Sky HD+ Box Keeps Changing Channels By itself

pontyman

Wonder if anybody else has had this problem.

Our Sky HD+ box changes channel all by itself maybe 3 times every day. It has been reset a few times over the last few weeks and the batteries in the remote control have been changed but all in vain.

This happens when we are watching live television or recordings - it makes no difference.

I mentioned this to Sky technical helpline a couple of months ago but they had never heard of it before and suggested I might try another remote control (at my cost!). Not tried this yet but wondered if anyone else had any ideas!

Heinz

The Ch- or Ch+ button stuck down on the remote?

Try leaving the batteries out of the remote and see if it still changes channels (yes, you'll have to reprogram it with the TV code when you put them back in).

[Deleted User]

pontyman wrote: »

I mentioned this to Sky technical helpline a couple of months ago but they had never heard of it before and suggested I might try another remote control (at my cost!). Not tried this yet but wondered if anyone else had any ideas!

I'm afraid the remotes do wear out over time. You can buy them relatively cheaply from supermarkets.
Does sound like some of the buttons are stuck...

blakula

That sounds alarming. However I'm definitely showing this thread to my wife when she catches me watching something I shouldn't be

blakula

Although, I've just realised that by posting that in this thread I've ruined my brilliant excuse

pontyman

Although, I've just realised that by posting that in this thread I've ruined my brilliant excuse


Nice one!!

I have taken the remote control out of the room and left it there and it still did it eventually (saved me re-programming the remote control)!!!

[Deleted User]

pontyman wrote: »

I have taken the remote control out of the room and left it there and it still did it eventually (saved me re-programming the remote control)!!!

This suggests that there is some kind of other interference in the room. Do you have a portable phone or charging unit close to the TV perhaps? Other remotes(unlikely)?

jackthenipper

Is someone playing a practical joke with the app for iPad where you can change channel?

Nilrem

It won't be radio interference as Sky remotes (like pretty much every remote control used in residential homes*) is an IR one.

What it could be is something like a low energy bulb that is flickering at just about the same frequency the remote works at, or even depending on the TV, the output from the CCFL's lighting an LCD screen.
It used to be a problem with VM boxes with early cheaper model LCD displays, usually solved by either moving the VM box, or putting a small "shield" of card so it overhung the IR receiver on the STB, like a porch over a front door (thus stopping the stray IR interference from the TV above the STB).

Does it happen mainly at night/when the lights are on?
Or when a lamp is on?



*Radio remotes are much more expensive to make, so tend to only be used when you're dealing with stuff out of line of sight.

prowla

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

This suggests that there is some kind of other radio interference in the room. Do you have a portable phone or charging unit close to the TV perhaps? Other remotes(unlikely)?

The remote is IR, not radio.

However, laptops with IRDA ports can send signals. It is also possible that the TV remote could have codes that match Sky's.

[Deleted User]

prowla wrote: »

The remote is IR, not radio.

I meant interference generally, though I accept it won't be a portable phone at fault.