A20-RF1 Pairing Difficulty

[GWBaldwin]

Both of my A20-RF1 remotes do not seem to keep their pairing or at least not effectively.  After they have been paired, all is ok for a day or so, then a key on the remote needs to be repeatedly pressed before the command is accepted. 

I am using the pairing instructions starting on page 15 at 'D Home ID' of  the 'AT&T U-verse TV Point Anywhere RF Remote Control User Guide'.  The batteries have been changed.  One of the DVR units has been moved in direct sight of the remote.

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Have you tried resetting the codes by pressing the button on the USB dongle?

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

GWBaldwin - What makes you think they are loosing pairing? There are other opportunities for failure -

First, you want to be sure the STB is well hidden. No light or corrupting IR available to the STB.

I believe the RF signal is too weak. You can test this - Did you ever hear about extending the range of a car door opener by holding it under your your chin - using your head as an antenna? Do this with the U-verse remote. Much better RF.

Then there is the IR problem (just like normal remotes) Some IR sensors are too sensitive. Try placing black electrical tape on the shiny black surface to the right of the little green light in the middle. To the left of the arrow button. I have mine taped. Just tried removing the tape. Works better (almost good) with tape.

Your system could be slow. The RF/IR works but the software is slow. Make sure the DVR is connected to the RG via cat5. Preferably on the least used TV.

Let us know if you see any result from these suggestions.

[GWBaldwin]

spd2demun, is this the same as Step 1 of User Guide by 'hold the Pairing Button on the USB Converter until the blue...........'?  If not I'm confused.

Thanks for your help

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Yes, that is what I was talking about. 

After Step 1, did you try the other steps (next page) to set a new Home ID.  Did you get the sounds/flashes as stated in Step 5?

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GWBaldwin wrote:

spd2demun, is this the same as Step 1 of User Guide by 'hold the Pairing Button on the USB Converter until the blue...........'?  If not I'm confused.

Thanks for your help

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[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Something else to try, see if moving the dongle straight out helps.  Or move it to a different angle (from straight up).

[A-DB]

aviewer may have provided a possible answer to your problem. I was having trouble with the standard  IR remotes in one of the bedrooms. The STB often did not respond to anything I pressed. Sometimes it would respond with something completely random such as muting the box (not the TV) or entering a number (thus changing the channel). I just got the IF remote to see if it would resolve the problem. Initially it would only turn the STB on and no other functions work. After reading the reply by aviewer, I realized that the STB has been receiving IR interference all this time and it interferes whether I am using the IR remote or the RF remote.  As a test I used my hand to block the IR sensor on the STB, and the RF remote started functioning perfectly.

You don't have to hide the STB to fix the problem. You can do as I did an put a piece of electrical tape over the IR sensor on the black faceplate between the words "RECORD" and "MENU".

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

A-DB - I am glad you have your remote working well. I think no one has yet come up with a definitive solution.

My setup has one TV on IR and One on RF(hidden) for simultaneous viewing.. I have seen cases where the covering for the RF STB had a crack in it and it responded to the IR TV activity.

The black tape over the IR receiver was an original "solution" for IR problems. I have the RF STB hidden so that it does not see the IR signal. I also, have tape over the IR sensor to calm the IR generated by the RF dongle.

The hidden STB must receive IR, because that is how the RF remote works - RF between the remote & the dongle & IR between the dongle and the STB.

Tape does not guarantee blocking the signal, sometimes it works even better than without the tape.

I would say, in your case the tape is enough to block the interference. With the tape the IR remote might even work well.