Bugzilla – Bug 7998
IR 'dies' in the sun?
Last modified: 2009-09-08 09:24:26 UTC
I was using Boom the other day on our porch and it was in direct sunlight for a little while. The remote worked fine (from about 5-10 ft away) for 30 minutes or so, and then slowly stopped working. At first it got harder and harder to change the volume, and eventually Boom just stopped responding to all IR signals. The front panel worked fine, but even holding the remote right in front of Boom, it wouldn't respond. After the sun went down and the front panel cooled off a bit (I think), the IR commands started working again (slowly, and one command a at time ... kind of strange, but I could power it on and off, but volume still didn't work ... and then eventually all the buttons started working again). I know we're looking at other IR sensors ... but I am not sure if this is a sensor, or a front panel plastic issue?
I also had problems controlling the Boom outdoors. I was in partial shade, however. I had to move to about 5-8 feet away from the Boom before it would do anything, and even in that position, it would only respond if I held the remote just right in one specific spot. I was able to bump the volume up a couple notches each time I found the "sweet spot" but then it would stop responding. I would wait a few seconds, try again, and then could nudge it a little more before it would stop responding again.
We need to understand if this is due to Boom, or due to the remote control. Please check to see how it works with the old remote and see if the problem follows boom, or the remote. -caleb
Oh, I forgot to mention that I was using the SB2 remote at the time.
Okay, we'll have to take a look at it. I can't imagine why there is a difference between SB2 and Boom -- they use exactly the same sensors. The lenses are different -- perhaps the Boom lens is too transparent in the IR, thus causing the sensor to get saturated. We'll check into it. -caleb
Sean, can you take a look at this while I'm gone? I don't understand why there would be an issue.
I took the Boom outdoors again this afternoon. This time I used the Boom remote and it was the same thing. This time, the remote would not work at all initially--even holding the remote one to two inches from the front. After some time it started working, but only from that same "sweet spot" angle like it was doing yesterday, and only sporadically. If it would be helpful, I could draw a little diagram of what I mean about the sweet spot.
I was able to confirm this here with my PQP1 unit. Putting the IR sensor in direct sunlight (through the lens) it worked for a second or two, then completely stopped working. Remove it from the sunlight and after 5 seconds or so it starts responding again. This was all with the Boom remote.
Sean: Any idea here?
Not sure we can do much, the sun tends to put out a lot of infrared energy. :) Any thoughts sean?
(In reply to comment #9) > Not sure we can do much, the sun tends to put out a lot of infrared energy. :) I've used several other "Boombox" like devices outdoors in the sun---at least 2 different ones in the exact spot where I have Boom now--and neither had any remote control issues at all. Just sayin'.
Ah, great to know. Can you post the make/model?
The most recent one was a Philips AZ1150. I don't remember what the older one was, but my Mom has it now so I can ask her.
The other boombox was an AIWA CSD-TD66.
I was able to verify that this also happens on SB3. mesue: I've ordered a Philips Boombox to compare here, but in the mean time, can you verify that the IR continues to work on your other devices if the sun is shining _directly_ into the IR sensor? SB3 and Boom both have very wide and high viewing angles to the sensor, which isn't common on a lot of electronics. Just a little bit of shade makes it work for me and I suspect that the mechanical design of most products provides shade to direct overhead sunlight (through a little window.)
Well, the Philips boombox wouldn't play a disc when I tried to angle it so it was facing directly up to the sun, but putting it flat, I had it it in full sun at 3:30 in the afternoon, and the remote worked up to about 25 feet away. Where I have the boom it sits under a covered platform so the sensor should mostly be in shade. I am going out again today and this time I will bring a towel to shade it more and see how it goes.
I think we're not going to be able to do anything for this before ship. Is this right, Caleb?
That's correct. We can't fix this before MP. We will fix it as a running change, when we find a suitable replacement.
We saw something similar here earlier today. Hitting 'Brightness' on an old remote brought the display back, so perhaps it's related to the ambient light sensor or the new brightness code that works with it?
For the record, since getting the new Boom hardware with the darker tinted front, I have not had this problem. I held off posting until now because I have only been able to test it on cloudy days, but today was pretty sunny and the remote worked fine from about 5-8 feet away. I wonder if anyone else has still had this problem with the darker lens?
Perhaps we can close this as there have not been serious complaints in the forums about this issue?
It can be closed as far as I'm concerned. It hasn't been a problem for me with the production hardware.
Since this has not come up as a critical issue in the field, it will not be fixed for Boom.