If you can find where the infrared sensor is .. what about layers of tape over that -electrical tape or duct tape - masking tape might get dried out and messy - maybe the signal is getting around & between any gaps in the boxes/towels etc??

The manual should show exactly where it is if you can't find it.
or google online for the brand/ model and find the manual that way.

they are usually right on the front, a small smooth section.

That's about the only thing I can think of.

Okay!!!!!!, I have the manual. I found the remote sensor. It's right on the front of the panel (right next to the time indicator). Earlier I tried putting aluminum foil, and other stuff right on top of the whole vcr. But now that I know exactly where the remote sensor is, I'll put some tape directly over it. Maybe some black electrical tape.

Got to try SOMETHING.

lol
thanks much
Melody

... otherwise wouldn't a universal remote work? Just guessing.

First of all, I AM using a universal remote. Says so on the remote.

Second, and think about it. Let's say I go to my local store and buy another universal remote and program it to use on the left vcr.

The left VCR is the same as the right vcr.

So any remote that works on the left one would work on the right one.

What I need is some kind of material, some kind of sheeting, some kind of SOMETHING that I can place in front of the panel 9on the right VCR),that would interrupt the frequency (because obviously it's not line of site).

So if any of you (and I bet none of you have ever faced this dilemma), well, if any of you know any engineers, or frequency experts LOL LOL LOL

Well, I am not going to stop until I find the answer and be assured, I'll post it here.

lol

Thanks much

Melody

Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Hand Held Remote Controls
Version 2.94

Where Multiple Pieces of Equipment Use the Same Codes

Good luck, Melody. lol

wow, they actually had an answer to my problem.

And if you think I understood one word of what I just read "changing the light frequencies, changine wavelengths, ??????????

Should have went to remote school.

I am going to go back and read all the information that was in your link.

Hey, you never know.

I AM a kind of Macguyver!!!!

lol
Melody

Hey Melody, I just did something to find a simple answer for you that I wouldn't do for many people. LOL I phoned my ex-husband.

He can't understand that it would still work when it's covered up properly either.

He's sold electrical equipment for nearly all his life, and his father before him. He said some of the newer, more expensive Panasonics have a function on the remote where you can set your priority. e.g. could made one VCR No 1, the other No 2, and so on.

However, he said if you can't do that then what he usually does with his DVD players side by side, is just grab a magazine, or a leaflet, brochure, junk mail, anything, and fold it over the front and just lift up the machine and rest the legs on it so it's quite tight. Works for him. Has to be really tight though. I wouldn't use material like a towel.

He also said you could turn it sideways but said that there are so many variables that may not work. He said the remote might still bounce off the walls but that depended on a lot of things too, like how shiny the paint is etc.. Beats me.

Anyway, that's what he does with his multiple, same model DVD players. Just a magazine or a brochure. He said it works for him and it's easy to remove when you want to use the player.

Basically he can't understand that if your one player is covered up properly that it could still work like that either.

Melody,

Sorry, but I'm not a "technical" person. But in reading your last post, think it might be worth a try for you to use the remotes that your cable company provided and the ones that came with the TVs.

Didn't read this entire thread, so don't know if you've been in touch with the tech support guys/girls.

My husband constantly messes up his TV/VCR viewing because he thinks he has to use remotes that have no business being used.

I've stuck only with the remote that the cable company gave me and the remote that came with the VCR. Never had one single problem.

Granted I only have one TV and VCR that I'm dealing with, but if you keep everything separated, that might be your answer - including getting a second cable box.

Good luck,

Sheltiemom

Okay, here's a good question for you. Even I programmed the cable remote to use the vcr, IT WOULD AFFECT THE VCR ON THE RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S THE EXACT SAME PANASONIC VCR.

So using the cable remote would do the same thing . Using any remote on the left would also affect the right vcr. They are exactly the same. Same panasonic, same everything.

And you suggest getting a second cable box. Why would I do that? I already have two in my bedroom. The set-up on the left, and the set-up on the right.

I use the right set-up ONLY for recording (so I am free to either watch a tape or record on the left set-up.

I have a total of three cable boxes in my house. The other one is in the living room (also attached to a vcr and that's where Alan watches tv.

So in summation. 3 cable boxes, 3 vcrs (all the same), and 3 tv's

Hope I cleared this up.

Actually, while typing all of this, I myself got confused.

lol

Melody

Hi Melody,
You are definitely MacGyver material. I would think that the universal remote you use could be programmed to recognize 2 different VCRs even though the VCRs are identical that is if it’s not too old. We have Dish Network setup in our house in the living room and the bedroom with identical DVRs. I am a channel surfer; my wife likes to watch soap operas in the bedroom. I guess the cat got on my remote in the living room one time and reset it. The wife was enjoying her shows in the bedroom and all of a sudden she comes storming into the living room where I was channel surfing and said that her DVR was possessed. It just keeps changing channels without her even touching the remote. We called tech support and they helped me reprogram my remote so it only worked on my TV in the living room. So that proves that the signal from a remote will go through walls and everything.