Polaris URC1090 remote interferes with neighbor's TV

[ianh227]

Remote:  Polaris URC1090 – URC Support

My parent lives in a senior home sharing a room with another person.  Both have Ignite TV.   If we use the default IgniteTV remote control, everything works fine.    We recently received a Polaris URC1090 remote with larger buttons to make it easier for old folks to use.  We were able to pair the Polaris remote the TV , however, it also ended up interfering with the other person's TV as well, ie.  pressing change channel on the remote will change the channels on both TVs.

We contacted Rogers Support but didn't get anywhere.   Has anyone else experienced this or know of a solution? 

Thanks in advance

[57]

Here are my comments.

The Rogers IgniteTV remotes (XR-15/11) are RF to the IgniteTV box and can be "paired" with a specific box.  It doesn't change channels on the TV, but rather on the IgniteTV box.  It is not controlling the TV, although It can turn the TV on/off or adjust volume, or TV Input via IR signals from the XR remote.

The Polaris remote is IR and is not actually "paired" with any box so when it sends out the IR signals they are "heard" by any nearby box.  It may be possible to put up a "shield" or aim the remote at a specific box, but if the IgniteTV boxes are in the same room this may always be problematic.  If the TVs themselves use the same IR codes, then this remote will also turn on/off both TVs or control volume on both TVs. If the TVs are different makes/models, then there may not be any "interference" with the TVs, but there will always be interference with the IgniteTV boxes.

The XR remotes have lots of voice functionality.  It may be possible for these seniors to use the voice commands instead of pressing buttons. For example, say "channel 6" into the voice remote instead of pressing buttons.  See link below

https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/voice-command-tips

[Gdkitty]

Might be sort of a HACK.. but a way that might be able to sort of help the situation, with using the big button one.

Like 57 said, its using IR, and likely its picking up the signal off the side of whats broadcasting from the remote. 
Try sticking a piece of paper, to the side of the other persons rogers box.. and can see if it blocks the signal coming from your side.

[-G-]

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@Gdkitty wrote:

Might be sort of a HACK.. but a way that might be able to sort of help the situation, with using the big button one.

Like 57 said, its using IR, and likely its picking up the signal off the side of whats broadcasting from the remote. 
Try sticking a piece of paper, to the side of the other persons rogers box.. and can see if it blocks the signal coming from your side.

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The IR receivers on Xi6 set-top boxes are VERY directional.  You need to point an IR remote directly at the STB for it to receive the signal.  If the neighbouring STB is picking up the signal, I don't think that there is much that you can do to shield it.

If the neighbours in the room are using the Ignite voice remotes, the simpler solution would be to reorient their set-top box so that it does not pick up the IR signal.