Hi All,
We actually test the units from over 20 ft away in an ideal environment. Also the strength of the IR, from every remote, is measured at the factory to ensure each remote is within acceptable tolerance. I actually have a video somewhere of the Outlaws recording this process when we were there during production.
It sounds like different scenarios here as AvFan's issue is not solved by using a different remote.
I would note the angle of acceptance is slightly picky, so make sure you don't have the remote at a 45 degree angle.
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I agree, the remote is "picky" with regard to angle/line of site. It's dead on and flawless within the 45 degree angle (out from the 976 IR Sensor) so long as no line of site issues, like a table piece. The exact same as my TiVo remote, so Outlaw is not alone. Hopefully the repeater will help, if not alleviate, the problem.