I thought only the
real cheapies did, although now that I've seen Kodak CCD digital cameras
selling for under $100, I'm not sure what a "real cheapie" is any more...

Peter
Click to expand...

CMOS sensors ARE a type of CCD, it's just a different fabrication
technique. My CMOS camera responds almost too well to IR: a furnace
glowing dull red show up as a white/pink bright on the camera pics.
 
"Pete" <pjetson@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:42ec823f@news.eftel.com...

Do any brand name digital cameras use CCD sensors? I thought only the
real cheapies did, although now that I've seen Kodak CCD digital cameras
selling for under $100, I'm not sure what a "real cheapie" is any more...
Click to expand...
Yes, Many. Last time I checked a remote it was with an expensive DSLR. Maybe
two months ago.


AJS
 
Jeßus wrote:
I have an STB here, and either the box itself is no longer receiving the
remote's signal, or the remote itself is stuffed.

I suppose I could find one on display somewhere and test it... the
question is where though!

I have an ir port on the laptop, and an USB one on my htpc - neither
seem to respond in any way when I try to fire a signal from the remote
their way.

Bloody warranty expired last month... I never use the thing and so only
found out when it was too late. Bah.

Any ideas on how I could test this to determine which has the problem?
Click to expand...
Update:
I got a reply on another NG, to try a digital camera, anything with a
CCD... I had a webcam running, fired the remote and the white light was
plainly visible through the webcam. So that means it's the STB that has
the problem (I'd rather it was the remote!)

Thanks for all the replies, I'll read them all anyway :)

Cheers,

--
/J/
Stuffing around with the web cam again:
http://members.ii.net/~iijeebz/ii.jpg
 
TT wrote:

<snip>

Do any of your other remotes have a learning function. If
they learn a function they usually give an OK signal and if
they don't then they give an error signal.
Click to expand...
That's another good idea, yeah, I have a couple of learning remotes but
completely forgot about them :)
In the end I tested the remote through a web cam... the remote is working.

Thanks,


--
/J/
Stuffing around with the web cam again:
http://members.ii.net/~iijeebz/ii.jpg
 
"Pete" <pjetson@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:42ec823f@news.eftel.com...
Trevor Wilson wrote:

**Only if that camera has a CCD sensor. CMOS sensors do not respond to
infra-red.

Good point.

Do any brand name digital cameras use CCD sensors?
Click to expand...
**Canon. You can pay AUS$3k for a Canon which employs a CMOS sensor.



--
Trevor Wilson
www.rageaudio.com.au
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Welcome to EDABoard.com

Sponsor

Back
Top