Apple TV's IR sensor barely functions

[Verdanice]

I picked up an Apple TV right when they became available in Canada. I've been pretty disappointed with it largely because of the remote's performance. I find the IR receiver has an extremely narrow field of vision and I have to lean in and ensure I'm pointing precisely at the unit to get it to pick up my input, and even then it misses button presses often. I actually programmed my TV's remote to the Apple TV instead, but if anything it's worse now. It makes the entire experience absolutely terrible, and for that reason it's been off all but three or four times since I got it several weeks ago, too busy to investigate further.

Is anybody else experiencing something like this? Any suggestions would be appreciated! I'll head to the Apple Store with it on the weekend if it seems specific to my unit, however.

 

[MikePA]

Same problem with my ATV2 and remote. I use the Remote app on my iPhone or iPad whenever possible.

 

[Verdanice]

Same problem with my ATV2 and remote. I use the Remote app on my iPhone or iPad whenever possible.

I always completely forget to do that. Glad to know somebody else is having the same problem, though, it's infuriating - makes it totally unusable IMO, I don't know how this made it through QC.

 

[bbeagle]

it's infuriating - makes it totally unusable IMO, I don't know how this made it through QC.

You're placing the Apple TV wrong!

It was frustrating for me too until I found that I had to place my Apple TV at my remote control level with the sensor in complete view overhanging the top of the shelf. If it sits back just a wee bit on the shelf, sometimes the remote doesn't work.

I love the way Apple creates software and hardware for the most part, but they do miss some annoying little things.

 

[MikePA]

You're placing the Apple TV wrong!

No, I'm not. My TV sits on a table and the ATV2 sits right underneath it, the sensor is in complete view of the remote. Even when I point the ATV2 directly to where I am sitting, it's a crap shoot whether it will respond.

With my DVR, TV, and DVD player I can point the remote at the ceiling or almost any wall in the room and the device will see the signal. Not so with the ATV2. Very annoying and you do ask yourself if Apple did any real world testing of this device.

 

[Didjt]

Mine works very well, bol

 

[laurim]

Maybe it needs a new battery. I just tested mine and I can point it anywhere within about 180º and bounce it straight off my face and it still works the ATV2. The only time it won't work is when I point it behind me and try to bounce it off the back wall. Usually when a remote stops bouncing off walls it's because the battery is low or you have something blocking the signal.

 

[Verdanice]

Maybe it's a defective unit - I'm going to bring it in in any case, because recently my remote has also started sticking - I didn't spill or get anything on it, but the buttons suddenly feel really crappy, hard to describe.

 

[Chaos123x]

I have the same issue but I use the iPhone remote app most of the time.


Even more annoying is that the remote sets off my Macbook Pro on the couch and the iMac behind me in the other room. How can the macs be so sensitve when I am not even pointing at them while the Apple TV has trouble unless you have direct aim.

 

[bbeagle]

No, I'm not. My TV sits on a table and the ATV2 sits right underneath it, the sensor is in complete view of the remote. Even when I point the ATV2 directly to where I am sitting, it's a crap shoot whether it will respond.

I was completely joking with my comment 'You're placing the Apple TV wrong! '. This was in reference to Steve Job's 'you're holding the iPhone wrong'.

There definately IS a problem with the remotes. I've noticed that using my iPhone or my iPad through wifi, it's a lot more responsive!