Magic Eye problem

**sambat** · 31-12-2005

I recently upgraded my old Pace Sky box to a Pace 3100 Sky+ box.
On my previous installation the magic eye setup worked well, however since adding in the new box the magic eye works only about 2-5% of the time. Sometimes I can get 1 didgit of a channel number up!
If I hold the remote in front of the magic eye and keep my finger plessed eventually it will flash on the magic eye and change a channel. I have changed the magic eye with no difference.
I have reset the settings on the Sky + box and checked the RF output is on.
Also I have plugged the magic eye directly into the RF outlet on the Sky box and it is better, it does work so it looks as if it could be a voltage issue.
Is the voltage on the RF outlet variable?
Any help and suggestions welcome.
Happy new year
Sambat

**Llew** · 31-12-2005

You may find you have a slightly resistive element in your connection, dropping the voltage but allowing the RF signal through with little attenuation.

Check your cabling, particularly if you have a coupling of some sort along the line.

Llew

**rolfw** · 31-12-2005

It could be a voltage problem, when you say it is better direct from the box, do you mean it works perfectly?

**sambat** · 31-12-2005

My main problem is the cable is routed in a very difficult way and would be difficult to replace - it is fairly new cable installed about a year ago.
The magic eye does work nearly perfectly when attached to the back of the Sky box.
I do find it strange that it worked perfectly on my old Sky box, and I only got the problem when this one was installed.

**sambat** · 31-12-2005

A couple of other points to add:

Surely everytime I try to change channels the light on the magic eye should blink - it does not.
Secondly while checking for cable faults I do get the occasional small electric shock off the RF plugs, which are metal.

...it may help.
Thanks
Sambat

**rolfw** · 31-12-2005

How many connections are there?

**sambat** · 31-12-2005

Apart from the magic eye there is a male/femal convertor which is very tight.The coax is a straight through one piece with no socket boxes.

I have re-tested the magic eye at the receiver end and it is intermittent that end also. What I said earlier was wrong as I could not have been careful enough to shield the remote signal when testing.

I have now re-soldered the connectors at both ends of the cable.

Sambat

**spiney** · 04-01-2006

To sambat:

1) yes, the eye should blink each time the remote is pressed, so maybe a remote problem? try gently cleaning both eye and remote windows with damp rag and detergent, also replace remote batteries.

2) small "tingles" are normal on touching the rf2 out cable, due to Sky box being "class 2" electrical equipment, hence at floating potential.