Does your 622 change channels on you?

[bairdjc]

I have the following setup:
Slingbox, Dish DVR622 (uses IR and UHF remotes), TV

I had the slingbox setup with a DVR510 for a few weeks with no problems. I then bought a 622 and setup the slingbox to work on that.

Last week I was watching something with single mode enabled (meaning TV1 controls the box entirely and has PIP capability). Then it looked like someone was typing numbers on the keypad (I was the only one home). the numbers were 123 then after a pause 169 then 139. The channels were also going up in succession after that (like you're just browsing).

My first reaction was that the slingbox is doing something strange. So, I go to my PC, check out the box and find that nothing is out of the ordinary. I go to the router setup to disable the internet access to the slingbox. Symptoms end. I assumed that someone "hacked" into my SB (I checked my router logs too... but didn't find too much).

Fast forward to this week, today. I was watching House in single mode on a delay (that is... had it recording, came home about 15 minutes in and started watching behind live TV). Then it seems as if someone is typing 12 (etc.) into the unit and then I get the prompt "This request can only be carried out in live mode." Which I hit "cancel". This happens no less than another 12 times before the end of the program. WTF????

So NOW... since the slingbox is not connected to the internet, I have 4 failure options:
1) DVR622 unit itself
2) Slingbox unit itself
3) IR or UHF remotes
4) Other UHF signals

OK assuming that the DVR shouldn't be changing channels by itself (it's new) and that if there was a failure it would likely crash or do something other than just change channels unpredictably, then option #1 is gone. Option #2 is hard to test - I have thought of just unplugging the slingbox but as I said this wierd behaviour doesn't happen all the time or predicatbly. Also, the remotes are new.

That leaves me to suspect that maybe someone else near me (I live in a townhouse/condo) has a UHF remote and maybe my receiver is catching their remote? I should note that in the initial strangeness it seemed like I was fighting someone somewhere - I would do something and then the "other person" would "fight" right back. That's what led me to believe that it was the slingbox.

How "easy" is it for one UHF receiver to "catch" signals from a UHF remote and process them at least partially? Noone near me (within a few units on either side) has DISH but the neighbors have directv (unsure of their equip.). Could it be that they have a UHF unit and my DVR622 is intercepting some of their signals but cannot process ALL the commands given to it?

[Mark Lamutt]

Definitely sounds like someone using the same remote address as you. I don't know how the slingbox works - do you have the option of using a different remote address? Because that's what you're going to need to do to solve this. Either that, or figure out which neighbor you're conflicting with.

[James Long]

Follow Leslie Harper's advice from the Tech Forum (and Mark's above) ... change your remote address.
(Then reprogram you Slingbox so it still works.)

[bairdjc]

You can't reprogram the slingbox to use a different "channel" - it's IR so it either send the appropriate codes to the box or not. and unless the physical hardware is failing then the slingbox and 622 are OK.

I looked up info on how to change the remote address for the UHF remote last night... will try changing it later tonight.

It's my experience that the UHF remotes don't work all that well in my place - meaning it will work in my unit but might get sketchy if you are on the 2nd floor on the side of the unit away from the receiver. We also have cynder block firewalls between units so the effectiveness of aq uhf remote between units is probably quite diminished. I'll change the channel regardless though.

[David_Levin]

Probably a conflicting UHF remote. While I'm sure cinder block walls will diminish a signal they certainly will not stop them (now if you had metal walls....).

You could also have a defective remote (stuck button). Might want to pop out the batteries just to make sure.

What about the other 622 remote. There have been some good stories about spare remotes getting wedged between couch cushions... Other stories having to do with cats sitting on the remote... You get the idea.

[Jim5506]

When you are in single mode both your IR remote (1) and the UHF remote (2) will operate the unit, just change the remote address for UHF, it will not effect the slingbox's IR control of your 622.