Remotes intermittently fail with Dish VIP 612

I had the same problem with a Bell ExpressVu 6141 HD receiver (Vip211k) after I upgraded to a 46" LCD ( Toshiba 46RV350U ). Some backlight settings made it worse. Turning on the DynaBright and Power saver modes killed all functioning of the DishNet remote. My remote usually works when DynaBright is Off and the Backlight settings on my TV are under 38 or over 64, ..but such backlight settings are giving me sub-par picture quality. I've been trying to find the cheapest solution.

The problem is, LCD & Plasma panels emit IR and some DishNet receivers are poorly designed at noise rejection. The best solution is to upgrade your receiver to one that uses the UHF remote or get the IR-to-UHF Pro Upgrade Kit from DishNet for $39.99 http://www.dishnetwork.com/support/accessories/ * check to see if your receiver is compatible with the IR-to-UHF Pro Upgrade Kit, some aren't.

-From the "IR-to-UHF Pro Upgrade Kit" Users manual
"Compatible DISH Network receivers include all models except Model 7100/7200 (DISHPlayer), Model HMDSR100RU (JVC-DVHS), Model 2000, Model 4000, and Model 5000.

-Here's the Manual http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads...eKit132327.pdf



There are other suggestions on many website forums such as...
-Putting blue painters tape over the IR port on the Receiver (Layers?)
-Ripping the red plastic IR windows off old remotes and taping them on the front IR reciever port with black electrical tape
-Moving the receiver further away from the TV
-Using your Cell phone camera to find unknown sources of IR interference, Look at the end of your remote too, see the white glow? thats IR
-Getting rid of the reflective Glass coffee table between the couch and the TV, or furniture with reflective metal legs...
-Getting rid of anything that could reflect the LCD's IR back to the DishNet Receiver. Some Glass windows and picture frame glass are IR reflective...Got Drapes?
-Paint your living room walls darker with a low gloss paint

I've tried all of the cheap suggestions except painting. Two pieces of old Remote IR plastic windows helpped a lot if we're within 4 feet of the receiver, but on some channels it still dies on us. Painters tape got things working at 3 feet or less, lol.

None of the cheap suggestions work well enough for me and none of them work when my TV is setup for best picture. I need to have 18 foot range so I can have breakfast at the dinning room table I'm awaiting delivery of the IR-to-UHF Pro Upgrade Kit. I hope it works!

You could also try a RF remote extender from here.. http://www.nextgenerationhomeproducts.com/1184331.html
This device modifies your existing IR remote into a RF remote by replacing one battery with a RF transmitter. There's a RF receiver that converts the RF signal back into IR that blast it into your receivers IR window with a little stick on emitter.

or

if you plan on placing all of your AV components into a closed cabinet, people report this works well at eliminating interference. LCD/CFL Proof IR Receiver Kit http://www.xantech.com/Infrared/Infr...ts/49085KITRP/

I have similar problem with a Harmony 670 and Dish 612. Out of curiosity, have you tried aiming the remote at the DVR from different directions?

In my case, if the remote is directly in front of, and perpendicular to the 612, the DVR responds reliably, but if the remote is aimed at the DVR from an angle, the response rate drops. That says to me the 612's IR collector lens has poor peripheral vision, responding only to IR directed toward it within a narrow angle.

Would like to know if you get this same response.