Igloo STB far from perfect.

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fredfootfree

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#114829 4-Mar-2013 17:12

I have purchased an igloo set-top box. Manufacturer of these units is Pace. I also have a Samsung Smart TV which comes with a smart universal remote control - designed to access all set top box and blue ray units. Unfortunately, it will not recognise the igloo (Pace) unit. Samsung say it's not their problem and only igloo can fix it. Igloo don't seem to want to do anything about it. Suprising really for an outfit trying to establish themselves in the market. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Another igloo problem is the power down function. Options are turn off after 4 hours, or never. The four hour option works fine, butby selecting 'never' the set will turn off approx 4 a.m. every day. Igloo are trying to fix that one. Pity about the incompatability with Samsung remote though.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#774438 4-Mar-2013 17:17

The remote control is really a Samsung problem. These remotes use codes to know how to control other devices. If they don't keep their code lists updated then they can't control new devices.

As for the 4am sleep, they say it's for "updates". But it is not like they have updates every day and why the Igloo can't just restart when needed, if needed is not clear.

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fredfootfree

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#774450 4-Mar-2013 17:30

That's what I thought but the Samsung people I spoke to on two separate occasions were adamant that only Igloo can fix this, presumably by changing their code, but tigloo aren't interested. It amazes, when Samsung are making such a big deal of their fancy new Smart remote, and obviously igloo are chasing new business. If only they did something seriously extreme - like talking to each other.

freitasm

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#774451 4-Mar-2013 17:32

Why should Igloo change their codes, if the Samsung remote is the one that has to conform to other company's products? Hmmmm.

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Zeon

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#774453 4-Mar-2013 17:33

I thought it worked via HDMI with controls being passed from the TV to the device?

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freitasm

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#774454 4-Mar-2013 17:34

Wait, isn't the remote control a "universal" IR control, like everyone else does?

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fredfootfree

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#774460 4-Mar-2013 17:53

That's what Samsung call it, but they claim the igloo STB is incompatable with it and only igloo can fix it. Beats me why it's so difficult - they're all infra-red devices.

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nickb800

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#774502 4-Mar-2013 18:57

My best guess would be that its based on HDMI-CEC, not a traditional IR universal remote (remote signal goes from the remote control to the TV via IR, and the TV should pass on relevant signals to the Igloo box via HDMI) This function was not supported by the Pace MySky HDi units afaik, so no surprises that the Igloo box doesn't support it

Has the OP successfully got the Samsung remote function to work on any other devices?

fredfootfree

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#774771 5-Mar-2013 08:49

No. I haven't got anything else to try. I don't spend much time in the TV world. If I can beg borrow or steal something I will try it.
The literature supplied and even the e-manual are vague on the IR blaster. Is it necessary or is it only to boost poor signal between units?
Samsung told me it's not normally necessary, but that was right after she told me Samsung don't make a universal smart remote! Apparantely the one I was holding in my hand must have been a figment of my imagination.

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#774776 5-Mar-2013 09:01

What is the model number of TV?
Are you connecting the Igloo to the TV via HDMI?
Does Samsung refer to it as an 'IR blaster' or is that your own description?

robjg63

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#774783 5-Mar-2013 09:11

freitasm: Why should Igloo change their codes, if the Samsung remote is the one that has to conform to other company's products? Hmmmm.

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Jaxson

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#774797 5-Mar-2013 09:20

Yeah I think this is an incompatibility between two products you own. It's no ones 'fault' as such, they just don't currently work together easily. I imagine changing their products to fit another protocol etc is extremely low on either companies development list. You have a working remote for each, that really is sufficient from each company.

If it really is an issue then you may have to look at third party options, such as a harmony remote, to tie it all together. This will have the added ability of allowing you to program 'functions' or 'activities' macros, whereby the remote automates much more of the process. Ie one button press will turn every device on, select the right tv inputs, and then set the remotes volume buttons to control the TV and channel buttons to the igloo device etc.

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fredfootfree

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#774819 5-Mar-2013 09:43

TV is UA55ES8000 STB is connected by HDMI. Samsung supply the elaborate looking smart remote with the TV, but also include the IR Blaster (their words) It appears that the remote can be set up independently, but to use voice activation and motion activation on added devices the IR Blaster has to be included in the set-up. That's what bugs me - Samsung have gone to a lot of trouble to develop this system, and don't give the consumer the option of not purchasing it with the TV, yet show no interest in adding new products to their list of codes.

robjg63

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#774848 5-Mar-2013 10:17

fredfootfree: TV is UA55ES8000 STB is connected by HDMI. Samsung supply the elaborate looking smart remote with the TV, but also include the IR Blaster (their words) It appears that the remote can be set up independently, but to use voice activation and motion activation on added devices the IR Blaster has to be included in the set-up. That's what bugs me - Samsung have gone to a lot of trouble to develop this system, and don't give the consumer the option of not purchasing it with the TV, yet show no interest in adding new products to their list of codes.

Samsung have gone to a lot of trouble?
A good 'smart' remote would have the facility to 'learn'.
Even the cheaper logitech universal remotes have an IR receiver - you can use the existing remote to 'send' the signals sent from the original remote to the 'smart' remote and make it learn the commands it needs.
Any database in the world wont have every device ever made in its library.
Also, a lot of hardware is sold under different brand names - so will be hard to find in such a database.

If the smart remote doesnt have a learning function then sadly its not really smart enough.

The logitech remotes are not perfect, but they have a HUGE database of products that they already know about - as well as the ability to learn. The old Logitech 525 that I have is also awesomely powerful.

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Jaxson

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#774852 5-Mar-2013 10:21

robjg63: The old Logitech 525 that I have is also awesomely powerful.

hdinsider

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#792827 4-Apr-2013 00:18

Emailed igloo and complained about the "feature" that shuts down the box at 3am every night, even if the power off menu setting is "never".

They have said that the problem will be sorted out after the next software update, and the box will stay running 24/7 if required.

Wouldn't tell me how long I need to wait for the update to come though... Really would like to be able to leave the box running on a channel so that my dvd recorder timer recordings will work while I'm away.

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