digibox remote control problem

[umit]

Hi all,

I have a Handan CV-3300 digibox, and the remote control started to not functioning. The problem is I'm not sure which one is broken: the remote control or the receiver itself. I have some doubts because at the beginning when the problem started the remote control was working again after rebooting the receiver...

Is there any way to understand which one is faulty? (without taking it to a repair shop!)

Are the remote control units sold separetely and where?

[AldenG]

If you have a non-SLR digital camera, particularly an older one, you may be able to see if the remote is responding to button presses by looking at the remote's LED through the electronic viewfinder on the camera. Compare the brightness of your digibox remote to some of your other remotes. With many cameras you will be able to see the LED flash in infrared despite the IR-blocking filter built into the camera.

If none of your remotes show visible flashes, then your IR blocker is too strong and you won't be able to use this method. But if you see flashes from some, you should see flashes from the digibox remote as well.

It's no guarantee the remote is sending properly but on the other hand if you see it isn't sending at all or is sending only sporadically or only for certain buttons, then you know you've got a problem in the remote.

[Jukka Aho]

The problem is I'm not sure which one is broken: the remote control or the receiver itself. [...] Is there any way to understand which one is faulty? (without taking it to a repair shop!)

Surely you have some sort of a CCD camera (a digital still camera, a webcam connected to your computer or integrated to your laptop, a video camera, a toy camera integrated to your mobile phone, etc.) in the house? Point the remote towards one of those cameras and press the buttons. Even though IR light is not visible to the naked eye you should see the IR led flashing whitish-blue/whitish-purple light in the recorded images, or in the viewfinder image, if the remote is still functioning. (Test this with another remote which is known to work first.)

Are the remote control units sold separetely and where?

If you want a genuine spare part, try contacting the importer or their service center... they might have those available.

If that fails, universal remotes can be found in nearly every store that sells consumer electronics... but the cheap, pre-programmed universal remotes may not necessarily support your particular STB make and model (better check out the list of supported devices/manufacturers on the backside of the packaging)... and even if they do, the support may be limited only to basic functionality.

A better alternative in that case would be a programmable remote. These come in two flavors: those which can be programmed by "teaching" them from the original remote (or an identical remote borrowed from someone for the purpose) and those which can be programmed and upgraded using a computer, or via the phone by calling to the manufacturer's support center.

[umit]

Wow! Thank you for that useful information guys. Now I know for sure that the remote control is broken...

A better alternative in that case would be a programmable remote.

Yeah, I know them but they are more expensive than my digibox I think I will buy a new box for 40-60e...

[AldenG]

Psst.

Don't throw rocks at me, but...

You HAVE changed the batteries in your remote to ones you know are new and working, right?

[umit]

Psst.

Don't throw rocks at me, but...

You HAVE changed the batteries in your remote to ones you know are new and working, right?

Hahah!!! Now, you don't throw rocks at me... I thought about writing this in my first post to rule out any suggestion about that, but it was more fun to see who will be the first Yeah, I checked the batteries.

[Jukka Aho]

Wow! Thank you for that useful information guys. Now I know for sure that the remote control is broken...

If you can't see the IR LED blinking in the recorded images, there might be a bad solder joint on the circuit board. Many remotes have the LED protruding from a hole in the case, unprotected, which makes the solder joints inside the case susceptible to mechanical wear and tear (as you handle the remote in day-to-day use and possibly occasionally touch or apply some force to the LED with your fingers.)

A better alternative in that case would be a programmable remote.

Yeah, I know them but they are more expensive than my digibox :shock: I think I will buy a new box for 40-60e...

OTOH, you'd be able to control both your TV set and the STB (possibly other devices too, such as the DVD player and a home theater setup) with the same remote then...