New MTH Remote DCS System is on the Same Frequency as the TV Remote

Since the TV remote does not control the DCS this suggests you need to reduce the DCS remote's power output.  Since it uses an Infrared LED the beam is directional typically a 30 degree (or so) cone.  So you might try attaching a straw or the like say 1/2" long over the LED to make it more directional.  Obviously some experimentation is in order.

I figure you probably won't be moving the tree but perhaps you can move the receiver (with the green light) to a location where aiming the remote at it does not have an unobstructed reflection path to your TV.  Reflections can come from mirrors, shiny tree ornaments, tinsel, white surfaces, etc..

I like Stan's idea of moving the little IR base.  Probably the easiest way to address this.

Chris,

   IMO the best thing to due is move your new train set to a different room, if possible.  I have only seen this happen one time before, you got some kind of luck man.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks for all the suggestions.   I read all your replies and all are great suggestions.  I put the lockon at a different area of the track so I don't point the remote at the TV.  Due to the infer red system on the hand held controller it changed the TV.  Everything is working great now. 

I contacted http://www.legacystation.com/ and http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/ before I read all these great posts about what problem I had with the remote.  Everyone had the same ideas as they did.  Thank you.  I hope you all have a great holiday season.  Now I can at least have a great holiday season and enjoy my MTH Rail King SD70ACE Norfolk Southern O Gauge  set while having the TV on while running the train.  This is my first O Gauge set and I have to say MTH makes a great quality set and the Proto Sound 3 with realistic crew talk, smoke system and prototypical features.  Great deal for an introduction to O gauge model railroading

Still this is a bit odd. The DCS signal could be at the same frequency of the TV remote as there are limits to the bandwidth, but the DCS packets of information in the IR stream should be different from the TV remote packets.

This is the limit of my understanding of how soundless remotes work!

Alan,

When I contracted legacy station and model train stuff they said it happens sometimes due to the infared signal from the controller.  Everything seems to be working great now since I changed the location of the lock on and transformer where it was near the TV.

The codes used for remotes are pretty primitive, and I suspect enough overlap exists to cause issues at times.  I've seen different brands of IR remotes affect other components at times.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Sanyo, at least that's the tv I use my remote Commander to change the channels on. Been dealing with the issue for about three or four years. Not to worry just move the remote commanders receiver to a position that is not in line with the television (these are line of sight remotes) after a while you'll become expert at using your hand to shield the remote from your television and it's convenient for me when I'm running trains and want to change channels.

Ha-ha, glad you got your problem sorted out, but it reminded me of something else.   Remember laser tag?  The laser tag guns were great for changing the channel by going up one station.  I don't think my neighbor ever did figure out what was happening,  but I could change his channel from my backyard if I aimed just right 

Hey Matthew,

Guest What?  I have the same TV brand and yes,  its a Sanyo.  I just relocated the track lock on and don't point the remote in the direction of the TV.  

Glad you got it sorted out.    I did laugh just a bit thinking of all the nefarious things you could do, just as jhz563 said

Funny thing: Some Pioneer audio receiver's remote volume frequency is the same as an LG 3D HDTV power ON frequency.   That can cause some consternation in a media room.

When I Was a kid we were in the flight path to a small local airport. As it turned out our garage door was on a frequency close to the tower. It took some months to finally figure out when the door opened or closed by itself there was a small plane in the near air space...............................

Thanks for the comments.  Engine is running great. This MTH engine has a lot of great features.  Proto Sound 3 and the operating ditch lights look great. Problem looks solved as far as running with the TV on.

when I was a kid in the late 60's we had a very early RCA remote TV that you could clap your had and somehow trigger the TV to change channels. Never figured out how that would happen

Some 60's remotes were ultrasonic, and frequently noises would have harmonics in the frequency to trigger things.  I could whistle and sometimes change channels.