Known MCE Compatible Sky Digiboxes

[Tezdread]

Hi all,

after a frustratingly long time trying to get my MCE remote to work with my Sony digibox and wearing away the sticky off both the red eyes I hit a dead end...I don't know if it's the MS IR receiver, the red eyes or the digibox.

I'm now trying to buy a new MS IR receiver and additional red eyes as that's the cheapest option but I would like to know if anyone else uses the Sony VTX S750U with MCE?

Also what Sky Digiboxes do you use? I'm looking for a silver one in particular but if you could let me know any digibox that works with MCE it may help.

Last thing...I output to RGB so you don't think this could be causing any issues do you?

[Ch0pper]

I use 2 Grundig GDS3000 boxes..

Silver and sweet looking with an S-Video out for that extra juiciness in picture quality to your PC..

The S-Video out is hard to come by on Sky Digiboxes.. You can get 2nd hand ones for abour 30quid on ebay but stick to reputable sellers.. Buying second hand electronics can be hit and miss on ebay but I'm glad to say I've been lucky enough to have 3 good specimins that I won in auctions there (I stock a spare just in case. At that price, why not?).

[Tezdread]

Interesting...SVideo better than SCART? Do you still have to use a RGB Converter?

[Tezdread]

I'm guessing that if its SVideo to SVideo there's no need for an RGB converter but is the picture as good?

anyone used the Amstrad DRX400 with MCE?

[nigelbb]

All standard Sky digiboxes use the same IR codes & the same remote. So all are compatible with MCE.

[boez]

Originally Posted by Tezdread

I'm now trying to buy a new MS IR receiver and additional red eyes as that's the cheapest option but I would like to know if anyone else uses the Sony VTX S750U with MCE?

Also what Sky Digiboxes do you use? I'm looking for a silver one in particular but if you could let me know any digibox that works with MCE it may help.

I have a Sony digibox (not sure of the exact model - at work the mo) in silver and use it successfully with a MS IR red eye. You do have to have the red eye *very* closed to the receiver however.

In fact I have two 'red-eyes' attached to the digibox, the MCE one and another from a video sender. Both work successfully even with the remote sender switched on.

I output from the digibox in both composite (to the video sender) and RGB (to a sweetspot RGB capture card) and again no problems here.

HTH
Andy

<Edit>
ps Just re-read your message and something struck me. You're not using the sticky pad on the back of the red-eye to stick it onto the reciever are you? You need to have the red bit pointing into the receiver. I use a bit of bluetac on the wire to hold mine.

[Tezdread]

Originally Posted by nigelbb

All standard Sky digiboxes use the same IR codes & the same remote. So all are compatible with MCE.

guess that rules out the digibox being at fault then as the IR works perfectly on the d'box itself with the normal remote.

Originally Posted by boez

I have a Sony digibox (not sure of the exact model - at work the mo) in silver and use it successfully with a MS IR red eye. You do have to have the red eye *very* closed to the receiver however.

In fact I have two 'red-eyes' attached to the digibox, the MCE one and another from a video sender. Both work successfully even with the remote sender switched on.

I output from the digibox in both composite (to the video sender) and RGB (to a sweetspot RGB capture card) and again no problems here.

HTH
Andy

<Edit>
ps Just re-read your message and something struck me. You're not using the sticky pad on the back of the red-eye to stick it onto the reciever are you? You need to have the red bit pointing into the receiver. I use a bit of bluetac on the wire to hold mine.

How close is *very* close? I sit about 8 foot away from the tv/d'box etc so if I have to get up and walk over to the thing.........

I think both the sony d'boxes are visually the same and the IR receivers are in the same place on both models (that I've seen) the IR therefore is on the left with two other receivers::: message | remote command | online

I removed the plastic covering the sticky side and stuck the red eye over the remote command section. But it appears that you're saying this is wrong?

If so, why is there sticky? Is it like this on all d'boxes?
I'm confused

[boez]

Originally Posted by Tezdread

How close is *very* close? I sit about 8 foot away from the tv/d'box etc so if I have to get up and walk over to the thing.........:

Lol! No I said the red-eye needs to be very close! I find actually having it touching the IR receiver on the digibox is best.

Originally Posted by Tezdread

I removed the plastic covering the sticky side and stuck the red eye over the remote command section. But it appears that you're saying this is wrong?

If so, why is there sticky? Is it like this on all d'boxes?
I'm confused

Yeah its wrong and yeah its very confusing! You need the red plastic rounded side pointing directly into the IR receiver on the digibox. I dont know why they made that other side sticky, perhaps to attach to the video cabinet or somewhere.

ps An alternative solution generally seen as more robust is :

http://www.pacelink.co.uk/rf2link.htm

A search on these forums shows that some people still do have problems though.

HTH
Andy

[nigelbb]

Originally Posted by boez

Yeah its wrong and yeah its very confusing! You need the red plastic rounded side pointing directly into the IR receiver on the digibox. I dont know why they made that other side sticky, perhaps to attach to the video cabinet or somewhere.

Sorry but this is wrong. You peel the tape off & put the sticky side onto the digibox. That is how it is designed to be fixed.

[boez]

Originally Posted by nigelbb

Sorry but this is wrong. You peel the tape off & put the sticky side onto the digibox. That is how it is designed to be fixed.

Ok I stand corrected. But in this case it must be ok both ways as I find mine works without problems with the non-sticky side towards the receiver. Lol! That would explain why it was sticky

[Tezdread]

I thought it was a bit stange having the sticky if it wasn't to be used
The rf2link is almost the same price as a new remote control kit!
anyone know of anywhere cheaper than £22.90 (inc tax and p&p) ?

[jonsayers]

do not stick the IR Blaster over the sensor, think about it, it's directional like your remote. If you stick the sticky part over the lens then the signal is firing up into the air. Thats not to say it doesn't work in some cases as it may bounce around and get to the lens but it should be stuck facing forward as close as possbile (1 - 2 ") near the sky box. Mine is basically stuck on the wooden shelf in front of the sky box. Though I've seen some people who use a lump of bluetack stuck to the front of the box to make it face forwards rather than up in the air.

Also to confirm all Sky boxes use the same remote, so they will all work with MCE. I've always had Pace boxes and they've all worked fine.

HTH