Why does my TV remote suddenly work on my B2?

[Les Stanley]

I've just updated my B2 to the latest software, Dec 9th. Now it might just be that I've never noticed before but I'm fairly sure that since then the remote for the TV has started doing weird things to the B2.

Pressing any button causes the green light to shine, well no problem there even if it's a bit strange.

But if I press other certain buttons the B2 displays a playlist and adds whatever track is playing to it! 

I'm wary of doing too much playing about in case it suddenly reformats the disc or something. Unlikely I know.

Obviously the safest thing to do is turn the b2 off once I start watching TV and maybe this was happening before but I don't think so.

Any theories? Anyone else noticed anything like this?

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Just to be sure,

I assume you have your B2 connected to your TV via the HDMI connection port.

If so - just for experimental clarity - if you unplug the HDMI cable from the B2, does your TV remote control STILL cause the green light to come on on the B2?

Fred.

[Les Stanley]

Thanks Fred,

Ah no the B2 isn't connected to the TV at all. 

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

How Strange.

Now TV remotes did once cause the B2's green light to come on - it was very annoying and Martin Brennan released an upgrade to the B2 software that stopped that happening ages ago.

Just to be sure please could you tell us which  version of the B2 Os you are on. Using the B2's little remote press the "info" button - various information will appear on the front display and either further presses of the "info" button or rotation of the

the front knob will cycle though about 3 of these. Your software version will appear on one.

(The latest version is B2 or B2B Dec 9 2020)

Also please tell us the make and model of your TV (So Brennan has this data).

Fred 

[Daniel Taylor]

Although I was not aware that Martin had made a software change that prevented the B2 from flashing the green light when signals from a different remote were received, I would not be surprised that the B2 tried to respond to button presses from another remote.  It has to receive the code and look at it before it can know the code is not for it.  There are many different codes for all the various remotes out there, but that number is finite.  So it's easy to imagine that some of the codes from a different remote might coincide with some of the codes the B2 will respond to.  I've had that happen with other equipment.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

It was some time ago --- see

but as you say this is not just a case of flashing, the remote seems to be controlling the B2 - it must be sharing codes with the B2's remote!

That's why I am interested to know the make model of the TV.

Fred

[Les Stanley]

It's a Hisense TV model 55RG about 1 year old. I have two remotes for it (long story) and they both do the same thing with the B2, no surprise really. The serial number on the remote is ERF 3169H if that means anything. 

Here's all the software information

Software Version B2 Dec 9 2020 11:28:05

24911 tracks in 1911 albums 742 artists

0 WAV 23149 FLAC 1762 MP3 0 AAC

Capacity 2000.00G Used 586.82Gb

USB 0 tracks in 0 albums 0 artists

10 Youtubes

If the 6th Jan 2017 software fixed the green light problem that explains why I hadn't seen it before as my B2 is newer than that. I have a couple of other remote-controlled devices and they don't affect the B2 plus the B2 remote still works so that's good.

In some ways it's quite a handy feature as if I like a track that's playing I can just add it to. playlist! Trouble is it's always the same playlist. And, as I said, my main fear is that I'll accidentally delete something.

Thanks All.

[Daniel Taylor]

It's probably duplicate codes.  I suspect that the light is only flashing for the codes the B2 recognizes.

[Mike W]

just tried all of my remotes on the B2 and not a flicker from any of them, seems like it may be just peculiar to your remote,

Mike

[Daniel Taylor]

Here's a way to confirm that it's duplicate codes.  For those functions that the TV remote invokes on your B2, press that associated button on the B2's remote and see if it does what the TV remote's code does on the TV.  If the codes are truly duplicates, it should go both ways.

[PMB]

Hi ljs,

Depending on which IC (chip) has been used, all remotes built with that IC will send exactly the same command for Vol +, Vol -, Stop, Start, etc. They also send a 'custom code' before the command so not all remotes will operate all equipment. This code is set by the manufacturer of the equipment but unfortunately there is no central database of these codes. So duplicates are possible/likely.

The software update Martin did before was to detect the custom code and not flash the green LED if the custom code was not the one for the B2.

I'm fairly confident that the software update didn't cause the issue.

I'd be interested hearing if the B2's remote works on the TV as Daniel suggests.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Les Stanley]

Hello Everyone,

I experimented with Daniel's suggestion, although the buttons on the two remotes are totally different. Pressing anything on the B2 remote had no effect on the TV.

I pressed every button and there was no response from the TV. 

I think Hisense TVs are fairly popular (as are Brennan B2s of course) so it will be interesting to see if anyone else is having this problem. 

The main culprit seems to be the "back" button on the TV remote. It activates the playlists. I've switched on GuestMode to avoid accidentally adding anything. 

@Paul, maybe these lines from the debug file will tell you something? These are are the last few lines immediately after pressing the "back" button on the TV remote.

WAKEUP in webListPlaylists ()

getCurrentArtPath () current id=2012159, cached id=2001263, cached path=47

webGuest url = guest&mode=1&playlist=0&time=1609714651544

setGuestModePlaylist -1

pic_thread (): >00FD12ED

pic_thread (): >R 

In the meantime is there any way I can revert to the previous software version? Even though it's impossible I am quite certain this was not happening before I installed the latest version. That would be a good way to verify.

Thanks, Les

[keith...@gmail.com]

FWIW,

I had asked Martin about this years ago.  I was afraid my other remotes would do something like delete music or set up a chain of commands and do some type of harm to my files.

I can say that this has not happened.  Unfortuneately,  I have seven different remotes, Samsung, Oppo, Denon, Marantz, Fire cube,  cable box,  sound bar, and none of them has had

any ill effect on the b2.  The b2 remote does wreak havoc on my LED light strip that is in a cove above  my wall.  It ill make the light strip change color, pulse. etc, but the light strip does not bother

the b2.

Just my two cents.......

Happy New Year to all...

Keith Conrad

USA

[Daniel Taylor]

Hi Les,

It's not clear to me what exactly happens when the back button on your TV remote "activates the playlists."  On the B2 remote, I see buttons for each color named playlist.  Does the TV back button start playing a specific playlist?

You can go back to a previous version of software by putting the b2.tar.gz file in the root of a USB disk, plug it into USB-C, and then do the SW Upgrade command.  Word to the wise:  Never upgrade to a new version of software without saving the previous/current version.  Bugs happen.

[Les Stanley]

Hi Daniel,

I'll try to be more specific.

Action on TV remote - press the back button

Response on B2  - a playlist name is displayed. In my case it's been renamed but the original name was Indigo. I checked this by pressing each button on the B2 remote in turn. When I pressed the multifunctional "6" "mno" indigo button on the B2 remote. B2 starts playing the first track in the playlist.

If I'm already playing a track and I press the back button on the TV remote again the B2 displays the playlist and if I press the back button again the track playing is added to the playlist.

Other buttons do other odd things. 

Anyway, I guess the point is not so much what various buttons on one remote do but why the TV remote does anything on the B2. 

I tried pressing the "indigo" button on the B2 remote and pointing it at the TV. Nothing happens to the TV.

I'm wary of trying to do anything too clever as my knowledge and experience of computer operating systems is quite limited. However, if you could tell me where I can find the b2.tar.gz file I might be tempted to give it a go.

In fact, it would be useful if there was an option on the B2 to "revert to previous software version".

In the meantime, I'll just make sure my B2 is switched off when I'm watching TV. And wait to see if anyone else reports a similar problem.

Thanks Les

[Arpie]

Hi,

I have the same problem since early December. My TV remote control is now being picked up by the Brennan. It takes me to a strange part of the Brennan set-up (aux-in). Cover the remote sensor on the Brennan and the problem goes away. The television is HiSense. On the Brennan remote I can back-out the menu selection by pressing HDD, but it then does a "speed set" - whatever that is. As I say, cover the Brennan sensor and no problem. The television and Brennan are both a couple of years old, and it was a problem that was introduced with the last software update.

You are not alone.

Thanks

Rob

[Les Stanley]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for letting me know, good to know I'm not alone. And that it has only been happening since the last update.

I didn't think of the obvious solution of covering up the remote sensor but admit I'm struggling to be successful in doing this. Just putting tape or paper over it doesn't achieve much. And anything bigger gets in the way of the CD slot.

Could I ask what you did?

Thanks

Les

[PMB]

Hi Guys,

Please let us know the model of the Hisense TV and the remote number.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Les Stanley]

Hi Paul,

It's a Hisense TV model 55RG about 1 year old. I have two remotes for it (long story) and they both do the same thing with the B2, no surprise really. The serial number on the remote is ERF 3169H if that means anything

Thanks

Les

[lesliebr...@gmail.com]

Something similar happened to an old work colleague of mine who used to play guitar and sing in pubs. This was in the early 90's when Mini Disc players were on the go. He recorded backing tracks on the mini discs and played them through the PA system to accompany himself on guitar and vocals. This night in a particular pub there was a TV playing above the bar with the volume turned down, whilst my friend was performing. Someone decided to switch channels. This caused my friend's Mini Disc player to skip through the backing tracks mid-song as the guy changed channels leaving him and his audience wondering what the hell was going on. Once he realised what the cause was, a bit on black electrical tape over the MiniDisc sensor like Rob mentioned sorted the problem.

[Daniel Taylor]

Hi Les,

It seems that you and Rob have uncovered a new and bizarre bug in the B2.  Until that can be addressed, I went looking for a link to an older version of software.  The first link I found to the newest of the older software versions is on the Latest Software page, and it links to 26th June 2020 software - click on "offline upgrade."  When you arrive at the link, in the upper right corner there is an icon that you click to download the file.  Copy the file as is to the root of the USB stick you will use for the upgrade.  By going back that far in the software versions, you will lose all the improvements and a few bugs that were introduced along the way.  But maybe it will be more satisfactory for you until Martin can deal with this new strangeness.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

I have a copy of the B2BNov2019

it is too large to upload for your here but I have put it on my Google Drive here https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iZPdSlQ7YPgX5iWN4YXRNM6-NKLPQYiA/view?usp=sharing

hope this helps

fred

[Les Stanley]

@Fred, thanks for that. I'll give it a few days and see if Martin offers a fix first I think but this could be useful.

@Daniel, same goes for your offer.

In the meantime, I've found that placing the B2 remote, which I seldom use, in front of the sensor works a treat to block the TV remote!

I appreciate the help.

Thanks Les

[PMB]

Hi Les,

The hardest thing about fixing bugs is reproducing them so one can test to see if it's fixed.....

It would therefore be helpful if you could try the earlier software to see if the problem has always been there or introduced with a later software update.

The 26 June 2020 software has to be loaded via a USB memory stick using SW Upgrade - Maintenance menu.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Les Stanley]

Hi Paul,

OK, I tried. I've downloaded the file suggested by Daniel. 

This gives me the b2b.tar.gz file. 

I copied this to a blank USB and followed your instructions to "upgrade from USB C' I checked that I was using USB C on the B2.

Reboot.

That status panel says software upgraded 

The software version is unchanged. 

I guess I've done something wrong? Am I supposed to extract/unzip the file first or is B2 clever enough to do this itself?

Thanks

Les

[Daniel Taylor]

I'm sorry I forgot to mention that the command you use to do the upgrade is: SW Upgrade (on the Maintenance menu).

Are you reading the version number in the WebUI or on the front panel of the B2?  You can believe the B2's front panel, but the WebUI can sometimes be using old cached data and will need to be forced to update it's display.

[Les Stanley]

No problem Daniel, Paul explained how to copy the file on to the B2 and it's pretty straightforward.

I checked the version via the B2 front panel and it says Dec 2020 as well so nothing has happened regards the upgrade (downgrade). 

And the TV remote is still wreaking havoc.

[PMB]

Hi Les,

I have just tried downloading 26 June 2020 (the link on the Latest Software page is called 'offline upgrade') and when loaded to my B2 the version is shown as B2B Jun 26 2020.

The file on the USB stick must be called   b2.tar.gz    - not   b2.tar(1).gz   for example - and shouldn't be unzipped.

Make sure there are no other b2.tar.gz files on the USB stick and check you are using - Maintenance menu > SW Upgrade.

Please try again.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Les Stanley]

Hi Paul,

Still no luck. I even tried formatting the USB key via the B2 first but that made no difference.

The file is definitely called b2.tar.gz (it's 1.1 MB, does that sound right?), and I'm definitely using Settings, Maintenance, SW Upgrade.

There is nothing else on the USB key.

I closed the WEB UI in case that was causing an issue.

I normally have USB C on an extension cable for better Internet speed but I removed that and inserted the USB key directly in to USB C on the B2.

I guess I'll wait for Martin to stop weeping over Brexit and see what future software versions bring.

Unless you have any other ideas.

Thanks, Les

[Les Stanley]

I've sent Paul a couple of private emails but had no reply so I thought I'd raise this point again in case I've missed something. 

I'm on the latest software Software Version B2 Mar 1 2021 10:34:13.

My Hisense TV remote still activates the B2. I just make sure I've switched the B2 off before I watch TV but it would be nice if a fix could be loaded at some point.

As far as I can make out the last few software changes have been focussed on you lucky Sonos users.

[PMB]

Hi ljstan..,

Sorry was not ignoring you, just don't have a positive answer for you. As I tried to explain before there is no central database of remote control codes to stop manufacturers overlapping. It appears to be the case that Hisense are using the same 'custom code' as the B2 so the remotes will interfere for certain button presses.

I have asked Martin if it could be a software issue and am waiting for his response.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Hi ljstan..,

I was just thinking have you taken up the issue with Hisense, it seems to me that the problem of their handsets' "encroachment" should be theirs to fix.

Fred

[Les Stanley]

Thanks Paul, I'll wait to hear more.

[Les Stanley]

Hi Fred,

That's a good suggestion. I'll contact Hisense but I have a feeling I know what their response will be.

Les

[robertm...@gmail.com]

I have the same problem with the remote for my Hisense tv. Yesterday it managed to set the b2 to Aux input!

[Les Stanley]

Yes mine does that as well. I sent some more info to Paul and hopefully, Martin is working on a fix as we speak. And the more people who report a problem the better the chance of a fix. 

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

Just my opinion (for what it is worth) but I don't see how a (Brennan side) fix will work without "breaking" all the existing B2 handsets (as the B2's codes are had coded into these) - that would upset me!!

Then who is to say if you did do it, that another TV manufacturers handset may  come along and "overlay" any new codes.

It MAY perhaps be possible to tell the B2 to switch to ignore the IR sensor (say from the Front panel menu) but I cant see that Brennan will be able to go much further to help.

Fred

[Les Stanley]

Sure Fred, I'm sure the last thing we want is a "fix" that breaks something else. In my experience that's always the developers' nightmare. But there must be a fix as this problem only started with a specific version of the B2 software. I was using the Hisense remote before that with no problem. And none of my other remotes has any effect on the B2, believe me, I've tried them all.

Anyway I'm not holding my breath and I just make sure I've either switched off the B2 or obstructed the B2 remote sensor (with the B2 remote, it's the perfect size) before I watch TV

[Peter Lowham]

Hi Guys,

This is my opinion but I don't believe that there is going to be any 'fix'.  The B2 remote is hard coded so won't be changed.  The TVs and other kit are hard coded so they won't be changed either.

There is no central contol over the use of programming codes in the handsets, so 'overlaps' between different devices are occurring all of the time, and we have to live with that fact.  Myself, I have a Humax Freesat Satellite box, then I got BT Youview only to find that BT Youview box is a badge engineered Humax, so the two remotes interfered with each other.  The Humax Freesat box is now resting in my attic, so that fixed that problem.

If you reposition one of the units somewhere else in the room, so that each unit is 'out-of-sight' of the other, then that might work, or move one of the devices to another room.  Other than that, I think that you are going to drive yourselves crazy waiting for a fix that in not going to happen.

I would be delighted to be wrong about this.

Regards,

Peter.

On Thursday, 22 April 2021 at 12:10:46 UTC+1 Daniel Taylor wrote:

This thread is getting long and I have not gone back to review it all.  Have you tried to put your software back to a version that did not exhibit the problem?  If this is a bug in the Brennan software, it could be extremely helpful if they knew at what point in the revision history the problem first appeared.

[Me My Self and I]

One thing which won't take much effort to try is to entirely cover the remote pickup window on the Brennan with a piece of black (black tends to work best) insulation tape. If this reduces the rogue operation without eliminating it, try another piece on top of the first. If this works, the tape can be cut neatly to size so that it does not look unsightly. This has worked surprisingly well for me in the past where our customers would complain of similar things happening with the TV/Video/HiFi equipment we sold.

The infra red sensors for remote controls are very sensitive and the black tape reduces the amount of infra red signal picked up and can help alleviate distortion in the sensor. Where two remote controls have similar (but non-identical) codes, distortion in the sensor can sometimes make them appear to be as near to identical enough for them to be mis-interpreted. 

If nothing else, it keeps you entertained for five minutes!