X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Troubleshooting Automation Problems => Topic started by: mlblandf on August 09, 2007, 03:57:54 PM

Title: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: mlblandf on August 09, 2007, 03:57:54 PM

Hello,

I have a really simple X10 setup. 

I have an IR-543 X10 light controller to convert IR to X-10.  This is sitting on top of my TV.

My TV is a Samsung TXM2756.

I also have WS13a switch to control the lights in this room. 

If I turn on the TV, then I can no longer control the light with X10.  If the lights are on, I can't turn them off and vice versa. 
If I turn off the TV, full control returns. 

I am guessing the TV is causing some kind of interference. 

I don't know if I need some sort of filter for the TV or if there is some other type of issue.

Any suggestions?

Michael

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: Brian H on August 09, 2007, 04:38:47 PM

You may need an X10 Type Line Filter for the TV. Is the IR-543 and the TV in the same power outlet?
X10 Pros's filter is the XPPF. Other manufactures also make X10 filters. Some generics may work or absorb the X10 signals.
Only filter the TV not the IR-543 as that would keep X10 signals from getting back to the powerline.
You may also double check that the TV screen isn't shining on the IR receiver of the IR-543.

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: JeffVolp on August 09, 2007, 04:51:39 PM

Quote

If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work

Well, clearly the answer is to turn off the TV!  We can't have anything interfering with X10 operation...

You need to isolate the TV with a filter like the XPPF.  They can be picked up on eBay for about 10 bucks, including shipping.  I solved a similar problem with our Sony TV exactly that way years ago.

For more info on this problem, you could read:

http://jvde.us/x10/x10_filters.htm

Jeff

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: Puck on August 09, 2007, 05:39:18 PM

mlblandf : If you're just controlling the one light, you might just try plugging your TV into a different circuit (if possible... and ideally, the other electrical phase).

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: mlblandf on August 09, 2007, 06:10:48 PM

Thanks.  I have ordered a XPPF.  I will send feedback on the results.  Thanks everyone for the fast reply.

Michael

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: HA Dave on August 09, 2007, 07:20:25 PM

Quote from: mlblandf on August 09, 2007, 03:57:54 PM

I am guessing the TV is causing some kind of interference. 

This may not be of any help to you.... but many people now use those power strips with surge protection built-in. They can cause as big or bigger problem than most TV's.

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: mlblandf on August 15, 2007, 10:34:09 AM

I bought the xppf and it didn't resolve my problem. 

I guess I should have done more debugging before buying it.

I did find that moving the IR receiver away from the TV would allow it to work - even plugged into the same outlet.  It would seem the emission from the TV is causing some sort interference.  I hadn't tried this already because of have a few other IR devices sitting on the TV that work fine.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Michael

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: Brian H on August 15, 2007, 04:15:08 PM

Thanks for the update. Sure sounds like it was interference from the TV getting into the IR Receiver.

Title: Re: If the TV is on, X10 doesn't work
Post by: HA Dave on August 15, 2007, 05:27:43 PM

Quote from: mlblandf on August 15, 2007, 10:34:09 AM

I did find that moving the IR receiver away from the TV would allow it to work ...................Thanks everyone for your advice.

Thanks mlblandf for letting us know!