TV, Cable, DVD and Garage Remote have stopped responding

[funkymonkey1111]

all at the same time. i assume this is some sort of interference (RF? infrared?)--is there any type of instrument that can detect a source?

no new electronics in the house. have checked the TV/Cable/DVD remotes with the cell phone camera and they're all lighting up.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

EMP. [panic]

Sorry I had too. Good luck getting your stuff fixed.

[Irving]

EMP. [panic]

Sorry I had too. Good luck getting your stuff fixed.

Beat me to it!

I was thinking maybe a neighbor put up a HAM radio antenna or something, but I don't think that is the same frequency. Might be something to look into.

[ChunkyMonkey]

all at the same time. i assume this is some sort of interference (RF? infrared?)--is there any type of instrument that can detect a source?

no new electronics in the house. have checked the TV/Cable/DVD remotes with the cell phone camera and they're all lighting up.

Big white NSA scanning truck parked outside?

[clublights]

Damn Aliens!

I personally welcome our new Alien overlords.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Damn Aliens!

I personally welcome our new Alien overlords.

Gracias, amigo! me conseguir una taza de cafe por favor!

[Persocon]

tv cable and dvd is infrared, not sure how they jam that, and if it's related to garage remote which is radio frequency in the 300Mhz range

[newracer]

http://blog.chron.com/sciguy/files/2013/08/mf-130103-2814287094487938560.png

[Gman]

Time for some new batteries.

[Great-Kazoo]

trip a circuit?

[def90]

Fluorescent and LED light bulbs will cause interference/jam IR ports on AV equipment.

[Aloha_Shooter]

The first three are probably IR remotes while the latter is RF. Is there a window now streaming light onto your entertainment center? What about dust or pet fur in the air or in front of the ports? Any possibility melting ice (or other source) of water is tripping your GFCI?

[funkymonkey1111]

The first three are probably IR remotes while the latter is RF. Is there a window now streaming light onto your entertainment center? What about dust or pet fur in the air or in front of the ports? Any possibility melting ice (or other source) of water is tripping your GFCI?

Yes, new batteries in all. There's a possibility of fur, and I'll check that out, but I can't imagine the level of fur or dust that would cause these three items (DVD/TV/Cable box) all to act nutty essentially simultaneously.

They will work but you need to be about 6" from the box, and that doesn't always cut it.

I do have a new 75W LED bulb in a fixture directly underneath where the items have stopped working. I'll have to make sure that isn't the culprit, but that light wasn't on the entire time this interference occurred.

I haven't broken out the tin foil yet, but my first impression was "is someone f'ing with me?"

[newracer]

LED lights will cause interference, especially with garage door openers. I bet that is the problem.

[merl]

LED lights will cause interference, especially with garage door openers. I bet that is the problem.

What? Did they forget to put in a lowpass filter after the PWM control?

[newracer]

I just bought two new garage door openers for my new house. In the manual it specifically states to not use LED bulbs in the head unit. Maybe they would be OK if they are in the vicinity, I just went with CFL.

[trlcavscout]

Yes LED Floro will cause WiFi problems also. Their are apps to find WiFi signals but I haven't found one for finding interference yet. If you find one let me know.

[james_bond_007]

Garage door:

there is also the set of IR emitter/recevier sensors, about a foot or so off the floor by the door tracks, that are used for safety.
If they don't align and emit/detect a beam, the doors typically won't respond...ymmv.
Make sure they are not blocked or knocked out of position, or covered with dust etc.
(I once had a spider build a "nest" on one...)

For the IR stuff:
You can often use your cell phone or a CCD camera in video mode to see IR.
Try looking at your remote, as you hold down the channel, volume or other keys, through your sell phone or iPad, or CCD based video camera.
Has to be something that will repeat a code. On/Off etc. occurs too quickly to see it.
You should see some white dots.

If you have a WII, point it at the "sensor bar" to see what I'm talking about. You can see the 4 LED emitters in the "sensor bar".
(Note: The Wii "sensor bar" is just an IR emitter....there is no sensor in it...the sensor is ijn the controller...the "bar" does not have to be connected to the Wii---but I diverge [Coffee])

Also:
For the video stuff, is it going through a A/V receiver ?
If so, try hooking up directly as a "test".

As all the video stuff seemed to go "out", I'd look for something common.
Such as the cable from the A/V receiver to the TV, the A/V receiver itself, a universal remote, etc.

I'd also try to prove the remote was/was not the issue.
EX:
Do you only have ONE cable box ?
If you have two of the same kind (or if your neighbor has the same kind) , try the remote from Box A on Box B and vice versa.

Using a Universal Remote ? :
Try the original controller.

For the DVD, try hooking the DVD player directly to a tv/monitor, and use the original controller.

As mentioned, the TV/DVD/CABLE are typically IR.
To test them, you can create a "light shield" (long cardboard box with two ends open) and butt one end to the IR sensor on the device, and put the remote inside it and try to control it.
That should eliminate any outside interference, mentioned above.

Do you have pets or kids ?
Any chance a pet or kid got by the video wires and knocked them loose ?

Key to trouble shooting: Divide an conquer ---eliminate causes (prove certain things work) one by one.

Good luck.
Let us know what you find out....so we can provide more help.

[mackbamf]

I think you have a squadron of Prowlers constantly circling your house shutting you down. I can’t believe they haven’t shut off cell phone and wifi communications as well. They are probably just allowing those thru to monitor your every move...

[rockhound]

drop your weapons, they will be right there to collect... um help you

[Mtn.man]

Look for drones.

[SideShow Bob]

Look for drones.

Saw one today making a low pass (under 1,000 ft.) at Arapahoe & Parker, SE Cherrycreek State park area.

Must have just finished up its daily pass of funky monkey's place and heading back to Buckley AFB........

[Mtn.man]

And also ask the wife if any of here battery powered thingy's are working...

[clublights]

I think you have a squadron of Prowlers constantly circling your house shutting you down. I can’t believe they haven’t shut off cell phone and wifi communications as well. They are probably just allowing those thru to monitor your every move...


I think they have flown their last missions .. it's all about the Growler now!

[BPTactical]

Saw one today making a low pass (under 1,000 ft.) at Arapahoe & Parker, SE Cherrycreek State park area.

Must have just finished up its daily pass of funky monkey's place and heading back to Buckley AFB........

You do realize there is a RC Air park near there at CCSRA?

[SideShow Bob]

You do realize there is a RC Air park near there at CCSRA?

Yes, I know that, but Bill swore it was a drone................

[Irving]

I saw a drone by the Centennial airport this summer/fall. Unless it was an RC plane that was twice the size of my car. Well, I guess that's exactly what a drone is...

[mackbamf]

I think they have flown their last missions .. it's all about the Growler now!

My best friend growing up flew Prowlers for several years. He phased out to desk duty as the Growler's phased in. I would much rather fly the Growler... [rockon]

[MED]

My x had a remote jammer because of the kids. Neighbor with kids? This could be a possibility

[def90]

I saw a drone by the Centennial airport this summer/fall. Unless it was an RC plane that was twice the size of my car. Well, I guess that's exactly what a drone is...

They do exist..


http://www.hooked-on-rc-airplanes.com/images/scale-rc-airplanes12.jpg
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/Jw5OWalC4-4/0.jpg
http://www.teamflyingcircus.com/images/8/5/3/0/temflying-48-full.jpg
http://www.trentonrcflyers.com/largercplanes/c5lg.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5FjTcctkC4

[rbeau30]

If you were nearby Buckley I would say it is the Golfballs. LOL

[spqrzilla]

And also ask the wife if any of here battery powered thingy's are working...
Or if she stole batteries to get it working ...

[Aloha_Shooter]

Or if she stole batteries to get it working ...

Hahaha, forgot about that one but my nephews used to switch batteries from my mother's remotes so they could repower their Wii controllers all the time. Drove her nuts.