ViP722k IR Extender not working

I just had dish installed yesterday. Switched from direct, and now I have the same problem. The # 1 remote has to be straight on to work. All my other componounts work fine and have on the same set up for a few years.

I know that it is the remote, because my IR sensor has a light that is very dim while useing the Dish remote.

I did try the # 2 ir/fm remote, and it does send a stronger signal from an angle, not sure if it can be progragmed to control box 1 or not yet. I am just judging remote 2 on the brightness of my light.

remote 2 (strong) is 21.0 IR/UHF PRO
remote 1 (weak) is 20.0 IR

I haven't seen the 20/21 remotes, but all earlier remotes have a very strong IR signal. If you have to be straight on to get it to work, then my guess is that there is some source of interference. HDTVs from several manufacturers are known for causing such IR remote trouble.

I personally use two UHF Pro 6.3 remotes for my 722, and two UHF Pro 6.0 remotes for my 625 back in the day. The receivers handle them fine on TV1, and they're too cheap to make other solutions viable. IMHO.

I use a projector so no interferance, plus i have a hand full of ir remotes that all work great.

I do have an extra ir/uhf Dish remote, but I do not know how to set it up to control TV1 on the 722.

I pulled the tab and flipped it from 2 to 1, that didnt work though. I even tried switching it to IR, as it is sending a stronger signal then the straight IR remote is.

Well, I don't remember exactly how to do that either. Flipping the key over probably switched it from IR to UHF, depending upon which remote you have. But you need to navigate to the System Info menu and hit the remote's Record button to get the receiver to take a new address or communications mode. Since your IR remote and your UHF remote are likely both set to channel 1, you also need to get one or the other off that channel or you will never be able to change TV1 into UHF mode. Changing channels on the remote IIRC is done as follows: hold down the Sat button until all red lights flash. Press the new channel number, followed by the pound sign. You should see 3 flashes and the remote is reprogrammed.

If I'm not remembering correctly, this is all in your users manual.

I think there are issues with some extenders working with the Dish 722 box because it uses a dual bandwith, or something like that. I used a monprice one, and it worked for everything but my dish box... I am currently looking for a compatilbe extender/repeater.

It is SO MUCH EASIER to get a Dish UHF remote that WILL work. And you do not need to keep the UHF antenna on the receiver - use a length of coax to put it where it will work best.

yeah, i saw that one can make a change on the dish box so that both tuners are controlled via uhf (instead of one on IR) however I am using a harmony remote in my "room 2" so I need everything to be IR.

Thanks for the tip on extending the UHF attena though, I will do this to help reception in "room 1".

Is there a limit to the length of coax before I reach diminishing return? I would have to run up wall and into attic to get the antenna closer to the second tv.

Hope I'm not hijacking this thread but I have a VIP722k and am looking to extend the range of the RF remote #2 also.

What are my options?
I searched for a RF extender but all seem to be IR to RF to IR...?

Don't forget you can put that antenna onto the same coax as your TV2 RF line, and split it back out at your TV. You can also set aside the little stubby antenna and put a more substantial antenna in it's place. I personally stuck a Silver Seven on my 722 remote antenna input.